Invisalign can be taken out. Braces cannot.
If you or your child are the type of person who may not wear the removable Invisalign appliance as directed and up to 22 hours/day, then fixed braces may be a better option for you. In order to get the maximum effectiveness from your Invisalign appliance it is essential to keep it in the mouth except when eating or brushing your teeth. Braces, on the other hand, are “bonded” to the teeth, so they cannot be removed. This is a great option for the patient who prefers not to self-monitor.
There are more appointments with braces.
Braces tend to require more adjustments over the course of treatment. These adjustments help to align the teeth and jaws and are essential to provide a finished result. The chance of an additional appointment to repair a bracket or clip a poking wire is also a possibility. There is less reliance on brackets and no wires when Invisalign is being used.
Invisalign may require the placement of attachments in order to move the teeth.
Moving teeth is not magic and even the Invisalign system needs help. In order to make many of the movements possible with clear aligners, small resin attachments are bonded to the facial surfaces of teeth. These attachments are clear and increase the surface area for the aligner to hold, and, thus, enable more predictable movement of the teeth. Without these attachments, a compromised result can occur.
Fatigue may occur with Invisalign.
When wearing clear aligners, burnout is a factor that can affect the treatment outcome. If a patient no longer is willing to consistently wear the aligners, the treatment may become very inefficient, and the result will be compromised.
Invisalign is less noticeable.
Others are less inclined to know that you are undergoing orthodontic care when using clear aligners and they can be taken out for those “special moments” in your life. Although the attachments will typically remain on the teeth, having the option to “skip” a day of treatment can be beneficial when getting married or celebrating a graduation.
Ceramic and hidden (lingual) braces can reduce the stigma of having braces.
Many people are self-conscious about the fact that they need to wear braces. Clear braces are more popular for this reason. They are less noticeable, do not stain, and work in the same way as traditional metal braces. The metal wire may still be present, but the appearance is much improved. The lingual appliance (inBrace) is also being used and is placed on the inside of the teeth. It is not visible at all.