Overview

The blog post "Clear Braces Vs Invisalign" provides a comprehensive comparison between clear braces and Invisalign, two popular orthodontic treatments. It discusses the pros and cons of both options, their working mechanisms, treatment durations, and costs. This article serves as a guide for those who want to straighten their teeth discreetly and are weighing these two options.

Interested in achieving a healthy, beautiful smile? Congratulations! There are many different orthodontic treatments that you can choose from. Clear braces and Invisalign are two popular choices for those who want to straighten their teeth without the aesthetics of traditional braces.

What are Clear Braces?

Clear braces are a fixed orthodontic appliance that use transparent or tooth-colored wires and brackets to straighten teeth. These clear appliances may be the best option for people who want their braces to be less noticeable when they smile, talk, and eat. Clear braces use traditional metal wire ligatures to hold the arch wires in place. These ligatures are typically made from a colorless thermoplastic material that is less visible than standard metal wire ligatures.

Pros of Clear Braces

Clear braces are an excellent option for people who want to straighten their teeth in a less visible way when compared to traditional braces. The colorless materials used are less noticeable than traditional metal wire. This can be a big reason why many choose clear braces.

Cons of Clear Braces

Though clear braces have benefits for those who want a less noticeable appliance to straighten their teeth, you may have to pay more for this type of orthodontic treatment.

Clear braces typically take around 18 to 36 months to straighten your teeth whereas Invisalign may take a year or longer to complete treatment. Depending on your individual case, clear braces may be a longer treatment than Invisalign. 

When to Consider Clear Braces

If you are interested in having a more discreet type of orthodontic braces treatment, clear braces may be your best option. 

What Is Invisalign Treatments?

Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligners to move teeth into their desired alignment. These clear aligners are almost invisible when worn, so they work well for people who want to have straighter teeth without showing off their orthodontic treatment. The Invisalign process begins with a gentle impression of your upper and lower arches to make a series of custom-made plastic trays that will be used throughout treatment.

You will have to wear each new set of aligners for about two weeks, and you may switch out the sets as often as needed. The final series of custom-made trays will be worn at night only so that your teeth are being straightened while you sleep. This is an essential step because it helps reduce any pain or discomfort that can happen during treatment.

How Invisalign Works

The clear plastic aligners work by moving teeth into place step-by-step, set-by-set. These comfortable trays are made specifically for your mouth, so they fit well and most likely won’t cause any pain or discomfort throughout the straightening process.

Each new tray is worn for about two weeks before being replaced with a new set of aligners. This is necessary because teeth move at different speeds throughout the treatment process, so it's essential to have enough sets of aligners to keep up with how quickly your top and bottom arches are straightening out.

Pros

Besides being nearly invisible when worn, many other benefits come with Invisalign treatment. You won't have to wear traditional metal brackets or wires, which can cause discomfort at times because they rub against your gums and cheeks throughout the day. Instead, you will need a series of nearly invisible plastic aligners that require to be worn for about 20-22 hours each day.

Invisalign treatment can sometimes work faster than clear braces. This is because Invisalign works to apply pressure to all the teeth together instead of them individually like braces do. Check with your orthodontist to determine the most accurate timeline for your unique situation.

Cons

Though Invisalign is an excellent orthodontic option for many people, it's not for everyone. Since the plastic trays must be worn for up to 20-22 hours per day, it's important that patients remain diligent throughout the treatment process. It's also important to note that the Invisalign cost in Winnipeg can sometimes be higher than that of traditional or clear braces.

Additional Information

It's worth mentioning the advancements in both clear braces and Invisalign technology. For instance, clear braces sometimes now come with heat-activated archwires that use body heat to help teeth move more quickly and less painfully. On the other hand, Invisalign has introduced SmartTrack material, which improves aligner fit and makes it easier to insert and remove the aligners. Furthermore, a study published in the Journal of Orthodontics found that patient satisfaction is high for both clear braces and Invisalign, but Invisalign scored higher for comfort and aesthetics while clear braces scored higher for perceived effectiveness.

When to Consider Invisalign

Though clear braces are an excellent option for those who want the least noticeable orthodontic appliance possible, some still prefer a more discreet treatment choice like Invisalign. These invisible aligners don't use any wires or brackets to straighten teeth, which is a pro for some.

Invisalign has several other benefits that make it a great choice over clear braces or traditional metal appliances. People who wear Invisalign usually experience minor discomfort than those with fixed orthodontic appliances because they aren't putting pressure on individual teeth. Plus, you won't have to worry about any cheek irritation because there are no metal wires present in your mouth with Invisalign.

In conclusion, both clear braces and Invisalign are excellent choices for achieving a confident smile. If you prefer the least noticeable orthodontic appliance possible, then invisible aligners like Invisalign may be correct for you. However, the cost of braces in Winnipeg may be appealing over Invisalign.