Braces Make Beautiful Faces: Braces vs. Invisalign | Dentist Riverside CA

Crooked teeth. In this superficial day and age, having crooked teeth is more of an issue than it really should be. As an adolescent, you get teased and may not get a lot of dates, so it can turn out to be a tough road to travel when compounded with the typical growing pains. As an adult, having crooked teeth still has a certain stigma but it isn’t quite as traumatizing as those adolescent years. After dealing with crooked teeth for so long, fixing them now is more of a cosmetic choice over a necessity. But no matter who is in need of a perfect set of pearly whites, there are a few options on the market you can go with. The problem is…Which is the better choice to fix those funky fangs, tried-and-true braces or the inconspicuous Invisalign?

The first, and most obvious option, is to go with good ol’ braces. They have the most history of success, are affordable, and are kind of a rite of passage for a teenager. And while they were typically silver metal back in the day, they can now come in a ceramic that makes them a whole lot less noticeable. Or, if you’re in that sort of thing, there are colors you can choose from to create a custom look. On the downside, you still have to get them tightened every month or so and broken pieces are pretty painful. But you can be guaranteed a gorgeous smile as a result.

Since 1998, there has been an aesthetic alternative to the typical tooth-straightening option. Invisalign are transparent tooth aligners that have taken the orthodontic world by storm. The idea is that this system can now straighten your teeth without wires and glued brackets, which to be honest, sounds like a miracle. I mean it’s clear, it’s removable and the treatment time is generally a third of what wearing traditional braces would be. The downside to this is that they are more expensive and it takes a lot more discipline to maintain the strict regimen of wearing the aligners 22 hours/day and the additional steps it takes to clean the system’s trays.

So, which do you choose? Well, it honestly depends on your personal situation. An orthodontic consultation is definitely in order and a treatment program will be based on those results. Because despite what you may hope, not all cases are suitable for either option. While they are fantastic at what they do, the Invisalign system is perfect for minimal to medium dental issues but does not work as well for major ones. Patients with bridgework, certain bite issues or rotational needs are just out of luck. Those issues may be no match for Invisalign but are right up traditional braces alley. Alternatively, traditional braces are not ideal for those that lead a rough and tumble life or have a job that doesn’t allow regular braces. In that instance, you may want to consider the Invisalign system or lingual braces (braces attached to the insides of your teeth) to straighten things out.

Regardless, any of these options are sure to help correct those meandering molars…It just depends on which one your orthodontist believes is the best option for you. They are the professionals and know what is best for you. Either way, it will take a while for them to fix the problem but rest assured the process will only be temporary. Soon you will have nothing but the prettiest pearly whites in your mouth. And that’s enough to make anyone smile, right? Congrats on your soon-to-be killer smile!

If you’re seeking treatment to straighten your pearly whites, contact Dr. Gerald Middleton, DDS in Riverside, CA at (951) 470-3379 to schedule a consultation today or visit www.gmdental.com.

Share this Article