Torn Between Braces and Invisalign? Here’s What You Need to Know

Braces and Invisalign Both Help Improve Your Smile – But Which One is Best for You?

Everyone loves the idea of sporting a well-aligned smile. However, not all of us can achieve this alignment naturally, so orthodontic treatment – like braces and Invisalign – may be required. The decision to improve one’s smile through orthodontic treatment is exciting! Not only are you helping enhance your smile’s outer appearance, but you’re also reaping the numerous health benefits that a straighter smile provides.

However, choosing between braces and Invisalign is more than just taking aesthetics into account. There are a few factors that you should consider in order to yield the best results possible. Each treatment offers its own set of benefits, so it’s not really a case of which one works better overall–rather which one works best for your dental condition. At Beaufils Dental, our quality orthodontic treatment options make us a leader in Cooper City orthodontics. After a thorough evaluation (and based on your current dental condition), we can provide suggestions as to which procedure is best suited to guarantee quality results.

First, let’s learn a little about braces and Invisalign and the benefits that each procedure can provide when improving your smile.

Why Choose Invisalign?

Many people see Invisalign’s subtle appearance as a more favorable alternative to teeth straightening. Best of all, Dr.Beaufils is a preferred Invisalign provider, so your Invisalign treatments are in trusted hands. Sure, it’s great to straighten your teeth without the need for metal or ceramic, but there’s more to this treatment than the visual advantages it provides.

How it Works: The Invisalign treatment option helps shift teeth into place with the use of transparent aligners. These custom-made aligners are made of a thermoplastic material and should be worn 24 hrs a day (except when eating, drinking or brushing and flossing) and replaced every two weeks.

Advantages: These aligners are comfortable and virtually undetectable. You can enjoy your favorite foods hassle-free and can remove the aligners when you want (however, for optimal results, your aligners should be worn for the recommended length of time). It also allows for easier brushing and flossing.

How Much?: On average, the Invisalign procedure ranges from $2,500 to $6,000.

Who Qualifies?: Patients who don’t require extensive tooth movement may find Invisalign to be a more viable option. Invisalign is also optimal for patients who want to improve their smile solely for aesthetic purposes rather than to treat a more complex dental condition.

Why Choose Braces?

Long before Invisalign made its debut introduced to the world of dentistry, metal and ceramic braces were the go-to option for treating misaligned teeth.

How it Works: Metal or ceramic brackets are glued to each tooth and then connected with a wire (metal or ceramic) that runs through each bracket. This wire is “adjusted” over time to help shift the teeth into proper alignment. This adjustment typically occurs every 4-6 weeks.

Advantages: Unlike Invisalign, braces cannot be removed. This forces you to stay on track with your orthodontic treatment to ensure results within the projected time frame. Certain treatments can allow patients to add color to their metal brackets for a fun appeal. Ceramic braces also offer similar transparency to Invisalign with tooth colored brackets that blend into the teeth. Thus, you can treat more complex dental conditions in a more visually subtle way.

How Much?: On average, metal/ceramic braces can cost between $3,200 and $6,000.

Who Qualifies?: If your treatment requires a vertical shift in teeth, the rotation of molars or premolars or if you have any back-tooth bite issues, metal/ceramic braces may be your best option. Because the metal/ceramic wires must be tightened over time to provide continuous pressure on the teeth, braces are a more effective solution to help tackle these conditions.

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Unveil a More Confident Smile

At Beaufils Dental, we know how important it is to achieve a smile you want to be proud of. We offer payment plans to our Cooper City clients for both braces and Invisalign, so you can reap the benefits of quality orthodontic treatment with a payment plan that best suits your lifestyle. Want to learn more about how braces and Invisalign can help enhance the quality of your smile? Call Beaufils Dental today at 954-252-1390 or schedule your appointment online to start your journey to a more confident smile.