Do you sometimes get confused about Invisalign and clear braces? Do you feel they are the same thing, especially when you surf the internet for clear braces, and Invisalign shows up among the top listing? This confusion is inherent, and so, you might assume that Invisalign and clear braces are the same. We're going to clear the air about these two treatment options in this article.
Let's begin by stating that these two treatment options are used for different dental problems, depending on the type and how severe the problem is. For a better understanding of which treatment best suits you, we will look at their definition and eight differences between them.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a treatment option that corrects misaligned teeth with the use of transparent aligners resembling retainers. It is recommended you wear these aligners for at least 22 hours everyday. You get a new pair of aligners every 2 weeks to replace the old one. Invisalign treatment usually spans a period of 9 to 12 months, beginning with booking an appointment with a dentist or orthodontist at an Invisalign braces clinic. Your dentist will check your eligibility for the treatment, and if you're qualified and need the treatment, Invisalign will send the first set of aligners to your orthodontist.
What are clear braces?
Since the material that makes up the bracket is made of ceramic, clear braces are also called ceramic braces. The choice of ceramic material ranges from transparent to any other colour that matches your teeth.
Clear braces shift teeth the same way metal braces do. The brackets are attached to your teeth and then linked by an archwire, which puts pressure on the teeth, moving them gradually to correct alignment. Just like metal braces, you will have to adjust your clear braces every 4 weeks.
Clear cut difference between Invisalign and clear braces
The common ground Invisalign and clear braces share is their ability to align teeth inconspicuously. They are not visible like metal braces. You know that feeling of fixing your teeth without being noticed, right? These two treatments are just perfect for that!
Even though they share a similar approach, there are great differences between these two treatments:
1. Invisalign has more transparent retainers: This is what patients love most about Invisalign! People wearing the aligner trays go about their daily lives unnoticed throughout the treatment period. Clear braces have brackets that are more noticeable compared to Invisalign retainers, although they fit into the patient's teeth.
2. Invisalign can be taken out: Clear braces make it hard to brush and floss your teeth, and even eat. But Invisalign can be easily removed when you eat or clean your teeth. This ensures your mouth is kept healthy as treatment continues. As beautiful as it sounds, this poses a little challenge to the use of Invisalign; it requires some discipline! It is mandatory to take out the aligner trays when you want to eat or drink anything except water. Aside that, and of course brushing and flossing, you must wear your aligners for a minimum of 22 hours everyday.
3. Invisalign takes more adjustments: Invisalign users have to change their trays every 2 weeks while ceramic braces are changed at 4 weeks interval. This implies you have to visit your dentist more often if you are on Invisalign. But at Smile Works Dental, we will give you 3 sets of aligners for each visit, so you only get to visit once in 6 weeks to pick them up.
4. Clear braces are designed to treat serious issues: While Invisalign can fix a plethora of cases, the condition is that they shouldn't be very severe cases. So, some common issues Invisalign can fix include: gapped teeth, overbite, underbite, and open bite; crowded (crooked) teeth. Ceramic and metal braces only differ in the material used for the bonding brackets. This makes it possible for them to treat many of the issues Invisalign can fix in addition to more serious issues.
Check out some of the dental problems clear braces can fix:
- Severe crooked teeth
- Malocclusions
- Crossbites
- Several other teeth problems and the jaw
5. Clear braces can break: Since ceramic is a little bit brittle, it makes them vulnerable to breaking or chipping easily. However, many dentists or orthodontists believe that it will require a good amount of force to break ceramic braces.
6. Clear braces can cause teeth stains: While it is true that ceramic brackets do not stain teeth, activities like smoking, drinking so much coffee, or taking coloured consumables can make the elastic wires holding the brackets together to stain your teeth.
7. Clearbraces can cause soft tissue irritation: You will get used to the feeling of having ceramic braces in your mouth with time, but they are not smooth and can irritate your cheeks and lips.
8. Clear braces are not usually suitable for bottom teeth: Ceramic material is tougher than the tooth enamel, so if there is a movement of your top teeth against the braces on your bottom teeth, it can cause wearing down.
For persons who want to fix their teeth subtly - such that it goes unnoticed by others, Invisalign and clear braces are great options. However, there are differences between these two treatments, and one might be preferred to the other depending on the dental problem.
You should consult a dentist to know which treatment is right for you. For both new and existing patients, our specialist can check your eligibility for any other options. Do reach out to us today on 020 71834091 to get special offers on Invisalign in London.
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