Would you like your child’s teeth straightened? Considering whether to go with braces or clear aligners such as Invisalign for your teen’s orthodontics? We’ve got you covered.

We’re here to answer your questions and help you weigh the pros and cons when it comes to traditional braces vs shiny new Invisalign for your pediatric dentist needs.

Whatever treatment you choose, it is important for you to work with an experienced orthodontist! No matter what your choice, we will work closely with you as a team so you can achieve the best results.

Find out if Invisalign or braces are right for your child by reading on!

Wire Braces

Orthodontics began with braces. Braces have been around for centuries: ancient Egyptian mummies were found with braces in place.

As one would hope, the science behind braces has improved a ton over the years. Braces have helped millions of people straighten their teeth, bite properly, and beautify their smiles.

They work by shifting your teeth using brackets bonded to each tooth, and metal wires. Brackets are affixed to move your child’s teeth into the correct position and are closely monitored over the course of many check-ins.

While there are a few varieties of braces, they all work the same way to straighten your child’s teeth. 

Pros of Braces

Here are some of the reasons you should consider braces for your child’s teeth:

–   Effective for severe dental cases (impacted teeth or crowding)

–   Bonded to your teeth and constantly working

–   Less expensive option that may be covered fully by insurance

–   Customize them with fun colored bands or go “invisible”

–   Time-tested option

Cons of Braces

On the flip side, there are a few cons to braces:

–   Require consistent cleaning due to food and bacteria buildup

–   Avoiding certain foods is required

–   Potentially uncomfortable, especially when being adjusted

–   Require many dentist visits

–   More noticeable than Invisalign

Which actually brings us to our competitor, Invisalign.

Invisalign/Clear aligners

Invisalign/clear aligners are ideal for those who want a treatment that is nearly invisible. Hence the name.

With more than 20 years on the market, Invisalign has revolutionized orthodontics. Clear aligners from Invisalign straighten teeth with patented technology and achieve beautiful smiles and healthy bites.

As previously mentioned, Invisalign aligners are mostly invisible. Clear aligners cover your teeth comfortably and gradually shift them to the correct position without metal brackets or wires.

Invisalign must be worn 22 hours a day to achieve the desired results, but it’s certainly worth it!

Pros of Invisalign/Clear aligners

In fact, here are the many pros to consider when choosing Invisalign:

–   Eat anything you want with removable aligners

–   Tend to be more comfortable option

–   Subtle and discreet, they are a great option for adults

–   Excellent, proven results

–   Fewer office visits required

–   Aligners can double as whitening trays

Cons of Invisalign/Clear aligners

As with anything, there are some downsides, too:

–   Only suitable for relatively straightforward cases

–   Requires dedication and care to be effective (wear for at least 22 hours a day)

–   Aligners can be easily lost or damaged

–   Invisalign tends to be more expensive

Takeaway

There are many pros and cons to each method. While Invisalign may be more aesthetically pleasing, it is also more expensive and not suitable for all cases. Traditional braces on the other hand, require more appointments but may be entirely covered on your insurance. Select the option that is best for your child’s situation, with the help of your kid’s dentist, of course.
Make an appointment today with us at Children’s Dentistry of Arlington and we will help ease the uncertainty of wire and Invisalign braces with the maximum results.