If you want to straighten your teeth, you may wonder if Invisalign is better than braces. The truth is, the answer is different for every smile. At North Oaks Dental, our orthodontists are happy to help determine which solution will work best for you. They will consider many factors, including:

  • Problems you want to solve
  • Appearance
  • Length of treatment
  • Ease of oral hygiene
  • Compliance with treatment plan
  • Cost

One of the two orthodontists at North Oaks Dental will examine you, discuss all of your options, and answer all of your questions. In addition to Invisalign, we offer traditional metal braces or more discreet ceramic braces. Call 248-712-1522 to schedule a FREE consultation with one of them today. You have nothing to lose!
In the meantime, you can review some of the considerations involved in deciding if Invisalign is better than braces for your smile. We’ll discuss them in more detail with you when you visit our Royal Oak, MI office.

What Kind of Orthodontic Problems Do You Have?

Invisalign simply doesn’t work as well for certain problems, including severe crowding, large gaps between teeth, impacted teeth, or badly misaligned bites. If you have one or more of these problems, we may recommend braces instead. The good news is you can choose either conventional metal braces or ceramic braces, which blend in better with your smile.

How Self-Conscious Are You About Your Smile?

For many people, an important factor in determining whether Invisalign is better than braces is how their smile looks during treatment. If you’ll be self-conscious about metal hardware, you may want to consider Invisalign. Unlike metal braces, Invisalign aligners are practically invisible.
While not as inconspicuous as Invisalign, ceramic braces are also more discreet than conventional braces. Instead of metal, their wires and ceramic brackets are either clear or tooth-colored.

Invisalign Works Faster Than Braces

Invisalign usually straightens teeth in less time than braces. Most patients can complete Invisalign treatment in three months to two years. The average treatment time is 12 months. Braces typically take longer to work, one to three years.

Invisalign Is Better Than Braces for Oral Hygiene

You can take out your Invisalign aligners, which makes it easier to keep your teeth clean. You won’t have to worry about food getting stuck in metal hardware during meals. Plus, you won’t need special gear like a floss threader for oral hygiene.
It is possible for aligners to become stained if you don’t remove them to eat or drink liquids other than water. It’s also easier to lose or damage aligners. We recommend keeping your aligners in a case when they aren’t in your mouth.

Consider Your Willingness to Wear Aligners

As we’ve pointed out, removable aligners make it easier to eat what you’d like and to keep your teeth clean. However, this flexibility can be a disadvantage if you aren’t committed to wearing aligners at all times, except for meals. For best results, you must wear aligners at least 22 hours a day. If you’re doubtful about that, braces may be a better choice for you.

Does Invisalign Cost Less Than Braces?

For many folks, cost will play heavily into whether Invisalign is better than braces. However, cost depends on many factors, including the problems you are trying to solve and the specific solution you choose. During your FREE consultation, our orthodontists can give you a good idea of how much you can expect to pay for treatment.
We can also answer all of your payment questions and help you determine if insurance will pay for any part of treatment. (It’s more common for insurance to help cover costs for patients under 18.) No matter whether you choose braces or Invisalign, you can apply for a CareCredit financing plan where you’ll pay just $218 a month.
To see if Invisalign is better than braces for you, call North Oak Dental at 248-712-1522. Remember, orthodontics consultations are free!