Provider
Invisalign or Braces – What's Right for You?
At Orthodontic Specialists of Lake Oswego, we're proud to offer both braces and Invisalign options for children, teens, and adults looking to straighten their teeth and create a healthier bite. But which option is best? What should you choose?
The right answer to these questions, at the end of the day, comes down to you – your orthodontic needs, your lifestyle, and even your personality.
Both braces and Invisalign are highly effective orthodontic treatment options; neither is better as such, and each has its own unique benefits and drawbacks.
Dr. Borgen and our treatment coordinator will work with you during your consultation to select the best option for your specific case. To help you make an informed choice, read on to find out what braces and Invisalign have to offer.
Flexible Payment Plans
A beautiful, healthy smile can boost your confidence and allow you to be your best self. To help bring your best smile closer to fruition, our team can work with you to create a zero-interest payment plan to fit your budget. Because you deserve it.
Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign corrects misalignments by applying gentle, consistent pressure to the teeth over a period of time.
Treatment comes in the form of a series of custom-made clear aligners. Each aligner plays a unique role in the movement of your teeth and then gets switched out for the next one in the series. This process continues until the desired results are achieved.
Virtually Invisible
Invisalign aligners are made of a lightweight, transparent material, making them virtually invisible when worn. That's why Invisalign can be a great choice for people who dislike the look of braces.
Braces definitely have a distinctive look that's not for everyone. While we offer lower-profile ceramic braces for a more subtle appearance, we find that Invisalign is definitely the most discreet orthodontic treatment option.
Convenient & Removable
Another clear benefit of Invisalign is the convenience of removable aligners.
Invisalign clear aligners can be removed for brushing and flossing. Oral hygiene with braces can be time-consuming and tricky, but with Invisalign, you can go on brushing and flossing your teeth just like you always do.
You can also take the aligners out to eat, which means you don't have to deal with any of the food restrictions that braces come with, and you can take them out for pictures, date night, and more.
Comfortable
No matter whether you choose braces or Invisalign, you're bound to experience some discomfort at certain points of your orthodontic treatment. This results from your teeth moving towards their new positions.
But, with Invisalign's smooth construction, you don't get the painful rubbing and poking that can sometimes occur with braces. This can help make treatment with Invisalign more comfortable.
Invisalign & Braces Treatment in Lake Oswego
At Orthodontic Specialists of Lake Oswego, we offer treatment with braces and Invisalign for children, teens, and adults. Dr. Borgen will work with you to decide on the best treatment option to help you achieve your smile goals.
Benefits of Braces
Traditional braces use brackets, elastic bands and wires to gently shift and straighten teeth over time.
But the braces of today aren't the clunky, uncomfortable face-full-of-metal that you might be picturing from decades ago. Modern braces are more streamlined, more comfortable, and (in our opinion!) cooler than ever before.
Versatility
Braces are an effective and efficient way to resolve virtually any misalignment, no matter how complex. This is because of their ability to apply strong, consistent pressure to the teeth.
It is more difficult for Invisalign's aligners to create sufficient force to perform certain complex tooth movements, like rotating teeth, lengthening them, or paralleling roots in extraction cases. When these types of movements are necessary, braces are often the best mode of treatment.
Efficiency & Cost Effectiveness
Because braces have the ability to apply greater force than clear aligners, they are typically more efficient at moving teeth, meaning treatment with braces may be shorter in certain moderate or complex cases.
In addition, the more complex the movement required, the more Invisalign aligners will be required to accomplish it. This can significantly increase the cost of Invisalign if you have a complex misalignment. In these cases, braces may be the more affordable choice.
Ease of Compliance
There are lots of lifestyle benefits to removable aligners, but it's important to consider how likely it is that you'll always wear them as prescribed. It's easy to forget to put them back in, or to give yourself more 'breaks' than might be wise when you're feeling sore.
If staying compliant with your treatment plan could be an issue for you, fixed dental braces may be the better choice. They'll keep you honest and get you through treatment on time.