“I Want Straighter Teeth.”
While both braces and Invisalign can help straighten your teeth, they each have their pros and cons. How do you know which one is right for you?
Invisalign
Will you choose Invisalign?
There’s a new option in orthodontics. No longer do you need bulky, uncomfortable metal brackets filling your mouth in order to straighten your teeth. Now, with Invisalign, you can have a beautiful, straight smile in half the time of traditional braces. Without wires, brackets, or without anyone even knowing you’re wearing them on your teeth.
Invisalign is a treatment option that relies on clear, retainer-like aligners to shift your teeth into place. You must wear the aligners for no less than 22 hours per day, changing them every two weeks, to a new pair that will continue shifting your teeth. The treatment typically takes six months to a year.
First, Dr. Burba will take a detailed impression of your teeth in order to facilitate in planning your tooth movements. Three dimensional images of the impressions are programmed into a computer that will create a set of aligners designed specifically for your teeth. The aligners work by gently moving your teeth into a new position. After about two weeks, they’ll fit naturally. At this point, you’ll switch out your aligners. This process continues until your teeth are straight. Having a new computerized method is much more accurate than other orthodontics. Because of that, Invisalign works in less than a year, or about half the time of traditional braces.
Advantages
-They’re a much more comfortable alternative to traditional braces.
-Tooth maintenance is much easier. Simply remove the aligners to brush and floss normally.
-You can eat anything you want without the fear of your food getting stuck. Remove them to eat, and put them back when you’re done.
-They’re much faster than traditional braces. You’ll be completely done with them in six months to a year, as opposed to the two to three years traditional braces require.
-Invisalign is virtually invisible. Nobody will know you’re wearing them.
-If you have a special occasion to attend, you can remove them.
Disadvantages
-They won’t work without patient compliance. Because the aligners are removable, it’s up to the patient to wear them for 22 hours a day, and make sure to put them back in after meals.
-They’re more expensive than traditional braces.
-Sometime they won’t work for more complex dental issues.
Braces
Are braces the better choice?
Braces are metal brackets used to align and straighten your teeth, and help to position them correctly to align with your bite. They’re also used to treat underbites, malocclusions, overbites, cross bites, crooked teeth, and various other issues related to the teeth and jaw.
Braces can be either cosmetic or structural, depending on the makeup of your mouth.
Advantages
-You can’t lose them.
-They don’t need to be removed for meals.
-They’re less expensive than Invisalign.
-You don’t need to be disciplined to wear them.
Disadvantages
-Wire brackets can cause sores and pain.
-They require a longer treatment period.
-Braces aren’t removable.
-They require more maintenance.
Make An Appointment
Schedule your consultation today!
As with all dental treatments, you should always get Dr. Burba’s suggestion on what treatment will work best for you. Scheduling a consultation will give him the opportunity to take x-rays and look at your teeth. From there, he can decide what the best treatment plan is for you.
Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)
Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.
