METAL braces

INVISALIGN

What are they?

These are metal brackets cemented on your teeth with a wire running through it to align your teeth.

These are BPA free plastic trays which are clear in color to align your teeth discreetly.

Benefits

1. They are fixed to your teeth so there is no chance of you losing them or having to remove them every time while eating.

2.  You can not remove these by yourself, hence metal braces are advisable if you think you lack discipline in wearing them.

3.  They are fixed to your teeth 24*7, hence, the treatment is generally completed faster within 1-2 years. 

4.  They are generally more cost effective than invisalign treatment.

5.  They are more effective in solving complex dental issues like rotated canines. etc.

1. The biggest benefit of Invisalign is that the trays are clear and barely visible when worn, making them ideal for people who are concerned about aesthetics with braces.

2.  The trays can be removed while eating, so there are no restrictions on hard/chewy food intake as with metal braces.

3.  Since the trays are removable, better oral hygiene maintenance is possible

4.  It is more comfortable for the patient to wear since the material is soft and flexible.

5.  They require fewer appointments with the orthodontist so less time off work/studies. 

Drawbacks

1. They are not aesthetic because of their silver colored brackets. 

2. Since the brackets are fixed with cement to your teeth, you will be asked to avoid any hard or chewy foods which can dislodge the brackets. 

3. It requires monthly appointments to the orthodontist to ‘activate’ the wire.

4. The sharp edges of braces may be irritating to some people and may result in cuts/ ulcers.

5. People, especially children playing sports can get hurt if they fall or are hit, and the braces pierce the tissues.

6. The teeth cleaning process is more time consuming with braces since food may be stuck and may require smaller orthodontic toothbrushes.  

1. Patient compliance is key. If you fail to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day, 7 days a week, your treatment will not produce the desired results.

2. It can be inconvenient to take them out and wear them every time before and after drinking and eating anything other than water, especially in social situations.

3. Invisalign may not be suited for more complex cases such as back teeth bite issues, rotated canines and premolars, submerged teeth, etc. 

4. For complex cases, your dentist may recommend combining invisalign treatment with conventional braces for a certain duration to get the desired results. This results in increased costs.

5. They are generally more expensive than metal braces.

6. Cleaning the trays is a must to prevent build up every time. It should be done every time you remove and wear the trays and twice daily with a soft brush.