Invisible Braces: How to Tell If They’re Right for You

Less common than regular braces that use wires and brackets, invisible braces for adults are an option people prefer because they are more hidden in the mouth. Apart from this obvious advantage, there are also other benefits that make invisible braces a good option for many.

However, as with most things in life, there are certain differences between invisible and traditional braces that can make either one not ideal for some people. You will need to bear in mind the differences between traditional and invisible braces to decide on which one to go for.

It’s also very important that you consult with your dentist before making a choice between the two types of braces. That said, we’re here to give you some of the basics of what invisible braces really are, and info to help you determine if invisible braces are a good fit for you. 

Let’s get right to it.

What Are Invisible Braces?

Invisible braces are a type of dental braces that differ from traditional braces in the way they look and the way they are used.

Usually, most adults and youngsters prefer invisible braces because they are not conspicuous when fixed inside the mouth, so you’re less self-conscious about your teeth. However, there are other benefits of invisible braces too that we’ll also highlight.

The reason invisible braces are less noticeable and inconspicuous is that they’re made from clear plastic material that is safe for orthodontic use. Regular braces consist of metal, wires, and rubber bands that tend to stand out, and also may have to be worn for a longer period of time.

In order to determine which of the two types of braces is right for you, you’ll need to know about their differences first.

Differences Between Invisible Braces and Traditional Braces

Let’s look at some of the major differences between traditional braces and invisible braces:

1. Comfort Level

Apart from looks, the two types of braces differ in their comfort levels too.

While traditional braces can be quite painful to put up with and will need a lot of getting used to, invisible braces are much easier on the teeth (and mouth). That’s due to the absence of wires and metal in invisible braces. Your tongue, cheek, and gums will not get pricked by accident with invisible braces.

Additionally, you won’t have to go to the dentist as often to get your wires tightened as invisible braces do not have any tightening or altering required.

The best part, perhaps, is that invisible braces can be removed whenever you like. It isn’t something that’s fixed in your mouth and hard to remove by yourself.

2. Diet Restrictions

If you’re a foodie, then you’re going to have a pretty rough time getting used to controlling your diet and taste buds if you have regular braces on your teeth. This is because things that are hard to chew or too sticky can damage the braces, so you’ll have to stick to food that don’t put too much strain on your teeth. That often means giving up on eating foods you like.

In some rare cases, you may end up having to go to the dentist to fix a damaged wire after having eaten something you should’ve avoided when you have traditional braces. It’s also much harder to brush and floss your teeth after eating when you have traditional braces.

However, with invisible braces, you can always remove your braces when you’re eating or flossing so there really is no restriction to what you can eat. This is also more hygienic because there’s no chance of food getting stuck in your braces and causing problems later on.

3. Duration

Unlike regular braces, you generally won’t have to wear invisible braces for years to get, say, a simple gap in your teeth fixed.

Invisible braces tend to fix most teeth problems within a few months, except for major issues which may require longer treatment times and work better with traditional braces.

In Conclusion

The newer invisible braces do have significant advantages over traditional braces in terms of appearance, comfort, diet restrictions, and duration.

However, traditional metal braces are slightly more affordable than invisible braces. So, if cost is a concern, metal braces come out the winner.

Moreover, invisible braces are more likely to get lost or broken than traditional braces, which can result in more money and time spent on treatment if lost or broken.

In addition, traditional braces generally have more force to move teeth into the desired position. So, in some cases, you may actually need to go for traditional braces.

Check with your dentist before you make a decision on either, because sometimes your specific problem may not be alterable with the simple use of invisible braces alone.