Many people who want to straighten their teeth without being too obvious have to choose between Invisalign and ceramic braces. At Dentistry on the Pines we help patients understand the differences between these two popular options so they can make an informed decision that suits their needs, lifestyle and budget. Both work well and look better than metal braces but work in different ways and have their pros and cons.
Ceramic braces work the same way as regular metal braces, except they use brackets that are the same colour as your teeth or clear instead of shiny metal ones. The brackets are glued to your teeth and a wire connects them. The wire slowly moves your teeth into position. The ceramic material matches the colour of your teeth so the braces are much less noticeable than metal brackets. Some ceramic braces also use wires that are the same colour as your teeth to make them even less visible. Ceramic braces are attached to your teeth so they work all the time without you having to do anything. This makes them a reliable way to get the same results every time.
Invisalign works completely differently. This doesn’t use brackets and wires; it uses a set of translucent plastic aligners that fit over your teeth. You wear each set of aligners for one to two weeks before moving on to the next set. You can take the aligners out to eat, drink and clean your teeth and they are almost invisible. One of the main reasons people choose Invisalign is that you can take them out, which gives it more flexibility than fixed braces.
Both look better than metal braces, but Invisalign is slightly better. Unless someone is really looking at your teeth, the translucent plastic aligners are almost invisible. Ceramic braces are less noticeable than metal braces but still have brackets and wires that can be seen. In this case Invisalign is generally the best choice for those who want complete privacy.
Another thing to consider is comfort. Invisalign aligners are made of smooth plastic that usually doesn’t bother your cheeks and gums as much as brackets and wires do. Ceramic braces can hurt sometimes especially after adjustments when the wire is tightened. The brackets can also hurt the inside of your mouth especially during the first few weeks of treatment. But most patients get used to both kinds of treatment over time.
Invisalign’s ability to be removed has a lot of benefits for your lifestyle. You can dine without worrying about what you can eat because you can take your aligners out. You can’t eat sticky, firm or chewy foods if you have ceramic braces since they could break the brackets or wires. In this case you have to wear the aligners. You can eat whatever you want. Invisalign makes it easier to clean your teeth since you can take them out. You can’t eat sticky, firm or chewy foods if you have ceramic braces since they could break the wires. You can take your aligners out to brush and floss. To keep teeth healthy around the brackets and wires ceramic braces need to be cleaned more carefully. This link to good Dental Hygiene is important because keeping your teeth clean while getting braces can prevent cavities and gum disease.
But there are times when ceramic braces are better. They work since you can’t take them off so you don’t have to worry about compliance. You have to wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day with Invisalign and some people have trouble keeping this promise. Ceramic braces tend to work better for complex cases where teeth need to move a lot, rotate a lot or have severe bite problems.
The two options are about the same price. In Vaughan ceramic braces usually cost between $4,000 and $7,000 while Invisalign costs between $5,000 and $8,000. The price will depend on how complex your case is not which treatment you choose.
Most of the time treatment takes the same amount of time usually 12 to 24 months depending on how bad your orthodontic problems are. There is no clear winner between the two options.
At Dentistry on the Pines as part of our Cosmetic Dentistry services we look at each patient’s individual needs and recommend what’s best for them. Some people are good candidates for both options but others are better with one than the other. When we make recommendations we consider things like how complex the case is, your lifestyle, your budget and your personal preferences.
If you live in Vaughan and are trying to decide between Invisalign and ceramic braces we suggest you book an appointment. We can examine your teeth, tell you which treatment is best for you and explain what to expect from each. Both Invisalign and ceramic braces are good, invisible solutions to get a beautiful smile. Choosing the right one will get you the results you want.