16 Benefits Of Using Invisalign Over Braces

If you are in the midst of considering whether to take up Invisalign or braces, this article will help break down some benefits of using Invisalign. 

Key Takeaways

• Invisalign offers a discreet and convenient way of straightening your teeth and improving your appearance with minimal impact on your daily life. 
• The most obvious benefits that come with using Invisalign over braces are the invisible appearance, the convenience of being able to remove your clear aligners to enjoy and eat any food you wish to, and the shorter treatment duration. 
• Whether you choose Invisalign or braces treatment, you should consider fixing crooked teeth. Straightening your teeth is more than for cosmetic reasons. It can also cause major dental issues in the long-term if left untreated. 

TDLR: What is Invisalign? 

Invisalign is a clear aligner system that uses transparent trays or clear aligners to adjust the position of your teeth into your desired smile outcome. Your teeth are aligned with the use of clear guides that are fitted onto your teeth. These guides are almost transparent, which makes it hard for anyone to notice. 

When patients ask me what exactly is so special about Invisalign, I tell them that Invisalign makes their treatment more predictable while reducing the amount of the hassle they have to experience if they were to take up braces treatment. 

TDLR: What are Braces?

Braces use metal or plastic brackets with bands and wires to straighten your teeth. Your brackets are placed on your teeth and tightened during each visit by your dentist. 

While braces are the most tried-and-tested way of repositioning teeth, it can cause some inconveniences to your daily life. Some of the more common inconveniences are frequent visits to the dentist, inability to eat some of your favourite foods and difficulty brushing or cleaning your teeth thoroughly. 

Benefits of Using Invisalign Over Braces

If you are considering between Invisalign or braces, these are some of the benefits that Invisalign can offer. 

Discreet appearance 

Braces can make you look clunky and out of place because of the distinct brackets and wires. Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible. This makes them a popular option for most working adults. 

Easier to clean 

Traditional braces can be a hassle to maintain. It can be a challenge keeping your teeth and brackets clean when eating out or simply having a snack. Some of my patients return for their follow up visits with chunks of food leftovers in their mouth that they are completely unaware about. 

With Invisalign, maintaining cleanliness is much simpler. Just remove the aligner trays, gently brush them with toothpaste and warm water, and then reinsert them into your mouth.

Removable 

It is not possible to remove braces as they are attached directly to your teeth. Invisalign is removable and can be removed when you are eating or drinking.  

Allows for better oral hygiene 

One of the greatest advantages of removable aligners over traditional braces is that they allow for better oral hygiene. 

A clean mouth is a healthy mouth. If you are already considering teeth straightening treatment options, you would also want your teeth to be in the best possible condition at the end of your treatment. 

With traditional braces, food particles and plaque can get trapped around and inside the brackets, making it difficult to clean thoroughly. If not properly cleaned, this can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

Invisalign, however, lets you remove the aligners and maintain your regular dental routine. You can floss and brush as usual without needing special tools. It is also possible to clean the inside of your aligners to prevent food and bacteria buildup. 

Comfortable

One of the most common complaints about braces I hear from my patients is how frustratingly uncomfortable it is to wear them. As a previous braces wearer myself, I have developed ulcers and lacerations from protruding wires that are used to secure the brackets together. 

Traditional braces use brackets and wires to reposition teeth. These brackets and wires are tightened to create the necessary tension to adjust your teeth. The tension can result in discomfort. Every time you visit a dentist for a follow-up, you can expect soreness until the tension is reduced. While it is possible to apply wax to the brackets to reduce abrasiveness, the wax often falls off quickly. 

Wearing Invisalign, on the other hand, does not have the same discomfort as teeth straightening alternatives like braces. The smooth surface of the clear aligner trays does not induce scrapping or pain on the tongue, cheek or gums. For foodies, this is a huge advantage as there is no need to worry about potential ulcerations or lacerations when eating. 

Reduces potential for other dental issues 

Crooked teeth can lead to more issues than just feeling self-conscious about your smile. Misaligned teeth increase the likelihood of various dental problems. 

Widely spaced or crowded teeth can elevate your risk of gum disease, as your gums may not fit properly around your teeth. Using removable aligners to straighten your teeth can also help reduce gum inflammation, tooth sensitivity, bad breath, and even prevent teeth from chipping.

Invisible aligners can also correct dental overbites or underbites. An abnormal bite can cause numerous problems, such as irregular tooth erosion and gum infections. It can also lead to chewing difficulties, jaw pain, and speech issues. Correcting your bite can lower your risk of cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Decreases risks of developing tooth decay and gum disease 

When it comes to braces treatment, the brackets, wires and bands can make it hard to do thorough teeth cleaning properly. As a dentist working with orthodontic cases, I often see patients with braces who have food lodged between teeth or behind their brackets. 

Braces can make it immensely challenging to brush and floss well. If the particles stay trapped between your teeth for prolonged periods of time, they can attract bacteria which form plaque and eventually tartar. When tartar is formed, you would require professional dental cleaning to remove. Tartar build up can also lead to gum disease, cavities and other oral issues. 

Invisalign treatment is removable and thus, allows for comprehensive cleaning and flossing easily. The treatment also helps close gaps between teeth, making it harder for food particles to hide. 

Reduced in-person dental visits 

Metal braces require regular dental visits to tighten the rubber bands or wires, change wire sizes or replace or add brackets or wires. In contrast, Invisalign offers you the flexibility to continue your activities while ensuring your teeth are properly repositioned and aligned.

When you begin the Invisalign treatment, you receive aligner trays for the current phase and the upcoming phases. This means you can progress to the next phase without needing an additional office visit. 

Some dental clinics, like that of my practice, use Dental Monitoring tools to help reduce follow-up visits by up to 40%. Reduced follow-up visits also mean less treatment costs for you.

Reduces treatment duration

Traditional braces typically take between 16 and 18 months to complete, with some cases extending to two years or more. This can feel like a long time to wait for straight teeth, as traditional braces often lack the precision of removable aligners.

In contrast, most treatments with invisible aligners last about 9 – 15 months. Do take note that your treatment duration will vary based on your alignment condition. It is best to consult with a dentist to determine a more accurate length of treatment. 

A word of caution: If you do not wear your aligners consistently or as directed, your treatment may end up being extended till the desired outcome is reached.

No need to change dietary habits 

When you take up braces treatment, there is a necessity to stop consuming certain hard, chewy or sticky foods. This is because certain foods increase the risk of damaging and breaking your braces. This means that you would probably have to give up eating crunchy foods like nuts or foods that stick to your teeth. 

With Invisalign, you can eat and drink whatever you like since the aligners are removable. This makes cleaning your teeth afterward much easier. Just be sure to rinse your mouth and brush your teeth before putting the aligners back in.

Improves your ability to chew properly and digest

During braces treatment, you are restricted to certain types of food, but with Invisalign, those food restrictions do not apply. You can remove your aligners before you eat and enjoy all of your favourite foods. 

This allows you to chew and bite properly before swallowing, which improves your overall digestion. 

Protects your teeth from teeth grinding 

Teeth grinding (bruxism) can cause headaches and wear the protective enamel of your teeth out over time. This is detrimental to your oral health as enamel protects your teeth from potential decay. Enamel that is lost cannot be grown back. 

Wearing Invisalign can help prevent your teeth from grinding. The clear aligners act as a mouthguard between your teeth. 

Minimal lifestyle changes 

With traditional braces, your food and drink options are limited. 

Metal brackets can snap off, and wires can bend, so sticky, hard, crunchy foods, and foods you have to bite into are off-limits. This means no caramel, gum, nuts, popcorn, ice, corn-on-the-cob, or apples. Fortunately, with Invisalign, you can eat and drink whatever you like because the aligners are removable.

The only thing you should consume while wearing your aligners is cold water. Eating or drinking anything else can cause food particles to get trapped inside the aligners, leading to bacteria and plaque build-up. 

Enhance your appearance 

Most orthodontic patients, if not all (especially adults), do not want to stand out whilst doing treatment. Unfortunately with braces, it is hard not to stand out. 

Invisalign helps with that by hiding your dental treatment with invisible looking aligner trays. It is hard to tell whether you are on Invisalign treatment unless they are standing close to you or if you tell them. 

Boosts your self-confidence 

The most common reason people straighten their teeth is for aesthetic value. 

Your teeth are one of the first things people see when you smile. It is also one of the first things you see when you wake up. If you are not confident about your teeth and smile, it can affect your overall self-esteem. There is considerable evidence that straightening your teeth can significantly boost self-confidence, especially for teenagers.

A major advantage of invisible aligners is that they are made from clear resin to fit your teeth perfectly, making them almost invisible. This discreteness means most people will not even realise that you are undergoing teeth straightening treatment, unlike with traditional braces. 

Teenagers, in particular, may face bullying or harassment because of visible braces. Invisible aligners can help them achieve straight teeth, enhancing both their confidence and dental health, while also protecting them from teasing.

Safe for all ages 

Invisalign is safe for children, adolescents, and adults. Children as young as 8 to 9 years old are able to take up Invisalign treatment as long as they are compliant and disciplined.

Find out how much Invisalign truly costs.

Why do dentists recommend Invisalign? 

Dentists like myself recommend Invisalign because of the following key reasons: 

• Predictability of outcome 
• Ability for patients like yourself to maintain good oral hygiene
• Shorter treatment duration 
• Reduced dental follow-up visits 

While both braces and Invisalign are able to correct orthodontic alignment problems, braces are less precise than Invisalign. Invisalign has created a system that allows for both precision in treatment and predictability in outcomes. This is also one of the reasons why it takes a longer time for braces to shift teeth into the right position. 

Patients with braces also usually find it hard to clean their teeth properly. This usually necessitates a follow-up visit for professional cleaning to maintain healthy oral hygiene. Patients who take up Invisalign treatment are able to remove their aligners to brush and floss their teeth normally. 

Finding Invisalign too expensive? Check out Angel Aligner – a similar alternative to Invisalign.

Does Invisalign fix your teeth faster? 

It really depends on your case complexity. Should you require extraction before Invisalign treatment, the duration of your Invisalign treatment might take longer. 

However, in minor to mild alignment cases, Invisalign is indeed able to fix your teeth faster with a shorter treatment duration time. Most patients that I work with on their Invisalign treatment are able to finish treatment within 9 – 15 months versus 24 months for braces. 

The reason for the shorter treatment duration is simple. Invisalign has customised trays that are developed for the entire treatment process. These trays have been uniquely customised based on your individual needs. Using 3D imaging and prediction software, dentists like myself are able to precisely visualise and plan for necessary tooth movements. 

How quickly will I see a difference with Invisalign? 

You should be able to see a difference with Invisalign in just a few weeks. 

Depending on the severity and complexity of your orthodontic alignment, most patients take about 9 to 15 months to achieve the results that they are looking for. 

Additional Benefits of Using Invisalign 

Predictable results 

Invisalign uses 3D digital scanning to capture precise images of your teeth. This process tailors your treatment precisely to your unique dental anatomy. It enables them to create customised clear aligners that can fit perfectly onto your teeth and move your teeth according to the treatment plan created for you. 

Non-invasive dental scanning 

When getting traditional braces, you will need an extensive evaluation of your teeth. This often involves placing plastic pieces in your mouth to spread your cheeks apart for x-rays, photos, and scanning. These plastic pieces are also used when attaching the metal brackets and wiring them together, which can make your cheeks sore and feel rather invasive after a while.

With advances in technology, Invisalign avoids these invasive measures. Most treatments do not even require traditional impressions with a mouthful of goo. 

Using 3D scanning technology, dentists can take a comprehensive scan of your teeth without needing x-rays or impressions. These scans are then used to create 3D prints, which professionals use to craft your personalised aligners.

Find out what the differences are between Invisalign vs. Zenyum.

What Are the Downsides of Invisalign? 

While Invisalign is an excellent product to straighten teeth, it might not be suitable for everyone. 

These are some of the downsides of using Invisalign: 

• Impediment to speech and enunciation 
• Cheek biting 
• Allergic reactions to plastic 
• Headaches and jaw aches 
• Dry mouth 
• Bleeding and gum inflammation 
• Nausea and dizziness during the initial stages of treatment 
• Weight loss from reduced food consumption because of tooth soreness

What are the risks of Invisalign? 

There is always the possibility of complications when undertaking any form of dental treatment. I have consolidated a list of possible risks of Invisalign to help you have a more informed decision over whether to use Invisalign: 

• Mild discomfort during the initial stages of treatment 
• Dislodged fillings from biting down on clear aligners 
• Damaged nerves 
• Temporomandibular Joints (TMJ) 

The best way to prevent complications when taking up Invisalign treatment is to work with an Invisalign dentist that is familiar with working with complications and your oral history. Every smile is unique and a good Invisalign dentist should be able to work around your requirements and concerns. 

Reduce risks of Invisalign with an experienced Invisalign dentist.

What is the failure rate of Invisalign? 

The failure rate of Invisalign is low – less than 4%. 

Invisalign treatment success rate is about 96%. This means that only approximately 1 out of every 25 patients are not able to experience the effectiveness of Invisalign treatment. 

When is Invisalign not worth it? 

Invisalign might not be worth it if you have really complex dental issues such as: 

• Severe overbite
• Rotated teeth 
• A large tooth gap 
• Severe tooth intrusion 
• Severe tooth extrusion 

While Invisalign can effectively treat certain orthodontic problems, it is usually more effective to use traditional braces if you have more severe orthodontic concerns. 

Invisalign is also not worth it if you are unable to stay disciplined. 

A big part of the success of Invisalign treatment is consistent wear of clear aligners. You would have to be dedicated to wearing your clear aligners for at least 22 hours every day. If that is not done, you might be better off taking up braces treatment instead. 

Does Invisalign really give better results than braces?

Both Invisalign and braces treatment should be able to achieve similar results for you. 

Invisalign can help achieve good results in a shorter time frame when it comes to teeth straightening. However, it is not suitable for certain candidates. 

If you are unsuitable for Invisalign because of your complex orthodontic issues, braces can achieve a better result than Invisalign. 

Ultimately, achieving better results with Invisalign involves good case selection. To assess whether you are suitable for Invisalign, please consult with a dentist. 

How Do I Know Whether I Am A Good Candidate for Invisalign?

You are a good candidate for Invisalign if you fulfil the following conditions: 

• Less complex or severe orthodontic issues
• Are able to be disciplined and responsible for your treatment
• Have all your adult teeth 
• Good oral hygiene and oral habits 

Book an appointment with an Invisalign dentist to assess your suitability for Invisalign.

The popular benefits of using Invisalign over braces are reduced treatment duration, a more discreet appearance and the freedom to eat your favourite foods. 

If you are considering Invisalign or braces treatment, the advantages of opting for Invisalign over traditional braces are significant. 

Some of the most common reasons why my patients pick Invisalign over braces are: The reduced treatment duration which allows for quicker results, the nearly invisible appearance which provides a more discreet option for those conscious about aesthetics, and the ability to enjoy your favourite foods without restrictions. 

If you need help making a decision of whether to use Invisalign or braces, drop me a message!