While braces have a variety of their own benefits, both braces and Invisalign do a great job of effectively and safely correcting your smile. When trying to decide between the two, it is important to remember that they will each provide you with a different orthodontic experience. We have put together the top 4 reasons patients choose Invisalign over braces for you to consider. Continue Enjoying Your Favorite Foods When you have metal braces, you have to be careful of the types of foods that you eat because they can cause damage to your wires and brackets. Foods you have to avoid with metal braces include:

  • Crunchy foods such as ice, popcorn, or uncooked veggies such as carrots.
  • Foods that are harder to bite into, such as corn on the cob or apples.
  • Sticky candies such as taffy, gum, or caramel.
  • Chewy bread and sweets such as bagels, cinnamon rolls, or licorice.
  • Fruits with seeds such as raspberries and strawberries.

With Invisalign, you can continue to enjoy your favorite foods. You can remove your Invisalign aligners when you eat and then place the trays back in when you are done. There are a few steps you should take, such as waiting a few minutes after eating before placing your aligners back in and making sure you brush your teeth or rinse your mouth to prevent bacteria and food build-up in the trays.

Although you can enjoy candy and other sugary treats, it is still recommended that you do so in moderation to lower your risk of tooth decay. Smile with Confidence During Treatment Metal braces are very noticeable and can cause the wearer to be self-conscious of their smile. Invisalign aligners are made of clear plastic and are nearly invisible. This allows you to smile confidently without worrying if others can see your braces. Since Invisalign are removable, you can also take them out for sporting events or special occasions to ensure you look and feel your best. No Wire Tightening for a More Comfortable Experience Traditional braces move the teeth through periodic wire tightening. The individual brackets are connected to a wire to a certain number of teeth. Depending on how the orthodontist tightens the wire, some of the teeth are moved in a certain direction. This places pressure on the teeth and can cause the jawbone to get sore for a day or more afterward.

With Invisalign, the aligners gently and gradually move your teeth into the ideal position using multiple sets of aligners, so there is no need for wire tightening. The aligner is in contact with almost the entire surface of each tooth for more even pressure distribution. This provides you with a more comfortable experience even when you change to a new set of aligners. No Guesswork in Your Treatment With Invisalign, once your aligners arrive at King Orthodontics, we will be able to tell you exactly how many months or years you will undergo orthodontic treatment. You will wear each tray for two weeks, so if you need 12 trays, you can expect to undergo treatment for 24 weeks or about eight months. You can also look at the upcoming trays to see what your teeth will look like.

In most cases, Invisalign patients will not have delays in treatment if they follow the 22-hour compliance guidelines by wearing their aligners for 22 hours every day. Losing aligners can cause a delay, so be sure to carry your case with you to keep your aligners in when you are not wearing them. You will need to wear a retainer at night after treatment to maintain your new smile.

If you lose a break a tray, be sure to contact King Orthodontics immediately to help you get a replacement or advise you on the next steps to take in your treatment.

Am I a Candidate for Invisalign?

At your consultation with King Orthodontics, we will evaluate your orthodontic issues to determine if Invisalign is the best treatment option for you. Invisalign can treat a variety of alignment problems such as:

  • Crooked teeth
  • Crowded teeth
  • Gaps
  • Underbite
  • Overbite

For more complex cases, metal braces may be a better option. The only way to confirm whether Invisalign is right for you is with an exam. Contact King Orthodontics today to learn more!