Invisalign braces are practically invisible and can be removed at will. That's reason enough for many people to choose them over traditional braces, which are tied together by wires and bands connected to metal brackets that are glued to the teeth. However, that doesn't mean that braces should be forgotten about altogether; in fact, there are many reasons why you might want to consider using traditional braces instead of Invisalign, and here are just three.
1. You Need to Remove Invisalign Before Eating or Drinking Anything but Water
Yes, it's nice that Invisalign trays can be removed, but that can also be something of a curse. You see, Invisalign braces need to be removed whenever you eat anything or drink any beverage aside from water. You'll then need to clean your teeth before reinserting the trays.
This is usually fine for your breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but you won't be able to simply grab a handful of candy or drink down a quick coffee without having to go through the trouble of removing the trays and then cleaning your teeth. As well as being annoying, it can be slightly unhealthy, with many people losing weight while wearing Invisalign trays. Of course, it can feel a little odd eating with braces, but you'll at least be able to do it whenever you want.
2. Invisalign Trays Require More Discipline
Even though Invisalign trays can be removed, they should be kept in for the vast majority of the day. If they are removed too frequently, they won't be as effective. This is why you really need to ask yourself whether you'll be disciplined enough to wear them as much as you need to. It's tempting to keep leaving them out for longer, especially given the snacking issues mentioned above; you might also be tempted to remove them before socialising or attending important meetings.
3. Traditional Braces Can Be More Effective
In some ways, Invisalign trays are just as effective as traditional braces, but not always. They are not very good at moving teeth vertically or rotating teeth that have become crooked, and they often aren't recommended if you have a very poor bite. If your dentist tells you that using traditional braces might be more effective to correct your particular problem, it's worth using them instead of Invisalign trays. It's simply not worth having to go through a whole new type of treatment if you could have gone with the most effective option the first time around.
