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Invisalign vs Traditional Braces

Metal braces are usually the first image that comes to mind when you think about orthodontics. But traditional braces now have competition in the form of Invisalign. Invisalign straightens teeth with braces, using clear plastic aligner trays that are nearly invisible. In some cases, they even work faster than traditional braces. If you can’t decide between Invisalign vs. traditional braces, call Dr. Alex Shalman at his boutique dentistry practice in Downtown Manhattan.

Patient Experience

If you’re unsure of which method may work best for you, visit Dr. Alex Shalman, who runs a boutique dental practice in Lower Manhattan. He’s a congenial family dentist and a specialist in certain cosmetic dentistry and orthodontic procedures. He’s a Silver Tier Invisalign provider who can answer your questions about Invisalign.

Do Invisalign and Traditional Braces Fix the Same Issues?

One of the important differences when comparing Invisalign vs. traditional braces is the misalignment problems that each addresses. Traditional braces are more effective for severely rotated or tipped teeth. Invisalign works best for more minor misalignment issues. One advantage of Invisalign, however, is that you need fewer trips to the dentist during the process. You wear each aligner for seven to 14 days and then change it out. You visit Dr. Shalman once every six to eight weeks so he can check your progress and provide new aligners.

Both Invisalign and traditional braces address misalignment problems, but Invisalign is typically used for problem such as:

• Overcrowded teeth. When there isn’t enough space in your mouth to fit all your teeth properly, several teeth get pushed around. Ordinarily, your teeth should be one to five millimeters apart.
• Wide gaps between teeth. Gaps appear due to unusual teeth growth, but if you have a missing single tooth, the remaining teeth may shift towards the gap. Don’t ignore a missing tooth; get a replacement tooth as soon as possible. Your choices include a single tooth implant or a dental bridge.
• Overbite. Your dentist identifies this problem when your upper front teeth appear well in front of your lower teeth.
• Underbite. With an underbite, your lower teeth are in front of the upper front teeth.
• Crossbite. This issue is when your upper teeth bite the inside of your lower teeth. This can occur in the front or on either side of your mouth.
• Open bite. This is when the upper and lower front teeth don’t meet.
• Crooked teeth. This problem usually happens when your mouth can’t accommodate all the teeth you have.

Who Should Get Invisalign?

Invisalign candidates need a certain level of maturity to get ideal results. You have to keep the aligners on for 20 to 22 hours per day. Young children aren’t good candidates because they can’t be responsible enough to wear them consistently.

Other things to keep in mind while considering Invisalign vs. traditional braces include:

• Traditional braces are less expensive, but you can justify the Invisalign cost because of the benefits. Plus, most dental insurance policies cover a substantial portion of your final bill.
• Oral hygiene becomes your number one priority with Invisalign. You must take along a travel kit to brush and floss your teeth when dining out.
• Invisalign may cause you to initially slur or mumble as you speak. As you practice, your tongue adapts. If you do any public speaking, get the aligners well before a major speaking event.
• While you may not need as many dental appointments as someone with traditional braces, you need to see Dr. Shalman to get the new aligners. He also provides emergency dental care if you’re experiencing any tooth pain or an infection.