19 Jun Will Invisalign Work for Me, Or Do I Need Metal Braces?
If you are thinking about straightening your teeth, you’re probably already exploring your options. Will clear aligners work for you, or would metal braces be better? Most likely, you’ll be able to choose which type of treatment you prefer. But Invisalign can’t correct every problem. In some cases, only metal braces will work.
Let’s go over the differences between braces and clear aligners.
Let’s Talk Comfort: Are Braces More Painful than Invisalign?
Before you commit to one method or the other, it is important to note that all orthodontic work will be mildly painful. Forcing your teeth to shift position, even with gentle pressure, is bound to cause some discomfort. Changing the structure of your face puts pressure on your jaw and ligaments as well.
Because those shifts are more gradual with Invisalign, clear aligners are usually less painful. They’re more comfortable to wear as well, because they don’t have any sharp wires or metal brackets. That means fewer parts rubbing against the soft tissues in the mouth and causing sores. But if metal braces are your only option, you can use a special dental wax to keep your braces from scratching your lips.
Let’s Talk Aesthetics: Clear Aligners Clearly Win
One of the biggest benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are practically invisible. For adults and teens who worry about their image, this is a definite bonus. However, much of the “nerdy” stigma associated with braces is not as strong as it used to be.
And metal braces don’t always have to go on the outside of your teeth. In some cases, lingual braces are an option. Because they’re attached to the tongue-side of the teeth they aren’t as noticeable as braces attached to the front.
Let’s Talk Effectiveness: Do Metal Braces Work Better?
While clear aligners can solve most alignment problems, they can’t solve them all. Effectiveness is where metal braces reign. Metal braces are an effective treatment for any mouth, while Invisalign really only works in mild to moderate cases.
Invisalign treatments can also fail for other reasons. The biggest contributing factor is human error. If you commit to Invisalign, it means you need to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day. They’re removable, but you’re only supposed to remove them when you eat, drink, or brush. If you forget about putting them back in, or forget to wear them while you sleep, you might have to start your treatment over.
Interested in Invisalign or Braces? Make an Appointment in Prescott, Arizona
If you want to straighten your teeth, our dentists can help you decide on the right treatment. We’ll check to see if your teeth and gums are healthy enough for braces or aligners and advise you on any other treatments you need to complete first. We’ll also ask you questions to figure out whether you’d be able to manage wearing clear aligners or if braces would be a better option.
For orthodontic and cosmetic dental treatments in Prescott, contact Hicks Dental Group to make an appointment.
Photo by Susan Duran on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 6/8/26.