When it comes to orthodontic treatment, both traditional braces and Invisalign have their advantages and disadvantages. Traditional braces are best for people with severe misalignments and for most children and teens, while Invisalign is better suited for adults who want a nearly invisible and more comfortable option. While both types of treatment can be effective, Invisalign has numerous advantages over braces. For starters, they are more comfortable to wear since there are no wires or metal supports that can irritate the inside of the mouth.
They are also more discreet, so if you're worried about people knowing you're wearing them, Invisalign is a good option. When it comes to budget, metal braces will generally win. However, the impact that orthodontic intervention will have on your teen's life should be taken into consideration regardless of the method you choose. Lingual braces can also accelerate the learning curve for speaking with braces, as they can interfere with the tongue.
If a teenager is hit on the face with braces and without a mouth guard, two things can happen: damage the braces and cause tedious repair, or they can damage the soft tissues in the mouth. It's not always easy to get your kids to mind their own business, and that applies to both braces and transparent aligners. And perhaps most importantly, patients can't choose a fun orthodontic color with self-ligating appliances. More regular visits to the orthodontist with orthodontic appliances are needed to check progress and adjust them.
When choosing between Invisalign and braces for your teen, the first step is to consult with an orthodontist to discuss your treatment and funding options. It can be incredibly frustrating for some teens to have to think about every food they put in their mouths, which means that metal braces have a relatively steep learning curve. In the most complex or difficult orthodontic cases, orthopedic appliances are often the best in terms of speed of treatment. Orthodontic appliances have an average treatment time of 12 to 36 months, and some extreme cases take even longer to correct. The braces, wires, and elastic bands included in this type of treatment can easily attract pieces of food and plaque. The science of orthodontics has been around for centuries, but both metal braces and Invisalign have a decades-long history of effectively and affordably straightening teeth.
You may have several dental and facial problems that need to be corrected; braces can be used to solve each of them and end the treatment with an incredible smile. The drawbacks of self-ligating orthodontic appliances include the fact that the cable fits a little looser in the bracket than with an elastic band. The bottom line is that both traditional braces and transparent aligners are effective tools for delivering an excellent orthodontic result. Some bites work better with braces and others work better with Invisalign. Beyond that, it will depend on the tolerances and lifestyle of each patient.
