Does Invisalign Work Better than Braces?

Misaligned teeth can be the source of multiple woes, ranging from cosmetic problems to biting and chewing issues.

Thankfully, dental professionals have several ways using which they can reduce such misalignments and straighten your teeth. Of these, Invisalign and braces are the most commonly used methods.

But what’s exactly the difference between the two, and which is better? Does Invisalign work better than braces for real? We’re going to undertake a detailed discussion that attempts to answer these very questions.

In case you are looking for the latest technology for at-home teeth straightening, I recommend you check our Byte vs Invisalign review.  Byte provides teeth straightening with clear aligners using its HyperByte technology in as little as 3 months.  

So, let’s jump in straight away.

Comparing Braces With Invisalign

What’s The Real Deal With Braces?

Long story short, dental braces are the most common and traditional method of straightening teeth. They help to improve how teeth look and also work to improve their functioning. Braces effectively look after your long-term dental health by maintaining healthy teeth and gums, and spreading biting pressure evenly across teeth.

To perform their task, braces distribute pressure across the teeth and slowly move them in the right direction. Due to this additional pressure, the shape of the jawbone changes accordingly and allows the teeth to move together with the roots.

Braces are usually made of metal wires and need to be fixed by a trained dentist or professional orthodontist. While not aesthetically pleasing, they work to close gaps in your teeth and straighten crooked ones.

But what is Invisalign then, and how does it work?

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign also works to straighten teeth, but this dental implant is usually made of transparent trays made of plastic that help the teeth retain their alignment. These clear aligners are created from computer-assisted dental impressions that a professional creates from your mouth.

How does Invisalign work? Well, the primary difference between braces and Invisalign lies right here. When regular braces use metallic wires that pull the teeth into their right position, Invisalign uses a series of custom-made molds that align your teeth correctly.

So, from the above comparison, it’s clear that both braces and Invisalign work to achieve the same ends, though by slightly different means. Then, which is better than the other? To understand that, let’s take a look at why each is preferred.

Advantages Of Invisalign

Apart from their cost and comfort, Invisalign trumps traditional braces in appearance. By inserting braces, you’re committing to moving around with a piece of metal stuck in your mouth. And despite coming in various designs, we can all agree that braces aren’t known to enhance your looks.

Invisalign, on the other hand, is made of clear plastic, which makes it virtually invisible. The trays that make up the implant are entirely transparent, which means they’ll seldom, if ever, be noticed.

Also, braces need to stay in place even when you’re eating or brushing, which can lead to several problems. Invisalign overcomes this by using a removable design that allows you to take them out whenever needed. However, it’s essential to note here that repeated removal of your Invisalign tray can reduce its efficacy, so it’s best to exercise caution.

Finally, there’s the comfort factor: Invisalign is undoubtedly more comfortable than regular braces. That being said, it must be understood that the very process of straightening teeth is slightly discomforting; even then, Invisalign is certainly the lesser of two necessary evils.

Advantages of Braces

Now, if Invisalign is such a great option, why use braces at all? That’s because braces address not only the cosmetic part of your teeth problems but the very “root” as well. And for people with extreme misalignments, braces are far more effective than Invisalign when it comes to gripping badly rotated teeth.

Another advantage of using braces is that they can’t be removed...sounds a tad confusing? Not exactly, for we’ve already mentioned that even though Invisalign trays can be removed, it shouldn’t be done repeatedly as that would interrupt the process of alignment.

The same is the case for braces; if they are removed, their efficacy decreases considerably, leading to an extension of the treatment period. So, in a way, the non-removability of braces is actually an advantage.

The next point that must be mentioned is that Invisalign trays direct most of the applied pressure to the tooth’s upper part. This makes them less effective than braces, which exert uniform pressure on the entire tooth, right up to the root and pushes it into position.

How Much Does Each Cost?

Finally, let’s compare the cost factor of each of these two alternatives. For both braces and Invisalign, the final cost of the implant depends on the severity of your alignment problems. It’s also determined by the total number of trays that are required for the process.

In general, getting regular braces will set you back by almost $2,500 to $6,000; Invisalign, on the other hand, is a bit more expensive and costs about $3,500 to $8,000. Thankfully, most insurers cover the cost of these implants.

Why Is Invisalign Faster Than Braces?

Since Invisalign exerts pressure on the entire set of teeth, they work much faster than braces, which attempt to move individual teeth.

Are Aligners As Good As Braces?

Of course! And in some cases, they are better. In fact, the Byte aligner service works within 2-4 months and gives stellar results.

Verdict

After all is said and done, we now try to answer our initial question: does Invisalign work better than braces? The answer, actually, depends on your teeth misalignment level and can best be decided by your dental professional.

That being said, if you’re looking for a faster, more discrete solution, then opt for Invisalign. However, in case your needs are more severe, it’s better to opt for braces. And if you want to combine the benefits of both with none of the hassles, Byte aligner is the one to go with.

With that, we’ll take your leave for the day. Keep smiling!