Are you thinking about getting orthodontic treatment in the Baton Rouge area but not sure whether to choose braces or Invisalign? We break it down for you – the pros and the cons.
Traditional, stainless steel braces as we know them today were developed in the 1960s. And by the 70s, invisible/clear braces came on the market. Yet, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that Invisalign® took the nation and world by storm. Developed by Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth, Invisalign uses clear aligners that patient’s swap out every 1-2 weeks to gently realign their teeth into the correct position.
So, which is better when it comes to straightening your teeth and aligning your bite – braces or Invisalign? The real truth: it depends.
Traditional braces are probably the route you want to take if you have severe alignment issues, or if you don’t want to be bothered with swapping out aligners every 1-2 weeks. Whereas Invisalign is perfect for those who don’t want to have metal in their mouth and would like a more discrete solution.
Below are two charts to help you decide which is right for you.
TRADITIONAL BRACES PROS INVISALIGN PROS
• Straightens teeth
• Great for severe bite issues • You don’t have to remember to swap out your trays • You don’t have to remember to put them back in after meals
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• Straightens teeth
• Great for minor and regular realignment needs • No dietary restrictions • Completely clear
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TRADITIONAL BRACES CONS INVISALIGN CONS
• Tightened every 6-8 weeks, which means more orthodontic visits
• You can only take them off at the end of treatment • Braces can be difficult to clean |
• You have to remember to swap out trays every 1-2 weeks • Forgetting to put your aligner back in after meals • Food and drink can stain aligners
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Still wondering which way to go? Talk to our team at Parker Orthodontics and schedule a FREE consultation today! We will walk you through the appropriate treatment option for your individual needs.