The difference between Invisalign and traditional braces

Teeth straightening no longer calls for the unattractive metallic mouth and fixed solutions, it can now be achieved far quicker with Invisalign.

There are so many differences between Invisalign invisible braces and traditional braces that the only thing they have in common is that they straighten your teeth. Invisalign is a sleeker, discrete, and comparatively faster way to straighten your teeth, leaving traditional braces far behind.

So what’re the main differences?

The first comes in what they’re made of and therefore what they look like. Invisalign are made of a clear, discrete, yet durable plastic that fits over the teeth. It’s strictly more of an aligner than a brace, and it delivers fantastic results. It’s SmartTrack material makes their movement predictable for improved tooth movement, and their clear plastic ensures that they remain virtually invisible when you smile and talk. Traditional braces, as I’m sure you don’t need to be told, are made of uncomfortable metal brackets and wires that are immediately noticeable when you smile.

Another notable difference is that Invisalign are removable, whereas traditional braces aren’t. This is a huge benefit to invisible braces – you can take them out to eat, brush your teeth, and for the occasional night out. This doesn’t even drastically affect your treatment time, as long as you wear them for the majority of the day. Traditional braces, because of their fixed nature and wires, often mean you need to limit your diet and lifestyle. Even the foods you can eat can get stuck in the brackets and lead to you feeling uncomfortable, so it’s no wonder Invisalign has become more popular.

Their treatment times are also worlds apart. With Invisalign invisible braces, you could achieve a straighter smile in as little as 3 months! This is because it purely focuses its energy on straightening your teeth in aligners that have been specifically moulded to your mouth. Traditional braces, however, could take as long as 2 years to reach their optimum results. That’s a long time to wear metal in your mouth that may be uncomfortable and unsightly.

Traditional braces come hand-in-hand with a lot of visits to your orthodontist for adjustments. These can be time-consuming and sometimes a little uncomfortable, as they will need to be tightened or loosened. The difference with Invisalign is that you receive a set of aligners to work through for a few weeks at a time, changing them at pre-arranged times set by you and your dentist. Then, once you run out, you pick up your next set of instalments from our York dental practice and continue your journey. There’s no adjustments, no cutting of wires, and no tightening of brackets. Each aligner is made to fit your teeth and slightly differs from the rest in your pack, gently guiding your teeth week by week.

So, as you can see, there are plenty of differences between Invisalign and traditional braces, through which the aligners definitely come out on top. These invisible braces offer far more flexibility and, conversely, control of your own teeth straightening, allowing you to receive treatment at a comfortable yet effective pace.

Join the 5 million happy worldwide patients of Invisalign today! Pop into our York dental practice or enquire online to start your journey to straighter teeth.

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