When it comes to straightening teeth, many people are faced with the decision of whether to use braces or Invisalign. While both methods are effective in treating a variety of conditions, Invisalign tends to be faster than braces because the trays are personalized over the course of treatment. Every few weeks, you'll return to the office to have new aligners made. These aligners change during treatment, so they always work to improve the appearance of your teeth.
Invisalign can straighten teeth faster than traditional braces, with most patients finishing treatment in just one or two years, while traditional braces can take up to three years to produce significant results. In order to get the best results from Invisalign, it is necessary to follow the instructions for using these clear aligners. Braces may achieve a better result than Invisalign in certain cases, as they have more strength to move teeth to the desired position and can move more teeth at one time. The length of treatment depends on your specific case, but treatment with Invisalign tends to be quicker for most types of orthodontic diagnoses.
Invisalign aligners provide total force on the teeth, rather than the individual movement of the teeth achieved with braces. This means that clear aligners work faster than braces when it comes to straightening teeth. If a patient is still disciplined with their aligners, clear aligners are determined to work faster than braces. However, braces offer several benefits that you may want to consider.
Braces are harder to clean because of the wires and brackets in the teeth, so a person should expect to spend much more time with their teeth each day. Treatment with braces can be much faster because, unlike Invisalign, which depends on the patient's needs, metal braces are immovable. Braces use many specialized methods to align problem teeth and may be less effective in treating certain conditions or more serious cases than Invisalign retainers. Knowing the differences between clear aligners and braces may be beneficial for a person considering straightening their teeth. While braces are also effective in treating a variety of conditions, in certain cases, the all-round pressure exerted by Invisalign aligners may be even more effective than braces.
Ultimately, it is important for each individual patient to discuss their options with their orthodontist and decide which method is best for them.