Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, and we all understand the importance of making a good first impression. For this reason, many people use orthodontic appliances to straighten their teeth and create that perfect, winning smile. Two of the most popular tools people use to straighten their teeth are Invisalign teeth aligners and braces. While these two systems share a similar purpose, there are significant differences between them, and knowing these differences is essential to choosing the right option for you.
At Babylon Dental Care, our compassionate and dedicated team can help you figure out whether Invisalign, braces, or another treatment option is the right choice for you. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between Invisalign and braces, or call (631) 893-6665 to schedule an appointment.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is the name of a company that makes clear aligners for people to wear over their teeth. Because the aligners are clear, they are typically difficult to see in your mouth, making them more visually appealing than braces.
Invisalign treatment begins with a thorough, 3-D scan of your teeth so your dentist or orthodontist can create aligners specifically made for your mouth. Once the scan is complete, your dentist or orthodontist will glue some small attachments to your teeth. When you wear the Invisalign aligners, they press up against the attachments and gently push your teeth in the desired direction.
The benefits of Invisalign and similar appliances are (if you’ll pardon the pun) clear: Most people can’t tell you’re wearing them, and you don’t have to walk around with a mouth full of metal. If you don’t need significant work done to fix your smile, Invisalign and similar products can do the job without the need to worry about metal braces. Invisalign is also cheaper than braces in many instances.
The downsides of Invisalign are that you still have to clean the aligners every day and remember to wear them. If you forget to wear your aligners for even a few hours, you’ll lose much of the benefit of wearing them. Finally, Invisalign does not work to fix more significant dental issues.
Braces Basics
There are many kinds of dental braces, but the most common ones use metal brackets glued to teeth, with wires connecting the brackets. The pressure from the wires puts pressure on tooth ligaments to straighten out your teeth and give you a nicer smile.
Braces can be comfortable and often take a little while to adjust to, but they don’t involve as much daily maintenance as Invisalign aligners. As long as you follow your normal oral hygiene routine and don’t eat certain foods that break off the brackets, you can leave your braces alone and they’ll do their job.
People with more severe dental conditions will likely need braces, as Invisalign does not do enough to fix more involved problems. Because braces involve more elaborate and expensive hardware, they are usually more expensive than Invisalign.
Which One’s Right for You?
If you’re not sure whether Invisalign or braces are right for you, Babylon Dental Care can help. Our knowledgeable and caring team can determine which treatment will give you the best result. We have two locations in New York and are ready to help you look your best. Call (631) 893-6665 today or visit our contact page to schedule an appointment.
