Invisalign or Braces? Choosing the Option for You

Invisalign® provides you with a discreet way to improve the alignment of your teeth. It can be just as effective as straightening teeth with metal braces, and it offers a more comfortable approach to improving the alignment of teeth.

Traditional metal braces have been used to straighten teeth for over a decade, but they are highly conspicuous devices that can ruin even the best of smiles. Traditional metal braces consist of wires and brackets that look like railroad tracks on a person's teeth. Many people have avoided getting orthodontic treatments they needed simply because they do not want to deal with having a mouth full of metal and the stares that can be caused by it. To equip you with the information you need to make an educated decision, let us take a look at these two oral appliances in greater detail.

Choosing between Invisalign® and traditional braces

Invisalign®

Invisalign® treatment involves using a series of aligner trays to push the patient's teeth to a better alignment. Each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks before the patient swaps them with the next set in line. Each set of aligner trays takes over from the last one until the patient's teeth have reached the desired alignment. Invisalign® aligners can be easily removed for meals or oral hygiene. That little detail makes the experience more pleasant for the patient.

Braces

Braces work by using brackets and wires to push the patient's teeth to a better position. A bracket is cemented on each tooth and connected to others on the same side of the jaw with metal wires. Tightening the wires increases the pushing force being applied to the patient's teeth. Braces are permanently fixed in place once a dentist has attached them.

Comparing Invisalign® and traditional braces

Let us explore how braces and Invisalign® compare to each other:

Lifestyle

One of the biggest reasons an increasing number of people choose Invisalign® over braces is how hard it is to notice these clear aligners when worn. This allows the patient to showcase their smile as their teeth move to a better position, and they do not have to worry about having a "metal mouth."

Invisalign® aligners are removable appliances, so they do not restrict what the patient can eat or their oral hygiene routine. It is impossible to miss braces when a person has them, and they often get in the way of meals.

Comfort

Invisalign® aligners are made with smooth plastics, so they are less likely to irritate soft tissues in the mouth. The metal brackets and wires that come with braces can damage soft tissues, like the cheeks. Invisalign® also delivers a more precise force to the patient's teeth, leading to a more comfortable experience.

Explore Invisalign® clear aligners

Call or visit our San Francisco clinic to learn more about how we can improve the alignment of your teeth with appliances like Invisalign® and braces.

Request an appointment here: https://smilesonbalboa.com or call Smiles On Balboa General, Esthetic, and Implant Dentistry at (415) 413-2237 for an appointment in our San Francisco office.

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