Which Is Better – Invisalign or Braces?

At Bishop Family Dental, we understand the important role that orthodontics can play in creating a healthy and beautiful smile. If you or your teen has crooked teeth, overly crowded teeth, an overbite, or an underbite, you can prolong the lifespan of natural teeth by correcting these issues and keeping them in good condition. Both Invisalign® and braces can correct issues like these by applying pressure to the teeth. They can also be used in tandem with other orthodontic measures like spacers. When determining whether Invisalign® or braces is the better orthodontic treatment for you, you have to consider your lifestyle and which solution will work with it. From our experience, we find that many of our Salt Lake City, Utah patients prefer Invisalign® because of how flexible it is. If you live in the 84124 area, we encourage you to schedule an examination so that we can determine the best way to proceed with straightening your teeth. You can do so by calling 801-274-2500.

Before coming in, you should know the process of how aligners straighten teeth. Here are some frequently asked questions that we are regularly:

Yes, it can. Invisalign® was created to treat mild to severe orthodontic cases that include crooked teeth, overly crowded teeth, and other similar conditions. Because of this, most people associate wearing Invisalign aligners for quick or small fixes on the one hand and braces for major orthodontic issues. This is not the case. When you visit our Salt Lake City Invisalign® dentist office, we can formulate a treatment plan to address your specific dental issues. All you have to do is to follow that plan closely and keep all your regular appointments.

When performing orthodontic treatments, we do more than realign the teeth to their proper positions, we also work to realign the bite. Otherwise, you will continue to feel discomfort and experience dental problems. When wearing braces, the bite is often aligned using a series of rubber bands strung from one bracket on the upper jaw to one on the lower jaw to hold the jaw in its proper position. When straightening teeth with Invisalign®, the aligners’ form exert pressure to the teeth, moving them to their proper positions. This means that if your teeth cause an underbite or overbite, aligners can correct the problem. However, if your jaws have a physical problem, you may need to undergo jaw surgery on top of wearing your aligners. If the misaligned jaws cannot be fixed using aligners, the other option is to wear traditional braces. When you visit our 84124 dental office, Dr. Daniel Bishop will let you know if your bite problems can be solved with Invisalign®, and very often they can be.

At Bishop Family Dental, we have several methods that can address overcrowding. Among these methods, the most common we perform is having the patient wear an expander. An expander pushes the arch outward to create more room for your teeth. Using an expander can be done alongside braces or Invisalign®. This is the least invasive method and often preferred by our 84124 patients. Other options are to remove one or more teeth or to shave off small portions of the enamel before the straightening procedure. When you visit our Salt Lake City, Utah, dentist office, Dr. Daniel Bishop can explain all of these options in detail so that you can make an educated decision regarding which solution is right for you.

Attachments are the small bumps on the teeth when Invisalign® is worn. They are small, round, tooth-colored resin attachments that are barely noticeable. Not everyone needs them with Invisalign, though. However, if Dr. Daniel Bishop recommends them, you should seriously consider it because they make it far easier for your teeth to move during the treatment process. These bumps help the aligners grip the teeth better, enabling it to apply more force to effectively move your teeth. Since they are removable, these bumps will be taken off when your treatment ends. Buttons could also be used in tandem with or alternative to attachments. They work more like braces because they are bonded to the teeth with an elastic often secured to them.

This is the real question because it factors your individual needs and lifestyle. Orthodontic treatments, including Invisalign® can take about a year or two to work. Even mild misalignment cases could require orthodontic treatment for 12 to 18 months on average. This means that you have to be comfortable with the treatment plan and can live with orthodontics long enough to see the procedure through. If you cannot, you will have to deal with the consequences of having misaligned teeth. Fortunately, you have options. By asking a lot of questions and having a consultation with our Salt Lake City, Utah, dental office, you can better decide which road to take. Of these options, Invisalign® is the better solution because it allows you to eat whatever you like. It is also the better solution when it comes to oral hygiene because you can remove the aligners to brush and floss normally, instead of spending time using special dental tools to brush your teeth and braces. Also, wearing clear aligners doesn’t negatively affect your appearance. Instead, you will enjoy seeing your teeth improve as the treatment progresses. You will not have to wait until the end of the treatment as you would with braces. As your teeth continue to shift, your smile will look more beautiful, and that’s something you or your teen can smile about.

At Bishop Family Dental, we are able to transform crooked smiles to beautiful ones using Invisalign® aligners. We can even provide you a projected rendering to show you how dramatic the transformation will be. We can then help you choose between Invisalign® or braces, discussing the physical changes that will take place with your teeth and bite, after which you will need to give feedback based on your lifestyle and expectations. Together, we can formulate a treatment plan that best suits you. To learn more about Invisalign® and braces in Salt Lake City, Utah, call 801-274-2500 and schedule an appointment with our dentist.