Traditional metal braces have been around for decades, often looked at with the criticism, but with the understanding that it was a necessary need. Now, Invisalign has entered the stage and patients may have trouble figuring out which treatment works best for them. At Christie Park Dental, we believe that the first step towards an improved smile begins with well-informed patient. Here we’ll take a look at four fields where braces and Invisalign cross, and what benefits or disadvantages occur for each.
Teeth Correction Completion
Braces: Metal braces have been proven to be able to correct all sorts of teeth imperfections, such as overbites, underbites, cross-bites, wide gaps between teeth and so much more. On average, braces take about 24 months (or 2 years) to complete, but the result is corrected teeth.
Invisalign: There is also very little that Invisalign cannot fix, but that will be left up to the discretion of the dentist like Dr. Andre Hughes. One major difference from braces, however, is the average treatment time. For Invisalign it comes out to about 12 to 18 months for a completed treatment; it’s the same outstanding results that are seen with braces, except in half the time.
Food
Braces: This treatment has been notorious for preventing patients from eating the foods they love. Tough, sticky, or crunchy consumables have the potential to damage the braces, causing them to break, bend, or worse. Patients either have to forgo these types of foods, or spend time preparing them differently for eating.
Invisalign: With Invisalign clear aligners, there are no such restrictions. This is due to the versatility of the aligners, such as their removability. By removing the aligners for meals, patients can enjoy whatever foods they love. So long as they clean their teeth and their aligners before putting them back in, they can enjoy mealtimes without any restrictions.
Physical Activities
Braces: Braces are comprised of brackets, wires, and rubber bands, all of which stick out from the surface of the teeth. While this does not completely alter your speech, it can make physical activities, like contact sports, pretty difficult. These braces are exposed and can’t always fit into a mouthguard, thereby putting them at risk for breaking if you take an impact to the face. Broken braces can potentially cut your lips and cheeks, or you could get them caught in between. Overall, when it comes to playing sports or playing instruments, extra steps may be needed to protect your braces.
Invisalign: These clear, plastic aligners lie flat against the teeth, keeping them safe and durable against high impacts. They also won’t get in the way of playing wind instruments, and are generally more comfortable than braces when it comes to high energy activities.
Cleanliness
Braces: Braces don’t cover up the whole tooth, so it’s generally easy to clean your teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste like normal. But it’s when it comes to flossing that it gets tricky. Patients often need to invest in special flossers that are designed to get in between the braces and cleaning between the teeth, down in the gums. Without this crucial step, any neglect could result in gum disease, or the more aggressive form in periodontitis.
Invisalign: Since the aligners are removable, cleaning your own teeth can be done the same way you have been, with toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. As your treatment progresses, you’ll start to notice that you can reach those tight spaces, or between overlapping teeth, without issue. The aligners only need to be washed with lukewarm water, and maybe a splash of brushing to stay clean, but contact us if you’d like more information on how to keep your aligners sparkling.
Learn More About Invisalign in Toronto, ON
Are you eager to see more information about Invisalign? We have dedicated this infosite to helping educate patients like you all about this treatment. Feel free to explore, or schedule a consultation with Dr. Andre Hughes at Christie Park Dental when you feel ready to take the first step.
