Dr Shabnam Zai

What type of brace works the fastest?

When it comes to finding the best orthodontic solution, the two things people usually look at, are the price and speed of the process.

Braces seem to be the most common solution for straightening your teeth, but picking the right type for you can be quite difficult.

For quite some time, ceramic braces seemed to be the most popular option, as they were pretty much invisible to the eye, but they turned out to be less time-effective than metal braces.

While the speed of the process is highly determined by the type of issue you are dealing with, most experts seem to agree that the clear aligners are the quickest way to straighten your teeth.

The most known type of clear aligners is Invisalign, who gained a lot of popularity recently, both because they speed up the process, and because they are pretty much invisible.

However, there are plenty of other options that can work for you, based on the type of dental issues you are facing.

Invisalign

Praised in the world of orthodontics, the Invisalign braces are becoming extremely popular nowadays, as they bring out many benefits to patients.

To put it simply, the Invisalign braces are transparent plastic trays that are attached to the teeth and slowly moves them into the desired place.

The patient receives a set of trays that they need to change every two weeks until they reach the final result.

The average adult patient is expected to finish treatment in about 1 year, but some of them even manage to do so in as little as three months, which makes them one of the fastest-working braces on the market.

But Invisalign does not only come with the benefit of being a fast solution for misaligned teeth.

One of the reasons why patients choose this option is that they are almost invisible and people won’t notice if someone is wearing them.

The trays can be removed for eating or brushing teeth, which makes it a much more convenient solution.

Invisalign braces are significantly more expensive than traditional braces, but the benefits they bring make them be worth the money and great value.

Self-Ligating Braces

Similar to traditional braces, but much more time-effective, self-ligating braces seem to be more and more popular.

Treatment is expected to be finished around 6 months earlier than in the case of traditional braces and the patient is required to pay fewer visits to the orthodontist.

They also cause less discomfort than traditional braces and are much easier to clean.

Self-ligating braces don’t require elastics or rubber bands, as they use special brackets that help the archwire move and directs teeth into the ideal place.

When the patient visits the orthodontist, the doctor simply adjusts the brackets, which causes much less discomfort and saves time.

They are also much easier to maintain clean, as they do not have ties where food could get stuck in.

Traditional Braces

Traditional braces have evolved quite a bit since they first hit the market and are still the most popular solution for people who want a perfect smile.

In this form of treatment, each bracket is glued onto the teeth to help align it.

They are the most affordable type of treatment and they come in many forms.

Ceramic braces are a more aesthetically pleasing solution, as they are made out of a ceramic material that is close to the colour of the patient’s teeth, to make them less visible.

They are more suited for people who are more conscious about their appearance and fear that metal braces may alter their looks.

But despite their aesthetic, ceramic braces are easier to break and are much more expensive than metallic braces.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are another form of treatment that is preferred by people who want a more concealed solution.

They are attached to the back of the teeth and can not be seen from the outside of the mouth.

They are almost invisible and can only be seen once the patient opens their mouth.

They are far less noticeable than traditional fixed braces.

Lingual braces are not suitable for all cases and can take longer than other types of braces although is a preferred fixed option, as they do not depend on the compliance of the wearer and are very discreet.

Some find them more difficult to clean, as they are being placed in an area that the patient is not used to cleaning thoroughly, although a hygienist can help teach you how to maintain them properly.

They are not hidden behind the wires and brackets and you can see your smile unfold during treatment.

Most patients see improvements in the first few weeks.

One of the best things about having the bracket on the inside is that you can see your teeth.

What happens in the first week of Invisalign?

Invisalign is an excellent alternative to braces if you want to improve your smile and not worry about wires and brackets, but what exactly should you expect in the first week?

Most patients get used to their Invisalign braces quite quickly and there’s definitely less hassle compared to traditional braces, but still, there are a few things you should be aware of.

Will I feel pain in the first week of Invisalign?

Every patient is unique and may experience Invisalign aligners differently but, in general, you won’t feel more than slight discomfort in the first seven days.

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign gently pushes your teeth in the desired direction, which makes them more comfortable.

If it hurts just a little bit, don’t worry – it won’t get any worse.

If the discomfort prevents you from doing your daily activities, regular doses of over-the-counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen can help.

Changes in speech

As your mouth adjusts to your new Invisalign braces, you might experience some subtle speech problems in the first days or develop a lisp.

Words with many S and TH sounds will be the most challenging, but for most people, the lisp goes away after a couple of days.

At first, your mouth will perceive the aligners as a foreign body, so the change will feel more obvious for you than for those around you.

Invisalign braces are almost impossible to notice, even up close, so if you feel self-conscious about your lisp, your friends and workmates might not be able to tell what’s different.

Apart from the change in speech, you might also experience excessive saliva production in the first 24 hours.

This is completely normal and will go away as soon as your body gets used to the aligners.

Eating and drinking

One of the best parts about Invisalign braces is that you can remove them while eating, so there will be no discomfort there.

You can enjoy your meals as usual, without any restrictions.

As for drinking, it will feel a bit odd at first, but you’ll quickly get used to it.

The only thing you can safely consume with the aligners in your mouth is cold water, for all other drinks, it must be removed.

Inserting and removing your braces

For Invisalign treatment to be effective, you need to wear your aligners as much as possible, ideally between 20 and 22 hours per day.

You can, however, remove them to eat, brush, and floss your teeth. Removing your Invisalign braces and putting them back on will feel a bit awkward at first, but after the first week, it will feel like second nature.

Your dentist can give you detailed instructions on how to remove, insert, and clean your Invisalign attachments correctly.

Even if Invisalign braces can be a tiny bit uncomfortable at first, you’ll get used to them by the end of the first week and realise why so many people prefer them over traditional braces.

Can I switch from braces to Invisalign?

Everyone wants a beautiful smile, and that means having healthy and straight teeth.

Whether your teeth were misplaced, crowded, or they simply met abnormally, resorting to orthodontic treatment with braces might have been necessary in your case.

Despite the advantages of traditional orthodontics, you’ve probably discovered that wearing braces comes with a few drawbacks, such as being highly visible, requiring an extensive hygiene routine, and implying certain diet restrictions.

Well, if you were wondering if you could switch from braces to Invisalign midway?

The answer:

The short answer would be: yes, in most cases.

Essentially, both traditional braces and Invisalign are known to provide the same results, so in the majority of situations, there isn’t any actual harm in doing the switch.

However, in some cases, for best results, traditional braces should accomplish certain movements, before you are actually able to continue your orthodontic treatment with Invisalign.

Invisalign might not suit issues such as bridgework, that’s why before making the decision to switch, you should consult your dentist.

Thanks to its practically-invisible design, Invisalign doesn’t trigger the same cosmetic issues as traditional braces. Any diet restrictions you’ve had until now will be eliminated – you can eat anything you want.

As for oral hygiene, a normal routine is required, involving perhaps a bit more brushing and flossing than usual. Invisalign does, in fact, make an orthodontic treatment a more pleasant experience.