Why Choose Invisalign Over Traditional Braces?

Although the ideal time to undergo orthodontic treatment is while you are still growing and developing, adults can still straighten their smiles and correct their orthodontic issues to improve their appearance and oral health. For many adults, the idea of wearing traditional metal braces is enough to prevent them from undergoing treatment, and that's why many patients prefer orthodontic treatment with Invisalign, instead.  

Invisalign vs. Braces: What's the Difference?

How Treatment Works

Traditional braces use a system of metal wires and brackets. The brackets are hooked together with rubber bands and bonded to the surfaces of the teeth with composite resin. The wires and bands can be adjusted and tightened in order to exert pressure on the teeth, gradually pushing them into the desired alignment.  

Instead of using brackets and wires, Invisalign uses a series of clear aligner trays that are designed to fit snuggly over the teeth while placing pressure that gently shifts the teeth into the desired alignment. Patients work their way through a series of trays, wearing each set for about two weeks. Once they've completed their schedule of aligner trays, the teeth will be properly aligned.  

What Do They Address?

Both Invisalign and traditional braces address orthodontic issues like:

• Crooked teeth

• Crowded teeth

• Irregularly spaced teeth (tooth gaps)

• Malocclusion (open bite, crossbite, overbite, and underbite)

Invisalign is typically recommended for mild and moderate cases, while more complex and severe orthodontic issues might be better addressed with traditional braces, lingual braces, or ceramic braces.  

Treatment Compliance

Traditional braces are put on and removed by a dental care professional. This means patients never have a problem complying with their treatment plans. With Invisalign, patients need to be responsible enough to follow their treatment plan closely because they can remove their aligner trays anytime they feel like it. For treatment to be successful, however, patients must wear their aligners for at least 22 hours every day. This generally means only removing them for mealtimes.  

What About the Price?

The cost of both types of orthodontic treatments can vary greatly depending on the patient's age, case complexity, case severity, and insurance coverage. When comparing similar cases, braces and Invisalign cost about the same when treating similar cases.  

The Benefits of Clear Aligners Over Traditional Braces

Invisalign has several advantages over traditional braces that make them preferable to many patients.  

• Virtually Invisible - Invisalign aligner trays are made of clear plastic, and they are virtually invisible when worn. So, you can undergo orthodontic treatment as an adult without the whole world knowing.  

• No Dietary Changes - Invisalign aligner trays need to be removed whenever you eat or drink anything other than water. This means you don't have to avoid eating hard, sticky, or chewy foods like you would have to do with traditional braces.  

• No Lifestyle Changes - It's perfectly safe to play sports and participate in athletic activities while wearing Invisalign. Conversely, traditional braces put your soft tissues at risk of serious injury during these activities and require the use of a custom-made mouthguard to protect your orthodontics and your body.  

• Comfortable - Invisalign aligners are smooth, so they never rub against the tongue, lips, or cheeks, creating painful sores the way that metal braces can.  

• Easy Care - When undergoing treatment with Invisalign, you do not need to use any special tools for oral hygiene. You can simply brush and floss your teeth like you usually do (and after meals). With metal braces, patients need to use special interdental brushes and flossers to clean thoroughly around the metal wires and brackets to ensure food doesn't become stuck against the surfaces of the teeth.  

Make Your Way to a Straighter Smile with Invisalign in Roseville and Folsom, CA

At Smile & Co., patient preferences matter. We listen to our patients and strive to provide them with comprehensive care relying upon a wide variety of treatment options designed to meet their needs while achieving their oral health goals. We're proud to offer our patients orthodontic treatment with Invisalign at our two convenient locations in Roseville and Folsom.

To learn more about Invisalign treatment and whether it is right for you, we welcome you to contact either of our locations to request a consultation today.

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