Invisalign vs. Braces: Which Treatment is Right for You?

When deciding between Invisalign vs. traditional metal braces, you’ll likely have a lot of questions about comfort, costs, how long treatment will last, and how it will impact your life. While research shows that traditional braces are more painful than Invisalign, Invisalign has limitations in the orthodontic issues it can help fix.  

Continue reading for answers to these and more questions, including where to find the best dentist in Miami Beach for orthodontic treatment so that you can feel confident about your next step. 

Can Invisalign Fix Crooked Teeth?

Invisalign can be an effective treatment for mild to moderate orthodontic issues, including:

• Minor teeth crowding
• Small gaps between the teeth 
• Slightly overlapping teeth

However, traditional metal braces are often necessary for more complex malocclusions, including: 

• Severely crowded teeth
• Teeth that are rotated or twisted 
• Significant bite misalignment, including overbite, underbite, and open bite

How Much Does Orthodontic Treatment Cost?

For many people, cost is a key factor when choosing between Invisalign and braces. Estimates can vary widely based on your location and the extent of treatment you need. In many cases, these two treatment options fall within a similar range. Dental insurance may reduce your out-of-pocket expenses if your plan includes an orthodontic benefit. 

Is Invisalign Faster Than Traditional Braces?

Many orthodontic treatments take 12 to 24 months to complete, but the actual timeline depends on what needs to change in your bite and how far your teeth need to move. Because Invisalign is effective only for mild to moderate orthodontic problems, this treatment is often faster. However, this largely depends on your commitment to wearing your clear aligners for 22 hours a day and moving to the next aligner in the series on time. Those who are less consistent in wearing their aligners and progressing through their series will experience delays in treatment. 

Are Braces Painful? 

Both orthodontic treatment options involve a small amount of discomfort, but studies consistently find that clear aligners like Invisalign are associated with less dental pain during treatment than traditional metal braces. With metal braces, you’ll likely experience mild to moderate discomfort after an adjustment, which is usually done every four to six weeks. This discomfort is usually described as a pressure that fades within a few days. Additionally, metal braces can also cause soreness in the mouth from the wires and brackets. Dental wax and keeping your scheduled appointments are the best ways to prevent this issue. 

Invisalign still applies force that guides the teeth to move into a different position, which can cause some discomfort. This usually occurs when you switch to the next aligner in your series. Like traditional braces, this discomfort should only last a few days.

Is Invisalign Easier Than Traditional Metal Braces?

Lifestyle differences are another key factor, as orthodontic treatment can affect eating habits and oral hygiene. Because Invisalign aligners are removable, you can eat your usual foods without the restrictions that come with brackets and wires, unlike braces, which have several food restrictions to help prevent tooth decay around the brackets or wire breaks. However, you’ll need to remember to take your aligners out before you eat and put them back in afterward. You’ll also need to make sure you brush your teeth after every meal since trapping food between your teeth and aligners can raise your risk of tooth decay and gingivitis. 

Brushing and flossing with Invisalign is simple because you can follow your usual oral hygiene routine. However, you’ll need to remember to clean your aligners with a specialized aligner cleaner every day as well. Oral hygiene with braces can be a bit more cumbersome, as you’ll need floss threaders to get around brackets and behind wires. 

Invisalign also requires a consistent wear schedule, taking them out only when eating, drinking anything except water, and brushing or flossing. For many people, this routine is worth it because Invisalign fits more easily into daily life and is more comfortable.

Discover the Best Dentist in Miami Beach for Invisalign

Crooked teeth can affect your self-esteem and oral health at the same time. Because it’s harder to keep misaligned teeth properly clean, they raise your risk of developing cavities and gum disease. With Dr. Tommy Gaertner’s sharp cosmetic eye and advanced training, we offer orthodontic treatment for everything from a mild overbite to severely crowded teeth and a misaligned jaw. 

With our state-of-the-art office conveniently located in the heart of Miami Beach, we’re proud to serve patients from Surfside, Bal Harbour, Brickell, the Design District, Edgewater, and Key Biscayne who want orthodontic treatment that fits seamlessly into any lifestyle and provides impressive results. 

Ready to start your orthodontic journey with the best dentist in Miami Beach?