Invisalign Aligners vs. Braces: Which Is Right For Your Smile?

Benefits of Braces

• 1Braces are Effective for Even Severe Dental Cases

  Due to the sturdy, effective design of braces, they can create beautiful, long-lasting results for even the most severe cases of dental misalignment.

  While Invisalign treatment may be less effective for particular conditions, such as impacted teeth or severe crowding, braces use lots of specialized methods to bring problem teeth into alignment.

  While Invisalign aligners may not have sufficient grip to draw out teeth that have grown into the wrong place, the tension on the brackets when pulled by the braces wire is extremely effective at moving those teeth. Braces offer a maximal grip that can re-align even severely misaligned teeth. This makes them an obvious choice for serious complex cases, where Invisalign treatment may require supplemental braces intervention to be fully effective.

• 2Braces Are Bonded to Your Teeth, For Consistent Movement

  There is a big benefit in having braces permanently bonded to your teeth: they are moving your teeth all the time.

  Invisalign aligners are removable but must be worn at least 22 hours a day to be effective. It is possible to fall out of a good routine with Invisalign treatment by neglecting to put them back in after meals, for instance, or forgetting to sleep while wearing them.

  For that reason, some patients prefer braces, because they don't require you to keep track of the aligners when they are not in your mouth. Compliance is still important; brushing and flossing regularly, visits to the dentist, etc; but you don't need to worry about losing the appliance.

• 3Colorful Rubber Bands Are a Fun Accessorizing Opportunity with Braces!

  Braces have grown up out of the old “metal-mouth” stereotype: braces are actually a total fashion statement, and many celebrities have made wearing braces trendy again, for a cool look while you achieve a beautiful smile.

  Braces offer a personalized customizable option with colorful rubber bands, which come in nearly every color under the sun! Kids and adults alike love matching their rubber bands to their style – whether it’s seasonal colors, favorite sports team, or just a color to go with every outfit!

• 4Years of Research and Development + Experienced Orthodontist = Results You Can Trust

  Because braces have been around a long time, researchers and engineers have dedicated a great deal of time, resources, and expertise to perfect their use.

  A licensed, experienced orthodontist will have been treating patients with braces since they first began training, so you’re sure to be getting treatment from a true expert.

  That means that, when your orthodontist uses braces to straighten your teeth, they can predict with maximum precision where each tooth will need to be moved for the best results, the straightest teeth, and the healthiest smile.

  Using state-of-the-art technology and biocompatible, medical-grade materials, orthodontists use braces to achieve safe, effective, long-lasting results for patients young and old.

• 5Braces Are Less Expensive, and Insurance May Cover in Full for Younger Patients

  Cost is a significant factor for families seeking orthodontic treatment, and the lower cost of braces is an attractive feature of this treatment. Braces cost between $1,700 and $3,500, depending on factors such as the severity of the condition and the region where you live. Invisalign treatment, on the other hand, begins at $2,400, up to $9,000.

  Insurance can make a difference in costs as well. While some insurance plans cover both braces and Invisalign treatments, many state-subsidized plans offer coverage only for braces. Each state’s insurance plan varies in its coverage options, but in certain states, younger patients may be able to get their braces treatment covered in full. Check your state's insurance options for more information.

  Monthly payment plans, seasonal promotions, and family-pack discounts can all lower the costs of both braces and Invisalign treatment, but if cost is a primary concern, braces may prove to be the better option for you!

Downsides of Braces

• 1Requires More Focused Care

  Compliance throughout your braces treatment is critically important: neglecting to care for your braces properly can have serious consequences for the effectiveness of your treatment and the health of your teeth and mouth.

  For instance, because they are permanent, braces can be a trap for bacteria, causing plaque build-up, leading to dental or gum decay and/or discoloration. It's important when wearing braces that you maintain diligent oral hygiene, brushing and flossing every day, keeping the braces free of any trapped food or other debris, and going to the dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups.

• 2Dietary Restrictions

  You’ll have to avoid certain foods, especially anything hard or sticky that can get break your braces or get stuck under the wire: hard candy, sticky gum, and chewable sweets, and hard nuts are all best to avoid during braces, or you risk causing damage to the appliance.

• 3White Spot Lesions

  When not cleaned properly, the brackets can permanently damage the enamel on your teeth, causing white spots. These are actually lesions on your teeth that can cause further decay.

• 4Discomfort

  Another disadvantage of braces is potential discomfort, especially at the start of the treatment, when the teeth are sensitive to the pressure of the brackets. During treatment, wires or brackets may poke or irritate your mouth.

• 5More Office Visits

  Braces may require more office visits than Invisalign aligners, since adjustments are needed throughout the treatment, and emergencies like a poking wire are more common.

• 6Obvious Aesthetic Appearance

  Finally, braces are also quite noticeable; while ceramic braces provide a more discreet look than metal braces, they are not entirely invisible. While younger patients may not mind the appearance of braces – and many patients love the style accessory of having braces – some patients may prefer the discreet look of clear aligners, which don’t require any permanent fixtures in your mouth.

• 1Invisalign Treatment: Discreet, Comfortable, and Effective!

  For those looking for a subtle treatment with a nearly invisible appearance, Invisalign clear aligners can be the ideal solution.

  Since their introduction on the market over 20 years ago, Invisalign treatment has revolutionized the possibilities of orthodontic care. Using patented technology, Invisalign clear aligners use state-of-the-art methods to straighten teeth and achieve healthy bites and beautiful smiles.

  A large appeal of Invisalign aligners is, of course, that they are nearly invisible: clear plastic aligners fit comfortably over your teeth, slowly moving them into their correct positions, without requiring any metal or wires.

  While worn, Invisalign aligners are subtle and barely noticeable, but they still provide effective treatment with predictable, long-lasting results. In fact, in certain cases, Invisalign treatment may be even more effective than braces, due to the all-around force of the aligners across the whole tooth.

• 2Removable Aligners Are Easy to Clean – And Let You Eat Anything!

  You need to wear your Invisalign aligners 22 hours a day to be effective – but being able to take out the aligners definitely has its benefits!

  While your aligners are removed during mealtimes, you can eat whatever you want: you don’t need to avoid any particular food or drink. You can eat candy, drink coffee, or chew gum without any consequences – as long as you promptly brush your teeth, rinse your aligners, and put them back in afterward.

  Taking the Invisalign aligners out also makes them easy to clean: you can soak them in cleaning solution, or scrub them gently with a toothbrush.

  While they’re out of your mouth, you can thoroughly brush and scrub your teeth, as well as use mouthwash, to keep them clean throughout your treatment. Just make sure to put them in promptly afterward so the treatment is effective!

  The easy home care of Invisalign aligners decreases the chances of gum infection and/or dental decay, resulting in better oral health and better overall health. This is an appealing aspect of Invisalign treatment for patients of all ages.

• 3Comfort is a Key Feature of Invisalign Aligners

  Invisalign aligners are made of patented, state-of-the-art SmartTrack™ material, a multilayer polyurethane plastic resin specifically designed to align teeth. It is safe to use, extremely effective for precision tooth movements, and very comfortable!

  The aligners are custom designed by your orthodontist for your unique diagnosis, to fit snugly around your teeth. Each set is carefully created to further your treatment while fitting comfortably around your teeth.

  While braces may poke or pinch or push against your lips or gums, Invisalign aligners fit seamlessly against your teeth, without anything to catch or cause discomfort. Patients love the comfort factor of Invisalign aligners: many patients find that they actually miss the feeling of the aligners over their teeth when they are done with treatment!

• 4Subtle and Discreet Invisalign Aligners Maintain Professionalism

  Before Invisalign treatment, many adults settled for smiles that made them unhappy, because they didn’t feel they could get braces and maintain their professional look at work.

  Invisalign treatment changed all that: the discreet appearance of Invisalign aligners has made orthodontic care possible for all kinds of career professionals. Clear, subtle, and nearly invisible when worn, Invisalign treatment does not interfere with your smile, even while it’s helping you achieve a better one.

  The subtle look of Invisalign aligners makes them an appealing choice for older teenagers, as well as adults of all ages who don’t want the look of braces. Invisalign Teen™ is a specialized Invisalign program designed for growing mouths, which uses a similar design and achieves the same effective results as traditional Invisalign treatment.

• 5Invisalign Treatment is a Powerful Orthodontic Tool with Excellent, Proven Results

  Invisalign has devoted years of research, and millions of dollars in development, to create the most effective tools for clear aligner therapy.

  With patented, exclusive technology like SmartTrack™ material, and SmartForce™ attachments, Invisalign treatment is clinically proven to move teeth faster and with better predictability than other clear aligner brands.

  While braces are also effective at treating a variety of conditions, in certain cases, the comprehensive pressure exerted by Invisalign aligners can be even more effective than braces. For instance, Invisalign treatment may be a better tool for correcting open bites.

  Like other medical devices, Invisalign treatment is only as effective as the experience of the doctor treating you. Make sure to find an experienced Invisalign orthodontist, in a dedicated orthodontic practice, not a general dentist.

  Look for a highly-ranked Invisalign provider: Diamond or Diamond Plus Invisalign Providers have the most experience treating patients with these patented clear aligners, and they will be able to precisely and effectively design your treatment for maximum results.

• 6Invisalign Treatment Requires Fewer Office Visits

  Invisalign treatment consists of a series of custom-made aligners; each set is worn for two weeks, and then exchanged for the next set in the series.

  Generally, your orthodontist will provide you with several sets in advance, so you can maintain your treatment at home, going in only every 3 months or so for the doctor to examine your progress and collect the next sets of aligners.

  In contracts, braces patients visit the office every month or every two months, for regular adjustments, where the wire is tightened to keep treatment progressing.

• 7Bleach Your Teeth During Treatment Using Your Aligners

  Many patients love this perk of Invisalign aligners: the aligners themselves can double as whitening trays.
  You can apply a special whitening gel to the insides of your aligners and wear them at night for an easy whitening treatment.

• 1May Require Help With Complex Cases

  Some complex conditions may require a combination of braces and Invisalign aligners to be properly corrected. Drawing out impacted teeth, for instance, or aligning high canines, can be difficult to do with Invisalign treatment alone and may require supplemental braces treatment.

  When you visit the orthodontist, they will do a thorough examination to determine your exact diagnosis and assess whether Invisalign treatment will work for you. An experienced Invisalign orthodontic provider is key to achieving results with clear aligners.

• 2Compliance Thresholds

  Invisalign treatment also requires careful, dedicated compliance. Invisalign aligners need to be worn for at least 22 hours a day, removed only for eating meals or drinking anything other than water, and cleaning teeth and the aligners themselves.

  Because they can be removed, there is the potential for the aligners to get lost or damaged. They need to be stored properly in their case when not worn, so they don’t get stepped on, thrown away in a napkin, or – a surprisingly common problem – chewed up by a curious dog!

• 3Costs

  As you will see below, Invisalign treatment may also be more expensive than traditional braces, although insurance often covers a significant portion of Invisalign treatment when used by a licensed orthodontist.

  Talk to your orthodontist if you have more questions about Invisalign treatment.

• 1Braces Cost

  Traditional braces generally cost between $1,700 and $6,000; specialized braces treatment such as lingual braces can be closer to $13,000. As noted, this price varies depending on factors such as the severity of your treatment and how much is covered by insurance.

  Depending on the qualifying conditions in certain states, state-sponsored insurance plans may cover the full cost of traditional braces for some patients.

  Learn more about braces cost

• 2Invisalign Treatment Cost

  Invisalign treatment costs between $2,650 and $9,000. Like braces, Invisalign treatment prices vary depending on factors like the severity of your condition and where you seek treatment.

  Some orthodontists offer expedited Invisalign treatment for mild conditions, which costs less than traditional Invisalign treatment, anywhere between $2,650 and $3,200. But generally, moderate or more severe cases will cost more than this and include unlimited aligners to make sure the results are truly effective and long-lasting.

  Learn more about Invisalign treatment cost

• 3Don’t Be Afraid to Compare Prices

  As noted, prices may vary considerably between offices. It’s perfectly acceptable to visit a few different offices to compare prices and learn whether your condition can be treated by braces or Invisalign treatment.

  You’ll also want to consider the experience of your orthodontist. Braces and Invisalign aligners are both tools for correcting teeth – the skilled doctor who uses the tool is your best asset for achieving a great grin.

  For lower cost, more effective treatment, seek a dedicated orthodontist in a free-standing orthodontist’s facility, rather than a general dentist: orthodontists have the most experience with the methods and instruments used in aligning teeth and lower costs with a higher volume of patients.

  Many offices offer a complimentary initial consultation at no charge, to simply consult with an orthodontist. The doctor can give you a quote for treatment costs for braces and Invisalign aligners, and you can discuss payment options with the staff.

  Always ask about savings, offers, and seasonal promotions, as well as payment plans and whether the office offers 0% financing. There are many opportunities to save money, even while achieving a healthy, happy, long-lasting smile and proper bite.