Both clear aligners and fixed braces can straighten teeth successfully. The right choice depends on your teeth, your lifestyle and how much responsibility you’re comfortable taking for wearing the appliance.
Appearance
- Invisalign: clear and hard to notice.
- Braces: visible metal brackets, although tooth-coloured ceramic brackets are less noticeable.
Comfort
- Invisalign: smooth plastic with no wires to rub, though new aligners feel tight for a day or two.
- Braces: brackets can rub the cheeks at first, and adjustments can cause soreness.
Eating and cleaning
- Invisalign: aligners come out to eat, so there are no food restrictions, and brushing and flossing are normal.
- Braces: avoid hard and sticky foods. Cleaning around brackets takes more time and special brushes.
Discipline
- Invisalign: works only if worn 20 to 22 hours a day. Forgetting or losing aligners slows treatment.
- Braces: fixed in place, so they work all the time without you having to remember.
Which cases suit each?
Invisalign treats most mild to moderate crowding, spacing and bite problems. Fixed braces may be better for complex rotations, large tooth movements or severe bite problems.
The result
Both need retainers afterwards to keep teeth straight.
Get a personal recommendation
Dr H.B Mohamed offers Invisalign for teens and adults in Lenasia. After an assessment, we’ll tell you whether Invisalign is suitable for your teeth, or whether a referral for braces would give a better result. Call 011 852 7866.