Woman smiling with dental braces with our League City dentist

Dental Braces Versus Invisalign

There is more than one way our League City dentist can help you achieve straighter teeth and a more confident smile. The most common way to correct issues involving crooked, misaligned, or crowded teeth is through traditional metal dental braces. But how do metal dental braces compare to League City Invisalign? Here we explain each treatment in order to help you understand which one may be right for you and your unique dental needs.

Why Our League City Dentist May Recommend Dental Braces

Dental braces are used to correct an issue known as malocclusion, also known as an incorrect bite. Malocclusion presents in a number of ways, most notably:

  • Crowding
  • Overbite
  • Underbite
  • Missing lateral incisors
  • Too much space between teeth 

Should our League City family dentist see any of these issues with you or your child, dental braces treatment will be necessary to correct it. Depending on the severity of your or your child’s malocclusion, as well as you budget and lifestyle, our League City pediatric dentist will determine if metal braces or League City Invisalign is a better option. 

Metal Braces with Our League City Family Dentist

Dental braces are designed to gradually straighten the teeth through a combination of wires and metal brackets, which our League City pediatric dentist tightens periodically to apply pressure on the teeth. This applied pressure causes the teeth to gradually shift into their proper position. Our League City kids dentist typically recommends braces treatment begin once all baby teeth have fallen out and the adult teeth have erupted, usually between ages 8-14. Our League City pediatric dentist often recommends metal dental braces for younger patients because they can correct virtually any severity or form of malocclusion. For adults, our League City cosmetic dentist may suggest metal dental braces as the most effective course of treatment, but don’t despair! Metal dental braces are sleeker and less noticeable than metal braces of the past.  

Invisalign with Our League City Family Dentist

League City Invisalign is a popular alternative to metal dental braces, as it works to shift your teeth using clear aligners that are practically invisible. The aligners work to gradually move your teeth into their proper position, much like metal braces do, and can be removed when eating, drinking, and for special occasions. Not every patient is a good candidate for League City Invisalign, however; those with severe malocclusion issues may require metal dental braces in order to achieve desired results. Also, since the aligners are removed when eating, younger patients may forget to put them back in after eating and brushing, or misplace them altogether. In order for League City Invisalign to be an effective treatment, the aligners must be worn for 22 hours a day, every day. 

Autumn Family Dentist Offers Dental Braces and League City Invisalign

Regardless of which treatment plan is best for you or your child, trust our League City cosmetic dentist to effectively correct your misalignment. Call our office today to schedule a consultation and determine the best course of action for your malocclusion. We’ll answer your questions and provide you with all the information you need to begin working toward straighter teeth and a more confident smile!