Does Invisalign Work as Well as Traditional Braces?
Straightening your smile can boost your self-image, enhance the appearance of your smile, and support your oral health. That’s why Dr. Nathaniel Podilsky in Edmonton, AB, provides patients with a range of safe and effective dental procedures, including Invisalign®.
If you’re considering smile-correcting treatments, then you might be wondering: Does Invisalign work as well as traditional braces? Let’s discuss some factors that can influence the effectiveness of Invisalign. We’ll also explore why clear aligners may be the best choice for you and your smile goals.
Nature and Severity of Your Case
Patients considering smile-aligning procedures must first undergo a thorough exam. Our skilled Edmonton dentists will assess your bite and tooth alignment and make recommendations based on your tooth alignment.
For patients with mild to moderate alignment issues, our team may suggest Invisalign. However, patients with moderate to severe alignment issues may be better candidates for traditional braces.
Research suggests that Invisalign may treat mild misalignments faster than traditional braces, but complex misalignments may take longer to fix with Invisalign. So while Invisalign can treat some complex misalignments, it may be faster and easier to correct these issues with traditional braces.
Treatment Adherence
Dentists cement the metal brackets of traditional braces to the front surface of the teeth. This means that they remain in place until they are removed by a professional. As such, traditional braces apply constant force on the teeth to slowly move them into proper alignment over time.
Invisalign clear aligners apply the same smile-correcting force on the teeth. Yet because Invisalign aligners are removable, patients are responsible for wearing their aligners consistently to see their desired results in their anticipated timeline.
Patients must wear their clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily. They must also replace their aligners approximately every two weeks according to their treatment plan. Failure to follow proper treatment adherence may lengthen the treatment process and could undermine the expected results.
Fine Adjustments with Precision Technology
Patients with traditional braces must have a dental professional frequently make small adjustments to their hardware. This means scheduling dental or orthodontic visits approximately every two weeks for manual adjustments.
Invisalign clear aligners do not require patients to come in for manual adjustments. Instead, dental professionals use precision software to plan, track, and create replacement aligners well ahead of time. The entire treatment plan is ready at the beginning. Patients just need to wear their aligners as instructed and switch to the next aligner in the treatment sequence after two weeks have passed.
Oral Health During Treatment
Traditional braces make oral hygiene more difficult. As a result, many patients with metal braces who do not practice good oral hygiene experience increased risk of cavities and gum disease.
Removable aligners, however, make brushing, flossing, and rinsing a breeze. Patients often encounter fewer oral health issues with Invisalign, making it a safer, more hygienic way to straighten your smile.
Schedule Your Invisalign Consultation Today
For patients with mild to moderate misalignments, Invisalign works as well, if not better, than traditional braces. If you’d like to verify your candidacy, then schedule a consultation at our Edmonton dental office now. You can book your consultation online or call us directly at (780) 428-6846.
