Is Invisalign really better than braces?
An Invisalign treatment uses tailor-made aligners made specifically for the individual who is wearing them to straighten and correct teeth. Straightening your teeth with these aligners involves wearing trays made out of smooth plastic over your teeth. It is their job to softly and gradually shift the teeth into place following the precise movements that your dentist has arranged for you.
The simple and effective Invisalign system eliminates the need for metal brackets or painfully tightening wires involved with another orthodontic treatment. The aligning trays are replaced every two weeks, and soon enough, your treatment will be over.
The Cost of Getting Invisalign vs The Cost of Getting Braces
Cost of Invisalign
Invisalign costs will vary depending on how many trays are required. The number of trays is dependent on the severity of the changes needed to your teeth. Invisalign may cost anywhere between about $3,500 and $8,500.
Cost of Braces
Traditional braces in 2024 also cost between $3,500 and $8,500.
Read More: A Guide to Comparing Invisalign Costs vs Braces Costs
Why is Invisalign cheaper than braces?
At Kumra Orthodontics, we do one fee for any treatment that you want. We do not like when patients come in only being able to afford treatment type of metal braces, but wanting Invisalign, we want this to be as enjoyable of a process for you. We do the same price for treatment for braces and Invisalign.
6 Differences Between Invisalign and Metal Braces
Price
It is essential to discuss the cost of treatment with your orthodontist before making a decision. If you have dental insurance, your provider may be able to reimburse you for a portion of the entire cost of braces or Invisalign. Contact your insurance company or verify your coverage to get an idea of how much braces or Invisalign will cost you in the long run.
Appearance
When contrasting braces with Invisalign, the most glaring difference is their appearance, where Invisalign always wins. Metal braces are apparent compared with Invisalign, which is nearly undetectable with the naked eye.
Clear plastic Invisalign trays are used to align teeth, while metal braces are used to straighten them. Choosing different colored bands for metal braces is something that some youngsters love doing, but for the most part, both children and adults prefer the aesthetic of Invisalign.
If you want the alignment of your teeth to be as unobtrusive as possible, Invisalign is the best option for you.
Comfort
Straightening your teeth is not typically a pleasant experience. Invisalign and braces both have the potential to cause discomfort while realigning your teeth.
Invisalign works to place less pressure on the teeth, thus making it more comfortable than traditional braces. Braces can also have sharp edges that can injure the inner lip and the tongue if worn incorrectly.
If you or your child participates in sports, metal braces may pose a safety hazard if they come into contact with another player.
Over time, people become accustomed to wearing braces or Invisalign and discover that they can be reasonably comfortable.
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Effectiveness
The use of braces has long been practiced to straighten teeth and make smiles more attractive. Orthodontic braces are unable to be removed by the patient; as a result, the patient is required to wear them 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as prescribed by the orthodontic specialist.
It is challenging to adhere to the recommended time when using Invisalign because the trays are removable. You will also lose the effect of the trays if you misplace or forget to wear them, so be careful not to lose them.
The average number of hours spent wearing the Invisalign trays is fewer than the suggested amount, which can increase the amount of time it takes to finish treatment.
Additionally, in circumstances where the teeth are badly misaligned, traditional braces are more effective than clear aligners. Invisalign is unable to straighten teeth that are rotated or overlapped in all situations.
If you are unsure whether you could be a good candidate for Invisalign, you can schedule an appointment to find out.
Convenience
Invisalign and braces both have their advantages and disadvantages regarding convenience.
Braces have the advantage of not needing to be removed, but they can inconveniently cause trouble chewing certain foods.
Invisalign is a great option when you want to eat hard or sticky foods. The only problem is that sometimes patients forget to take the trays out and store them properly.
If you or your child is prone to misplacing things, Invisalign may not be the ideal choice for you or your child. In addition, it can be challenging to excuse oneself from social situations to remove the Invisalign trays before eating and put them back in again after eating.
Care and Cleaning
Your teeth should always be clean, regardless of whether you are wearing braces or Invisalign aligners. It is usually easier to keep your teeth clean when you have braces because you brush and floss as usual. There may be times, however, when you need to clean the metal with a smaller brush.
Brushing and flossing are the same as traditional braces, but some extra effort is required to keep the aligner trays clean. Every time you eat, you should wipe down the serving platters. You can clean your Invisalign aligners with warm water and a toothbrush, or you can use a particular cleaning solution designed just for Invisalign.
It can take a lot of time to clean every crevice in the Invisalign tray, even when you are at home. Furthermore, a buildup of bacteria or solid food might occur if the area is not cleaned correctly.
When you wear braces or Invisalign, it is even more vital to be vigilant about your dental health, so make sure to brush and floss regularly.
Follow-Up and Post-Treatment
It is essential to keep up with orthodontic appointments regardless of whether you wear braces or Invisalign aligners. This usually is once a month for braces, and it is once every 4 to 6 weeks for Invisalign.
Once you undergo orthodontic treatment, you are usually required to wear a retainer to maintain your new alignment. If you don’t do this, you run the risk of your teeth shifting back to their previous position.
Once your treatment is complete, you will need to wear a tray at night to maintain your straight teeth.
Factors to Consider When Deciding Between Invisalign and Regular Braces
Metal vs. Plastic
The most noticeable difference between Invisalign and braces is the way they look on the outside. You should be familiar with the operation of each of these orthodontic instruments to grasp the distinction better. Braces are applied to the teeth by an experienced orthodontist who uses bonding material to affix brackets to each tooth.
A thin, metal wire known as an archwire is then attached to complete the structure from bracket to bracket. The wire provides a little tension on the teeth, which causes them to move. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign utilizes a series of computer-generated, clear removable aligners that are worn over time to move teeth into their correct position gradually.
Invisalign aligners are smoother and more pleasant than their metal counterparts, and they are nearly invisible, making it likely that others will not even notice you are wearing them. They are also removable, making it unlikely that you will experience any discomfort while wearing them.
Metal braces, on the other hand, are not the only alternative, as previously stated. In addition to metal braces, many clinics also offer ceramic braces, which are less visible because of their ceramic material. Braces made of ceramic or transparent material are not as durable as metal braces.
Moderate vs. Challenging
A significant factor to consider when selecting which orthodontic treatment is right for you is the amount of straightening your teeth currently require.
Orthodontic treatment using traditional braces is more effective when you have challenging orthodontic demands, such as when you need to straighten severely misaligned teeth or when you have teeth that are sitting at dramatically different heights. Various dental movements can be more challenging with plastic shells, which is why this is the case. Invisalign can be a good solution for people with mild to moderate crowding and alignment problems or who have previously had orthodontic treatment but did not wear their retainers and experienced some relapses.
More Visits vs. Fewer Visits
With traditional braces, you would visit your orthodontist every month for fresh wires and tightening, which would take place in Stafford, Virginia, and Washington, DC. With Invisalign, you will only need to update your aligner trays every two weeks and will only need to visit the dentist every four to six weeks, on average.
Food Restrictions vs. Eat What You Want
In order to prevent dental problems, you should be selective about what you consume. Kumra Orthodontics recommends avoiding sticky, hard, or extremely sweet foods, which can damage brackets and wires or cause cavities.
Patients who use Invisalign take their aligners out whenever they eat or drink, so they do not have the same food limitations that people who wear braces do.
Related: Can You Drink Soda with Invisalign?
Brushing vs. Soaking
The clear aligners from Invisalign allow you to wash and floss your teeth as usual, which is essential for maintaining your periodontal health. Every time you take out your aligners, you should brush your teeth and rinse them well. Make sure you soak them once a day to keep them in good condition.
The permanent nature of traditional braces in the mouth makes them more prone to food trapping and more challenging to clean. Brushing and flossing the teeth at least twice a day is essential for removing food particles.
Kumra Orthodontics offers a variety of orthodontic treatments, and its professionals are capable of delivering you a beautiful smile based on the treatment method that is most appropriate for you. You can request an appointment online or call one of our convenient locations in Stafford, Virginia, or the Washington, DC region to schedule your initial consultation.
6 Benefits of Choosing Invisalign for Your Teeth
Keeping your Invisalign aligners clean is easy.
Cleaning your teeth properly is sometimes tricky if you wear braces. The accumulation of food in hard-to-reach places can lead to poor oral hygiene if they are not thoroughly cleaned out.
Invisalign aligners, on the other hand, are simple to remove and clean. It is not necessary to floss or brush in between the brackets and wires of your Invisalign aligners because these aligners are fully detachable from your mouth. The practice of brushing and flossing your teeth as you usually would for many years make a significant difference in your dental health.
There are no restrictions on what you can eat.
Dental professionals advise their patients not to eat specific foods or chew gum after having braces installed on them. Unfortunately, some patients fail to recognize this and wind up harming their brackets or wires due to their actions.
If you pick Invisalign, you will not be subjected to any dietary restrictions. You can easily remove Invisalign aligners without hurting your teeth, so you can eat anything you want.
There are no uncomfortable wires or brackets.
It may take some time to become accustomed to a new dental appliance in your mouth. However, Invisalign aligners are generally more comfortable than metal braces for two key reasons:
No Sharp Edges
Brackets have sharp edges that might cause irritation to your cheeks if they are not used properly. The margins of Invisalign are smooth.
No Tightening
A dentist or orthodontist should tighten your braces.
When you use Invisalign, you are given several sets of aligners every two weeks, which you have to change out. Each one is slightly altered from its predecessor. When you put in a new set of aligners, you may feel a minor tightness, but it shouldn’t last more than a day or two.
The alignment is almost invisible.
The main criticism levelled against traditional braces is that they can be unsightly. Your grin is something that everyone notices. Therefore you may not want braces to hide it up. Fortunately, Invisalign can provide the same effects as braces while being less apparent. Because Invisalign aligners are composed of transparent plastic, they are virtually undetectable when you are smiling.
Spend less time in the dental chair.
To ensure their wires are properly tightened, patients should see their dentist on a regular basis for braces. Invisalign patients are also provided with several sets of aligners that they can swap out by themselves as needed.
The orthodontist still needs to regularly monitor Invisalign patients’ progress, but these appointments are generally less frequent than tightening appointments for braces, which are usually scheduled every 4 to 8 weeks.
You won’t have to be concerned about stains.
Some individuals who have braces may notice a minor darkening of their teeth in the areas where the brackets have been placed. This is usually only the case if the patient consumes a large amount of sugar or other foods that discolor the teeth.
The slight risk of teeth discoloration associated with braces can be completely avoided by using Invisalign aligners instead. Because the aligners are not attached to your teeth, it is simple to clean every one of your teeth properly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whether Invisalign is Cheaper Than Braces
Should I get an Invisalign or braces?
So not all cases are Invisalign friendly; some cases you cannot treat with Invisalign because the movement needed is just far too complex. Also, we know when we treat some of our younger patients that we won’t be compliant enough to use Invisalign. Hence, as a doctor, we determine which treatment will allow everyone to be successful, patient, parent, and orthodontist.
It depends on the comfort level of having accountability. I will say Invisalign appointment frequency is less than it is with braces. The standard interval for appointments for braces is probably going to be every six to 10 weeks. For Invisalign, it is probably going to be every 9 to 14 weeks.
Can you do Invisalign on bottom teeth only?
You sure can, but we want to make sure we stress that the bite stays in coincidence. Orthodontic treatment usually works better when you have both arches, top, and bottom, being treated so that you maintain the integrity of the bite. While jaws are independent, when you bite down, they need to be in harmony.
How much does Invisalign cost for bottom teeth only?
Only the cost difference for treating one arch is nominal. There’s still a significant lab fee, a significant fee of the treatment plan, the case, and everything, so you may be looking at just a few $100 difference for treating one jaw, top or bottom only, and that price point is probably better to do both so that we can take advantage of being able to make sure we do the best possible work for our patients.
Call Kumra Orthodontics and ask whether Invisalign is cheaper than getting braces.
No matter what treatment you choose, an expert orthodontist can straighten your teeth with either braces and Invisalign. The orthodontist who will be working on your smile will be in charge of determining which appliance will be used to align your teeth and get the best possible outcomes for yo
