Braces vs Invisalign

Aligner treatment has evolved into a very popular treatment modality over the last decade.

There are basically two types of aligner treatments:

One aligner has attachments on the teeth such as Invisalign. These patients have regular visits to the orthodontist’s office.

Other the other hand, there are aligner treatments that are sent directly to the patient, where the patient takes his own impression and sends it back to the company. These patients never see the orthodontist and have no attachments on their teeth.

Of course, there is also the traditional orthodontic treatment route where the patient goes into the orthodontist's office, has braces put on the teeth and has regular visits to monitor and adjust the appliance.

All three treatments have pros and cons and it might be difficult or confusing if you’re trying to figure which treatment is best for you. Let’s review the pros and cons of each.

Traditional orthodontic treatment

This treatment can address and correct any type of problem the patient presents with. Crowding, spacing, rotations, impacted teeth, overbites, underbites, all of these problems and more can be successfully treated with traditional treatment. This is the huge benefit of traditional treatment.

What are the downsides? First, it’s cost. Traditional treatment usually is somewhere between $4,000 to $6,000 dollars depending on the problem. Traditional treatment also requires visits to the orthodontist, which could last up to 2 years.

**It's important to have an orthodontic toothbrush to make cleaning your teeth during treatment simple, effective and efficient.**

Invisalign orthodontic treatment

This treatment can be more expensive than traditional braces. Expect to pay anywhere from $6,000 to $7,000 dollars.

Invisalign can deliver very nice treatment results but it has certain limitations. Not all malocclusions can be treated so make sure you talk openly about the kind of result you could expect to achieve with your orthodontist.

Cleaning your teeth during aligner treatment is very easy because the aligners are removed during brushing and flossing.

At home aligner therapy

This treatment is something like Smile Direct Club does. It is much less expensive, and therefore very attractive to many patients. It also does not require trips to the orthodontist, so it saves time.  

Of course, there are some downsides. Without attachments, the tooth movement is much less predictable. There is also no way to retract teeth unless space exists. These are important factors to consider.

In conclusion, careful consideration should be given before making a decision about what best suits your treatment needs, financial situation, and lifestyle.