If you’ve decided to fix your teeth and achieve that picture-perfect smile, your head must be full of questions. And the biggest question at the top of your mind must be:
‘Should I go with conventional or invisible braces?’
That’s a difficult question.
And for some of you, answering this question can almost feel like choosing between a BTO or a resale flat.
Well, not to worry, because this comprehensive guide will help highlight the pros and cons of each teeth-straightening solution, and enable you to gain a better understanding of which option is more appropriate for you.
What are traditional braces? What are invisible braces?
First, though, let’s look at what traditional and invisible braces look like, and how they work to straighten teeth:
Traditional braces
- Consist of stainless steel brackets that are fixed to the front surface of the teeth
- Held together by metal wires and rubber wires (thus, irremovable during treatment)
- Teeth are gradually straightened by manually adjusting the amount of tension exerted by the wires
Invisible braces
- Transparent, retainer-like aligners
- Removable during the treatment period, but needs to be worn for a minimum of 22 hours a day
- Gradually shifts teeth into proper positioning as you change into a new set of invisible braces every few weeks
Congrats–you now have a rough idea of the differences between conventional braces and invisible braces. Of course, while that’s a step closer to making your decision, you still don’t have enough information to work with.
No worries, the following will help!
You can smile easy with invisible braces even on a date
Because of their transparent nature, invisible braces are highly discreet. They’re so discreet, in fact, that you could go on a first date with someone and they wouldn’t notice that you’ve got braces on.
Unless you’re having a meal together, of course (you have to remove your clear aligners before eating).
And because invisible braces are, well, so invisible, you can smile freely without feeling like your date (or anyone around you for that matter) is staring at your metal mouth.
That means you’ll have more confidence and suffer less social anxiety.
This is in stark contrast to traditional braces, where practically anyone from a kilometre away can see the glint of metal in your mouth. Not to mention, the broccoli stuck between your braces.
Not pretty.
Invisible braces win hands down if you don’t want a mouth full of blood
If stubbing your toe against the kitchen counter is the most pain you can endure, invisible braces will be a better fit for you.
Because of its smooth design, there are fewer mouth and gum problems associated with the usage of invisible braces.
Just ask anyone who’s straightened their teeth with metal braces, and they’ll tell you about the:
- Sore gums
- Scrapes or sores on the inside of the cheeks due to the inevitable rubbing of the metal brackets against them
- Tongue cuts (from running the tongue across the braces)
Ultimately, if there’s one word that can be used to describe traditional braces, it’d be ‘pokey’ –
it’s uncomfortable and could potentially cause your gums to bleed.
Ouch..
Invisible braces can be easier on your wallet
On a budget?
Go with invisible braces.
While clear aligners used to be more expensive than traditional braces, advances in 3D scanning and printing have greatly brought down the costs of this invisible teeth-straightening solution.
That means you no longer need to wait for that elusive year-end bonus before you even consider straightening your teeth.
But just how affordable is it, you ask? Well, for your reference:
- Zenyum Invisible Braces go for $16,800 to $23,800 (Psss…click to find out more!)
- Conventional braces in Hong Kong – range between $30,000 to $70,000
Want straighter teeth that won’t break the bank?
Invisible braces = convenience
Flip through the dictionary, and you might just see ‘invisible braces’ listed as a synonym for the word, ‘convenience.’
Why, you ask?
Because invisible braces can effortlessly be removed while you’re eating, brushing, and flossing.
That means you can eat whatever you want without worrying that your metal bracket will crack, or that the wire will snap. That said, you still need the discipline to put them back on.
Also, if you’re one of those people with a fully booked Google Calendar, with appointment alerts pinging constantly throughout the day, invisible braces are perfect for you.
That’s because your dentist can now monitor the shifting of your teeth remotely (just like with Zenyum’s app).
And that means less time spent on commuting to, sitting in and waiting at the dentist’s office!
You’ll flash that straight smile faster with invisible braces
In general, you’ll achieve a straighter, more attractive smile faster when you opt for invisible braces.
Studies have shown that traditional braces take an average of almost 36 months.
Let that sit in–that’s like the excruciating wait for a BTO flat!
What about invisible braces?
The typical treatment period of invisible braces lasts only for 6 to 9 months.
6 to 9 months vs 36 months.
The choice should be pretty obvious by now.
Invisible braces aren’t suitable for everyone
That’s right.
The world is not perfect. In fact, it’s rife with irresponsible invisible braces sellers promising you a 95% acceptance rate.
The truth is invisible braces are not suitable for some of you with severe teeth crowding conditions.
Takeaway
A 95% acceptance rate for invisible braces ≠ 95% success rate
So, while you might have your heart set on fixing your teeth with invisible braces, why not find out if you can (for sure) with our free smile assessment?
