Choosing between Invisalign and traditional metal braces is difficult if you’re unsure how each orthodontic treatment option works or whether you’ll achieve the same beautiful smile. There’s a lot to consider with both options, including how well you’ll adapt to the responsibility of oral care around the metal brackets and wires of braces or the 20 to 22 hours of the day that you’ll be required to wear Invisalign for the best results.
Read on to get detailed answers to the top common Invisalign vs. braces questions, including what you can expect with either treatment, how to decide which one fits your life best, and where to find the best dentist in Leander for braces treatment.
Invisalign vs. Braces: Which Orthodontic Treatment Works Better?
The best option for you depends on the complexity of your orthodontic needs and what you want your final result to look like. Invisalign is effective for mild or moderate orthodontic needs, including:
- Mild to moderate tooth crowding
- Small gaps between the teeth
- Mild bite misalignments
Braces are best if your case is more complex, like:
- Severe teeth crowding
- Rotated teeth
- Severe bite misalignment, including underbite, overbite, or open bite
Braces are better in these cases because brackets and wires give your orthodontist direct control over tooth movement, including direction, speed, and timing. Braces are also helpful when several teeth need to move together or when bite correction requires elastics.
Are Invisalign Clear Aligners More Expensive Than Braces?
People often ask us, “Does Invisalign cost more than braces?” The honest answer is that they can fall within a similar range, but your final cost depends on what your teeth need and how long treatment will take. A simple case may cost less than a complex bite correction that requires multiple stages, additional visits, or more hands-on adjustments. Your commitment to following your treatment plan also affects your overall cost. Skipping appointments for adjusting your braces, not wearing your elastics, or not wearing your clear aligners for the recommended 20 to 22 hours a day can all delay treatment and end up costing you more.
Can Invisalign Work Faster Than Braces?
People often hope Invisalign will be the faster route, and in many mild-to-moderate cases, it can be. The average treatment time for traditional braces is 18 to 24 months, and for Invisalign it is typically 12 to 18 months, though the timeline varies based on the complexity of the case and your commitment to following treatment guidance.
Do Traditional Metal Braces Hurt More Than Invisalign?
Both Invisalign and traditional metal braces can cause mild, temporary discomfort, especially right after an adjustment or switching to the next aligner tray in your series. Neither treatment option should cause sharp pain or pain that lasts more than a couple of days. If you experience stabbing pain, a broken bracket, loose wire, or soreness that worsens instead of improving, you may need a quick adjustment before your next scheduled appointment. Additionally, dental wax can help protect the sensitive tissues of your mouth if you have a wire poking you.
Life During Orthodontic Treatment: A Look at Eating, Oral Care, Sports, and Convenience
Oral care, eating and drinking, and scheduling dental appointments differ between Invisalign and traditional metal braces.
- Invisalign treatment consists of removable clear aligners that you need to take out to eat and brush. This allows you to eat and drink without restriction, but it requires discipline to brush and reinsert your aligners after every meal or snack. Your aligners will also require gentle cleaning every day. Getting into the habit of cleaning your aligners with aligner cleaner during your regular nightly brushing and flossing also takes some getting used to.
- Traditional metal braces are bonded to your teeth, so you never have to remember to put anything back in, but eating may require more planning because sticky or crunchy foods can bend a wire or break a bracket. Oral hygiene also requires more effort because food can get stuck around the brackets, and it can be frustrating to floss when you are running late.
Finding the Best Dentist in Leander for Invisalign and Traditional Braces
There’s no greater boost to your self-confidence than having a smile you’re proud to show off at any given moment. At Green Dentistry of Leander, we make Invisalign and braces manageable by keeping your care under one roof, so you are not bounced between offices when you need regular dental checkups, gum care, or other treatment that can affect how smoothly your orthodontic treatment goes.
Our team of expert dentists takes the time to understand your lifestyle and which treatment you can realistically handle, so we can guide you through an orthodontic treatment that fits your life rather than complicating it.
We also offer convenient extended weekend hours, including Saturdays, so you can keep appointments without rearranging work, school, or family plans. Patients in Austin, Georgetown, Round Rock, Brushy Creek, Liberty Hill, and Cedar Park trust us with their care because they want a dental clinic that handles the details, answers questions clearly, and makes orthodontic treatment less stressful.
Ready to start bringing your dream smile to life with help from the best dentists in Leander?
