In the world of cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign treatment is quickly becoming a fan favorite among dental patients of all ages. Invisalign technology is designed to straighten your natural teeth, but it does this in a very different way than traditional metal orthodontics.
Our Glendale Invisalign dentists are here to outline the similarities and differences between these two treatments. As you’ll see these treatments differ in a number of very important ways.
Aesthetics
Invisalign and metal braces are vastly different from an aesthetic point of view. Invisalign aligners are clear and blend into the patient’s smile, while metal braces cover the patient’s natural teeth throughout the treatment process.
Timeline
The average treatment timeline for Invisalign is between 12 and 18 months, which is a bit shorter than the average treatment time for metal braces. The duration of your treatment specifically will depend on the aesthetic goals that you are trying to achieve.
Straightening abilities
Both Invisalign and metal braces are able to effectively straighten and perfect a patient’s natural smile. Sometimes metal braces are necessary when the dental patient needs to drastically change the structure of his or her smile. Your dental team can give you a better idea of whether your dental goals are compatible with Invisalign.
Hygiene
Most patients find it very easy to clean their teeth while undergoing Invisalign treatment. This is because Invisalign aligners are completely removable—you can take them out and clean your smile just like you normally do. It is more arduous to clean your teeth with metal braces, since the brackets and wires are affixed to the patient’s teeth.
I hope that this explanation has given you a better idea of how Invisalign and traditional orthodontic treatment work, respectively. Our Glendale cosmetic dentists would be happy to give you any more information that you need—just give us a call!