How to Decide Between Clear Braces and Invisalign 

It can be extremely confusing deciding whether you want Invisalign® or clear braces. However, knowing the pros and cons can help you determine which one is suited for you.

Understanding Clear Braces and Invisalign

Clear braces, also called ceramic braces, involve using clear ceramic brackets with a metal or white-colored wire. They are almost identical to metal braces regarding how treatment works. The brackets are bonded to your teeth and then connected by an arch wire that applies pressure to the teeth, shifting them toward proper alignment. The average treatment can last anywhere between 16-18 months.

Invisalign treatment involves using several transparent, retainer-like aligners made from smooth, medical-grade plastic. The aligners, customized for each patient, are designed to shift the teeth slowly. The treatment usually takes nine months to a year, depending on the condition of your teeth.

Clear Braces Pros

• Excellent Results: Braces can achieve better results than Invisalign.
• Fewer Worries: Since clear braces are bonded to your teeth, you don’t need to remember to put them back on.

Invisalign Pros

• Discreet: Invisalign aligners are practically invisible.
• No-Diet: Invisalign aligners are removable, allowing you to take them out when you’re eating. That means you can continue eating whatever you desire!
• Convenient: Flossing and brushing your teeth are simple tasks with nothing bonded to your teeth.
• More Comfortable: Invisalign is more comfortable than braces because they’re smooth.
• Fewer Consultations: Once you start your Invisalign treatment, you will only have to come in every eight to ten weeks to pick up new aligners versus every six weeks for adjustments with ceramic braces.

Clear Braces Cons

• Strict Diet: You need to avoid a long list of foods, including sticky foods, when you’re wearing braces, as they can break the arch wire or dislodge a bracket.
• Challenging Dental Care: Brushing and flossing can be more difficult, leading to staining and gum disease if proper dental care is not followed.
• Brittle: Clear braces are more brittle than metal, making them prone to damage over time.
• Irritation: The brackets and wires in clear braces can cause cuts and irritation on the inner lining of your cheeks and lips.

Invisalign Cons

• Self-discipline: Successful Invisalign results require a lot of self-discipline. You must take your aligners in and out of your mouth every time you eat and brush your teeth. And you need to wear the aligners for at least 22 hours daily.

Which Treatment is Most Suitable for You?

Invisalign isn’t suitable for everyone. While your aesthetic desires are significant, your orthodontic needs should determine whether clear braces or Invisalign is your best option. For example, Invisalign treats moderate or mild cases, like gapped teeth, while clear braces can treat more extensive and complex issues, such as malocclusions and crossbites.

If you still don’t know which treatment is best suited to you, contact us at Broad Street Braces to schedule a consultation today. We can check your teeth and help you make a more informed decision.