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Jul 22, 2024
Beautiful smiles can be identified by perfectly aligned teeth shining brightly. However, only some are blessed with naturally symmetrical teeth. A large population has orthodontic problems that impact their bite and make the teeth appear uneven. Common problems affecting people with unbalanced teeth include overcrowding, disproportionate spacing, underbite, overbite, and crossbite. Most of them have to go through orthodontic treatments to resolve the issue.
While some get braces, others prefer Invisalign to restore their teeth to the perfect position. While the latter has become quite popular and is recommended by most trusted dentists in Hope Island, braces are still in demand. If you have misaligned teeth and are looking for a solution, here is a comparison between Invisalign and braces to choose the right treatment. It will help you make an informed decision.
1. What is Invisalign Treatment?
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment involving wearing transparent and removable aligners to straighten misaligned teeth. Invisalign is the name of the brand that has become synonymous with clear aligners because of its widespread popularity globally. It can be used to treat overbite, underbite, open bite, crossbite, gaps and overcrowding.
It does not have metal wires or brackets and is easy to remove and insert. The aligners are made from plastic, customised for every individual, and need to be changed every few weeks.
2. Pros of Invisalign
Invisalign is a modern alternative for braces that is popular because of the following reasons:
- These are transparent trays worn over teeth that are hardly noticed because of their see-through appearance. Thus, they do not impact your self-confidence or smile.
- They can be taken out while eating, brushing and drinking water or other beverages, which ensures zero interference because of aligners. Removability helps keep the mouth clean and reduces the risk of cavities due to poor brushing.
- Invisalign offers optimum comfort because the plastic trays are customised to fit snugly over the teeth. The pressure created on teeth to move into the right position causes slight discomfort, but it does not affect the gums or inner walls of the cheeks.
- Individuals wearing Invisalign do not have any food restrictions because they remove the aligners while eating.
3. Cons of Invisalign
Invisalign treatment has some disadvantages that have been listed below:
- The orthodontic device must be worn for at least 22 hours a day. Thus, it has to be worn even while sleeping and can be removed only during meals, drinking beverages and brushing teeth. It can show results only when this rule is followed.
- Although Invisalign is removable and helps to eat comfortably, it requires the wearer to brush after every meal. This is necessary because stuck food within teeth under the aligners can lead to tooth decay. Thus, dentists in Hope Island suggest carrying a clean container to place the aligners while eating.
- One of the biggest drawbacks of Invisalign treatment is that it cannot be used to treat complicated alignment issues, such as severe bad bites known as malocclusion (the upper and lower jaws do not align while closing the mouth).
4. What Are Braces?
Braces are made of metal and are fixed to the teeth with stainless steel bands, wires, and brackets. They create pressure on teeth and force them to move into the correct positions for an appropriate bite. Most individuals with misaligned teeth wear braces during their teenage years.
This orthodontic device is best used when the jaws and bones are still developing and the alignment can be easily corrected. It can be used to treat all complex alignment problems, including severe malocclusion and crooked and gapped teeth.
5. Pros of Wearing Braces
The benefits of choosing braces are as follows:
- Braces are suitable for treating all alignment problems and showcase the best results. These devices are effective and highly recommended by Hope Island dentists for correcting temporomandibular joint(TMJ) disorders.
- Individuals with complex alignment problems do not have to rely on metal braces. They can also choose variants like ceramic or lingual (behind teeth) braces. These new devices do not have brackets and wires, which makes them less noticeable.
- Braces need not be removed while eating or drinking because they are not affected by hot food and drinks and do not get stained.
6. Cons of Wearing Braces
While braces are a tested and traditionally used orthodontic treatment, they have certain drawbacks, such as:
- Metal braces can be uncomfortable for the wearer, who may take time to adjust to this fixture in the mouth. They can also cause abrasions in the inner walls.
- Braces have to worn for up two years for complete correction of teeth. They can also break during this period and can cause pain and discomfort.
- Metal braces are not pretty. They cover the teeth with wires and brackets. They are easily visible and can make the wearer feel unconfident.
- Individuals wearing braces are not allowed to eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods such as chewing gum, candies, nuts, and popcorn.
7. Which Orthodontic Treatment is better?
If you have misaligned teeth, you must ask your dentist in Hope Island about the right treatment for you. The answer will depend on the severity of the misalignment. If you have to make a choice between the two, you must remember that Invisalign is more expensive. However, the treatment can be completed within six to twelve months. In addition, braces will make you stop eating a lot of food and interfere with brushing. You may have to deal with cuts in your mouth due to the wires and brackets. If you do not mind paying a few extra dollars, opting for Invisalign is a better choice if you are eligible for it.
Wrapping Up
Misaligned teeth impact not only your smile but also your chewing. It is vital to understand the problem by visiting your dentist and identifying the right orthodontic treatment.
