Differences between Invisalign and fixed braces

Advantages of Invisalign

• Most aesthetic orthodontic option
• Comfortable
• Can be removed for eating and cleaning
• Treatment can take as little as 3 months
• No diet restrictions
• No change to oral hygiene regime
• Can be removed for sports and public engagements
• Can reduce the risk of decay and gum disease during orthodontic treatment
• Utilises gentle forces to move teeth
• Payments can be broken down over treatment time.
• 0% finance offered
• Can move teeth in all 3 dimensions

Disadvantages of Invisalign

• Compliance- the outcome of Invisalign treatment is highly dependent on the number of hours per day the aligners are worn. The aligners must be worn for a minimum of 22 hours per day to achieve a desirable outcome.
• Must be removed for eating and oral hygiene.
• May impact speech when fitted initially (this usually resolves by itself after 2-3 days of wear).
• Requires the placement of attachments on some teeth to aid alignment.
• If you lose or break an aligner, this may delay your treatment whilst you wait for a new one to be delivered. You will also incur a charge.

Advantages of braces

• Most precise and accurate orthodontic appliance for some cases
• Can accurately move multiple teeth in all 3 dimensions simultaneously
• Do not remove for eating and oral hygiene
• Patient compliance factor reduced
• Does not impact speech
• Payments can be broken down over treatment time.
• 0% finance offered

Disadvantages of braces

• Less aesthetic
• Diet restrictions apply
• Cannot be removed for eating or oral hygiene
• Risk of decay if oral hygiene is not maintained and/or a diet high in sugar is consumed