Invisalign or Tooth Coloured Fixed Braces? Which is best for you?

Have you made the decision that you would like to straighten your teeth and improve your smile but you are unsure which brace is for you? You may be asking yourself the following questions:

1. Which brace is the quickest acting?
2. Which brace is the most effective?
3. What are the costs involved?

Colchester Orthodontic Centre provides orthodontic treatment by Specialist Orthodontists. They are expertly trained to be able to discuss the pros & cons of the options available for straightening your teeth. These may include tooth coloured fixed braces and the Invisalign brace system. At your initial consultation appointment, a Specialist Orthodontist and your dedicated Treatment Co-Ordinator will discuss, in depth, all the treatment options appropriate for you and answer all your questions. We will also give you a written summary & quote to take away. Click here if you would like to book a consultation or here for more information on our consultations.

Tooth Coloured Fixed Braces or Invisalign? What’s the difference?
The essential differences between these two options are that tooth coloured fixed braces are bonded to the surfaces of your teeth & so cannot be removed whilst the Invisalign brace system involves you wearing a series of clear ‘aligner’ braces which can be removed for eating & drinking & toothbrushing. The Invisalign brace is much less noticeable than a fixed brace although tooth coloured fixed braces do blend in with the surfaces of your teeth very well. Tooth coloured fixed braces are very fast acting & very precise in the tooth movements they can achieve. They are suited to all types of orthodontic problems. The Invisalign brace is a slower acting brace & is not as sophisticated in terms of how it is able to move teeth. It’s better suited to the less complicated orthodontic problems such as mild crowding of teeth.

Tooth Coloured Fixed Braces – for discreet straightening!
If you are concerned about your braces being visible then our tooth coloured fixed braces offer a precise, yet discreet way to realign your teeth. They work just like conventional metal fixed braces but do so much less obviously, thanks to their tiny ceramic (or clear) brackets and tooth-coloured wires.

Benefits:
• They blend in with your teeth
• Small, comfortable brackets
• Much less visible than conventional braces
• Move teeth into alignment quickly & precisely

Extra info:
• As the brackets are fixed to your teeth, you must pay close attention to your dental hygiene. Try not to leave any food on your braces by brushing after each meal, in addition to regular brushing every morning and at bedtime. You can use interdental brushes to clean any awkward areas and disclosing tablets will reveal where you might need to carry out some extra cleaning.

• You could dislodge or damage your brace if you bite down on hard or chewy foods, so try to cut up harder items or avoid altogether.

• The tiny elastic bands that wrap around the brackets on your brace may stain after eating certain foods: e.g. strongly coloured and spicy foods, strong tea, black coffee, red wine, etc. This is not a problem and can be removed at your next visit with us. If this is a worry to you and you wished to have the clear bands changed sooner then your next visit we are more than happy to do so.

• This discreet alternative is available to our private patients only.

Invisalign – for effectively invisible straightening!
Invisalign, as its name suggests, is a barely noticeable way to treat simple misalignment of the teeth. This clever system features a series of clear, custom-made aligners, which gradually move crooked teeth to a more pleasing position. Although Invisalign is not an orthodontic cure-all, it can achieve great results if only a few of your teeth are out of place and you have only mild bite related problems.

Thanks to its hardly visible appearance, Invisalign is particularly suitable for adults and older teens who may feel self-conscious about wearing fixed braces. The aligners can also be taken out for teeth cleaning, eating whatever you fancy and for those special occasions when you want to look your best (but make sure you pop them straight back in afterwards!).

Benefits:
• Barely visible
• Can be taken out
• Designed just for you
• Thin and comfortable

Extra info:
• It may feel a little uncomfortable when you wear a fresh aligner, but this is normally just a feeling of pressure and a good sign your teeth are on the move.

• Even though Invisalign aligners are fully removable, they should be worn for at least 22 hours a day to ensure the quickest, most effective results.

Keep your smile straight!
Don’t forget you will need to wear a retainer following any kind of treatment with braces to keep those straighter teeth in line. See our blog post on retainers for more info & do browse our website for further information on all the treatments we offer.

What are the Costs?
Your treatment options will be tailored to your precise requirements & the nature of your own orthodontic problems. Consequently, the cost of treatment will vary from one case to another. Your personalised treatment plan & report will provide your individual quote for the treatment you require. In general, costs associated with the Invisalign system are a little greater due to the increased treatment time & personalised aligner production. The investment you make to straighten your teeth & enhance your smile is important to us & so we are able to offer various repayment options to make the process as easy as possible.