Invisalign or traditional braces – what’s best for you?

You’re reading an article about teeth straightening, which suggests you’re likely to be:

• Self-conscious about your teeth, or the impact they have on your smile.
• Considering the best way to straighten your teeth after receiving a recommendation for treatment from your dentist.
• Looking for a suitable treatment option for your child.

We offer a range of teeth straightening treatments at Smiles Dental – including Invisalign and traditional metal braces. But what exactly does each treatment involve? And what’s the best option for you or your child?

Here’s an overview of each treatment, including pros and cons, to help you decide.

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign uses 3D computer-imaging technology to give you a complete overview of the treatment process. This means you can see how your teeth could look after you finish treatment. Then a series of clear aligners are custom-made for your teeth.

Since Invisalign aligners are almost invisible, they’re a popular choice for people who feel self-conscious about teeth straightening treatment.

Pros:
• Discreet – If you’re self-conscious about getting orthodontic treatment, Invisalign braces are almost invisible.
• Convenient – For best results, Invisalign needs to be worn for 20-22 hours each day. This gives you a window to remove the aligners for eating or brushing your teeth.
• Time-saving – Since Invisalign aligners are made using 3D scanning, most of your orthodontist’s work is done before you wear the aligners. So you need fewer consultations to check your progress.
• Comfortable – The aligners are tailor-made to you, which makes them more comfortable to wear.

Cons:
• Commitment – You must commit to wearing the aligners for 20-22 hours a day to get results.
• Cost – Invisalign can be expensive to some, depending on your budget.
• Taxing – Although being able to remove them to eat food and brush your teeth is convenient, doing this repeatedly can become taxing.

How do traditional braces work?

A traditional fixed brace is made of small metal attachments joined together with fine metal wires. These are bonded to the front of your teeth, and work to straighten them by using gentle pressure to move them to the right position.

They’re commonly used for teeth straightening after a person’s milk teeth have fallen out, which usually happens by age thirteen. They’re a suitable treatment for all ages – not just children and teenagers.

Pros:
• Effective – Traditional metal braces can be more effective at treating severe overcrowding than other teeth straightening options.
• Strength – Metal is very strong and durable compared to treatment options that use plastic or ceramic brackets, and therefore less likely to break.
• Cost – They’re a good option if you’re conscious of budget.
• Precision – Metal brackets achieve more precise teeth movements compared to other options.

Cons:
• Obvious – Metal braces can be rather prominent, which makes some people self-conscious about wearing them.
• Extra care – Cleaning your teeth can be more time-consuming with traditional braces as you must be extra careful not to let plaque build up around them. Otherwise you risk staining and decay.
• Dietary limitations – You have to be careful what you eat and drink if you wear metal braces as something too hard or too sticky could damage them, which will lead to prolonged treatment.

Get discounted teeth straightening with Smiles Dental

Whatever reason you’re looking for teeth straightening treatment – we’re offering free consultations and €500 off all teeth straightening treatment for a limited time only.*

So whether you want Invisalign clear aligners or traditional braces – request a quote for discounted orthodontic treatment here now.

*Terms and conditions apply – see campaign webpage for details.


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