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Invisalign vs. braces – Which is better for you

Invisalign or braces? How will you be able to decide which one is right for you? Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the differences between Invisalign and braces that will help you to decide which one you should go for:

Color

Invisalign or clear aligners are made of colorless, safe plastic. On the other hand, braces consist of colored metal brackets. While invisalign are not visible when worn, metal brackets will be visible on your teeth.

Duration of Treatment

Invisalign are generally worn for 22 hours a day, and it takes about 10-18 months to fix the flaws depending on the patient’s dental condition. Braces are usually permanent and are to be worn for 24 hours. It takes about 20-28 months to fix the flaws with braces.

Maintenance of oral hygiene

You can remove your Invisalign trays before eating, brushing, and sleeping. But, you cannot remove braces because of they are fixed on your teeth. While it becomes easier to maintain oral hygiene with invisalign, with braces, you require extra efforts to maintain oral hygiene.

Invisalign vs. braces

Food restrictions

You can take off your Invisalign while eating or drinking anything. Thus, you need not compromise on your favorite foods. But, with braces eating hard and crunchy foods can be harmful l as the wires can bend or even break.

Dental follow-ups

Braces need adjustments every 4 weeks, which means, one must visit their dentist every month. Invisalign trays have to be changed every 2 weeks. Dentists usually give a 2-3 sets of trays so that individuals don’t have to visit them often. Still, it is recommended to visit the dentist every 4-6 weeks.

                           

Now that you know the difference between invisalign vs. braces, you will be able to decide which one is better for you. You can opt for Invisalign, if you are conscious about the appearance of your smile. While you are free to choose your option, the treatment also depends on your dental condition. If you suffer from severe case of crowding or  overbite and overjet, then you may need braces. Talk to our dentists at Downtown Dental to help you choose the best option for you.