Is Invisalign Better than Braces?

If you or your child need to straighten your teeth, you’re likely weighing Invisalign vs. braces. Invisalign, a series of clear removable aligners, has risen in popularity as an alternative to traditional metal braces. Both Invisalign and braces have their advantages and drawbacks. Let’s break down the comparison in key areas to help you make an informed decision. 

Appearance During the Teeth Straightening Process 

Appearance is often the biggest selling point for Invisalign in Red Deer. The Invisalign aligners are made of nearly transparent plastic and fit snugly over your teeth. Most people, unless they are very close to you, won’t notice you’re wearing them. In contrast, traditional braces have visible brackets and wires (even if you choose ceramic “clear” braces, they are still somewhat noticeable).  

Comfort and Convenience: Invisalign Vs. Braces 

Braces have been known to cause some discomfort – the brackets can rub the inside of your cheeks and lips, causing sores until you toughen up (orthodontic wax helps). Wires can poke, and after each adjustment, your teeth and jaws might ache for a few days. Invisalign aligners, on the other hand, are smooth plastic. They tend to cause less irritation to cheeks and lips, thanks to no sharp metal edges.  

Aligners move teeth more gradually, so while you’ll feel pressure, many patients report less intense soreness compared to braces tightening. Another convenience: Invisalign is removable. You take the aligners out to eat, drink, and to brush and floss your teeth. This means no food restrictions (with braces, you have to avoid sticky or hard foods that could break brackets).  

You also can maintain normal oral hygiene easily – no threading floss around wires. However, the flip side is you must remember to put the aligners back in! They need to be worn 20–22 hours a day for effective treatment. If you’re forgetful or not disciplined, this could hinder your results. Braces are on 24/7, so they’re working all the time – you can’t lose them or forget to wear them. 

Invisalign vs Braces?

Is Invisalign Better than Braces? Braces have been around for many decades and can tackle all types of orthodontic cases, from mild crowding to severe malocclusions. They allow the orthodontist to move teeth with a high degree of control, including complex movements like substantial tooth rotations or vertical adjustments that aligners might struggle with.  

Invisalign is very effective for many common alignment issues. It can fix crowding, gaps, mild overbites, etc., often with similar outcome as braces. For moderate cases, an experienced provider can achieve excellent results with Invisalign. That said, for complex cases (extreme overbites, certain jaw misalignments, heavily rotated teeth), traditional braces may still be the better choice.  

Braces can handle intricate movements by using elastics, auxiliary wires, or appliances that aligners sometimes cannot. Aligners also sometimes require attachments (small enamel-coloured bumps glued to teeth) to grip and move certain teeth. If many attachments are needed, the aesthetic advantage of Invisalign lessens a bit, making it appear more like clear braces.  

Braces are more universally effective. For any difficult case, braces will work, whereas Invisalign has some limitations. For the average case, both can be effective. Our approach is to evaluate your specific situation; in straightforward cases we offer Invisalign as an option, but for very complex corrections, we might recommend braces (or even Invisalign in combination with some braces for final fine-tuning). 

Treatment Time for Teeth Straightening Options 

People often ask which straightens teeth faster. Treatment time varies greatly per individual. In some instances, braces can move teeth a bit more efficiently, especially since they’re always on and don’t rely on patient compliance. Braces can sometimes achieve tooth movements concurrently that aligners have to do sequentially. Many patients finish braces in about 18–24 months.  

Invisalign treatments for comparable cases often are in a similar range (say 12–18 months for moderate cases). One factor is compliance – if a patient doesn’t wear Invisalign as prescribed, their treatment will take longer. Braces don’t have that issue (you can’t take them off), so they might straighten teeth on a more predictable timeline. However, Invisalign’s technology has improved so much that for certain movements it’s equally as fast, if not faster, than braces.  

Plus, fewer setbacks: you won’t have emergency visits for broken brackets, which can delay progress. All said, neither is dramatically faster across the board. A highly compliant Invisalign patient can finish just as quickly as braces. If speed is critical, discuss with us; sometimes braces might be tweaked to expedite certain movements. 

Dental Office Visits and Lifestyle While Straightening Your Teeth 

With braces, you’ll typically visit the dental clinic every 4–6 weeks for adjustments. If a wire pops out or a bracket breaks (which happens if you chew something hard or play with the braces), you’ll need extra visits to fix it. Invisalign usually has you swapping to a new set of aligners every 1–2 weeks on your own. You still have check-ins, but often fewer in-person appointments are needed – perhaps every 6–8 weeks, so we can monitor progress and give you the next sets of aligners.  

Many patients appreciate the flexibility of Invisalign; some appointments can even be quicker than a braces tightening session. From a lifestyle perspective, consider whether you (or your child) will keep track of removable aligners. Losing an aligner can set things back and incur a replacement cost.  

Cost and Coverage for Braces & Invisalign 

In Canada, the cost of Invisalign and braces can be similar, though Invisalign is sometimes slightly more expensive. It depends greatly on the state of your teeth before the procedure, and how much time will be involved in the straightening process. If you will rely on insurance, including the Canada Dental Care Plan, for partial or full coverage of your teeth straightening, braces are more likely to fit the bill.  

The CDCP covers braces for children who have been pre-approved by their dentist. Specifically, the braces must be deemed necessary, and not simply cosmetic. This is normally the case with children, but less so with adults. Talk to us if you have concerns about coverage.  

Straighten Your Teeth Your Way at Clearview Dental 

At Clearview Market Dental, we offer orthodontic assessments. We’ll examine your bite, alignment, and discuss your lifestyle. We’ll let you know if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign or if braces would be more appropriate. We’ve treated patients with both methods and will give an honest recommendation that balances effectiveness and your personal preferences. 

Book a Dentist Appointment at Clearview Dental Today!