A Comprehensive Look at Braces vs. Invisalign
This guide breaks down how each option works, what daily life is like with each, and how to decide what fits your smile goals.
Braces vs Invisalign: Which One Fits Your Smile and Lifestyle?
Both braces and Invisalign can straighten teeth, fix crowding, close gaps, and improve your bite. At Elliott Orthodontics, patients can get high tech Damon System braces, which use smooth brackets and special wires to move teeth efficiently, as well as Damon Clear brackets for a lower profile look. The practice also offers clear removable Invisalign aligners for patients who want a nearly invisible option.
Braces stay on your teeth full time. This can be a great choice for complex orthodontic needs, because brackets and wires can handle even tough bite problems. Invisalign uses a custom series of clear aligners that you wear most of the day and switch every so often to guide teeth into position. Invisalign is popular with teens and adults who want something that is hard to see and easy to remove for eating and brushing.
In some cases, braces can move teeth in ways that clear aligners cannot, especially when the bite needs a lot of correction or when tooth movement is more complicated. Clear aligners are very effective for many spacing and crowding cases, especially in the front teeth, and they are often used for patients who want a more discreet look.
How Do Braces Feel Day to Day?
Modern braces are smaller and smoother than older styles. The technology used at Elliott Orthodontics is designed to move teeth efficiently while putting less pressure on them, which helps with comfort. Most patients feel the most soreness 12 to 24 hours after an adjustment, and that soreness usually fades within 3 to 5 days.
With braces, you do not have to remember to put anything back in after meals, because the brackets are always working. You will have in office visits so the orthodontic team can check progress and adjust wires. On average, adult treatment is often completed in about 15 to 18 months, although timing always depends on the case.
For patients who do not want visible metal, clear ceramic brackets are an option in many cases. Elliott Orthodontics can also discuss braces placed on the back side of the teeth, also called lingual braces, which stay hidden when you smile.
Which Option Is Better for Me?
There is no one universal answer. Here is a simple way to think about it:
- You may be a good match for braces if you need major bite correction, you want steady progress without worrying about taking aligners in and out, or you like the idea of options like Damon System, clear ceramic brackets, or even hidden braces behind the teeth.
- You may be a good match for Invisalign if you want a nearly invisible look, want to remove your aligners to eat, and you are willing to follow wear instructions every day. Invisalign is available for adults, teens, and even certain younger kids through Invisalign First.
Either way, you will finish with retainers. Retainers keep teeth from shifting and protect the time and effort you put into treatment. Skipping retainers can let teeth move back out of place, which may require more treatment later.
Why Choose Elliott Orthodontics in Merrimack and New Boston, NH
Elliott Orthodontics provides care for the whole family in two convenient New Hampshire locations. The office offers complimentary evaluations for children, teens, and adults, flexible 0 percent interest payment plans, and a friendly team that focuses on comfort and clear communication.
You are not just getting straight teeth. You are getting a plan that fits your age, lifestyle, timeline, and budget.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are in Merrimack or New Boston, NH and you are thinking about braces or Invisalign, the next step is a personal evaluation. Book your free consultation with us. We will look at your bite, review digital imaging, explain cost, and recommend the treatment that will give you a healthy, confident smile.