Differences Between Braces and Invisible Braces

When it comes to orthodontic care, there are many options that you can choose from for treatment plans. Compared to previous years, you now are able to consider a lot of different options for straightening your teeth. And, it can be really tricky figuring out which one is right for you. For reason, it’s important to learn all that you can about the difference between braces and invisible braces so that you can choose the treatment plan that’s right for you.

The Difference Between Braces and Invisible Braces

When we discuss the difference between braces and invisible braces, there are some key categories that we need to discuss. These include price, appearance, comfort, effectiveness, convenience, care, and post treatment.

Price

The price difference between braces and invisible braces will typically depend on the brand that you choose. Additionally, the price will also depend on the severity of treatment required and how long you need your braces or clear aligners. For example, if you end up needing your clear aligners for year or more, you may pay more for these aligners than you would if you just needed braces for six months.

Even so, when you compare braces and clear aligners side-by-side cost wise, clear aligners may actually end up being cheaper. Of course, there are some higher end clear aligners that may cost you more, but some of the competitive brands, such as Aligner-Co, offer incredibly affordable prices that match all budgets.

When is it all said and done, traditional braces generally cost between $2500 at $8000. As for invisible braces, the most expensive brand, Invisalign, can cost between $3500 and $8000. Even so, some of the less expensive options, such as Aligner-Co and Smile Direct Club, can cost under $1000 or just over $1000 depending on the number of trays that you need.

So, it really depends on the level of treatment that you need and how many trays you need. But, it is likely that your invisible braces will cost less than traditional braces.

Appearance

Appearance is an obvious category where we can compare the differences between braces and invisible braces. Whereas traditional metal braces are a series of metal brackets, wires, and colored elastics, clear aligners are simply clear trays that fit over your teeth. In fact, the reason that these clear aligners are so popular is because you barely notice that you are wearing them and they appear to be invisible. So instead of wearing clunky braces, you can simply have a clear tray that fits over your teeth.

Further, you can opt to choose the night time only clear aligners that you only wear while you sleep. Especially if you are an individual who does not want to have to wear the aligners or braces during the day and while you are out in public, clear aligners that you wear at night might be your best option.

Comfort

Comfort is also an important category to compare teeth straightening options. For instance, traditional metal braces often get caught on your cheeks, lips, and gums. These tears and rips can be incredibly uncomfortable and be really difficult to heal because when the braces are in the same spot, it will likely keep reopening the same wound. For that reason, metal braces are known to be uncomfortable and definitely can result in pain.

With clear aligners, on the other hand, you won’t have to worry at all about your teeth straightening treatment getting caught on your skin. In fact, the clear aligners simply slip over your teeth and act as a cover so that nothing will be caught on your cheeks or skin. Even further, the clear aligners are perfectly designed to mold over your teeth so you won’t have to worry about any excess material getting caught on your gums or cheeks.

If you are an athlete in particular, having metal braces can be a pain. This is because the braces can be a problem if they are involved with an accidental contact. Not only will they likely rip up the inside of your cheeks and lips, but it can do far more damage to the other player as well. This is just another reason why having invisible aligners is the preferred choice.

Effectiveness

Traditional braces have been used as the teeth straightening technology for years. So, we can guarantee that traditional metal braces are absolutely effective at straightening your teeth. Because braces cannot be removed and you wear them for 24 hours a day and seven days a week, they will be effective and are not subject to user mis-use. This is why these metal braces are typically recommended as the orthodontic treatment for teenagers or young kids who may not wear their aligners as directed.

In addition, traditional braces are likely more suitable for severe orthodontic treatment cases. That said, orthodontists typically do not recommend clear aligners for individuals who have more severe cases. Yet, invisible aligners are absolutely a great option for mild to moderate cases. And, you will likely have straighter teeth in as little as four to six months depending on your treatment plan and level of severity.

The only challenge with invisible aligners is that you can take them off. If you do not wear them for the suggested time period, the likelihood that your treatment plan will last the expected amount is slim. However, if you do wear your aligners for the recommended 22 hours a day, you will likely slide through your treatment with no problem and have straighter teeth in less than six months.

Convenience

Braces and clear aligners both have their pros and cons when it comes to convenience. On one hand, braces are convenient because you don’t have to worry about taking them in and out. You also don’t have to worry about maintaining your own treatment plan, because the braces themselves are attached to your teeth and all you have to do is show up to your orthodontist visits.

However, braces may prevent you from eating foods that you like, such as sticky foods and candy. Braces also are known for getting food stuck in your teeth, and you have to clean around them when you brush your teeth. This can get annoying and tedious because you want to be careful to brush your braces and teeth well enough so that you don’t leave behind any residue or markings from the braces.

Clear aligners on the other hand, are incredibly convenient for many reasons. Not only are the aligners shipped right to your door, but your treatment plan is sent to you. All you have to do is change you’re your clear aligners as directed. Even so, they can become an inconvenience for some people if you are not careful about managing your own treatment plan and fall behind on changing out your aligners.

Another reason why clear aligners are more convenient is because all of your care is online. You don’t have to go to a physical dentist or orthodontist for your visits. And, all your progress monitoring can be done online.

Additionally, when you brush your teeth, all you have to do is take your clear aligners out and brush your teeth as normal. You still want to be careful not to have any food in your teeth when you put your aligners back on, but you don’t need to worry about brushing around any annoying braces.

When it comes to inconveniences, there are some that are inherently an issue with clear aligners. While it is not necessarily a big deal, if you are a person who tends to misplace things, you may have a problem with your clear aligners. But, you should be able to avoid misplacing your aligner if you keep it in your mouth when you’re supposed to.

Care and Cleaning

We did already touch upon care and cleaning a bit in the previous section, but it is important to note this section. It generally is more difficult to have to care and clean for your braces because they are attached to your teeth and food generally get stuck in them. You also need to be very careful about brushing your teeth at least two times a day if not more with your braces so that you don’t leave any residue on them when braces come off.

With the clear aligners, you only need to partake in your regular dental hygiene routine. you will need to clean your aligners as directed, but it’s not as important to deep clean your aligner with every single teeth brushing. Of course, you should still be careful to get all the food and sugar off your teeth every time you eat and before you put your clear aligners back in so that you don’t disrupt the progress.

Follow-Up and Post Treatment Care

Whether you have traditional braces or invisible braces, you do need to keep up with regular orthodontic appointments and dentist appointments. After you have completed your treatments, you will likely have to wear a retainer of some sort to make sure that your teeth don’t fall out of line. This is true for both braces and invisible braces. However, most of the invisible braces companies will send you your retainers on a 6 month interval if you choose to pay for that extra service.

Which Braces Are Best Metal or Invisible?

So, which braces are best, metal or invisible? While your level of severity of orthodontic treatment will likely dictate which treatment option is best for you, it does seem to be that invisible aligners and clear aligners are probably the best option. Not only are these clear aligners more convenient, but they are just as effective and usually align your teeth faster than traditional braces.

Additionally, the convenience of getting the aligners shipped right to your door is a benefit that traditional braces can just not beat. Plus, you can do your treatment and progress monitoring sessions with your licensed orthodontist from the comfort of your own home if you would choose clear aligners.

Because many clear aligner companies have an online platform and remote care teams, you don’t even need to go to the orthodontist or dentist to get your aligners adjusted. You simply just need to switch out your current aligner for the next aligner and continue your treatment plan independently.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know the difference between braces and invisible braces, you can make your decision on which treatment option is best for you. If you did decide that invisible braces and clear aligners are your ideal option, make sure you check out our comprehensive reviews on the best clear aligner companies currently available. Our experts have done the research so that you don’t have to, meaning that you can read our reviews and learn all that you need to know about the companies that are currently offering clear aligners.