According to research from the American Association of Orthodontics, nearly everyone has some type of malocclusion. These misalignments range in severity from very mild to severe. While some patients can live with theirs, many others require orthodontic intervention such as traditional braces or Invisalign clear aligners.
Many patients, especially older teens and professionals, choose Invisalign clear aligners because they are virtually invisible. This means that even at close range, most people won’t notice them. Plus, they are more convenient- you swap out your aligners based on your treatment plan and check in several times throughout treatment for monitoring.
Traditional braces require appointments every 2 to 3 weeks for adjustments as the teeth shift into their new position.
In this article, we’ll explain more about Invisalign clear aligners compared to traditional braces at Avery Dental Center in Dublin. You can also check out our other location, Capitol Square Dental in Columbus.
Comparing Invisalign vs. Braces
Invisalign |
Braces |
|
Treatment Length |
As short as 6 months, with an average of 12 to 18 | Average of 12 to 24 or more, depending on the type and severity of malocclusion |
Can treatment be expedited? |
Wear aligners for 20+hours a day, keep teeth and aligners clean, visit the dentist regularly to monitor progress | Visit the clinic as directed for adjustments, keep teeth and brackets/wires clean and free of plaque, avoid habits that could increase treatment time |
Cleaning |
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to gently scrub aligners | Use an interdental toothbrush and water flosser to remove plaque and bacteria from around brackets and wires |
Maintenance |
Keep teeth and aligners clean for best results | Keep teeth and brackets/wires clean for best results |
Removable? |
Yes, aligners are designed to be removed while eating/drinking and while brushing/flossing teeth | No, traditional braces cannot be removed until treatment is complete, and the dentist is the only one that should remove them |
Visits to dental clinic |
Periodically, you need to visit the dental clinic to monitor your progress | Yes, you will need to visit the clinic every few weeks as teeth shift for adjustments |
How much does it cost? |
Starts at approximately $1,500 for up to 5 aligners and goes up to around $8,000 for unlimited aligners | Costs an average of $3,000 to $5,000+, depending on several factors |
Benefits |
Virtually invisible Comfortable Convenient | Does not require compliance- once braces are attached, they are not removable except by the dentist upon completion of treatment |
Ideal for |
Mild to moderate malocclusions, can be used for more severe along with attachments, depending on the type of malocclusion | Mild to severe malocclusions |
Treatment Length
Invisalign
As short as 6 months, with an average of 12 to 18
Braces
Average of 12 to 24 or more, depending on the type and severity of malocclusion
Can treatment be expedited?
Invisalign
Wear aligners for 20+hours a day, keep teeth and aligners clean, visit the dentist regularly to monitor progress
Braces
Visit the clinic as directed for adjustments, keep teeth and brackets/wires clean and free of plaque, avoid habits that could increase treatment time
Cleaning
Invisalign
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to gently scrub aligners
Braces
Use an interdental toothbrush and water flosser to remove plaque and bacteria from around brackets and wires
Maintenance
Invisalign
Keep teeth and aligners clean for best results
Braces
Keep teeth and brackets/wires clean for best results
Removable?
Invisalign
Yes, aligners are designed to be removed while eating/drinking and while brushing/flossing teeth
Braces
No, traditional braces cannot be removed until treatment is complete, and the dentist is the only one that should remove them
Visits to dental clinic
Invisalign
Periodically, you need to visit the dental clinic to monitor your progress
Braces
Yes, you will need to visit the clinic every few weeks as teeth shift for adjustments
How much does it cost?
Invisalign
Starts at approximately $1,500 for up to 5 aligners and goes up to around $8,000 for unlimited aligners
Braces
Costs an average of $3,000 to $5,000+, depending on several factors
Benefits
Invisalign
Virtually invisible
Comfortable
Convenient
Braces
Does not require compliance- once braces are attached, they are not removable except by the dentist upon completion of treatment
Ideal for
Invisalign
Mild to moderate malocclusions, can be used for more severe along with attachments, depending on the type of malocclusion
Braces
Mild to severe malocclusions
Which Is More Effective: Braces or Invisalign?
Many patients wonder which of these two orthodontic treatments are more beneficial and, the truth is, it depends.
First of all, it depends on the type and severity of your malocclusion.
Invisalign is primarily designed with mild to moderate dental malocclusions in mind. However, it can be used for more severe cases along with attachments. Invisalign attachments are composite resin buttons, similar to brackets, that are placed on the teeth to secure the aligners in place.
However, if you have a very severe malocclusion or skeletal malocclusion, traditional braces may be more effective. This is because in these cases, teeth may be positioned so that the aligners are unable to reach them.
Another factor to consider is compliance. Invisalign aligners require a certain level of responsibility and compliance. The aligners should be removed for eating/drinking and for brushing/flossing teeth. If you do not put the aligners back in, they can’t work. Traditional braces are attached to the teeth from the beginning of treatment and not removed until the end. Therefore, there is no compliance required when it comes to wearing them.
Schedule Your Orthodontic Consultation with Avery Dental Center in Dublin
If you have mild to moderate dental malocclusion, schedule your consultation with the team at Avery Dental Center in Dublin. In addition to orthodontic treatments, we also offer general, cosmetic, and restorative services for the entire family.
We are located on Avery-Muirfield Drive in Dublin, OH. We also have an office in Columbus, Capitol Square Dental. Our office hours are Monday from 11:30 AM to 6:30 PM, Tuesday from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Wednesday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. We are available on Saturdays by appointment only.
We look forward to helping you achieve and maintain the perfect Hollywood smile with our variety of services.
Invisalign FAQs
How long does Invisalign take?
How does Invisalign work?
How to clean Invisalign?
Can Invisalign fix an overbite?
Yes, research has proven Invisalign clear aligners to be effective for treating most cases of mild to moderate dental overbite. However, patients with a severe overbite or a skeletal overbite may require alternate interventions such as traditional braces or surgery.
Invisalign clear aligners have also been proven effective in most other mild to moderate malocclusions.
