If you have decided to undergo orthodontic treatment, you have a major choice to make: do you want braces or Invisalign?

Both of these treatment methods have been around for many years and have proven themselves to be effective. Choosing the right one for you requires a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Invisalign vs. Braces: Pros and Cons

Cost

Invisalign and braces usually cost around the same amount. In some cases, Invisalign treatment may be slightly more expensive. The cost of both treatments is higher when treatment is longer, highly complex, or requires one or more attachments to achieve the desired results.

Your dentist can give you an estimate for both treatments to help you work out which is best for your budget. Both treatments may be partially covered by your insurance. Some dentists may also offer financing options for orthodontic treatment to help you get the care you need without incurring financial hardship.

Appearance

Metal braces are quite noticeable and make many people who wear them self-conscious about their smile. Ceramic or lingual braces may be less noticeable, but they can still be spotted in some situations.

Invisalign trays are clear and discreet, making them a great choice if you want to undergo treatment without drawing attention to your teeth. Most people will never notice they are there, and they will not distract from your smile in pictures or in social situations.

Comfort

Traditional braces use brackets and wires to move your teeth. These elements can make them uncomfortable or even painful to wear. If a wire breaks, it may cut the inside of your mouth.

In contrast, Invisalign trays are much more comfortable to wear. These simple, clear aligners fit right over your teeth and can be worn when sleeping, speaking, and going about your daily activities. After a while, you may forget they are there at all.

Effectiveness

Both braces and Invisalign are highly effective at moving teeth. Either can be used to treat a variety of orthodontic problems, including overbite, underbite, a diastema, and more.

However, Invisalign has certain limitations that traditional braces do not. Some highly complex cases can only be treated using braces. Your treatment provider will let you know if you are not a good candidate for Invisalign treatment.

Convenience

Traditional braces are infamous for their inconvenience. They must be manually adjusted during each phase of your treatment, forcing you to make time for a visit to your dentist for orthodontic work regularly. Many people also need additional visits to get broken brackets and wires repaired.

Invisalign treatment is conducted using prefabricated plastic trays, so adjustments are rarely needed. Your provider will monitor your progress over the course of your treatment during brief visits every two months or so. This approach allows you to get the same quality of care with far fewer trips to the dentist’s office.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Braces require plenty of diligent care to maintain. Because they are cemented to your teeth and cannot be removed at home, you will need to brush and floss very carefully around them. This is difficult and time-consuming, but good hygiene is more important than ever when wearing braces. The wires and brackets often trap food in your mouth and may increase your risk of tooth decay without proper cleaning.

Invisalign aligners can be removed to eat, brush, and floss, making it much easier to keep both your teeth and the trays clean. It is recommended that you brush and floss after each meal to avoid trapping food between the trays and your teeth.

Follow-Up Care and Maintenance

Both braces and Invisalign require you to wear a retainer at night to maintain your results. This may feel more comfortable for Invisalign users due to how similar retainers are to the clear aligners they wore during their treatment.

People treated with either braces or Invisalign can also opt for permanent lingual retainers cemented to the backs of their teeth. This option makes it easier for patients to retain their results by making it impossible for them to remove or misplace their retainers.

Which Treatment Is Faster?

While each case is different, people treated with Invisalign tend to finish treatment sooner than those treated with braces. Some Invisalign treatments can be completed in as little as six months. Traditional braces typically take at least one year to produce results, and longer treatment times are very common.

However, adherence is key to finishing Invisalign treatment quickly. If you wear your Invisalign aligners for less than the recommended 22 hours per day, your treatment will take longer to complete. Patients who know they are likely to struggle with this may want to choose braces instead.

Which One Moves Teeth More Efficiently?

Both braces and Invisalign are excellent treatments for misaligned teeth. Which of the two is most efficient depends on how efficiency is defined.

Invisalign often produces faster tooth movements than braces do, making it the winner in terms of speed. However, braces can accomplish movements that Invisalign cannot, giving them an edge over clear aligners. Invisalign must also be worn consistently to achieve results, while braces will continue to move teeth regardless of what the patient does.

Invisalign vs. Braces: The Final Verdict

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer when choosing between Invisalign and braces. Both treatments have strengths and weaknesses: only you can decide which is best for you. If you have any doubts, Google “Invisalign near me” and ask your nearest provider for input. They will be happy to offer some professional advice.

For a Beautifully Aligned Smile, Choose Trillium Smile Dentistry

Interested in undergoing Invisalign in Mississauga? Contact Trillium Smile Dentistry for a stellar experience and dazzling results. Dr. Tousi is a certified Invisalign dentist with many years of experience treating even the most complex cases. Call us today at 905-828-9894 or request an appointment online to get started on the journey toward your ideal smile.

Also Read:

• 10 Questions to Ask Your Dentist About Invisalign
• 7 Tips to Keep Your Teeth Clean During Invisalign Treatment

Tooth decay is a common yet serious condition that can lead to many complications for your teeth, gums, and overall health. Thankfully, there are many ways to treat tooth decay and stop it from progressing to its more dangerous advanced stages. Keep reading to learn more about tooth decay and its symptoms and learn some tooth decay tips from our expert team.

What is Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is a form of dental disease that can damage the surface and internal structures of your teeth. It is caused by oral bacteria that feed on the sugars in the food you eat. This causes them to secrete acids that break down the enamel and other structures of your teeth. The soft, sticky craters this process leaves behind are known as dental cavities.

Tooth decay can show up in three places:

Symptoms of Tooth Decay

Some common signs of tooth decay include:

Note that these problems may be caused by other dental issues as well. Always see a dentist when you experience any symptoms of dental disease.

Diagnosis

Tooth decay is usually diagnosed during routine dental exams. You may also visit your dentist for an emergency appointment if you have a severe toothache that may be caused by advanced decay.

During your appointment, your dentist will ask you about any symptoms you have experienced and how long they have been going on. They will also examine your teeth and apply a metal probe to any suspicious spots to see if the probe sticks. If it does, decay is likely present in this area.

In most cases, your dentist will also x-ray your teeth. This will help them see inside your teeth, allowing them to determine the extent of the damage and discover any hidden decay.

Treatment Options

There are several different ways to treat tooth decay. Depending on your needs, your dentist might recommend:

Is Tooth Decay Reversible?

Early tooth decay can sometimes be reversed, but only with very good care. You will need to keep the area with the decay extremely clean and apply additional fluoride to help your tooth rebuild its enamel.

If you have early decay that you want to try to reverse, ask your dentist for guidance. They can offer tips on how best to do it and apply high-strength fluoride treatments to help you achieve this goal.

Not all cavities can be treated this way, and the treatment is not always successful when attempted. Once decay has broken through to the dentin, it cannot be reversed. Act quickly to give yourself the best possible chance of healing your early decay.

Complications

Tooth decay can lead to many unpleasant complications if it is not treated, including:

When Should You See a Dentist?

You should always see your dentist if you notice any symptoms of tooth decay. Your symptoms may well pass quickly or be attributed to other problems, but it is best to investigate the matter to be sure. The sooner you get treatment for any cavities you may have, the more tooth structure you will be able to preserve.

Get Outstanding Care for Tooth Decay from the Best Dentist in Mississauga

Tooth decay can strike anyone at any time, but regular care from good dentists can keep it at bay. If you are worried about tooth decay, visit Trillium Smile Dentistry – the best dental clinic in Mississauga for dental health and cosmetic enhancements. Whether you need treatment for existing tooth decay or want to learn more about tooth decay prevention, our team will give you the care and knowledge you need to keep your teeth healthy. Contact us at 905-828-9894 or book an appointment online today.