Health

Clear Braces vs Invisalign: Which is Right for You?

author-img By Mashum Mollah 5 Mins Read May 15, 2018 Last Updated on: March 16th, 2023

Clear Braces vs Invisalign

If you’re considering getting work done on your teeth, you’ve probably looked into getting braces. But as an adult, you might want to go down the route of clear braces vs Invisalign to make the amendments more inconspicuously.

If you’ve decided that’s the way to go, you’re most likely facing another conundrum: what’s the difference between the two?

When it comes to clear braces vs Invisalign, it’s important to look at the features of each one. It’s a personal choice and can vary from individual to individual, but there are medical aspects that must be considered too.

Read on for our guide to these two methods of teeth straightening. This should help you to narrow down the best option for you.

Clear Braces vs Invisalign: What’s The Difference?

To start with, it’s best to know what each of these straightening methods is.

Clear or Ceramic Braces:

Clear or ceramic braces are made from a particular material that creates the braces’ brackets. There are two main ways to make these: in either a clear ceramic, so your teeth show through, or in a color that matches the shade of your teeth.

If you’re familiar with standard metal braces, you’ll be aware of how these work. It’s essentially the same mechanics: brackets are affixed to your teeth, woven through with an archwire. These forces pressure onto the teeth to gradually move them back into sufficient positioning.

The difference is that they are clear, not metal. And, like metal ones, every so often your orthodontist will see you adjust them. This is usually every month over the course of the time you are wearing the braces.

Invisalign:

This treatment sees you wearing a retainer. The clue is in the name – it’s a transparent (invisible) method of realigning your teeth.

When it comes to the prices of getting Invisalign, you are not going to get uniform rates everywhere. This is why if you are planning to see your dentist in Melbourne and get Invisalign, you should know about the Invisalign price in Melbourne well in advance, or at least during the consultation stage.

You can remove these, unlike affixed clear braces. But you must wear them for 22 hours a day if not 24.

The frequency of brace alterations is more often in the case of Invisalign. Rather than seeing an orthodontist once a month, you will get these changed around every two weeks.

The overall process takes between 9 to 12 months, typically.

Key Differences Between Clear Braces and Invisalign:

Overall, both options are excellent if you’re looking to avoid the more garish, metal brace route.

You’ll need to see your dentist or orthodontist about getting them, whichever method you decide to go for. In some cases, you might not actually be a candidate for Invisalign, ruling that out immediately.

Also, consider factors such as are Invisalign braces expensive?

Transparency:

It’s typically thought that Invisalign offers a more transparent look, meaning it is arguably a better method when it comes to hiding the process of straightening the teeth.

It’s been claimed that many patients who opt for this method end up shocking friends and family when they reveal they have invisible teeth straighteners in their mouths. They are supposedly that clear.

In contrast, clear braces can be a little more obvious. Because they feature clunkier brackets, it’s still often a noticeable form of teeth straightening. That being said, you might need to get up relatively close to a person to know either way.

Removal:

One of the major advantages of being able to remove your Invisalign retainer is that you can clean both it and your teeth.

Braces that are affixed to your teeth cannot be removed, and you must clean around them. This risks leaving parts of the teeth unbrushed for the duration of having the braces on.

The permanency can also make flossing and be eating tricky. Also, when they are removed at the end of your treatment, there might be a slight discoloration. This will fade in time though.

While it may seem that Invisalign is more appealing in this case, you have to be strict with it. You must remove the trays when you eat. Apart from water, you must do it when you drink too.

This means a sociable night at a bar becomes a little trickier.

Adjustments:

Because of the difference between the two methods, you will need to visit the orthodontist less with clear braces than you would do with Invisalign.

Invisalign trays must be changed twice a month, in comparison to clear brace adjustments taking place just once every four weeks, on average.

Strength and Severity:

If you have exceptionally crowded, gapped, or crooked teeth, Invisalign might not be enough.

Nor might they be able to handle cases of crossbites, jaw issues, and malocclusions.

Clear braces, again because they are permanently enforced, can treat more severe cases of teeth straightening.

The issues above can indeed be treated with Invisalign, but typically if they aren’t drastic. They are also designed to help those with an overbite, underbite, and an open bite.

In addition to this, clear braces often struggle to fix bottom teeth. This is thanks to the ceramic material which is tougher than tooth enamel itself.

In this instance, if your top teeth rub against the braces on your bottom teeth, this can cause wear down on them.

Sensation and Comfort:

Being able to remove an Invisalign retainer means you give yourself a bit of respite during your treatment. Even if it is for a couple of hours a day or while you’re eating or drinking.

The common issue braces can cause is irritation inside the mouth and the cheeks. Especially when first fitted or when re-tightened or adjusted by the orthodontist.

Clear braces are also relatively brittle thanks to the ceramic they are made with. This can lead to scratches or chips, which will end up irritating the mouth too. Although they are unlikely to actually break, this can still cause discomfort.

Making a Choice:

There are certainly pros and cons when it comes to clear braces vs Invisalign. And sometimes the decision comes down to personal preference or professional opinion.

Look at the differences between the methods and weigh up what you think works best for you and your lifestyle.

If you’ve got any other beauty, fitness, or health concerns, check out our blog to see if we’ve covered it. We’ve got articles on everything from beauty tricks you can try out on a daily basis to how to tell if you’re affected by negative energy.

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Mashum Mollah

Mashum Mollah is an entrepreneur, founder and CEO at Viacon, a digital marketing agency that drive visibility, engagement, and proven results. He blogs at MashumMollah.com.

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