Invisalign® vs. Braces

Milwaukie, OR

Invisalign® is an innovative new dental technology used to straighten misaligned teeth and a gap-toothed smile. It involves wearing a series of clear, BPA-free plastic aligner trays that help to shift your teeth into the correct position over time.

Invisalign can be a wonderful alternative to traditional metal braces since they are virtually invisible, more comfortable, and easily removable. At ComfortCare Dental, we may recommend Invisalign so that you may get a straighter smile in a discreet way.

Difference Between Braces and Invisalign

Traditional dental braces consist of metal brackets with a metal archwire running between them. These metal brackets are cemented to your teeth and cannot be removed at home. Metal braces are extremely effective in treating complex teeth alignment issues.

Invisalign, on the other hand, is more similar to retainers than braces. They are excellent corrective options for mild to moderate misalignments. Unlike braces, they are not fixed but need to be worn 20 to 22 hours every day for the treatment to work. The biggest benefit it offers over braces is that it is more esthetically pleasing and easily removable.

Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign treatment offers a number of benefits for people with slightly crooked teeth. Some of the advantages are:

• More Discreet: Many people hesitate to get their teeth straightened because they think metal braces do not look attractive. Invisalign trays, however, are clear and almost invisible, so many people do not feel self-conscious while wearing them.

• Increased Comfort: One of the most common complaints among people who wear traditional braces is that the brackets and wires dig into their inner lips and cheek and cause sores. On the other hand, Invisalign trays are made of plastic, which is a softer material and less harsh on your mouth.

• No Dietary Restrictions: With metal braces, you may not be able to eat hard, sticky, or tough foods as it can damage the wires or pull off the brackets from your teeth. Since Invisalign are removable, you can simply take them out when you are having a meal, eat your favorite food, and then place them in when you are done.

• Better Oral Hygiene: It can be tricky to effectively brush your teeth when you are wearing metal braces. There is a risk of debris getting trapped beneath the wires and causing infection or decay. With Invisalign, exercising oral hygiene is very easy since all you need to do is take out your aligners and brush your teeth as you normally do.

• Reduced Need for Repairs: With metal braces, if the archwire snaps or if a bracket falls off, you may need to get repairs and replacements. With Invisalign, this is usually not a problem since if you tear a tray, you can replace it with the next set in the series.

• Fewer Dental Visits: Braces require you to make a dental appointment every few weeks to get the wires tightened. Invisalign trays can be replaced every two weeks without dental intervention. However, you will still need to come to a few appointments so that we may check the progress of your teeth.

There is nothing wrong with having a few small gaps or not having a perfectly straight smile. However, if you do want to improve your smile, Invisalign may be able to help. Schedule an appointment with us by calling our Milwaukie or Oregon City offices so that we can determine whether you are a good candidate for Invisalign or not.