General |5 min read

Why Austin Preferred Invisalign Over Braces (He Had Both!)

Which one is better, Invisalign or braces?

It’s a question patients, and especially parents of patients, often ask. And rightfully so, you deserve the best!

So:

At TK Orthodontics, we always give you our honest, professional opinion. If one treatment works better than the other, we’ll tell you straight up.

But:

Oftentimes, you may be equally eligible for both.

In that case:

We explain the pros and cons of Invisalign vs. braces, helping you make the best decision for your or your child’s needs.

This leads us to today’s story about Austin, who has had both Invisalign and braces.

Let’s start with a quick back story!

Austin is from Preston, ID. Yes, the same city where Napoleon Dynamite was filmed (flippin’ sweet).

In middle school, he straightened his smile with braces. It looked great!

However:

He lost his retainer… and he didn’t get a new one.

If you’re not familiar with how orthodontic treatment works:

You have to wear a retainer for the rest of your life, usually only at night while you sleep. If you don’t, your teeth may shift out of place or revert to their pre-treatment position.

As was the case for Austin.

Over time, his teeth began to move, particularly his bottom teeth.

Fast forward eight years:

Austin decided he wanted his straight smile back.

His biggest obstacle now was finding an orthodontist who could accommodate his schedule. He was frequently traveling back and forth between Idaho and Terre Haute, IN.

After shopping around for orthodontists, he chose TK Orthodontics.

He booked a complimentary consultation with Dr. Theodore J. Kula to discuss his goal (straighten his bottom teeth) and hear his opinions.

Austin had two choices: braces or Invisalign.

He went with Invisalign this time around.

Why?

The main reason was:

He wasn’t particularly keen on the idea of wearing braces as a young adult, and Invisalign’s clear aligners are hardly noticeable.

Other reasons included:

  • Treatment duration: Invisalign was going to be quick.
  • Appointment frequency: Invisalign requires less frequent checkups than braces, which was ideal for his traveling schedule.

Plus:

Dr. Kula noted Austin’s bite was off and Invisalign could fix it.

In the end:

Austin wore Invisalign on his upper and lower teeth for a total of six months!

In that timeframe, Dr. Kula helped Austin:

  • Straighten his bottom teeth
  • Align his bite
  • Reshape his teeth to his liking

Not to mention:

Our team was able to accommodate his busy schedule and complete treatment on time!

Look at his handsome smile now!

Austin a real Invisalign patient smiling with his straight teeth

So to answer the question:

“Is Invisalign better than braces?”

Austin would say yes, Invisalign is better.

However, it’s entirely a personal preference. You may disagree!

Let’s quickly compare the key differences between Invisalign and braces to see why.

Invisalign vs. braces

The differences between Invisalign and braces

Restrictions

Invisalign is removable, so you can continue to eat and drink your favorite foods and beverages.

You’ll also brush and floss your teeth as usual.

With braces, you’ll receive a list of foods and drinks that we recommend limiting during treatment, such as hard and sticky foods or sugary drinks.

Number of appointments

Invisalign requires less frequent appointments than braces.

On average, you’ll visit your orthodontist every 10 weeks with Invisalign and every 6-8 weeks with braces.

Why is this?

With Invisalign, your orthodontist will customize your treatment plan and you’ll be responsible for changing your aligners at home every 1-2 weeks. Your orthodontist will continue to monitor you throughout your total treatment.

Whereas with braces, your orthodontist customizes your treatment plan as well, but they must make manual adjustments to your wire, rubber bands, brackets, etc.

Cost

On paper, there really isn’t a cost difference between Invisalign or braces.

Plus:

Dental insurance with orthodontic benefits will usually cover a portion of both.

Treatable cases

Invisalign’s technology has come a long way since its inception. It can now treat… This text opens a new tab to the Invisalign page on treatable cases…:

  • Overbites
  • Underbites
  • Crossbites
  • Open bites
  • Crowded teeth
  • Gap teeth
  • Baby and permanent teeth
  • Generally straighter teeth

However:

Invisalign isn’t suitable for treating complex cases.

In some instances:

You can start treatment with braces to conquer the complex maneuvers, then finish treatment in Invisalign.

Compliance

One reason why Invisalign isn’t suitable for children is the requirement that you must wear the aligners for 20+ hours per day.

Failure to do so will negatively impact your treatment, such as taking longer or not working effectively.

If you cannot commit to wearing the aligners as instructed, braces may be a better option.

Braces are adhered to your teeth until your orthodontist removes them, meaning your treatment will be working 24/7.

Appearance

Lastly, the most obvious difference:

Invisalign is less noticeable than braces.

Invisalign consists of thin, clear aligners that are custom made to fit snugly over your teeth and along your gums.

Braces consist of brackets (metal or clear), wires, and often rubber bands.

Granted:

Braces have improved significantly in the past couple of decades!

So, if you’re an adult still scarred by the big, bulky braces from the 80s, don’t worry. The braces of today are a lot smaller and more comfortable.

Still not sure which one is best for you?

Book a consultation with an orthodontist near you (most are free!).

They’ll answer your questions and give you a recommendation based on all your needs like your smile goal, budget, timeline, etc.

If you’re located in Terre Haute, IN – or travel here like Austin – we invite you to schedule a complimentary orthodontic consultation at TK Orthodontics.

Dr. Kula accepts patients of all ages (you’re never too old!) and offers a wide range of orthodontic care, including early treatment, Invisalign, and braces.

Book Your Visit!

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TK Orthodontics is located in Terre Haute, IN and serves patients from across the Wabash Valley, including Clinton, Rockville, Covington, Brazil, Greencastle, Sullivan, Linton, Shakamak, Vincennes, Marshall, Paris, Robinson, Olney, Effingham, Charleston, Casey, Mattoon, Greenup, Flora, and Newton.

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