People with Invisalign often use the trays less than the recommended amount, which can extend the total time it takes to complete treatment. Traditional braces, however, are more effective in cases where the teeth are severely misaligned. Invisalign may not be able to straighten teeth that are rotated or overlapping, while braces have developed a lot over the years and research has helped make them a reliable, effective and comfortable treatment method to achieve straight teeth, a healthy bite and a beautiful smile for millions of people around the world. Orthodontic appliances move teeth safely and effectively, using brackets attached to each tooth, connected by a metal wire.
Each bracket is positioned to carefully move each tooth to its correct position, closely monitored by the orthodontist. There are many reasons why people choose braces; thanks to their robust and effective design, they can create beautiful and long-lasting results even in the most severe cases of tooth misalignment. Invisalign may be less effective for particular conditions, such as impacted teeth or severe crowding, while braces use many specialized methods to align problem teeth. Invisalign aligners may not have enough grip to pull out teeth that have grown in the wrong place, but the tension on the braces when the brace wire is pulled is extremely effective in moving those teeth.
Braces offer maximum grip that can realign even severely misaligned teeth, making them an obvious choice for complex and severe cases where Invisalign may require additional braces to be fully effective. Invisalign is removable, but must be used at least 22 hours a day to be effective. It is possible to get out of a good routine with Invisalign, for example, forgetting to put them back on after meals or forgetting to sleep with them in. For that reason, some patients prefer braces because they don't require you to keep track of the aligners when they are not in your mouth.
Compliance is still important; brushing and flossing regularly, visiting the dentist, etc.; but you don't have to worry about losing the appliance. Insurance can also make a difference in cost. While some insurance plans cover both braces and Invisalign treatments, many state-subsidized plans offer coverage only for braces. Each state's insurance plan varies in its coverage options, but in certain states, younger patients can get full coverage for brace treatment.
See your state's insurance options for more information. Because braces have been around for a long time, researchers and engineers have spent a great deal of time, resources and experience perfecting their use. A licensed and experienced orthodontist will have been treating patients with braces since they started training, so you are sure to receive treatment from a real expert. This means that when the orthodontist uses braces to straighten teeth, he can predict with maximum precision where each tooth will need to be moved for the best results, the straightest teeth and the healthiest smile.
Using cutting-edge technology and medical-grade biocompatible materials, orthodontists use orthopedic appliances to achieve safe, effective and long-lasting results for young and older patients. They may also be the most cost-effective treatment option and, for cases that qualify, may be fully covered by insurance. Be sure to check with your insurance provider about coverage for braces. Ceramic braces use a technology similar to that of metal braces but instead of metal braces they use a much more subtle transparent or tooth-colored resin for braces so they blend perfectly with the teeth and provide an inconspicuous appearance.
Ceramic braces offer all the effectiveness of metal braces but with a less noticeable look that many patients prefer, especially older teens and adults. Because braces are clear or teeth-colored they are more likely to be stained with dark-colored foods or drinks (such as dark soda, red wine or coffee), so they may not be the best option for younger patients or those who don't want to give up those items. Because of their placement lingual orthodontic appliances may be less effective in treating certain conditions or more serious cases; your orthodontist will evaluate your diagnosis and determine if lingual braces are appropriate for your treatment. Because of their less common use and the necessary experience lingual braces can be considerably more expensive than metal braces. While they are safe and effective there are several characteristics of braces that some prefer to avoid; another disadvantage of orthopedic appliances is the possible discomfort especially at the beginning of treatment when the teeth are sensitive to the pressure of the brackets.
During treatment brace wires may puncture or irritate the mouth; braces may require more office visits than Invisalign as adjustments are needed throughout treatment and emergencies such as puncturing a wire are more common. Finally orthotics are also quite remarkable; while ceramic braces provide a more discreet look than metal braces they are not entirely invisible. While younger patients may not care about the appearance of braces and many patients love the style accessory of braces some patients may prefer the discreet look of clear aligners which do not require any permanent mouth attachments. If you have further questions about braces ask your orthodontist as he has a lot of experience with all types of braces; for those looking for a subtle treatment with an almost invisible appearance Invisalign clear aligners may be the ideal solution. Since its introduction to the market more than 20 years ago Invisalign has revolutionized the possibilities of orthodontic care; with patented technology Invisalign clear aligners use state-of-the-art methods to straighten teeth and achieve healthy bites and beautiful smiles while worn Invisalign aligners are subtle and barely noticeable yet still provide effective treatment with predictable and long-lasting results; in fact in certain cases Invisalign may be even more effective than orthodontic appliances due to its total strength across the tooth.
