Invisible braces or traditional braces? A comparison

There has been a recent increase in adults and older teenagers approaching their dentists to have their teeth realigned. And our team at Spa Dental have been no exception to this! We have seen more adults than ever before who want to get a straighter smile, and with our wealth of experience in this area of dental care, we are more than happy to help.

But for those who are looking to have their teeth realigned using a brace or aligner, you may have some questions as to how invisible or clear braces differ from standard ones.

At Spa Dental Sydney, we can provide both traditional and invisible braces Sydney and will aim to answer any questions you may have about how they work and how to integrate them into your daily life.

In this short comparison guide, we look at the differences between standard and invisible braces Sydney, to help you make the most informed choice about your orthodontic care.

How they work

Invisible/clear braces- Invisible braces Sydney, like Invisalign, work by moving your teeth gradually, with each aligner being worn for around 2 weeks. They push your teeth, using the force contained in the aligners to do so, and once each aligner feels loose, you change to the next one in the sequence.

Traditional braces- Standard braces are fitted to the teeth using metal brackets, with an archwire connecting them. They pull the teeth into the required position, using tightening or adjustments to do so every 4 to 6 weeks.

How they feel

Invisible/clear braces– Invisible aligners often feel tight, especially after you have started to use a new one and some patients also note that they feel hard against the soft tissues of the mouth, like the tongue and inner cheek. But, with the application of dental wax, this discomfort is usually resolved quickly.

Traditional braces- Braces can feel heavy and bulky and, much like aligners, the use of dental wax on the brackets and the wire will allow you to adapt to them much quicker. If you experience prolonged discomfort, then please talk to our team about this, as we may be able to switch you to a clear brace.

Length of treatment

Invisible/clear braces- The length of treatment with Invisalign is around 3 to 6 months for most patients. But this may vary depending on the severity of the issue being treated and if you keep the aligners in. In some cases, you may be wearing the aligner for over a year.

Traditional braces- Again, the length of the treatment will vary from person to person, but most adult patients wear a metal brace for between 2 to 3 years.

Versatility

Invisible/clear braces- Originally designed to correct mild to moderate misalignments, invisible aligners have become more sophisticated, and can now help in the rearrangement of bite issues and spacing. But to assess suitability, talk to our team.

Traditional braces- These braces can treat a myriad of different dental issues; everything from underbites to protrusions and even rotating molars can be achieved using this orthodontic tool, making it extremely versatile!

DISCLAIMER

All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.