If you’re considering Invisalign treatment in Spokane Valley, you might also be weighing braces as an alternative treatment. To help you reach a decision on which treatment is right for you, our dentists at Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics are here to give you a brief overview of what each treatment entails and how each treatment works. Find out what’s best for you: Invisalign or metal braces.
How Do Metal Braces Work?
When you receive metal braces, our dentists start by bonding brackets to each of your teeth. These brackets are what hold the archwire in place. After placing the brackets, we will attach a wire to all of your teeth. The wire is responsible for applying light pressure on your teeth to encourage them to move into their new position. The shape of the jaw then adjusts to conform to the constant pressure, making the teeth move. You will also have elastic bands placed around your brackets which help add the pressure to the jaw. Every 6 weeks or so, you will visit your dentist to get a thicker wire or to have your wire tightened. We might also recommend attaching rubber bands to certain hooks on your braces to resolve alignment issues.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Similar to metal braces, Invisalign works by applying pressure to the teeth. Instead of relying on brackets and wires, Invisalign aligners have small differences in each set that applies pressure to your teeth to move into their correct position. Instead of getting a new wire or getting the wire tightened, Invisalign uses a new set of aligners with a slight difference to help your teeth move. Each treatment uses the same logic to move your teeth to their desired position.
Which One Is Best For Me?
Now that you know that metal braces and Invisalign work with the same logic, you might wonder which treatment is best for you. Invisalign is a better treatment for patients who want a discreet orthodontic treatment and no limitations for what they can eat. On the other hand, metal braces are better for patients who don’t want to brush their teeth tons of times per day or stress about wearing the aligners for at least 22 hours per day.
When you visit Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics in Spokane Valley, Dr. Marnie or Ken Collins will help you decide which treatment is best for you. If your problems are too severe, they might recommend metal braces. If you can’t trust yourself to brush your teeth every time you eat or wear your aligners for 22 hours per day, they might recommend metal braces. On the other hand, if you have a mild case and want to eat whatever you want and not struggle to clean your teeth, they might recommend Invisalign.
Find out whether metal braces or Invisalign are the best orthodontic treatment for you. Schedule an appointment with our Spokane Valley cosmetic dentists today by calling (509) 927-2273.
