Choosing the best method for straightening you or your child’s teeth can be overwhelming.

The treatment will likely be a large investment, and since it lasts for many months, and in some cases years, you want to make the right choice that is going to make that commitment time run smoothly for you or your child.

One of the first things you need to decide is whether you are going to use traditional, hardwire braces or Invisalign trays.

There are positive and negative points to each treatment, so it’s important to evaluate each and carefully consider which is best for you.

What’s the Difference Between Invisalign and Metal Braces?‍

Braces: Braces are composed of metal brackets that are cemented to your teeth with a special dental glue. These brackets hold on a wire that attaches to the brackets with rubber bands.

Invisalign: While getting treated with Invisalign, your dentist will give you a series of invisible aligner trays made of BPA-free clear plastic. Using X-rays and impressions to form a 3-D image of your teeth, your dentist will come up with a treatment plan in order to shift your smile into alignment

Pros and Cons to Metal Braces and Invisalign

Metal Braces

Pros

• Less self-discipline is needed since they can’t be removed. This is a big reason why metal braces are often preferred for treating children.

Cons

• While you have braces, it’s important that you’re careful about what you eat. Certain foods can damage your braces or get caught in them.
• It can be difficult to brush and floss around your braces, and unlike Invisalign trays, they cannot be removed.
• Your braces can present a hazard during certain activities, like if you play rough contact sports.
• Sometimes, the brackets, bands, or metal wires can rub against your sensitive gum tissue and cause some discomfort.
• Depending on your case, hardwire braces can be more expensive, costing up to $5,500.
• Treatment times for braces tend to run longer than Invisalign. They take an average of 2 years.
• Patients need to visit the orthodontist every 3-6 weeks for adjustments.

Invisalign

Pros

• The aligner trays are as close to invisible as possible.
• The trays are removable, making it easy to brush your teeth.
• There are no wires, brackets, or bands to cause discomfort.
• Treatment can be shorter, typically running about 6-18 months.
• After the beginning stages visits to the office are only required every 2-3 months.
• Avoids or minimizes most traditional braces side effects.
• At $2,800 for Invisalign Express and $3895 for full Invisalign, it tends to be more affordable. However, if you don’t go to South Orange Dental Center, you’ll pay more like $5,500-$7,000.

Cons

• Invisalign is not ideal for children or patients who lack the discipline to keep trays in.
• If you don’t wear it enough it doesn’t work well but Dr. Rosemond is skilled at getting people through the treatment.