If you are considering Braces or Invisalign for yourself or family member, it can be quite difficult knowing which one to choose and you may have many questions. You want to know which is more effective, what is the price differences and which is best for long term care of your teeth. Here we will take a look at both Braces and Invisalign and compare the differences.

Braces

Braces are typically metal brackets which are glued to your teeth. They are held together by wires and special rubber bands. The wire and brackets of the brace are pressed against the teeth, they support any slight nudges or movements of the teeth. This helps enable the correct aligning and straightening of your teeth. Braces help straighten your teeth, close any gaps and fix and problems with crooked teeth. The biggest downside of traditional braces is the unsightly metal and possible stigma of wearing them. Metal braces can often make people feel very self conscious and embarrassed to smile. Another patient annoyance of metal braces is that they are unremovable once they have been fitted; up until the duration of treatment has ended. The cost of traditional braces is between £1500-£2500.

Key facts for Traditional braces:

1. Have to brush wires and brackets
2. More effective for complex issues
3. Unsightly
4. May be uncomfortable (Cause pain or sores from the wires)
5. May have difficulty eating certain foods
6. Unremovable
7. Cheaper than Invisalign

Invisalign

Invisalign is the brand name of a clear dental aligner. Invisalign can be used for a variety of different dental treatments such as: overlapping teeth, wide gaps in teeth, cross bite, overbite, relapse after tradition braces and bite irregularities. Invisalign braces have been dubbed ‘invisible braces’ as they are not very obvious on your teeth compared to traditional braces which make you appear to have a mouth full of metal. Invisalign braces are removable and can be taken out when eating, drinking and brushing your teeth. This makes life a lot easier for many people as they no longer have to worry about food getting stuck in the braces or brushing over the wires. The downside of Invisalign as that although it can correct most teeth complications, it cannot correct all of them. Some conditions such as: changes in back tooth bite, uprighting root movements, vertical movements and rotating cylindrical teeth can only be corrected by traditional metal braces. The cost of Invisalign braces is between £2500-£4500.

Key facts for Invisalign braces:

1. Removable
2. More hygienic
3. Makes you more flexible to eat certain foods
4. Almost invisible (Cosmetically pleasing
5. No discomfort from wires and brackets
6. Cannot correct certain dental problems
7. More expensive than traditional braces

There is quite a tight race between traditional braces and Invisalign but Invisalign slightly takes the lead when it comes to advantages. Both choices are great for straightening your teeth and fixing certain problems. Invisalign is perfect for teenagers and those who are likely to be self conscious, though it’s wise to remember that they are not suitable for everyone and all conditions. Your dental practitioner will advise and inform you of the best available options for your teeth.

If you are interested in looking in to Invisalign further and are in the London area, then why not check out our Invisalign page where you can get more information and feel free to book a free consultation today.