Everyone wants a straight, healthy smile, and sometimes, braces provide the fastest route to achieving this goal. However, not everyone is comfortable with traditional wiring, and some patients opt for discrete alternatives, like Invisalign®. Here’s what you need to know about these two dental solutions to determine which aligner you’d like to try.

Braces

Traditional braces can be applied as soon as all adult teeth have fully erupted, which is usually around the early teenage years. This option can resolve almost any alignment issue, including cross- and overbites as well as crowding.

Brackets are applied to the front of teeth and strung with wire, making the aligner highly visible. However, patients with less serious alignment problems can opt for brackets on the back of their teeth. Since each bracket is glued to a tooth, proper dental care is necessary to avoid decay and other oral health issues.

Invisalign

Patients opt for Invisalign because it’s a discrete alternative to traditional braces. Custom, clear guards are made for your upper and lower teeth. When they’re worn, they’ll gradually move teeth into proper alignment. Although you can remove the aligners when you eat, they need to be used for about 23 hours each day for the best and fastest results.

Invisalign requires diligent care and cleaning because the guards can gather bacteria and be easily damaged. Due to their enhanced maintenance, most orthodontists recommend this solution to patients who are 18 or older. Invisalign can’t address more serious alignment issues, like over- or underbites.

If you’d like more help choosing between braces and Invisalign, contact the knowledgeable team at Hawaii Orthodontist in Honolulu. Led by Dr. Tammy Chang-Motooka and Dr. Shelliann Kawamoto, these professionals offer comprehensive orthodontic services to patients of all ages. Call (808) 947-3737 to schedule a free consultation, or visit their website to learn more about their services. You can receive dental tips by connecting with the team on Facebook.