Braces vs. Invisalign - Which is Right for Me? - Solas Orthodontics

1. Braces vs. Invisalign: Which is Right for Me?

2. Have You Researched Your Options? • If you’re thinking about straightening your teeth (or your kids teeth), the first question you’ll want to ask yourself is exactly how you’d like to straighten them. • Advances in dental technology have seen a number of new teeth-straightening methods hit the market in recent years, but for most people the big question is: Braces or Invisalign? • If you’ve gotten to this point in consideration, you probably have many questions - which one’s best for me? What’s the most cost effective? What can and can’t be treated? What are the pros and cons of each?

3. Appearance Treatment Time MaintenanceFollow-Up Visits Follow Up Treatment What Ages can be Treated? Not Ideal For Cost Silver, Coloured, or Clear Brackets Approx. 2 years (depending on patient needs) Brush brackets and wires regularly while brushing teeth. Approx 1 per 6-8 weeks Retainer likely needed after braces are removed Child to Adult Patients playing rough contact sports regularly $3000 - $9,000 Braces

4. Appearance Treatment Time MaintenanceFollow-Up Visits Follow Up Treatment What Ages can be Treated? Not Ideal For Cost Clear / Virtually Invisible Approx 6 - 18 months (depending on patient needs) Brush and rinse aligner trays in lukewarm water. Change aligner trays every 1 - 2 weeks. Visits every 4 to 8 weeks. Positioner or retainer likely needed after treatment, possibly just at night Early Teens to Adult Patients with more complicated orthodontic problems $6,000 - $9,000 Invisalign

5. Pros and Cons • While both braces and Invisalign can straighten your teeth, they both have particular pros and cons that go beyond what the table above has listed. • Are you likely to lose your Invisalign retainers? Maybe consider traditional braces. • Do you have very sensitive teeth? Invisalign (without brackets and wires) may be for you. • In the tables ahead, we go over a few of the unique advantages and disadvantages of Braces and Invisalign. Each has advantages and disadvantages of its own.

6. More effective for more complex orthodontic problems. • Requires less self-discipline (They’re permanent, so there’s no temptation to remove them). • No extra cleaning steps - just brush and floss as normal. Braces Pros

7. May have some pain, sores or discomfort from wires and brackets. • May have some tooth discoloration from brackets. • May have difficulty eating sticky or hard foods. Braces Cons

8. Nearly Invisible. • Removable. • No issues with food getting caught. • No difficulty eating. • No discomfort from wires. Invisalign Pros

9. May have discomfort from tooth movement. • Must remove before eating or drinking anything but water. • Must brush after each meal to avoid staining. Invisalign Cons

10. Ready to Learn More? • As specialist orthodontists, we know better than anyone what a big choice getting treatment can be. If you’d like to read more, visit us online. Start learning about Invisalign here. • For traditional braces, we offer a slightly more advanced and convenient technology called Damon braces. Learn about our Traditional Damon Braces here. • If you’ve got any questions, or would just like to speak to a specialist and get some more advice, get in touch!

11. For more advice, call us on 08 93837600, orcontact us online.