When you are an adult who has misaligned teeth, you may believe that the only way to resolve the issue is to wear a traditional metal brace.
After all, for decades traditional or orthodontic braces have been used to assist people of all ages to get the smile that they deserve, so it must still be the mainstream option, right?
As dental care, and in particular, orthodontics, have evolved, so too have the number and types of braces available for all adult dental patients. Nowadays you can have your teeth straightened using clear or invisible braces, assuming that your dental issue is deemed appropriate for this by your dental team.
One of the most popular braces used, Invisalign St Albans, has helped thousands of patients across the UK get the smiles that they have always wanted, all the while being discreet and easy to use. Great!
But how does Invisalign compare to a traditional brace?
Comfort
Traditional braces use pulling or tightening to move your teeth into the desired position.
However, Invisalign by St Albans uses a set of clear retainers to gently push your teeth into their new positions, without using excessive force. So, when comparing the comfort of these 2 braces after dental check-ups and day-to-day dental care, the invisible brace is superior.
Dental health
Another advantage of invisible braces is that they can be removed, making the cleaning of teeth and daily hygiene regime easier for both yourself and your dentist.
With traditional braces, they are affixed to your teeth and so, your dentist will advise you to visit a hygienist to remove plaque from around the brackets and wires to prevent decay. And this is before the hygiene regime you will have to undertake at home is discussed! So once again, invisible braces win this comparison.
Discretion
OK, so growing up, you probably knew at least one person who wore traditional braces and, to be fair, they are far from discreet.
As the name suggests, invisible braces are invisible and are made from clear plastic which is slotted over your teeth. This makes them harder to spot, allowing you to get the straighter teeth you want without the need for eye-catching appliances.
So, invisible braces win this round too!
Versatility
There is a reason why traditional braces carry such a title; they have been around for years and have helped thousands of people across the world correct misalignments, spacing and more complicated dental issues, Ergo, they are more versatile.
While it is still a relatively new appliance, an invisible brace is only suitable for correcting mild to moderate orthodontic issues, making its application somewhat restrictive.
So, in this sense, traditional aligners are the more versatile of the 2 braces.
Longevity
When metal braces are attached to your teeth, you may need to wear them for anywhere between 6-36 months.
However, invisible braces offer an accelerated treatment time, allowing you to get the straighter smile you want in as little as 3 months.
So, once again, invisible beats traditional!
