Invisalign vs fixed braces: an honest comparison

How each one works

Fixed braces use small brackets bonded to each tooth, joined by a wire that is tightened and changed over the months to move the teeth. They stay on throughout treatment and are adjusted at the practice. Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners, each worn for one to two weeks, that move the teeth in small steps towards a position planned on computer in advance. You wear them for twenty to twenty-two hours a day and take them out to eat and clean.

Appearance

This is usually the deciding factor for adults. Aligners are hard to see at a normal speaking distance; even the tooth-coloured attachments most plans use are subtle. Fixed braces are visible, and although ceramic brackets are less obvious than metal, they are still braces. Lingual braces fitted behind the teeth are hidden but affect speech more and cost more.

Comfort and everyday life

Aligners are smooth, with no wires or brackets to rub the lips and cheeks. Because they come out, there are no food restrictions and you brush and floss exactly as normal. Fixed braces mean avoiding hard, sticky and chewy foods, cleaning around brackets takes longer, and a broken wire means an extra visit. The trade-off is discipline: aligners only work while they are in, and they suit people who will commit to the hours. Fixed braces cannot be forgotten in a drawer.

Speed and appointments

Treatment times are broadly similar for similar cases and depend more on the teeth than the method. Aligner treatment usually involves fewer and shorter appointments, with Dental Monitoring covering much of the checking between visits. Fixed braces need regular adjustment visits.

What each does best

Invisalign is particularly good at intruding teeth (pushing them into the bone), which is why it treats deep bites and open bites so well, at expansion of the arches in adults, and at precise control of crowding and spacing. Fixed braces remain the better tool for some large root movements, for bringing down teeth that are stuck high in the gum, for some rotations of round, conical teeth, and for severe bite problems that need the jaws to move as well as the teeth. Invisalign has advanced a long way in the past decade and now treats the large majority of cases we see, including many that once needed fixed braces, but not all of them.

Cost

Privately, the two are in a similar range. Our Invisalign packages run from £2,500 to £4,900 all-inclusive. Private fixed braces are typically quoted in the same bracket, with retainers and some extras often charged separately.

Which do we recommend?

Whichever will give you the best, healthiest result. Louise has provided Invisalign since 2007, and her experience with it is considerable, but if your case would get a better outcome with fixed braces or needs a specialist orthodontist, she will say so at the consultation and point you to the right place. We would rather you had the right treatment elsewhere than the wrong one here.

Questions people ask

Is Invisalign as effective as braces?

For the large majority of cases, yes, and for some bite problems it is better. For a minority of complex cases fixed braces remain superior. An assessment is the only way to know which applies to you.

Is Invisalign faster than braces?

Treatment times are similar for similar cases. What differs is the number of visits and what daily life is like in between.

Can I switch from braces to Invisalign?

Often, yes, including finishing a course started with fixed braces elsewhere. Bring your records to a consultation.

Which is cheaper?

They are usually in the same range privately. Compare what is included rather than the headline figure.