Pros and Cons of Invisalign and Six Month Smiles

The field of orthodontics has come a long way.

There’s no debating that, back in the day, braces were big, bulky, visible, and very painful? For example, until the 1970s, various materials were wrapped around the teeth to hold the wires in place. Orthodontics has come a long way since then, and now, we have methods of straightening teeth that are much more discreet and much more comfortable. In fact, these days, we have methods of straightening teeth that are virtually invisible!

Crowded and crooked teeth should be treated.

Crowded teeth impact more than just your smile. For one, crowding increases your chances of developing decay and cavities. Teeth that are crowded or protruding are more likely to chip and break, and crowding also heightens your risk of developing gum disease.

But with all of these new advancements in technology, choosing which type of braces to go with isn’t as simple as it once was. Invisalign and Six Month Smiles, for example, are both brands of clear aligners that have become popular because they’re discreet. But there’s a lot of differences between the two that might influence your decision, so let’s outline the pros and cons.

Aesthetics

Both Invisalign and Six Month Smiles are aesthetically pleasing and neither option is dramatically noticeable. Six Month Smiles uses thin, white-colored brackets that closely match the color of your teeth. At first glance or from a distance, it might look like you don’t have braces at all. However, they’re still visible brackets.

Invisalign uses removable thermoplastic clear aligners, and as its name implies, they’re close to invisible. Your friends and family may not ever know you’re getting orthodontic work done unless you tell them!

Cost and Duration of Treatment

One of the big questions people like to ask is, “What will it cost me?” The answer to this depends on your insurance and the duration of treatment. If the treatment is longer, it’s going to cost a little more. Six Month Smiles takes six months, on average, while Invisalign, on average, takes twelve months. The length of treatment for both types of braces also depends on the severity of malocclusion.

Comfort

Traditional hardwire bracket braces are known for being painful and uncomfortable. Six Month Smiles is more comfortable than traditional braces, as they’re made of plastic rather than metal. But Invisalign does away with the wires and brackets altogether. The sleek, smooth acrylic is comfortable against your gums.

Range of Treatment

Invisalign can be an awesome choice for mild to moderate malocclusion (bad bite). What’s great about this is that most orthodontic cases fall into this category. However, in the case of more severe crowding and  significant bite issues, Invisalign isn’t quite the right tool for the job, and brackets will then become necessary. Six Month Smiles does a good job treating these more significant cases. Both treatments are relatively new, but Invisalign has been around a little longer than Six Month Smiles.

Practicality

Invisalign aligners can be removed temporarily if needed. You can remove your aligners if you need to eat certain foods or brush and floss your teeth.

With wire brackets and Six Month Smiles alike, there are certain foods you won’t be able to eat. This is especially true for foods that are crunchy and sticky. Some foods on the restriction list include bagels, corn on the cob, chewing gum, apples, beef jerky, and nuts.

You can eat anything you want with Invisalign! Simply remove the aligners and continue to enjoy your favorite nutritious snacks and meals.

Decay Risk

With bracket braces such as those provided by Six Month Smiles, tiny food particles can get trapped, and if you don’t do the necessary work of cleaning between your teeth with special flossers and water picks, your risk of tooth decay and gum disease will increase.

While this can definitely be prevented with rigorous oral routines, adolescents in particular tend to have a hard time sticking to their oral hygiene routines. There’s nothing quite as disappointing as having your brackets removed and finding that your teeth have decayed.

You’re less likely to experience decay related to orthodontic treatment with Invisalign because you can easily remove the aligners to properly clean your teeth. It’s important to still brush your teeth after eating to ensure particles don’t get trapped between your teeth and aligners, which can be stained by the food and drink you consume.

We offer Invisalign at Berrien Dental.

Here at Berrien Dental, we offer Invisalign because it’s discreet and removable; however, one size does not fit all, and Invisalign is not for everyone. We will help you determine if Invisalign is the right choice for you.

If you have a question about Invisalign clear aligners or would like to schedule an appointment, reach out to us. We’re excited to serve you!