Two ways
to straighten your teeth.

Visibility

Invisalign aligners are clear and removable — most people don’t notice them. Traditional metal braces are visible. Ceramic (tooth-colored) braces are less obvious than metal but still visible up close, and the wires still show. For most adults, the visibility difference is the deciding factor.

Comfort

Invisalign is generally more comfortable. There are no brackets to scrape the inside of your cheek and no wires to poke. Each new aligner has a brief adjustment period (a couple of days of mild pressure), but that’s it. Braces tend to involve more chronic irritation, especially after wire tightening.

Eating

With Invisalign, you take the aligners out to eat. No food restrictions at all. With braces, you need to avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods for the entire duration of treatment — no popcorn, no caramel, no whole apples, no nuts.

Hygiene

Aligners come out for brushing and flossing — your routine stays exactly the same. Braces require special threaders for flossing, more thorough brushing around brackets, and many patients see white spots on enamel after the brackets come off if hygiene wasn’t perfect.

Treatment time

For most cases, Invisalign and braces take a similar amount of time — typically 12 to 18 months. Severe cases may finish slightly faster with traditional braces, while many cosmetic cases finish faster with Invisalign.

Visit frequency

Invisalign: short check-ins every 6 to 10 weeks. Traditional braces: visits every 4 to 6 weeks for adjustments. Over a one- to two-year treatment, Invisalign usually means fewer office visits overall.

Case complexity

Modern Invisalign handles a remarkable range of cases — including many that used to require braces. A few unusual rotations or severe vertical movements still favor braces. Dr. Sanie will tell you honestly which option suits your specific bite.

Cost

Comparable. Invisalign at our office runs roughly $3,500 to $7,500. Traditional braces run a similar range. Insurance generally covers both at the same percentage.

The short answer

For most adults and a great many teens, Invisalign is the better experience and equally effective. For a small number of specific complex cases, traditional braces may still be the right tool. Come in for a consultation and we’ll give you a straight recommendation for your mouth.