There are plenty of factors to consider when deciding to go for braces or Invisalign. Which treatment is the most discreet? Which one will cause the least discomfort? Is one more effective than the other? Both options will give you the smile that you are hoping for, but if you’re in a hurry to have your teeth straightened, then the question that really matters is ‘is Invisalign faster than braces’?
Let’s find out today with all the information you need to make the right dental decision for you.
Invisalign vs Braces
Before we can determine if Invisalign is faster than braces, we must first understand the differences between these two options and learn a little more about the processes involved with each one.
Braces
Fixed metal braces are usually the first image that comes to mind when weighing up alignment options, but there are much less-visible options available to you. Both ceramic and self-litigating braces are colour-matched to your teeth for a more natural-looking appearance whilst the treatment is in progress, but unfortunately, they all come with a lengthy treatment timeline.
You will also need to visit your dentist regularly to have your braces tightened and may need to wear removable retainers for a few weeks once your treatment has been completed, so it’s important to bear this in mind when weighing up your options.
Invisalign
Unlike fixed options, Invisalign uses a set of clear, custom-made aligners to gradually straighten your teeth. These invisible aligners are made using digital scans of your mouth, so you will need to attend an initial consultation to have these impressions taken, as well as an appointment every few months to monitor your alignment progress, but the rest of your treatment will be carried out at home as a part of your daily schedule.
This makes Invisalign a popular choice for those who are concerned about the time commitments required by braces and are looking to attend fewer in-person visits, as well as those who are looking for a more discreet option - but now it’s time to find out if Invisalign really is faster than braces.
Is Invisalign Faster Than Braces?
Though treatment times vary from patient to patient and depend heavily upon how misaligned your teeth are, these are the treatment times that you can generally expect from each option:
Braces: Whichever option you choose, you are signing up for between 12 to 24 (and sometimes as many as 36) months of having braces fixed to your teeth.
Metal braces are fixed to a patients’ teeth for an average of 18 months, whilst ceramic braces require an even more time-consuming process. These braces take (on average) 18 to 36 months to reposition and stabilise teeth, and you will also need to take time out of your schedule every 6 to 10 weeks to visit the dentist and have them adjusted.
Self-ligitating braces offer a quicker treatment time than most fixed braces and all patients achieve the results that they want in under 24 months. These braces also only need to be adjusted every 3 to 4 months, but whilst this isn’t an unreasonable amount of time to spend on correcting severe alignment problems, it is likely a lot longer than you were hoping for.
Invisalign: When it comes to fixed braces, a general rule is that the more discreet the braces, the longer the treatment will take, but luckily Invisalign does not conform to this trend.
Like most orthodontic options, the exact treatment timeline will vary depending upon the severity of your case, but Invisalign is intended for minor alignment and crowding issues that are treated in a much shorter time than more complex problems. From the very first appointment, to the final few nights of wearing a retainer to stabilise your smile, a full Invisalign smile transformation is usually completed within 12 months - and sometimes even as few as 6!
In even the most complex cases, Invisalign won’t take longer than 18 months to deliver the long-term results you are hoping for. Whether you have a clear treatment end date in mind, or a special event coming up, Invisalign offers a much faster, simpler, and more discrete procedure than any fixed braces, but before you make your final decision, there is just one more question left to ask: is there an even quicker option?
Six Month Smiles
Most alternatives to Invisalign won’t offer the short treatment times that you are looking for, but if you have just a few months to transform your smile then this option really does deliver the results promised by its name.
With an average treatment time of only 6 months, Six Month Smiles is the quick, convenient way to correct minor alignment problems and improve your smile in a shortened timeframe. If you’re just a few months away from a once-in-a-lifetime event and don’t have the time to spare on a longer treatment, then this confidence-boosting solution will help you see (and feel) the difference in no time.
Learn more about Six Month Smiles here, or contact us today to find out if this is the right treatment for you.
Ready To Prioritise Your Smile?
We’ve explored the answer to ‘is Invisalign faster than braces?’, but we also often get asked:
● ‘Is Invisalign more comfortable than braces?’
● ‘Is Invisalign more discreet than braces?’
● ‘Unlike braces, is Invisalign a removable option?’
The answer to all of these questions is yes! So, if you have limited time to spare on transforming your smile, we invite you to get in touch with us at your convenience to arrange an Invisalign consultation at our Vauxhall practice.
