If you have been researching orthodontic treatment for yourself or for your children, there’s a good chance that you’ve already started to debate between Invisalign and braces.
As today’s two most popular treatment methods, Invisalign and braces can treat all mild-to-severe malocclusions (i.e. “bad bites”) like overbites, underbites, crossbites, and underbites. They both correct these misalignments by exerting pressure on teeth, although they use very different methods to do so.
Inivisalign utilizes custom-made tooth aligner sets to move teeth into the proper positions. Patients wear each aligner for about a week—sometimes only for a few days—before progressing to the next set. Each aligner is designed to move teeth in specific ways, allowing orthodontists to create customized plans for individual patients.
Braces exert tooth pressure via metal brackets and wires. At the beginning of treatment, metal or ceramic brackets are bonded to each of your teeth. An archwire is then threaded through each bracket. By adjusting the wire’s tightness, your orthodontist is able to move teeth in deliberate directions until they are in perfect alignment.
When deciding between Invisalign and braces, there are a lot of factors to consider, including:
- Aesthetic differences
- Differences in daily responsibilities
- Lifestyle impact (e.g., food restrictions, altered oral care routine, etc.)
In addition to the day-to-day elements, patients at Beverly Hills Orthodontics (BHO) often ask how long each treatment will take to complete. In this post, we’ll give you a timeline breakdown for Invisalign vs. braces. Along the way, we’ll examine what might influence the duration of your treatment and discuss how recent technological advancements are improving treatment times.
Evolving Orthodontic Technology: Changing Treatment Length
When taking a broad look at Invisalign vs. braces timeline differences, the average Invisalign case is shorter compared to the average braces case. Generally speaking, most Invisalign treatments take around 12 months to complete while braces require 18-24 months to deliver equivalent results. However, these general descriptions alone do not mean that Invisalign is quicker for everyone.
Orthodontic issues are diverse, and individual cases vary in complexity. In the past, orthodontists only used Invisalign to treat mild problems, using braces to correct more severe issues.
Mild issues take less time to correct than severe issues, so Invisalign cases on average took less time than braces treatments. With recent changes in technology, however, the estimated timeframe for treatment is also different.
Invisalign technology has improved so much in recent years that today, orthodontists can use Invisalign to correct even the most severe cases. Moreover, Invisalign software and hardware enable orthodontists to design intricate treatment plans that move teeth with surprisingly high precision.
Thanks to these advancements, we have personally seen Invisalign patients complete their treatments more quickly than those with braces. In our next section, we’ll take a closer look at why this occurs.
Invisalign vs. Braces: Timeline Differences + the BHO Method = Faster Results With Invisalign
At Beverly Hills Orthodontics, our Invisalign patients tend to finish their treatments more rapidly than braces patients with equivalent results. Why? The answer lies in taking full advantage of Invisalign technology using the BHO Method.
The BHO Method was created by Beverly Hills Orthodontics’ founder, Dr. Monica Madan. It is focused on creating the most efficient care plan possible while simultaneously honoring the preferences of each patient. Following the BHO Method, we:
- Calculate the positions of a patient’s teeth by measuring three planes of space: the anterior-posterior plane (front and back), vertical plane (up and down), and transverse plane (side-to-side).
- Examine how the teeth relate to one another by measuring the size of each tooth.
- Use these calculations to design treatments that maximize efficient realignment.
Our team uses the BHO Method to create all of our care plans, including those that use braces. However, we have discovered that our Invisalign plans and Invisalign hybrid treatment plans lead to the shortest treatment times because there are no compliance issues or side effects like those associated with braces.
Although braces are highly effective at treating all sorts of alignment problems, they are susceptible to certain vulnerabilities that could extend treatment times, including:
- Improper eating habits and physical impacts that can break brackets and wires.
- Missed wire adjustment appointments can set back treatment progress.
- Poor oral care habits can lead to Iatrogenic effects (i.e., unforeseen complications) like gum issues, root resorption, and pulpal changes.
In addition, braces do not move teeth with the same level of precision as Invisalign aligners. Tightening the archwire on a set of braces causes all the neighboring teeth to move; we cannot isolate movement to one tooth. To move teeth into the proper positions, we need to account for individual movements and correct them until your smile is perfectly straight.
Comparatively, Invisalign aligners can target specific teeth and move them with great accuracy. As a result, many Invisalign cases produce faster results than initially projected. While each case differs on an individual basis, many BHO patients complete their Invisalign treatments months before the projected end dates. In some cases, we have seen patients achieve a perfect smile in half the time it would have taken to produce the same result with braces.
Of course, there are additional factors to consider beyond speed when creating a treatment plan. If you’re ready to start planning your orthodontic treatment, call Beverly Hills Orthodontics today to schedule a consultation.
Ready for the Perfect Smile? Schedule an Appointment at Beverly Hills Orthodontics Today
If you are looking for the most efficient orthodontic treatment possible, Beverly Hills Orthodontics is here to help. As a Sapphire Invisalign provider, BHO is officially recognized as one of the top Invisalign practices in the country. Led by Dr. Monica Madan, BHO specializes in creating customized treatment plans that meet the unique needs and lifestyle preferences of each patient.
Using the BHO method, Dr. Madan and the Beverly Hills Orthodontics team can craft your ideal treatment during a consultation. Contact one of our offices in Beverly Hills, Studio City, Alhambra, or Downtown LA today to schedule an appointment.