How Do Invisalign Aligners Compare to Traditional Metal Braces?

By now, you have likely heard about Invisalign aligners, even if you are unsure what they are or how they compare to traditional metal braces. Invisalign, as offered by Dr. Edgar Mendieta and the team at Global Smiles Orthodontics in Columbus, Ohio, utilizes transparent aligners that gradually shift your teeth to correct any misalignment and bite issues. 

Invisalign is great for correcting mild to moderate teeth issues, but how do they compare to traditional metal braces? Let’s learn more about that now!

The Cost of Invisalign

Your orthodontist will be able to give you a precise estimate specific to the level of care you need. Every case will be different, and pricing will vary.

The cost of traditional metal braces and Invisalign can often be very similar. You may also want to look into any financing options your orthodontist may offer (some offices may not, but it never hurts to ask). Like traditional metal braces, many dental insurance companies will cover at least a portion of the Invisalign treatment, so contact your provider to learn more.

No Dietary Restrictions

Ask anybody currently undergoing traditional metal braces treatment or who has had to wear metal braces in the past. They will all give you a list of foods they were told to avoid. With metal braces, certain foods can damage the wires, rubber bands, and brackets of the braces. When you choose traditional braces, you will be told to steer clear of chewy, sticky, and hard foods. You would want to avoid sticky or hard candy, popcorn, nuts, gum, ice, hard cookies, and more.

When you choose Invisalign, none of these restrictions will apply. Because Invisalign uses discreet aligners, which are easy to remove, you simply need to take them off when you need to eat and put them back on afterward. You can eat what you want when you want to eat it.

Better Oral Hygiene

Because braces can sometimes be more challenging to clean around when brushing and flossing, you may be more susceptible to cavities, tooth discoloration, and gum disease. Because food can become easily stuck in and behind your metal braces, you may also need to brush more (sometimes three to four times a day) to ensure your teeth are as clean as possible. 

Some patients undergoing traditional orthodontic treatment even invest in a travel toothbrush to brush their teeth after eating, no matter where they are. Flossing can be even more difficult than brushing, and special orthodontic floss or a waterpik may be recommended. With Invisalign, simply remove your aligners to brush and floss and maintain excellent oral hygiene easily.

Discomfort

No matter which orthodontic option you choose, metal braces or Invisalign, there will be some discomfort. After all, both options are physically shifting the position of your teeth. However, with metal braces, there can be some additional inconveniences due to the metal brackets and wires possibly causing discomfort inside your mouth. While Invisalign aligners can occasionally rub against your gum tissues, these effects are typically milder than what you can experience with metal braces.

To learn more about Invisalign aligners, please call Global Smiles Orthodontics in Columbus, OH, at (614) 230-0374.

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