We all know that traditional braces are the “old-fashioned” way of correcting crooked teeth and misaligned jaws. But there is a reason why they still exist: because they work. And when it comes to straightening your teeth, nothing even comes close to the effectiveness of traditional braces. So if you want to enjoy a lifetime of straighter teeth without wearing metal bands over your face, then go with traditional braces! Here are some reasons why…
Invisalign does not provide the stability needed to correct complex orthodontic needs
For teeth to shift from their current position, they need something pushing them in a specific direction. That is why braces and retainers usually have metal bands that attach to your back teeth: because these bands serve as anchors that push your teeth into proper positioning. Unfortunately, you can’t use metal bands with Invisalign since it would be very uncomfortable and impractical. For this reason, traditional braces are still considered the best option for more complex treatment such as overbites, underbites, and crossbites (in which case Invisalign is not an alternative whatsoever).
Metal brackets last longer than plastic trays
Traditional braces use metal brackets for your teeth to attach to. And while it may seem like plastic is cheaper and easier to make, plastic tends to break much more easily than metal. Since there will be pressure on your teeth throughout the day (because of food chewing), it’s almost certain that you’ll end up breaking something sooner or later (and when this happens, traditional braces are less painful because metal won’t shatter into pieces). As for Invisalign, there is not enough surface area touching your back teeth to keep them in place; so if anything slips out of place then you must wear a retainer until everything can be properly adjusted again.
You have a better shot at getting perfect results
With Invisalign, it can take up to one year for you to get your final Invisalign aligners. And while this may seem like a long time, you’ll probably end up wearing more than 12 sets of aligners before reaching the result. On the other hand, traditional braces only require about 6-9 months for an average patient to achieve a significant improvement in their smile. So if you want a faster path towards a straighter smile, then go with traditional braces over Invisalign!
Traditional braces help prevent TMJ issues
Since traditional braces have pressure pulling your teeth outward, they also have counterpressure pushing your jaw inward towards its proper position. However, Invisalign does not provide enough force on your back teeth to close your open bite (causing you to continue developing TMJ issues). So if you suffer from TMJ or TMD, then traditional braces are the clear choice since they can help prevent the development of more serious issues in the future.
Traditional braces allow your back teeth to be properly cleaned
Your dentist must always have access to all of your teeth (especially the ones on the back) so they can thoroughly clean them. This prevents cavities and gum disease which lead to tooth loss later on. But with Invisalign, it makes it harder for your dentist to do their job because once they place a cleaning instrument between two trays; there’s no guarantee that everything will stay inside during treatment.
You’ll wear the same retainer afterward anyway
After getting traditional braces and wearing a retainer for about two weeks, most patients can maintain their straight teeth on their own. While you still may need some occasional adjustments throughout the year, there is no reason why you can’t wear your retainer while eating or drinking something hot/cold. On the other hand, Invisalign requires a retainer that must be worn 24/7 for at least three months after treatment before being removed. And even if this wasn’t required by the doctor, it’s unlikely that you’d remove them for extended periods because they’re just as uncomfortable as traditional braces (especially since Invisalign doesn’t have any metal bands to hold your back teeth in place).
You’ll have fewer food restrictions with traditional braces
With Invisalign, you’ll have to avoid eating/drinking anything between your trays. This can make it very difficult to eat a lot of food since they require a lot of time to take out and put in again. And while with traditional braces you still have to avoid chewing on hard foods (like an apple), you can at least drink most things with ease.
Traditional braces produce better results
Invisalign is a great alternative for those who want a straighter smile without the pain or appearance of wearing metal brackets around their teeth; but there’s no getting past the fact that if you wear Invisalign long enough then your teeth will eventually be straightened out just as much as if you’d worn traditional braces… so why not just wear traditional braces, to begin with?
Traditional braces cost less
Although Invisalign costs about two thousand dollars (on average), these payments must be made for up to a year before you can get your final alignment; and if you want it done faster then that will naturally increase the price as well… so the true cost of Invisalign is closer to five thousand dollars! On the other hand, traditional braces only require one payment of $3,500-$5,000 which is significantly easier on your wallet. If you can afford any form of treatment then traditional braces are the more affordable option between them both.
Traditional braces provide better results than Invisalign after just one year
Most patients who wear Invisalign for one straight year are still left with several issues that traditional braces can’t fix, including crowding around certain teeth. So while they may look better after treatment than they used to, their smile is still far from perfect so unless you want to go back for multiple years of treatment then traditional braces are your best bet at getting the smile you’ve always wanted after just twelve months.
Traditional braces work faster than Invisalign
The entire premise behind Invisalign was that patients would be able to see their final results much sooner than if they wore traditional braces; but not only does that mean you’ll have to pay more for them as well, they also require more time and effort to be worn than traditional braces. For example, with Invisalign, you’ll have up to two hours of having them on before you can take them out; while with regular braces it’s just one hour. And since traditional braces only need an adjustment every six weeks instead of once a week or once every two weeks then that means that your teeth will come into alignment much sooner!
Many patients are dissatisfied with their results after getting Invisalign
If you have worn braces or other orthodontic treatment in the past then you should not get Invisalign, as it can’t correct any of your issues. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a straighter smile and don’t mind wearing traditional brackets around your teeth to achieve it then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go with those instead!
Traditional braces are much less expensive than Invisalign
In addition to this article, we’ve also recently published an article on how much braces costs which goes over the main factors that determine the overall price tag associated with straightening your teeth; and as such, we can say with confidence that whichever option is cheaper will always be traditional braces unless they have another competitor by their side. Call Bop Braces to set up a free consultation and pricing estimate today!