Malocclusion has affected the lives of millions of people worldwide. It not only ruins the aesthetics of the smile, but also the functionality of the mouth. People with malocclusion have difficulty biting and chewing food, brushing and flossing their teeth, and also with their phonetics. Hence, dentists recommend getting malocclusion treated at an early age itself, which otherwise could lead to further complications such as a change in facial shape or jawbone deterioration.

Dental Braces

Traditional dental braces have been the go-to solution to treat malocclusion. They are a combination of metal brackets and wires/bands that move the teeth by applying pressure on them in the required direction. They are known to be highly effective in treating some of the most complicated types of malocclusion and bite-related issues. However, their metal nature and appearance brought up the need for a new type of orthodontic aligner.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a much newer orthodontic appliance that does the job of straightening misaligned teeth. It is made from clear plastic and stays hidden when the patient puts it on. One of the best features of Invisalign is that it can be removed whenever required, such as while brushing teeth or eating food.

Let’s see how they compare with each other.

• Dental braces are highly effective in treating even the most complicated cases of malocclusion. The brackets and wires work in unison to provide the required results. Invisalign, on the other hand, can be used for much simpler cases of malocclusion. Bite issues, protrusion of teeth, etc. can be effectively treated using Invisalign.
• When it comes to the aesthetics of the smile, Invisalign is far ahead of braces. Braces are made from metal or ceramic components that are very apparent when the patient smiles or talks. It may even lead to embarrassment when school-going kids or teens wear them. Invisalign is made from transparent plastic, which allows it to stay hidden during the treatment period. No one would know that you’re wearing them unless they look closer.
• Invisalign is removable. You can remove them when you have to eat food, attend an important meeting, make a presentation at school in front of the whole class, brush and floss your teeth every day, or pretty much any situation that calls for it. Braces are fixed and will have to be worn for the entire treatment period. They may interfere with some of your everyday activities, such as eating food or brushing the teeth.
• With Invisalign, there is no restriction on the food you should consume. You can just take off the aligner, eat anything you want to, clean your teeth and just put it back on. However, when you get braces, your dentist would keep certain foods off your diet. Sticky foods such as gummy bears, candies, pastries, etc. chewy foods such as nuts, corn cob, pizza, etc. will be off your diet until your treatment is completed.
• The chances of injuring the inner soft tissues of your mouth are significantly higher in the case of metal braces. When you have a bad fall, bite onto something too hard or play certain sports that involve a lot of physical contact, the soft inner lining, tongue, and lips may get injured due to the metal brackets and wires. Invisalign, however, is entirely metal free and has no pointy components involved. The chances of getting injured are next to none.

Schedule an online appointment or call our office in the Bay Area to discuss with our team about the best orthodontic option for yourself.