Invisalign Vs Braces North Tampa

One of the things we talk about most with new patients is how to help them understand all the treatment options. People who come to Miller Orthodontics to get their teeth straightened often want to know if traditional braces or Invisalign are best for them. They both work great, but in different ways and for different reasons.

For decades traditional braces have been a great way to correct all kinds of orthodontic problems. We put metal brackets on each tooth and then connect them with wires. We replace the wires every so often to slowly move your teeth into place. It works really well and can fix even the toughest cases. When we need the most control over how the teeth move or when someone has severe crowding or bite issues that need more work to fix, we still prescribe traditional braces.

Clear aligners work differently. Instead of brackets and wires you wear a set of clear trays that are custom made for you and fit over your teeth. The trays are all a little different from each other which moves your teeth over time. The best part is how it looks. People won’t even notice you’re wearing aligners unless they’re right in front of you. People of all ages who are embarrassed about having metal braces that are plain to see have loved clear aligners. Another big difference is you can take them out. The brackets on traditional braces stay on your teeth the whole time you wear them. You can’t take them out to eat so things like popcorn, hard candy or sticky caramel can get stuck in the wires or hurt the brackets. You can eat whatever you want since clear aligners come out when you do. You don’t have to worry about not being able to eat all your favorite foods. They come out for brushing and flossing too which makes it much easier to keep your mouth clean than having to clean around brackets and wires.

You do have to be more responsible though because you can take clear aligners out. You can take them out whenever you want but you have to be disciplined and wear them for at least 22 hours a day. If you don’t wear them all the time your treatment may take longer than expected or not perform as well as it should. You don’t have to be as dedicated to traditional braces because they work all the time even when you don’t think about them. Younger people who might forget to put their aligners back in after lunch could be better off with traditional braces. Invisalign for Teens offers a comfortable, nearly invisible way to straighten teeth without interrupting daily life.

People have different opinions on what makes them feel good. Braces can make the inside of your lips and cheeks feel bad especially just after we change the wires. We have wax that can help with this and most people get used to the feeling after a few weeks. People usually find that clear aligners are smoother and less likely to bother them but some people do feel uncomfortable for a short time when they switch to a new set of trays. The pain will usually go away in a day or two and your mouth will get used to it.

There are also different numbers of office visits for the two options. With traditional braces you usually come in every 4-6 weeks so we can check on your progress and adjust the wires. You might not have to come in as often with clear aligners. You might only have to come in every 6-8 weeks because you can change the trays at home when it’s convenient for you. This could be a big benefit for our North Tampa patients who are always busy and on the go. People also wonder how much it will cost. The cost of both can be the same but it depends on how complex your case is and how long the treatment takes. We have found that clear aligners and traditional braces usually cost the same. At Miller Orthodontics we talk about all the costs up front and help you choose a payment plan that works for you.

In most cases both work. Some people do better with clear aligners, others need traditional braces. When you come to see us in North Tampa we’ll check your teeth, talk about your lifestyle and preferences and recommend what’s best for you. We don’t want to favor one over the other. We’re here to help you get a healthy beautiful smile that fits your needs and goals. Whether you choose traditional braces or clear aligners we’ll be here for you every step of the way to get you the results you want. Dr. Zack Miller, DDS, of Miller Orthodontics, earned his dental degree from the University of Maryland and completed his orthodontic residency at the University of Colorado. As an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, he is dedicated to creating healthy, confident smiles through personalized and transparent care.