Posted on April 8, 2021
So, we heard you need orthodontics, but you’re not sure if you should go with Invisalign or braces. We can totally help! We offer both braces and Invisalign in our Charlotte, Mooresville, and Huntersville locations, and we are kind of the experts on both.
It is what we do.
Our job is to give you that smile swagger with the best orthodontic treatment for your individual needs.
Just sit back, relax, and keep reading as we drop some information in your laps. We will fill you in on all the juicy tidbits on why you need orthodontics, how braces and Invisalign work to straighten teeth, and the benefits of each treatment.
What’s the purpose of orthodontics?
To give you a pretty smile, of course.
But, wait, there’s more. Orthodontic treatment not only fulfills a cosmetic need but also very important functional benefits.
Your oral health and overall health are connected. Orthodontic treatments help ensure the teeth and mouth are functioning properly. When your teeth and bite are properly aligned, it is easier for you to eat and speak. Misaligned teeth are harder to brush and floss, can cause abnormal wear on the enamel, and may require more extensive dental work in the future.
Let’s avoid all that unnecessary business and improve your smile and oral health with proper orthodontic treatment. Braces and Invisalign are two of the most common orthodontic treatment methods.
Braces are a way of straightening your teeth. (Duh!)
They improve the way your teeth look and function. They improve your oral health by shifting the teeth into proper alignment and correcting bite and jaw problems.
Although braces are often used during childhood or the teen years, adults can undergo orthodontic treatment with braces as well.
Braces typically consist of brackets and wires. They may be metal, colored metal, or clear ceramic. The brackets are bonded to the teeth. Traditional metal brackets are glued to the front of the teeth; lingual braces are placed behind the teeth. O-rings attach the wire to the brackets.
The brackets, wires, and O-rings (tiny rubber bands) work together to straighten the teeth. The O-rings and wire apply pressure to the teeth to gradually shift them into proper alignment. The braces exert constant pressure on your teeth which causes them to move as they adapt to the pressure.
Depending on your needs, other equipment or supplies such as spacers, springs, headgear, and more could be needed with your braces.
Braces can be used to correct the following oral problems:
Why should you get metal braces?
Because they work! Braces have been the go-to orthodontic treatment for years because they effectively straighten the teeth and improve oral health needs.
With the various supplies available, traditional braces can correct the vast majority of orthodontic needs.
Another way to straighten your teeth, of course.
In all seriousness, Invisalign is the brand name for a popular type of clear aligner trays. Made of BPA-free clear plastic, Invisalign trays are a more subtle way of straightening your teeth.
Invisalign is a completely customized treatment. The trays are created from a digital scan of your teeth. This ensures they are custom to fit your teeth perfectly to prepare for the aligning process based on your specific needs.
Invisalign involves a series of clear plastic trays. One set of trays is worn for each week before being discarded and replaced with a new set the following week. The digital treatment creates specific pressure points for each tray to promote the gradual movement of your teeth.
Benefits, did somebody say benefits?
Invisalign treatment is loaded with benefits. Aside from correcting functional and orthodontic issues and giving you a nice smile, Invisalign patients receive the following benefits:
Not to toot our own horns, but Lineberger Orthodontics is a Diamond Plus Invisalign provider. This puts us in the top 1% of Invisalign providers in the world. We consistently rank as top providers in North and South Carolina.
When it comes down to it, one treatment isn’t necessarily better than another. (We think all of the treatments are great; otherwise, we wouldn’t offer them.) However, traditional braces often are recommended for more severe orthodontic correction or more complex cases.
Which treatment you need is a decision that you and your orthodontist will make together. During your consultation, you will discuss your needs, goals, lifestyle, and budget.
One of our dapper docs will recommend the most appropriate treatment plan based on your needs.
Are you ready to get the lo-down on which orthodontic treatment is best for you?
Head on over to our appointment page to schedule a FREE consultation with one of our docs. We look forward to seeing you in Charlotte, Mooresville, or Huntersville.
Which is better, braces or Invisalign? We’ll review your treatment options at your consultation and set you up to make the best decision for both your treatment needs as well as your lifestyle! Don’t worry, we got you!