People often ask me this question in consultations and its a good idea to ask before committing to orthodontic treatment: what’s the difference between Clear Braces and Invisalign? At first glance, they can seem a lot alike, both are supposed to be less noticeable than regular metal braces. But when you look beyond that, they turn out to be pretty different. Here at Specialty Smiles we think its really important that our patients understand the differences between transparent braces and Invisalign in Miramar. InBrace® offers a hidden, behind-the-teeth alternative that straightens your smile discreetly and efficiently. This advanced technology moves your teeth naturally without the need for visible braces.
Clear Braces, also known as ceramic braces, are a pretty straightforward take on traditional metal braces. They work the same way, brackets on your front teeth attached to a wire that puts gentle pressure on your teeth to shift them into place over time. The big difference with metal is that the brackets are made from a tooth-coloured ceramic material that blends in with the rest of your teeth. They’re much less visible from a distance than metal and so are a popular choice for people who want the reliability of a fixed system but don’t want to stand out. We offer a range of Types of Braces to suit every preference, from traditional metal to advanced clear options. Our orthodontic specialists will help you choose the ideal treatment for your smile goals.
Invisalign is a whole different ball game. Instead of wires and brackets, we use a set of clear trays that are custom-made to fit snugly over your teeth. These trays get changed every couple of weeks or so as your teeth gradually move into position. The key thing about Invisalign is that they’re not stuck to your teeth, so you can take them out to eat, drink something other than water, or clean your teeth. A lot of patients choose Invisalign because of the flexibility that gives them, people who don’t want to be tied down with a fixed system and the hassle of cleaning round it.
The main practical differences between the two are a bit more complicated than just looks or being removable. Because clear ceramic braces are stuck in place, they keep working all the time and your results are less dependent on how well you stick to the treatment. If you do find it hard to keep using Invisalign for 22 hours a day, that can slow things down a bit. So if you think you might struggle with the responsibility of a removable appliance, then fixed ceramic braces might be a better bet, even if you’re not wild about the look.
In more complicated cases, where you need to move lots of teeth or sort out some serious bite issues, ceramic braces often have the edge over metal. Invisalign is great for mild to moderate cases and its got a lot better over the years at handling more complicated jobs. At Specialty Smiles, we take each case on its merits and have a proper chat about which one is best for you, we don’t default to one option for everyone.
The only way to really understand the difference is to get a proper evaluation and a no-strings chat about what each option can do for you. Yes, it is a bit of a pain to schedule a consultation!
If you’d like to figure out which route is best for your smile and your lifestyle, we’re here for you. Call us at Specialty Smiles in Miramar and we’ll do our best to sort you out.