If you are considering orthodontic treatment by

Pros of Invisalign:

Invisibility. Perhaps the biggest benefit of Invisalign is that you can straighten your teeth without anyone else knowing about it. The clear plastic aligner trays are virtually invisible to the casual observer so you can avoid the metal mouth look associated with traditional braces. This makes Invisalign very popular with older patients who would be embarrassed to be seen in braces, as well as with sensitive teens and young adults.

Better oral hygiene. Traditional braces require specialized tools and offer extra places for food to get trapped. Because Invisalign trays are removable, they make it easy to brush and floss your teeth using your normal routine. In fact, they actually encourage more brushing and flossing, because you must clean your teeth after every meal or snack, not just in the morning and at night.

Improved comfort. Because Invisalign trays are made from smooth molded plastic, they don't cause gum and cheek irritation the way that the wires and brackets of traditional braces can.

No metals. If you have metal allergy, traditional braces can certainly pose problems. Invisalign, of course, uses no metals and is, in fact, made from FDA-approved materials.

Fewer Emergencies. Traditional braces have many more parts than Invisalign, and hence more opportunities for things to go wrong. A rubber band could snap, or a bracket could come unglued, either of which would require an emergency visit to the orthodontist. With Invisalign, the only emergency you might encounter would be losing your trays. Fortunately, the trays can often be replaced from your records without you even setting foot in the office.

Cons of Invisalign:

Discipline Required. Invisalign aligner trays must be removed before eating or drinking anything but water. Afterwards, you have to brush and floss before replacing the trays. You have to be careful to meet your required quota of 22 hours per day of wear in order to stay on track with your treatment. All of this requires thought and discipline!

Frequent tray changes. Typically, patients receive a new aligner tray every two weeks. Traditional braces, by comparison, are usually adjusted about every four weeks. This means that Invisalign results in more adjustments and more times when you may feel pressure and pain in your mouth.

Exposure to temptation. Sometimes, during the initial adjustment to a new tray, it might be tempting to take out the tray in order to relieve the pressure and discomfort. This would derail your treatment plan and delay its completion. Of course, this temptation doesn't exist with traditional braces.

Not suitable for all tooth movements. While Invisalign is a great tool for many orthodontic applications, unfortunately, it can't handle all tooth movements, especially when a specific sequence of movements is needed. If you have some especially crooked or misaligned teeth, you may need to correct those using traditional braces before starting Invisalign.