Invisalign or Braces: Which Suits You Best?

Rather than just a cleaner smile, maybe you plan to get a straighter one in 2025. This goal would definitely make for a great New Year’s resolution! With that said, a question arises: Should you opt for Invisalign or braces? You’ll need to choose one or the other before you start the alignment process. Luckily, your Lancaster dental practice is here to settle the matter. Read on to learn about metal braces, Invisalign, and which option suits your grin best.

What to Expect from Metal Braces

Metal braces have been orthodontics’ go-to option for decades now. As “old-school” as they are, they’re a time-tested way to make smiles straighter than ever.

With a metal braces treatment, an orthodontist places steel brackets and wires on your teeth. The brackets get cemented to each tooth, while the wires fit through bracket slots to hold the braces together. Acting together, they put pressure on your smile that slowly realigns your crooked teeth. A dental team also tightens the wires during “check-ups” to keep treatment on track.

You should note that metal braces are visible when you smile. However, you can make them less apparent with tooth-colored ligatures.

What to Expect from Invisalign

Compared to metal braces, Invisalign is a newer and less invasive option. It’s thus gotten pretty popular over the last few years or so.

At its core, Invisalign is a set of clear plastic trays that straighten teeth. Its “aligners” slowly shift each tooth into the proper position with subtle micro-movements. That process occurs over an extended period, so the patient must wear their trays for 20-22 hours daily. An orthodontist will provide the next aligners in the set once the previous ones do their work.

The major highlights of Invisalign are its trays’ subtlety and removability. Given these traits, treatment doesn’t draw unwanted attention or interfere with meals and teeth cleaning.

Which Treatment is Right for You?

Between metal braces and Invisalign, neither option is absolutely “better” than the other. Which one suits you best will depend on your grin and preferences.

Take metal braces, for instance. They’d work well if your grin has severe orthodontic issues – very crowded teeth, a deep bite, etc. Just remember that they’re often costly and have downsides like “metal mouth” and tricker oral care.

As for Invisalign? This option is ideal for patients who want a smoother treatment experience. After all, its trays cause less pain and use clear plastic; they don’t interfere with daily much. Keep in mind, though, that Invisalign is best for mild-to-moderate orthodontic issues.

Whether you prefer Invisalign or metal braces, don’t forget to consult your dental provider. They’ll confirm which orthodontic treatment will help your smile the most!

About the Practice

Lancaster Family Smiles is based in Lancaster, TX. Led by Drs. Gupta, Je, and Jeong, our practice is proud to provide effective dentistry in a warm and friendly setting. We strive to tailor our preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments to your unique smile and its needs. That being the case, patients who see us will always achieve stronger and prettier grins! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (469)-729-7707.