Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces vs. Clear Braces: Which Option Is Right for You?

Gone are the days when the only option for straightening teeth was shiny metal brackets and wires. Today you can also choose options that are less visible, including clear braces or even Invisalign® clear tray aligners. The best option for you depends on several factors. 

At Bayside Dental Arts in Queens, New York, Dr. Andrey Ilyabayev and our team provide you with teeth straightening options, typically using Invisalign. But Invisalign might not be the best option for you. Here’s a quick introduction to the top three tooth straightening methods.

Invisalign

Our patients love Invisalign for straightening their teeth. No metal, easy tooth brushing and flossing, and fast results — what’s not to like? You can take the aligners out for eating and cleaning, then put them back in afterward.

With Invisalign, your teeth can get straighter faster, as long as you have no serious dental issues. Invisalign is for people with mild to moderate unevenness, gapping, or crowding. Aligners cost a bit more than the alternatives, but your treatment is over quicker.

Traditional braces

While they’re called traditional, modern braces are still more sleek and refined than the ones your parents had to wear. That said, they are highly visible, and you have to be extra careful when eating, brushing, and flossing so nothing gets stuck in the braces that could cause a cavity. 

You need regular appointments for tightening and possibly to fix a broken wire or bracket that popped off. Traditional braces are cheaper than Invisalign, but take longer to work. 

Traditional braces are best for people who have serious orthodontic problems, because they exert more force on your teeth and can shift even the roots into position.

Clear braces

Do you need the power of metal wire braces but the unobtrusiveness of near-invisible tooth straightening? Clear braces fall in the middle of the scale, with tooth-colored wires and clear ceramic brackets that won’t affect the look of your smile as much as metal brackets and wires. 

Clear braces are a good choice for people who want an understated profile but who can’t afford aligners or who have an orthodontic problem too severe for aligners to be effective. 

Clear braces have a price point closer to traditional braces than to Invisalign, with a treatment span identical to metal-colored braces.

Are you interested in a straighter smile? Schedule an appointment at our Bayside, New York, office. To get in touch, call us at 315-908-0804 or book an appointment online today.