Braces And Invisalign Aligners – Which Orthodontic Treatment Option Is Better?

When it comes to aligning teeth, there are countless more orthodontic treatment options out there than ever before. The two most popular ones of them are traditional Braces and Invisalign Aligners. While neither is absolutely better than the other, both offer their own set of benefits for every individual patient.
Every time a patient walks into our clinic to undergo orthodontic treatment, the dentists at Dental Aesthetics first make them realize that none of them is better than the other. The right option varies from one case to another – and we determine that with an accurate diagnosis. But before you book an appointment, let us brief the difference between both options.
5 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TRADITIONAL BRACES & INVISALIGN ALIGNERS
Invisalign aligners and braces both straighten teeth and adjust the way they fit together. However, because you need to choose one, we have covered this blog to help you make a quick decision. Dive into the details of all their differences so that you have all the information to make the right decision for your oral health and teeth.
1. TREATMENT DURATION
Even though the overall treatment duration with Invisalign Braces depends on the severity of the patient’s case, most of them get the results within 10 to 24 months. However, if a patient has extremely crooked teeth and misaligned bites, they are likely to wear the aligners for an extended duration. Some of them also require slight refinements after a few months of completing the treatment.
Similarly, the treatment duration with traditional braces depends on many factors. They include the severity of the case, room within the patient’s mouth, and how far the teeth have to travel. In addition, the health of the patient’s gums, teeth, and supporting bones is also considered. Normally, however, the traditional braces have to remain in place for 1 to 3 years.
2. EFFICACY
Mostly, the patients at Dental Aesthetics prefer getting aligners over the traditional braces because they are comfortable, have a discreet nature, and are easy to maintain. Even more, dental studies also show that patients with aligners have a short treatment duration than with the traditional braces.
However, it is important to note that Invisalign aligners lack the precision that the traditional Braces promise. Therefore, making them a better-suited option for patients facing less severe orthodontic problems. So, in the end, it all boils down to the condition of your teeth – and our Best Orthodontists in Lahore take all the necessary steps to provide the right treatment.
3. EATING
Patients need to keep the Invisalign trays on their teeth for 20-22 hours every day. The trays can only be removed for drinking anything other than water, eating, or performing the oral hygiene routine. Since the aligners do not have any brackets or wires, the treatment option does not require any dietary changes. However, to prevent staining, we recommend brushing teeth before putting back the aligners.

On the other hand, patients who get traditional Orthodontic Braces have to adjust their diet because the wires and brackets are sensitive. They can be damaged easily and patients have to take care of them to make sure they do not separate from the teeth. Therefore, avoiding food that is hard to chew or sticky like chewing gum, crackers, or popcorn is necessary. Moreover, it is also essential to limit the intake of sugary drinks and foods as it leads to excess buildup of plaque.
4. Aesthetics
One of the major reasons behind patients preferring Invisalign over the traditional braces to improve their Teeth Smile is its invisible nature. Unlike the traditional treatment option, they do not draw attention to the teeth – making them more appealing to the teenagers. Moreover, the aligner trays are also removable, which comes in handy when you are eating or drinking.
So, while the Invisalign aligners are a more discreet option than the traditional braces, the latter shifts the jaw and teeth more precisely. Comparatively, aligners allow less demineralization than the traditional braces, making teeth less prone to discolouration and shortening. In all cases, both of them have the potential to close the gaps between teeth and align the crooked ones.

5. Pain Tolerance
Our mouth is not accustomed to the constant presence of ceramic and metal. While both traditional braces and aligners can cause slight discomfort, the pangs one feels with Braces are much stronger. In fact, people with metallic braces also experience a downfall in their health during the initial months of the treatment. They need to get accustomed to:
- Chapped Lips – because the lips are stretched to make space for the brackets that sit beneath the surface, they might not close all the way and result in a dry mouth and lips.
- Poking Brackets & Wires – brackets sticking out from the teeth often rub inside the lips, leading to scrapes and sores.
- Mouth Sores – swelling during the brace’s treatment is common, while wax does help but your mouth will feel tender and sore until you develop hard skin.
Straightening teeth is painful with both traditional braces and aligners. However, because the latter’s trays are smooth and thin, they do not pull the lips or poke gums. The teeth can be sore, but the soft mouth tissues will remain unharmed.
Made Your Decision To Undergo An Orthodontic Treatment?
A smile is one of the first things that people notice in each other. So, it makes complete sense to invest time and money into ensuring that your teeth feel and look as perfect as possible. Also, now that you have done your homework and know what are your treatment options and preferences, book an appointment with us at Dental Aesthetics to consult your case with the Best Dentist in Lahore. After an initial checkup and discussing all the treatment details, we will begin your treatment right away at our Dental Hospital Lahore.