Which is a better option: Invisalign or Braces?

Today’s technology has come a long way and patients have many choices when it comes to straightening their teeth.  A frequently asked question in our office is “Which is better option:  Invisalign or Braces?”

Braces are made up of metal or ceramic brackets and metal wires.  A single bracket is affixed in an ideal position on each tooth.  A wire is then inserted through each bracket and this wire gently draws the teeth into their proper alignment.  An orthodontist is responsible for positioning a bracket onto each tooth in a very precise position.  The wire and brackets form the braces that work together and very gradually straighten the teeth over time.

Invisalign aligners are a series of clear, computer-generated removable trays that are ideally worn 20 to 22 hours every day over a period of two weeks.  These trays are completely customized to fit intimately to the patient’s teeth.  A new set of trays replaces the preceding set and again they are worn for two weeks before progressing to the next set.  Each set of aligners incrementally moves each tooth a fraction of a millimeter at a time.

One of the biggest advantages of Invisalign is that the trays are relatively invisible and hence the name Invisalign.  Some people simply don’t want anyone to know that they are wearing braces.  Since the aligners are removable, they provide people the option of removing them in social situations and then simply replacing them afterward.  The aligners also are more comfortable than braces and they do not affect a patient’s speech.

Invisalign treatment usually works more efficiently than braces in the simpler cases.  For patients who have a relatively good bite, but their teeth are somewhat crooked and the crowding between the teeth is not too severe, Invisalign aligners typically move teeth into their proper positions faster than braces.  We have found in our practice that for cases with braces that would take anywhere from 18 to 20 months to complete, Invisalign patients complete their treatment in 12 to 14 months.  These are cases that do not require the extraction of teeth nor do they require the use of auxiliary appliances such as a headgear or extensive rubber band wear.

There are plenty of reasons why a person might choose braces over Invisalign.  Patient compliance is crucial in the successful outcome of patients undergoing treatment with Invisalign.  Obviously if a patient doesn’t wear his or her aligners, the teeth will not move and therefore they will not be straightened.  Braces are not removable, so patient compliance is a lot less of a factor in the overall outcome. This is very important for parents when they are trying to decide which treatment option is best for their child.  If a parent suspects that his or her child will not be fully committed to wearing Invisalign aligners, it’s usually best to go with braces.

Another reason why braces may be better than Invisalign aligners is in instances where there are some teeth that are severely rotated.  For example, if a bicuspid is rotated a great deal, it is very difficult to turn the tooth with a removable aligner.  A bicuspid is basically a cylindrical or round tooth.  The aligner is not able to grip the surface of the bicuspid very effectively without essentially slipping and thus the tooth will not align properly.  This is not the case with braces because the bracket is affixed to the tooth and it will physically turn the tooth into its proper position easily and efficiently.

One final reason why braces may be a better option than Invisalign is that they are much more effective in moving the roots of teeth through the bone.  This is especially true when the extraction of teeth is necessary.  For example, oftentimes some teeth must be removed in patients that have a lot of crowding.  The spaces are then closed during orthodontic treatment by moving the two adjacent teeth together.  This requires a great deal of tooth movement which includes the movement of the roots of these two teeth toward one another.  Invisalign aligners simply cannot achieve this type of tooth movement as effectively as braces.

Which is better option:  Invisalign or Braces? Ultimately it comes down to determining the specific needs of each patient, the patient’s esthetic concerns, and the patient’s motivation and level of commitment when it comes to compliance.