For the layman, choosing between braces and Invisalign might feel like choosing what color of pen you’ll use to sign your taxes; a momentary and seemingly inconsequential decision. In reality, it will have more ramifications than you might think down the line. Our team at Krieger Orthodontics believes that you should be as informed as possible on this surprisingly significant first step of your orthodontic journey. Choosing between braces and Invisalign is a big decision and our team is here to help!
Dr. Glenn Krieger is committed to helping you explore all the options available to you and creating a personalized plan based on your specific needs and goals! The first step is scheduling an initial consultation at our office in Lewisville. During this visit, our doctors and staff will be happy to discuss any questions or concerns you may have, including topics such as:
- how orthodontic treatment will change your smile
- which treatments will best fit your needs
- what payment options are available to you
- differences between popular treatments like metal braces and clear aligners
Traditional metal braces and Invisalign clear aligners tend to be our most frequently chosen treatment options, so we’ll be taking a look at the pros and cons of each! Having this information will help you decide which treatment option would be the best fit for your unique smile. Keep reading below to learn more!
Orthodontic Treatment: The Basics
Braces and aligners like Invisalign both work by applying gentle force to your teeth and jaws to shift them into more optimal positions over time. Aligning your mouth in this way will gradually improve the appearance of your smile and your overall oral health. Traditional braces have been used for hundreds of years, and have a well-established reputation for successfully correcting a variety of orthodontic issues ranging from minor crooked teeth to major jaw overlaps.
Invisalign is a newer treatment method, but this innovative system has grown in popularity with teens and adults over the last twenty years. Braces and Invisalign are both excellent options for anyone interested in achieving a beautiful smile, but there are some important differences between them.
Traditional Braces
Traditional braces have seen a multitude of optimizations to their size, functionality, and even color over the years. That means this effective treatment option is more efficient and adaptable than ever! Traditional metal braces are useful for correcting a wide range of orthodontic issues, especially more complex or severe cases. Every patient responds to treatment in their own way, so treatment durations will vary. However, the average patient can expect to spend anywhere from 18-36 months in braces.
Braces can come with a small learning curve. There are certain foods that you will need to avoid throughout your treatment, like overly crunchy or chewy foods that can damage the brackets and wires. You’ll also need to adjust your dental hygiene routine. It can be tricky learning to navigate your brush around braces, and flossing is more difficult too, but these are essential skills to ensure that your treatment succeeds.
Fortunately, there are a variety of accessories available to make cleaning much easier! Waterpiks help rinse inaccessible places while ortho-picks simplify flossing for you. This all may seem a little overwhelming at first, but don’t worry—these precautions will become part of your daily routine before you know it.
At Krieger Orthodontics, we also offer clear braces to our patients. These work the same way as metal braces but are made from clear and ceramic materials that blend in with your smile. Clear braces are an excellent option if you’re worried about the esthetic aspects of orthodontic treatment.
Since ceramic brackets are about the same size and shape as metal brackets, they’re just as effective at straightening your smile. However, since the material they’re made of can be more prone to chipping or cracking, we typically recommend clear braces for our older teens and adult patients.
Invisalign Clear Aligners
There are two major reasons why, year after year, Invisalign aligners prove to be our most popular alternative to braces: they’re nearly invisible, giving patients a more subtle way to straighten their smile; and they’re removable, providing a level of freedom that other treatment methods don’t. Additionally, the smooth material from which clear aligners are made tends to be more comfortable than traditional braces, as their SmartTrack plastic is less abrasive on lips, tongues, and gums. When worn as directed, Invisalign aligners are just as efficient as braces at correcting many of the most common orthodontic issues.
Just like braces, the total treatment time for Invisalign patients will vary from case to case, but the average is anywhere from 9-18 months. The number of aligners needed will depend on your unique needs, how compliant you are with following your orthodontist’s guidelines, and how your mouth responds to treatment.
Because Invisalign aligners are removable, they’re extremely easy to maintain. They’re designed to be taken out before brushing and flossing and when eating or drinking anything other than water. Since you don’t have your aligners in during mealtimes, there are no food restrictions! You can continue eating all your favorite snacks and meals as long as you make sure to clean your teeth before replacing your aligners. This makes eating and caring for your teeth a less restrictive, less frustrating process!
If you select Invisalign for your orthodontic procedure, follow-up appointments with Dr. Krieger won’t be as frequent as they would be with braces, but they’re just as important! Aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours each day and switched out every 1-2 weeks in order to be successful. Because the aligners are custom-designed to fit each patient’s unique needs, these frequent changes are necessary in order to keep up with the mouth’s movements. Skipping appointments or missing scheduled aligner changes can negate the hard-earned progress you’ve made, so don’t let it slip!
Find the Best Fit For Your Smile with Krieger Orthodontics
Clearly, traditional braces and Invisalign clear aligners both have many benefits. Our expert team is happy to discuss your options with you in further detail, and will only recommend the treatment they feel best fits your unique smile. Our customized treatment plans are built around your unique needs, lifestyle, and goals, so you can achieve a smile that looks and feels great in the shortest amount of time possible!
If you’re ready to discover the best treatment for your smile, get in touch today to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Krieger. Our team is committed to keeping your mouth healthy and aligned for a lifetime of beautiful smiles!
