You want your child to grow up and have a beautiful smile. It’ll affect their confidence for the rest of their lives. Plus, your kid will also be able to clean their teeth better, leading to a healthier mouth over the years. Braces were once the only choice, but today, you and your little one can choose between Invisalign and braces. This guide to braces vs. clear aligners will help you decide which option is best for your child.
Clear Aligners Are the Less Noticeable Option
While your attention might be on the health and aesthetics of your kid’s smile, your child is more focused on right now. They don’t want to be embarrassed by something that everyone knows they’ll be wearing, especially if they’re at “that age,” meaning they have so many social events to attend.
Nowadays, modern braces are smaller than traditional ones. That said, they’re still metal and visible to other people, which isn’t ideal for kids who may feel self-conscious.
Invisalign, however, uses clear trays that are barely noticeable. While it’s still necessary to wear them 20 to 22 hours, your child could take them out for a special event if they wanted to.
The Selection That Offers More Ease When Eating
Whether you’re choosing between Invisalign vs. braces for your child or giving them a say, consider who they are as a person, how they eat, and how they follow instructions. With braces, your child will need to alter their diet a bit to prevent cavities and avoid accidentally breaking a wire or bracket. These are some items we’ll tell your child not to eat during treatment:
- Nuts
- Gummy or chewy candy
- Chewing gum
- Hard candy or ice (if they’ll bite it)
- Popcorn
- Pizza crust or bagels
- Corn on the cob
- Sugary foods (can get stuck behind braces and cause decay)
Invisalign, however, lets your kid eat whatever they want, whenever they want. The only thing is that they must remove their trays anytime they eat or drink anything besides water. They need to drink water and brush their teeth before putting their aligners back in. Although this sounds like an ideal solution for a child because it gives them freedom to eat how they please, they need to have the self-discipline and commitment to take their aligners out and put them back in.
The Choice That’s More Effective at Treating Different Orthodontic Problems
Both Invisalign and braces work in a similar way — shifting the teeth into positions that optimize bite alignment, function, and aesthetics. Braces move each tooth individually for highly precise movement, while Invisalign guides teeth all together. Moving all the teeth at once is effective and allows for a quicker treatment in many cases, but it’s less precise than standard braces. That limits the aligners’ ability to treat complex cases. As a result, your child may only be able to get braces if they have a severe or complicated case.
When comparing clear aligners vs. braces, braces are the more versatile, no-nonsense approach to tackling intricate teeth alignment problems. A child won’t receive the same results with clear aligners. We’ll let you know for certain once we assess your little one’s mouth and determine if they have options or if braces are the only way to go.
Invisalign Means Fewer Visits and Easier Cleaning
Braces are more convenient when it comes to how they remain on the teeth. However, Invisalign is the more convenient option regarding dental visits. Your child will tend to need fewer visits, which means less missed school and hassle. Brushing and flossing are, by far, easier with Invisalign.
They don’t have to worry about spending extra time to clean all tooth surfaces around braces, nor will they need to fuss with brushing a certain way. Your child will be able to care for their teeth just as they always did with clear aligners because they pop them out of their mouth whenever they brush and floss.
Braces Are Usually the More Affordable Treatment
Overall, braces tend to be the least expensive option. That isn’t for every case. If price is a major factor, let us know, and we can give you an estimate of how much either one would be.
Keep in mind that certain factors will determine the cost of treatment, such as the complexity of your child’s case and how long the treatment will take.
There isn’t a definitive answer to which one is better: braces vs. clear aligners. The answer relies on your child’s personality, tooth problems, your budget, and more. At Bernstein Orthodontics, serving Santa Rosa, Windsor, and the neighboring regions, Dr. Rael Bernstein or Dr. Monique Heron will work with you and your kid to find the ideal teeth straightening solution.
Book an appointment to discuss your child’s orthodontic needs and find a solution that will work well for them and will effectively straighten their teeth.
FAQs
The method you choose for teeth straightening for your child isn’t a decision to take lightly. They’ll have that smile for the rest of their lives. As a result, we encourage our patients and their families to get to know as much as they can about their options. These FAQs can help.
Are Braces Better Than Clear Aligners?
Neither choice is better than the other. They both have their pros and cons. Clear aligners are more discreet, but braces are better for complex cases.
What Is Cheaper: Braces or Invisalign?
Braces are cheaper than Invisalign in most cases. Invisalign’s cost tends to run more because of the need for 3D imaging and the number of trays needed to complete the process.
Are Aligners Easier to Care for Than Braces?
Yes, aligners are easier to care for than braces because a person doesn’t have to take as many precautions to brush and floss around brackets and wires. They can merely take the aligners out and care for their teeth normally.
Which Is More Painful: Clear Aligners or Braces?
Braces usually cause more discomfort initially and after adjustments than aligners do.
What Goes Faster: Braces or Invisalign?
The duration of treatment varies immensely based on the severity of the case. However, in general, Invisalign is usually shorter, with most cases taking six to 18 months. Braces, on average, take 18 months to three years.