Compare Braces & Invisalign Aligners
Common Questions
SOME COMMON INVISALIGN® VS BRACES QUESTIONS WE GET FROM OUR ADELAIDE ORTHODONTIC PATIENTS:
What are the main differences between braces and Invisalign?
Which is more expensive in Adelaide, braces or Invisalign?
Which is less painful, Invisalign or braces?
Is Invisalign going to give me the same result as having braces?
Comparison
Our orthodontic team has put together this Invisalign vs Braces comparison to help answer these questions and provide you information.
Frequently asked questions about Invisalign and Braces
Invisalign (Clear Aligners)
Clear and Metal Braces
Caring for Invisalign vs Braces
Invisalign (Clear Aligners)
Every time you eat, or when drink anything other than cold water (such as tea, coffee, wine, juice, milk or soft drink) you will need to remove your clear aligners. This is to avoid sugar and acids building up in between your teeth and the aligners (causing decay) and also to prevent the plastic aligners from staining). Clear aligners need to be worn at least 22 hours a day. The longer you leave the aligners out of your mouth, the longer treatment will take. Bear in mind if you leave your aligners out for too long, then when you place them back in your mouth your teeth may have shifted back slightly, this means the aligners will feel quite tight and your teeth can be quite sore when putting the aligners back in. So be super diligent and minimise the time aligners are away from your teeth. If you eat constantly all day (grazing) then clear aligners may not be the right orthodontic product for you as you will need to remove them constantly.
Clear and Metal Braces
What can I eat with braces vs Invisalign?
Invisalign (Clear Aligners)
As long as you remove you aligners you can eat everything you normally do during Invisalign braces. But be aware that your teeth may feel sensitive and hard foods may cause discomfort.
Clear and Metal Braces
Talking with Invisalign and braces
Invisalign (Clear Aligners)
Clear and Metal Braces
What are the product differences between Invisalign, mail order aligners and braces
Invisalign (Clear Aligners)
Invisalign are a series of medical grade plastic aligners that are BPA free and designed to move your teeth with weekly aligner changes. Because they are made of plastic, be sure not to leave your aligners anywhere hot (such as the dashboard of your car) as this distort the shape of your aligners. Also keep them away from dogs as they love chewing them!
When Invisalign clear aligners were first invented over 25 years ago, Doctors were quick to realise that there was limited tooth movement possible with a thin sheet of plastic. This was because the plastic had nothing to ‘grip’ onto. The surface of teeth is very flat (especially front teeth) and hence there was a big difference between what patient expectations compared to what was possible with aligners. So Invisalign invented “smart force attachments” which are tiny tooth coloured buttons that are glued to your teeth (like a filling). With these, aligners have something to grip onto in order to move the teeth to their desired position. The attachments are removed at the end of treatment. So 25 years on, there has been a significant advancement in technology! One of the biggest problems with mail order aligners or companies where you don’t see a clinican is that attachments are not placed on your teeth.
Clear and Metal Braces
Braces are either high grade stainless steel metal or ceramic. Both are custom made to a prescription picked by your doctor. Because they are in your mouth for 24 hours a day from when you start treatment they are under complete control of your orthodontist.
Because braces have been around for over 100 years they provide predictable results, stability and treatment time.
Treatment time of Invisalign vs Braces
Invisalign (Clear Aligners)
The treatment length to straighten your teeth with Invisalign clear aligners can be the same as braces. Treatment time will increase if you don’t wear the aligners 22 hours a day or if you lose or break an aligner.
