Braces and Invisalign - A Comprehensive Guide
Up until not so long ago, braces were the only available orthodontic option for teeth straightening, healthier bites, and beautiful smiles. They have been around for quite some time, have proven efficiency, are cost-effective, and can correct even the most severe dental cases in just a few years.
However, the latest medical and technological developments gave us a new path toward those perfect smiles – clear aligners, popularly known as Invisalign. As the name suggests, these aligners are practically invisible, making them ideal for people looking to remain discrete.
Both of these methods are popular and reliable choices for teeth straightening and dental corrections. Remember, though, depending on your particular case, one of these methods might be better than the other – which is why we prepared this comprehensive and thorough guide about braces and Invisalign.
Which one is better for young children and teens? What about adults? Which one works best for overbite correction? Do braces hurt? How do I keep my braces clean? Can I get Invisalign after wearing braces? How long does the braces treatment take? How long does Invisalign take? You’ll find the answers to all of these questions (and more) just below.
1.Braces – A Complete Guide.
a.Definition & Basic Info.
The concept behind teeth straightening has been around for millennia – as old as Egyptian mummies, to be precise. However, braces today are much more reliable, more cost-effective, and more comfortable than ever before, making them a preferred approach for teeth aligning, healthier bites, and beautiful and long-lasting smiles.
Braces use small brackets bonded to each tooth (interconnected by a metal wire) that carefully correct their position by applying pressure to them and their bone structure. An orthodontist will monitor the whole process closely, making sure the alignment follows as planned and making any necessary adjustments, should you need them.
Metal braces are the most common (and cheapest) kind, but there are other options. Ceramic braces can match the exact color of your tooth enamel, making them less noticeable. Lastly, lingual braces are the best option for people who are heavily concerned about their looks. They go on the back of your teeth, making them hardly detectable but also much more uncomfortable.
b.Pros & Cons.
PROS
- Braces still excel in cases of severe dental misalignment, impacted teeth, and overcrowding due to their extra sturdiness and firmer grip.
- They’re consistently correcting your teeth, and there’s no risk of losing or misplacing them.
- More affordable and fully customizable, making them a trendy and bold fashion statement.
- Reliable results that will last for a lifetime, for both kids and adults alike.
CONS
- Since they get permanently bonded to your teeth, braces can become a trap for bacteria leading to tooth decay and discoloration – unless you follow a strict dental hygiene routine. You’ll also need to avoid certain kinds of food.
- At the beginning of the treatment, there’s a considerable amount of discomfort until you get used to the extra pressure and poking.
- Braces require more dental visits, both for adjustments and emergencies.
- Lastly, braces are much more noticeable than clear aligners, which could be an issue for people looking to maintain a discreet look.
c.Average Cost.
Generally speaking, braces are the most affordable option for people looking for orthodontic treatment. Depending on several factors such as where you live and the severity of teeth misalignment, traditional metal braces can cost anywhere between $1,700-$3,500. Other types of braces include ceramic ($4,000-$8,000) and lingual ($8,000-$10,000) [2], but their differences are purely aesthetical – metal braces will work just as fine.
Health insurance also plays a pivotal role in the overall treatment cost. Always check with your provider because some providers won’t cover any orthodontic treatment for people over 18. Several plans will partially cover braces for children under 18, and a few of them will even cover braces in their entirety.
Lastly, the government considers braces as medically necessary, so even if your health insurance plan won’t cover them, their cost will be tax-deductible.
d.How To Keep Braces Clean.
Keeping good dental hygiene is a task we should all take more seriously (braces or not) because our mouths make for an ideal playground for food debris, plaque biofilm, and acids.
Brushing and flossing will take care of most of the job, but wearing braces poses additional challenges for patients when it comes to keeping them clean, given that there are so many different pieces of hardware – like bands, brackets, elastics, screws, wires, etc.
According to this Colgate article [1], there are several ways to remove food debris from the mouth, including soft picks, interdental picks, proxy brushes, and dental floss. However, the most recommended approach is flossing with a dental threader – since it will give you access to areas that most other tools won’t reach. Glide the floss along the tooth surface and gently scrub the area just below the gum line.
For brushing, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, starting at the gum line and moving toward the biting surface of your teeth, on a back-and-forth movement. Remember to brush the top and bottom surfaces of each bracket, as well as the wires – it might help to hold your lip upwards with one hand.
Lastly, braces will give you a most beautiful smile, but they can also surprise you with cavities and tooth decay – unless you keep them clean at all times. For these purposes, fluoride-based products can make things easier. Switch your over-the-counter, regular toothpaste for one with a higher amount of fluoride protection. Also, make sure to include daily rinses within your dental hygiene routine with an anti-bacterial mouthwash.
2.Invisalign – A Complete Guide.
a.Definition & Basic Info.
In 1997, a California-based medical device company called Align Technologies developed a clear dental aligner known today as Invisalign, currently a viable approach for crossbite, teeth crowding, spacing issues, and minor dental misalignment cases.
As a patient, you’ll need to wear Invisalign for at least 22 hours per day. The only moments you should take them off is during meals, drinking anything that is not water, or at specific moments of personal preference, such as smiling at photos.
Unlike fixed braces, every aligner is supposed to last for only two weeks. After these two weeks, you’ll get a new aligner, and so on. Every aligner will only fix your dental misalignment by a tiny margin, making them much more gentle and comfortable on the mouth – all the sets will gradually correct your teeth positioning throughout the treatment.
Lastly, some patients who might not be suitable for Invisalign treatment include:
- People who will still lose some of their baby teeth.
- People with dentures or other types of false teeth.
- People with a dental bridge.
- People who suffer from gum disease or periodontal disease.
b.Pros & Cons.
PROS
- Arguably, the best part about Invisalign is that they’re nearly invisible, ideal for people looking to remain discreet and professional at work.
- With clear aligners, you can eat anything you want – no restrictions.
- Aligners are easy to clean and more convenient to keep proper dental hygiene.
- Besides being nearly unnoticeable, Invisalign is more comfortable than traditional braces.
- With clear aligners, you won’t have to visit your orthodontist as much as with braces.
- They also serve for whitening purposes by putting a special whitening gel on the inside before you sleep.
CONS
- You’ll need to wear them for at least 22 hours daily, and since they’re removable, it’s easy to lose track of the routine (or worse, misplace or lose them).
- Generally speaking, they are much more costly than traditional braces.
- Most health insurance plans won’t cover them since they’re not considered medically necessary.
- Invisalign might not be enough for some cases of severe dental misalignment, in which case you’ll still need braces.
c.Average Cost.
Invisalign treatment can range between $2,400-$9,000. Costs will vary depending on factors such as the cause and severity of dental misalignment, treatment length, insurance coverage (when applicable), and your geographic location.
There is an expedited option called Invisalign Express, designed to correct minor cases, and they’re the cheapest and shortest option – starting at about $2,400 for as low as six months of treatment. Full Invisalign treatment can go as high as $9,000 for as long as 36 months.
There are also some other associated costs when choosing this approach, such as X-rays and 3D imaging, extra refinements, and retainers for dental aftercare – without them, your teeth might drift back into their original position, wasting the entire treatment.
What are the Key Differences Between Braces and Retainers?
Are you happy with your smile?
No? Well, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that 33% of American adults don’t like the way their teeth look.
When you’re unhappy with your smile, it affects the way you interact with others. After all, your smile is one of the first things people see when they meet you. A crooked smile can cause low self-esteem, contribute to poor body image, and heighten social anxiety levels.
Chances are you’ve had braces or a retainer, or you have a child that will need them. Nearly 75% of kids and teens have some sort of teeth alignment or spacing issue that should be treated by braces or a retainer.
Fortunately, there are several options on the market to straighten your teeth. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at braces and retainers.
But what is the difference between braces and a retainer? Read on to find out that and much more!
Braces and Retainers: A Quick Comparison Guide
Most people know that braces and retainers are meant to straighten out crooked teeth. But many people don’t know how these dental appliances differ. Let’s compare the two.
- Braces are cemented to your teeth during the treatment process. So you can’t take them out.
- Retainers are removable. You can pop them out whenever its time to eat or brush your teeth.
- Braces are made up of brackets that the dentist glues to the teeth. Stiff wires run over the top of the brackets. The wires apply pressure to the teeth and move them into place.
- Retainers can be made in two different ways:
- Clear, plastic retainers that fit over the entire tooth and go all the way around the teeth to the back of the mouth.
- A molded piece of plastic that fits into the roof of the mouth with an attached wire that runs over the front of the teeth.
- Braces are usually worn between 18-24 months. But each case is different depending on the severity of your dental issues.
- Retainers are worn for several months after the dentist removes your braces. Your dentist may ask you to wear a retainer at night indefinitely to ensure that your teeth don’t shift back to their old positions.
- Braces work better for more complex orthodontic problems.
- Retainers work well for minor adjustments where only one or two teeth need to be moved.
- Braces hold continual pressure on the teeth to shift them into a new position.
- Retainers stabilize the teeth, allowing surrounding tissues to conform to the new tooth alignment achieved by the braces.
- Braces sometimes cause discomfort, pain, and even some minor bleeding when first applied. The tissues inside your mouth are sensitive and it takes some time to toughen them up against the new hardware in your mouth.
- Retainers don’t generally cause pain to the inside of your mouth. But they can cause some tooth sensitivity as the teeth move into place.
- Braces are tough and you generally won’t have to replace them during the treatment period.
- Retainers are most susceptible to wearing out and may need replacement at some point.
So what is the difference between braces and retainers? The biggest difference is that braces are glued to your teeth, whereas retainers are removable.
Braces consist of small metal brackets and rings that are glued directly to your teeth. A stiff metal wire connects the brackets and rings and is usually held in place by tiny elastics. Your dentist will form the wire, creating a constant pressure on the teeth, slowly realigning them over an extended period of time.
Retainers consist of a molded piece of plastic with a formed wire. They work in the same way as braces, slowly pressuring the teeth so that over time they become properly aligned and spaced. Unlike braces, retainers and be removed, so a typical treatment will require a patient to wear a retainer for a certain number of hours each day.
The Invisalign Option
Invisalign is another dental option that many people prefer over braces and retainers. This method uses removable plastic teeth aligners to straighten your teeth. You’ll use a new set of aligners every two weeks until your teeth are in perfect position.
They’re clear so most people won’t even know you’re wearing them. They’re also more comfortable to wear than braces. You won’t get the irritation to the gums and mouth tissue that usually occurs with braces.
Because you can remove them, Invisalign aligners work best on adults and older teenagers. Children are more likely to lose their alignment trays or forget to wear them regularly.
Why People Need Orthodontic treatment
For the most part, kids get braces or retainers during their early teen years to improve their smile, but the reasons for getting braces or retainers actually goes much deeper than physical appearances: braces and retainers prevent issues from developing in the mouth.
Overcrowded teeth get damaged by rubbing together and it can be hard to brush and floss between them, leading to cavities and gum inflammation.
Overspacing can also lead to chunks of food getting caught between the teeth, which can also lead to cavities.
Wearing braces or retainers help align and space your teeth properly, giving you a beautiful smile and boosting self-confidence. But they also prevent dental problems from happening in the first place.
Straight and Healthy Teeth for a Lifetime
Getting your smile straightened means you get the healthy teeth you’ve always wanted. And the confidence boost you needed. Now, that’s a win/win situation!
Visit our website today to book an appointment online. Our experts can give you the full rundown on Invisalign, braces, and retainers. And you can finally straighten out your smile for good!
Braces and Retainers for Adults, Not Just Kids!
Braces and retainers are quite common for kids, usually between the ages of 10 – 12 when all of their baby teeth have fallen out and their adult teeth are coming in. The last teeth that typically grow in are the 12-year molars, but they sometimes come in a little earlier.
More and more, we’re seeing that adults are interested in getting braces or retainers to fix alignment or spacing issues with their teeth. You’re never too old to get braces, and if you’re hesitant to get braces because you don’t like the look of them there are invisible braces options that are far less noticeable than what you might think!
If you’re a little bit self-conscious of your smile because your teeth are misaligned, overcrowded or over-spaced, or if you have a child who needs or will need braces, let Orion Dental help! We offer a number of braces and retainer options that’ll help bring a beautiful smile to you or your child’s face! We offer a full range of dental services for the whole family, so call our Scarborough dental office at (416) 291 – 0306 or our Milton dental office at (905) 636 – 9770 and book a no-obligation consultation today!
Foods to Avoid When Wearing Braces
- Foods that need you to chew hard on: steaks, hard rolls, bagels etc.
- Sticky foods: chewing gum, toffee, caramel etc.
- Hard foods: hard candy, nuts, hard pretzels etc.
- Sugary food: fudge, chocolate, candy, cake etc.
- Foods you have to bite into: apples, peaches, carrots, corn etc.
FAQ: Braces and Retainers
Generally, for just one tooth, it may be possible to fix alignment with a retainer alone. Braces may be needed for one tooth only if the movement required to bring the tooth into the desired position is substantial.
