Invisalign and traditional braces both straighten teeth effectively, but they suit different patients and case types. At Dillon Family Dentistry in Bryn Mawr, PA, Dr. Dillon evaluates each patient’s bite, crowding, and lifestyle before recommending one over the other because the best orthodontic treatment isn’t the most popular one; it’s the right one for your specific situation. For most adults and teens on the Main Line with mild to moderate alignment issues, Invisalign delivers outstanding results with far less disruption to daily life.
People frequently inquire about the difference between Invisalign and braces, especially teenagers who do not want to wear metal and adults who haven’t had orthodontic work done for more than 15 years. I always respond with the same answer: it depends! This may not be the answer everyone wants to hear, but as someone who has worked with patients throughout Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Ardmore, Wayne, and Wynnewood, I know that the best option for you will be determined by what type of brackets or aligners will work best for your bite and the lifestyle you live, as well as your ability to use them properly not by which one is trending on social media!
In this guide, I’m going to walk you through everything that actually matters when comparing Invisalign and traditional braces: how they work, what they cost, which cases each handles best, and how to make the call for your specific situation. If you’ve been searching for an Invisalign dentist near the Main Line, PA, this is the clearest breakdown I can give you.
If you have mild to moderate alignment problems and are looking for an inconspicuous, removable choice, Invisalign is probably your best option as an adult or teenager. On the other hand, if you have a complicated bite issue or severe tooth crowding or lack the discipline to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours each day, then traditional braces may be more appropriate for your treatment. The only way to find out which option is best for you is to have a consultation with Dr. Dillon in our Bryn Mawr office.
What Is Invisalign? How Does It Work?
A succession of 3D-printed custom shape clear aligners is how Invisalign will gradually re-position your teeth into their optimum positions. Each aligner will be used for approximately 1-2 weeks before moving on to the next one in the series. The aligners are removable, allowing for eating/drinking/cleaning/flossing, etc., and will be virtually undetectable while wearing.
As part of our dental practice, we will begin your Invisalign treatment with a digital scan to create a digital 3D model of your mouth. No more messy impressions. This digital scan will be uploaded to Align Technology’s Clincheck software, which will provide the graphical representations of how each individual tooth will move at each stage of the treatment cycle, and you will have an opportunity to see a digital representation of the anticipated results prior to beginning treatment.
Typically, an adult’s duration with their treatment of the Invisalign trays can last anywhere from 12 months to 18 months; however, if correcting just a few individual teeth, they could be completed sooner than those times stated. The most vital rule regarding your dentist’s guidance would be that the aligners should adhere to your mouth for at least twenty hours on average every day. The only way your dental professional will be most effective (and therefore successful) at having you wear your aligners is if they are worn while resting or placed in the mouth, “wearing” them. If you are an individual who often takes their trays out and forgets about them then you will likely want to discuss this concern before paying for Invisalign.
What Are Traditional Braces? How Do They Compare?
Metal braces consist of brackets customarily adhered to each individual tooth, archwires pulling the brackets together, and this entire system is mechanically modified via your dentist/orthodontist at scheduled intervals. Unlike an aligner system (e.g., Invisalign), metal braces are fixed (do not move). This aspect is beneficial since braces apply continual force on the teeth since they are always on. Therefore, braces are generally considered more advantageous for patients who require more extensive or complex tooth movement.
Braces have been the gold standard for orthodontic care for decades, as they allow the provider precise control of the position of each tooth. Therefore, in cases of severe crowding, excessive bite correction, or rotations that would be challenging for the aligner system to achieve, braces often provide the best outcome. Additionally, they do not depend on patient compliance in the same way that aligners (e.g., Invisalign) do. Once the brackets and wires are bonded, they apply a continuous force to the teeth.
On the other hand, the things patients must consider when choosing to wear braces are facial aesthetics, comfort level, and the dietary restrictions that accompany this appliance. Metal brackets are easily visible. Wires often irritate the inside of your cheeks after being tightened. You will also have to refrain from eating caramel, popcorn, and hard candy for the duration of your treatment.
Invisalign vs. Braces: A Direct Comparison
Appearance
This difference stands out as the most obvious, and for adults undergoing treatment, this is by far the most significant difference between braces and Invisalign. Unlike traditional braces, which consist of highly visible metal braces/brackets, no one can see Invisalign aligners unless they are right next to you when you talk, making them essentially invisible (or at least will not be able to identify them) at conversational distances.
Adult professionals, working adults, and usually teens who are concerned with their appearance generally conclude that Invisalign will always win this category hands down. However, for those for whom Invisalign is not an appropriate option, ceramic braces with tooth-colored brackets can provide a visually neutral and sometimes more discreet alternative than traditional metallic braces.
Comfort
Invisalign is made from an ultra-thin, clear plastic material that is contoured to your teeth. There are no brackets or wires that will stick out into your cheeks or irritate your gums with sharp edges. There is some pressure and some mild discomfort with new sets of trays when they are first put on for one to two days, as your teeth move, but usually after that, most people do adapt quickly.
Braces can provide ongoing irritation to your mouth from the time that they are tightened throughout the course of the orthodontic treatment. Additionally, orthodontic wax can help with the irritation, but it adds to the daily steps required to care for your oral health. Both methods have discomfort associated with them; however, wearing Invisalign is generally less painful than wearing traditional braces.
Oral Hygiene
Invisalign clearly comes out on top. With the clear aligners being removable, you can continue to brush and floss as you’ve always been accustomed to. There are no additional tools that you need for cleaning; you do not have to thread floss through wires, and you will not have to spend excessive time in the chair to clean around the brackets when you use aligners.
When you have braces, the effort involved in maintaining good oral hygiene is increased significantly from that involved with using aligners. Because the brackets and the wires create nooks where food can become trapped, inadequate cleaning during treatment may contribute to the development of decalcification or white decalcified spots on the enamel, and possibly an early cavity. Therefore, this isn’t a reason not to have braces if that is the appropriate clinical option, but rather something of which you should be cognizant when developing a treatment plan.
Don’t Just Read About It—Discover a Healthier Smile Today!
Take control of your oral health at Dillon Family Dentistry. Book an appointment today!
Treatment Scope: Which Cases Does Each Handle Best?
This is the most clinically important comparison, and the one where I see the most misinformation online.
- Invisalign handles well: Mild to moderate crowding, spacing issues, minor bite correction, tooth rotation (up to a point), and relapse cases after previous orthodontic treatment
- Braces handle better: Significant overbite or underbite correction, severe crowding requiring extractions, complex multi-directional movements, cases needing strong vertical control
- Either can work: Moderate crowding, mild crossbites, many adult cases where the primary goal is alignment rather than bite correction
The honest truth is that Invisalign technology has improved dramatically over the past decade, and many cases that used to require braces can now be treated successfully with aligners. But there are still cases where braces are the more reliable choice. A thorough exam is the only way to know for certain.
Treatment Time
Adults with mild to moderate cases of misalignment generally receive Invisalign treatment for a period of about twelve to eighteen months. A patient may require eighteen to twenty-four months with traditional braces, with longer treatment durations for more difficult cases.
The treatment time using Invisalign is directly related to the amount of time that the patient wears the aligners. To stay on schedule, aligners should be worn between twenty and twenty-two hours each day. Skipping hours of wear time may lead to the treatments taking longer than had the aligners been worn consistently. Unlike patients fitted with braces, patients with aligners have the ability to take out their aligners for various lengths of time; therefore, they may experience an extended duration of treatment with aligners than patients fitted with traditional braces.
Cost: Invisalign vs. Braces in Bryn Mawr, PA
People often ask me what the cost of orthodontics is, and the answer is, it depends on your situation. In general, the cost for traditional braces will range from around $2,500 to $7,500. The fees for using Invisalign generally range from $3,000 to $7,000 (occasionally above $7,000 for more complicated or longer-term cases). For most uncomplicated cases, Invisalign and braces are comparable in cost. It is important to note that Invisalign costs more in general than braces due to the use of more costly technology (digital scans of teeth, computer-generated model, custom-manufactured trays, and ClinCheck software to plan and manage treatment).
The most important issue that you need to consider besides price is whether your insurance will cover some of the expenses. Most dental insurances that provide orthodontic coverage will also provide coverage for Invisalign at the same level as they would traditional braces. At Dillon Family Dentistry, we help our patients verify their insurance coverage prior to starting treatment. Most dental insurances that provide orthodontic coverage will typically cover $1,000 to $3,000 of orthodontic expenses. In addition, we provide flexible payment plans for patients to utilize to make treatment affordable.
If you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) through your employer, you may want to consider using it to pay for your Invisalign or braces.
Is Invisalign Right for Adults in Bryn Mawr?
Many adults who visit us at the Main Line are actually ideal candidates for Invisalign than they initially thought. The misconception that only teens can benefit from Invisalign treatment is outdated. Adults are often more successful with this type of orthodontic treatment than teens because they often have greater motivation to complete their treatment, are more consistent about wear time, and are clearer about their treatment goals.
Adulthood brings many advantages. For example, you can remove your aligners/trays during any professional presentations, dinner meetings, or situations where you prefer not to wear them. You don’t have to change your diet. You won’t appear dirty or have metal in your mouth at client meetings or job interviews. Fewer visits to the office for treatment are also needed compared to braces, typically every six to eight weeks, as opposed to every four weeks.
As a result of wearing aligners, adults living in Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Ardmore, Narberth, Wynnewood, and Wayne have learned how well their lifestyles fit together while living life with beautiful teeth through the use of Invisalign. If you’re looking for the right time to correct the appearance of your teeth, consider using the treatment system that helps you feel like you are finally at the right point in your life.
Invisalign for Teens: What Parents Should Know
Invisalign for teens has been created specifically for those with concerns over compliance with their teeth moving properly. The trays have been created to help parents identify if their child is wearing their trays by adding in “compliance indicator dots”. These small blue dots on the back of every tray fade with use. If a child wears a set of trays and after two weeks the dots are still blue, then the child has not met the minimum wear time. This feature enables parents to hold their child accountable for wearing their trays.
Invisalign for teens also offers free replacement aligners if the aligners are lost or damaged. This is helpful for students who eat lunch at the cafeteria and carry backpacks.
Teenage patients who have mild-to-moderate teeth alignment issues and are committed to the required wearing schedule are able to use Invisalign as an alternative treatment method. For teenage patients who have more complicated tooth alignment issues or whose compliance with the wear schedule will be inconsistent, braces may be a more reliable treatment option.
Which Should You Choose: Invisalign or Braces?
Here’s the framework I use when sitting down with pati