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How Do I Know If I Need Braces or Invisalign?

Love Yourself, Love Your Smile

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  • Dr. Monica Madan
  • October 20, 2022

Orthodontic work has changed a lot in the past few decades. Back in the 20th century, orthodontics was virtually synonymous with braces in the public imagination. But that all changed when Invisalign entered the market in the early 2000s. 

Invisalign brought the concept of clear aligner treatment to the mainstream. Marketed as an attractive and convenient alternative to conventional braces, orthodontic patients love Invisalign for many reasons, including:

  • A completely inconspicuous look
  • Total dietary freedom during treatment
  • Uninterrupted brushing and flossing
  • The ability to remove aligners at any time to eat, brush/floss, or exercise

Although Invisalign is a safe and effective method to correct a variety of alignment issues, it is not the best fit for every patient. While Invisalign hardware has advanced to the point that it can treat even severe alignment problems, factors like oral health, lifestyle, and personal preference may make braces a better treatment option for certain people. This often leads to confusion over which approach is right for new patients. 

If you’ve been asking yourself, “How do I know if I need braces or Invisalign?” Beverly Hills Orthodontics has answers. 

“How Can I Tell If I Need Orthodontic Work?”

Before we delve into the differences between braces and Invisalign, it’s important to start with a more basic question: is orthodontic work right for you?

People seek out orthodontic care for a variety of reasons. For many patients, personal appearance is a huge reason to undergo treatment. Studies show that issues like overcrowding, tooth gaps, and bite problems can deeply affect how confident and happy people are in social interactions. According to one study:

  • 1 in 4 adults avoid smiling due to how their teeth look
  • 1 in 5 adults feel anxious about the appearance of their teeth
  • 23% of adults feel embarrassed of their smile’s appearance
  • 14% of adults report that they reduce social participation in general due to the condition of their teeth and mouth

These numbers all point to adverse mental health effects and a lower quality of life. If crooked teeth or a misaligned bite are causing you emotional distress, orthodontic work can boost your confidence and help reduce social anxiety. 

Beyond mental health benefits, braces and Invisalign provide many physical health benefits as well. Broadly speaking, straight teeth are easier to clean than crooked teeth and cause fewer health problems over one’s lifetime. Those with bite problems are at higher risk of developing chronic jaw pain, gum disease, dental decay, and impaired oral functions than those with properly-aligned smiles. 

Patients that correct their alignment issues with orthodontic work benefit from a lifetime of:

  • Cleaner teeth and gums
  • Better oral functionality
  • Lower risk of developing jaw pain issues

Essentially, if alignment problems are negatively impacting your mental or physical health, orthodontic treatment is right for you. 

“How Do I Know If I Need Braces or Invisalign?”

Braces and Invisalign are by far the two most popular orthodontic treatment options available today. For patients with mild-to-moderate misalignment, both braces and Invisalign are viable choices to correct the problems at hand. Severe alignment issues are a little more complicated.

In the past, hardware limitations prevented patients from using Invisalign to correct severe alignment problems. However, recent technological advancements have enabled orthodontists to incorporate Invisalign into more extensive treatment plans to correct severe problems. Called “hybrid orthodontic therapy” or simply “hybrid treatment,” these plans primarily use Invisalign aligners to move teeth into proper alignment, but also use auxiliary appliances to perform complicated movements as well. 

Thanks to these kinds of advancements, most patients today have the choice between either braces or Invisalign to correct their alignment problems. In many cases, the decision hinges on which option will better fit into the patient’s lifestyle. 

For example, patients with severe alignment issues may find that braces are an easier option than a hybrid treatment plan. Additionally, Invisalign treatment requires patients to wear aligners for at least 22 hours a day. Patients that don’t want to be bothered with that level of discipline will find braces to be a better choice. 

On the other hand, Invisalign offers a level of convenience that braces can’t match. Invisalign aligners are more comfortable, more discreet, and require fewer orthodontist visits than traditional braces. Moreover, because patients can remove their aligners at any time, Invisalign patients benefit from:

  • Complete dietary freedom (some foods can break or damage braces)
  • The ability to remove aligners during physical activity
  • Uninterrupted brushing and flossing

For a quick summary of the “Braces vs. Invisalign” dynamic, see the chart below:

 

Braces Invisalign
  • Can treat severe alignment problems without extra procedures or appliances
  • Always affixed to the patient’s teeth
  • Makes oral care more time-consuming
  • Limits certain foods from the patient’s diet
  • Requires monthly visits to the orthodontist
  • Requires a hybrid approach to correct severe problems
  • Can easily be removed at any time
  • Does not disrupt brushing and flossing
  • Complete dietary freedom
  • Does not require regular in-office care

Ready to Begin Orthodontic Treatment? Schedule an Appointment at Beverly Hills Orthodontics Today

If you’re wondering, “How do I know if I need braces or Invisalign?”, there is only one surefire way to learn which option is right for you—a consultation with a professional orthodontist. Whether you are dealing with mild crowding, severe bite problems, or anything in between, the staff at Beverly Hills Orthodontics can create a treatment plan that works with your lifestyle. 

Led by Dr. Monica Madan, Beverly Hills Orthodontics is recognized as one of the top Invisalign providers in the country. Offering Invisalign as well as conventional braces and accelerated orthodontic treatment, Dr. Madan and the BHO team are dedicated to serving the greater Los Angeles area with the best orthodontic care possible. Contact one of BHO’s four LA locations today to schedule a consultation. 

Your Smile Is More than just two rows of teeth - it's how you show your personality to the world.

Let Dr. Madan and her team help you help keep your smile looking (and feeling) better than ever.
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We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our communities with the highest quality care. Check out what our patients are saying about their 5-star experience with us!

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Lola
I love it here! I looked a long time for an orthodontist who would take my case. I had a open bite and multiple gaps. BHO was able to correct my situation and are so nice every time I come in the office. Do yourself a favor and choose BHO!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Lola! We're thrilled to hear that our team was able to help with your open bite and gaps. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your recommendation!
Mariah M.
I love the service here! I've had quick and easy appointments since I started coming. The staff is friendly and communicates well. Lilly, Gabriel and Doctor Madan have taken care of me and they are always personable. I definitely recommend!

Angela and Nicole are amazing at the front desk, welcoming every guest with a smile and great customer service!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! Your vote of confidence in our practice is why we do what we do!
Peter W.
Have invisilign through them and they've been incredibly helpful through the entire process! Would recommend!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Peter! We're thrilled to hear that you found our team helpful during your Invisalign journey. Your recommendation means a lot to us. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Kevin C.
Good pricing and extremely experienced doctor that is an Invisalign top 1% diamond provider, took care of my bite case extremely well. Flexible appointment scheduling and always seated on time with no waiting. Would recommend to friends and family!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Kevin! We're delighted to hear that you appreciated our fair prices and attentive service. Providing a convenient and timely experience for our patients is a priority for us. We look forward to seeing you again!
Paige S.
The best. Dr Madden is running a first-class office filled with talented attentive staff. This was my second time doing Invisalign. The process was seamless and easy and my teeth look exactly the way I wanted them to look bc of thorough initial consult where the doctor actually asked me my preferences. When does that ever happen? Cldnt be happier.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Paige! We're thrilled to hear that you had a seamless experience with Dr. Madden and our team. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we appreciate your trust in us!
Chelsea C.
Went in for a free consultation. I saw Dr. Serena and Angela who helped answer all my questions. The staff that took my scans were also very nice and friendly!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Chelsea! We're thrilled to hear that Dr. Serena and Angela addressed all your questions and that our staff made your visit enjoyable. We look forward to seeing you again!
valeria
Overall the best experience, definitely helped me get my self confidence back with my smile!!🥰
Response from the owner:We truly appreciate your feedback, Val! It’s fantastic to know that we positively impacted your self-confidence and smile. Thank you for choosing us and sharing your experience! We’re here for you anytime you need us.
Bardia A.
Monica and her team are so nice and professional. The experience has always been welcoming and the office was always clean and I felt totally comfortable coming in during the pandemic. They took every precaution and were so great to work with.
Response from the owner:We appreciate you taking the time to leave us feedback on your experience. We work very hard every day to exceed our patients’ expectations!
Justin H.
We have loved working with the team at Beverly Hills Orthodontics. We had 2 kids go through the Invisalign plan and they were always so nice and helpful in explaining everything. What a difference the program made!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the positive feedback. We are honored to serve each and every one of our patients!
Jade L.
Lose this dentist, the doctors are really nice and always answer my questions regarding my teeth.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words about us and our staff!
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