Braces vs. Invisalign: What’s The Difference?

Invisalign provider for straightening crooked teethMany of our patients visit our office looking to treat mild to moderate orthodontic concerns. As your trusted cosmetic dentist in Severna Park, MD, Dr. Lynn Morgan often recommends Invisalign treatment. Invisalign is a clear braces solution that allows patients to straighten their teeth while also maintaining their natural smile aesthetics. Here are some benefits to Invisalign compared to traditional braces:

No Metal Brackets or Wires

With traditional braces, metal brackets and wires are firmly secured to your teeth surfaces throughout the duration of your treatment. This can leave patients with a metallic smile for months or even years while their teeth are being straightened. With Invisalign, patients avoid this major inconvenience. The clear, plastic aligners are completely see-through, meaning no one will know that you are undergoing treatment unless you tell them. This makes Invisalign an ideal solution for both teens and adults who are seeking an effective alternative to traditional metal braces.

Better Oral Hygiene Habits

Traditional braces make it very challenging to maintain good oral hygiene habits. This is because patients face a learning curve when trying to adjust to brushing and flossing around the metal brackets and wires. Additionally, food and residue often get stuck in traditional braces very easily because of all the extra crevices they create against your teeth surfaces. Invisalign is a great way to maintain your best oral hygiene habits while also straightening your smile. You can simply remove the aligner to brush and floss your teeth as needed before reapplying it. This also makes it very easy to keep the aligners themselves clean.

No Dietary Restrictions

Orthodontic treatments have long since been associated with dietary restrictions. This is because excessively crunchy or chewy foods are known to cause damage to oral appliances like traditional braces. Many patients are unable to eat their favorite foods while undergoing treatment with traditional braces for an extended period of time. With Invisalign, patients are encouraged to remove their aligners and enjoy all of their foods and beverages. The removability of the Invisalign aligners allows for patients to make no dietary adjustments while still getting the same long-lasting results from their treatment.

Less Time In The Dental Chair

Wires must be tightened to ensure that patients with traditional braces are progressing through their treatment plan. This means that every few weeks, you must schedule an orthodontic appointment to have your braces tightened. After several months of treatment, this adds up to be a lot of time spent in the dental chair. Invisalign treatment helps patients avoid this. With Invisalign, you are given all of the aligners up front and instructed on when the proceed to the next aligner, usually every two weeks. You will need to schedule a check-up appointment every few months so that your dentist can ensure your treatment is progressing properly, but it is nowhere near the amount of time you would spend in the dental chair with traditional braces.

Schedule An Appointment

If you are interested in Invisalign treatment, please let us know at your next appointment or schedule a new patient consultation. Consultations for Invisalign are complimentary.  You will meet with one of our dentists who will evaluate your condition and recommend the treatment that is best for you. We look forward to seeing you soon.