Dental Braces vs. Invisalign®: 8 Things to Consider

So you’re thinking about straightening your teeth. Good for you! Achieving ideal alignment won’t just result in a gorgeous smile, it may also improve your oral health. But now comes the big question: should you get braces or Invisalign?

Both treatment options can address a wide range of orthodontic concerns, including crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites. Yet there are key differences between them.

In this post, we’re sharing 8 things to consider when comparing dental braces vs. Invisalign.

1. Effectiveness
   Patients often ask questions like, “Is Invisalign better than braces?” or “Are braces better for severe bite issues?” It makes sense because, of course, the most important thing when considering any treatment is whether or not it works. It’s true that Invisalign used to be reserved for mild cases while braces were more effective for complex issues but that’s no longer the case.Thanks to updates in materials and treatment planning software, in the hands of an experienced provider, Invisalign and braces are almost equally effective. In fact, pretty much any case that can be treated with braces can also be treated with Invisalign.
2. Aesthetics and Visibility
   One of the first things that comes to mind when comparing Invisalign vs. braces is visibility. While modern braces are much smaller than they used to be, treatment still consists of brackets and wires that are bonded to your teeth. Even if you opt for clear braces, they will be visible.Invisalign, on the other hand, consists of a series of custom, clear, thermoplastic aligners. The aligners fit over each arch of teeth and are virtually invisible. Most people won’t be able to tell you’re wearing them. This is one of the reasons Invisalign is popular with adults and teens.
3. Comfort
   A study found adults with conventional braces had more pain and negative impacts on their lives during the first week of treatment compared to adults treated with Invisalign (Miller et al., 2007). This could be because each set of Invisalign aligners is designed to move only specific teeth while braces generally use more force to move all of the teeth at once with refinements coming later in the treatment process.Patients also commonly experience braces pain after adjustments, not to mention that the brackets and wires can irritate the lips and cheeks.Invisalign is hardware-free and crafted from smooth plastic, so the aligners don’t cause irritation like braces or require uncomfortable tightening or adjustments. The aligners rely on SmartTrack™ material that uses the minimum amount of force to shift teeth into place. Overall, for most people, Invisalign is more comfortable than traditional braces.
4. Convenience
   Weighing the convenience of dental braces vs. Invisalign is a bit more subjective. Invisalign aligners are removable, never require repair appointments, and don’t interfere with eating or oral hygiene. There are usually fewer visits over the course of treatment. You do, however, have to wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day for the best results.Braces are fixed orthodontic appliances, meaning they stay in place for your entire treatment. They sometimes require repair appointments and you will have to change your eating, brushing, and flossing habits. You’ll also see your doctor for adjustments.Sounds like Invisalign is the clear winner, right? For a lot of patients, yes, it is. But, for others, braces are more convenient because they don’t have to keep track of anything or worry about wearing an appliance for a prescribed amount of time.
5. Treatment Duration
   Invisalign treatment time averages 12 to 18 months while traditional braces treatment averages 18 to 24 months. Limited Invisalign treatment can be completed in as little as 6 months.So is Invisalign faster than braces? For mild to moderate cases, Invisalign can be faster than braces. One study found that patients with these types of cases finished treatment 5.7 months sooner with Invisalign vs. braces (Gu et al., 2017).If you have a complex case, the duration will likely be the same regardless of the appliance you choose.
6. Maintenance and Oral Hygiene
   It’s recommended that you brush your teeth in the morning, after meals and snacks, and before bed with braces or Invisalign.That’s where the similarities end. Braces brackets and wires can make brushing and flossing more challenging. You have to use floss threaders or special orthodontic flossers to get under the wire and in between the teeth. If plaque builds up around the brackets, it can lead to white spots on the teeth after braces treatment. These white spots are areas of decalcification or very early tooth decay.With Invisalign, you take the aligners out to brush and floss, so you don’t need special tools or extra steps. For people prone to cavities or gum disease, Invisalign is often preferable for this reason. The only adjustment you’ll have to make is being sure to brush your aligners in the morning and before bed and rinse them off after eating.
7. Dietary Restrictions
   There are foods to avoid with braces, including anything really sticky, hard, or chewy such as popcorn, nuts, gum, chips, hard taco shells, hard bagels and rolls, meat on the bone, hard candy, gummy candy, taffy, and toffee. These types of foods can damage the appliance or get stuck and cause oral health issues.What can you eat with Invisalign? Everything! As long as you take your aligners out before eating or drinking anything aside from plain still water, there are no Invisalign food restrictions.
8. Cost
   Last but not least in our list of things to consider when comparing dental braces vs. Invisalign is the price. Though your braces or Invisalign cost will depend on the severity of your case, the provider, and even your location, there shouldn’t be a big difference between the two treatments. Some offices, including Nest Dental, offer financing options to help.

The Bottom Line on Dental Braces vs. Invisalign

When deciding between braces vs. aligners, it really boils down to personal preference and lifestyle. If you prefer a discreet solution that doesn’t cause irritation or have food restrictions, Invisalign is your best bet. If you’re not into the idea of taking aligners in and out, braces could be the way to go.

Book a Consultation With a Top Vancouver Invisalign Provider

Interested in Invisalign in Vancouver? Don’t just search “Invisalign near me” and go with the first result. Experience matters! At Nest Dental, we combine in-depth experience with a cozy atmosphere, modern digital technology, and a passion for smile design.

We’ve extended our Invisalign promotion. When you start treatment by May 31, 2025, we’ll give you $750 off Invisalign!

Book a consultation with one of our Invisalign providers today and save big!

Sources:

1. Miller KB, McGorray SP, Womack R, et al. A comparison of treatment impacts between Invisalign aligner and fixed appliance therapy during the first week of treatment. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2007;131(3):302.e1-302.e3029. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2006.05.031
2. Gu J, Tang JS, Skulski B, et al. Evaluation of Invisalign treatment effectiveness and efficiency compared with conventional fixed appliances using the Peer Assessment Rating index. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2017;151(2):259-266. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2016.06.041