Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces: Cost, Comfort, and Timeline Compared

Most of what you’ve heard about braces and Invisalign is just marketing. For Invisalign to get you on their side, they’ll try to convince you that braces are “been there, done that, got the T-shirt.” And for braces to maintain their reputation, they’d have to retaliate saying Invisalign is nothing but a hyped-up retainer.

Because this decision will affect your face, wallet, and literal daily routine over the next couple of years, we’ve put together this guide to help you make an informed choice between the two.

Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces at a Glance

If you’re short on time and can’t read the entire blog, here’s everything you need to know at a glance.

Which is Better to Have: Invisalign or Braces?

Once we set aside the marketing war happening on both sides, it’s easy to come to the simple conclusion that both of these products work. If your goal is to get straighter teeth, you can achieve this result with either braces or Invisalign.

What actually sets these apart is how these options will affect your look, your finances, and how you go about your day for the next few years.

How Much Do Invisalign and Braces Actually Cost?

"Patients often assume Invisalign is double the price of braces, but the gap has closed significantly over the years. When factoring in insurance coverage and flexible financing, the monthly out-of-pocket difference is often minimal." — Dr. Sarah Jenkins, Board-Certified Orthodontist

One of the major factors people base their decision on is cost. Generally, traditional braces are less expensive than Invisalign. Despite the obvious price difference, many people still prefer to go for Invisalign. You can probably already guess why: most people would rather not spend the next year and a half looking like Darla Sherman.

On average, braces cost $3,000 to $7,000, with prices going higher depending on the complexity of your case. You can secure a standard pair of Invisalign for a starting price of $3,000 to $8,000. In many cases, your dental provider may offer a payment plan allowing you to split the payment across a specified period. And if your case is considered a necessary intervention, your health insurance might even cover it.

How Long Will You Be Wearing Them?

Traditional braces are kept for around 18 months to 3 years. It mostly depends on how much realignment your teeth need.

"Invisalign is faster only when worn as directed. If you leave the trays out on your nightstand for hours every day, the treatment timeline will quickly stall out." — Dr. Michael Ross, Clear Aligner Specialist

Invisalign is kept on for a slightly shorter period of 12 – 18 months. The catch is you have to actually wear them for the recommended 20 to 22 hours a day. If you don’t wear them as directed, you can actually end up wearing them for as long as—or even longer than—braces.

How Visible is Each Option?

Another thing to think about before getting braces is how they look. While older braces often had people looking like some variation of Betty Suarez or Chucky Finster, we can admit that braces have come a long way. With fashionable braces making their way into pop culture, some people might even consider them trendy. Who would’ve thought?

Ceramic braces come in tooth-colored brackets which make them less visible, but not completely hidden. The closest thing to invisibility with braces are lingual braces which go behind your teeth, and even these come with their own challenges. For starters, they are a lot more expensive and even make it difficult to speak when you first get them.

Still, there are many people who would rather not have the world all up in their oral business, so they prefer to get Invisalign. After all, their entire selling point is that you can go about your life without most people noticing them.

Which One Hurts Less?

Neither option is 100% painless, but braces do hurt more than Invisalign. Every time you get your braces adjusted (typically around four to eight weeks), your orthodontist will tighten your braces. For the next few days, you’ll feel a soreness and achiness which will fade away and come back at your next appointment.

Invisalign pain, while milder, is still an uncomfortable reality to deal with. As you get a new set, each one will apply a new pressure to your teeth and get the pain disco started all over again.

What Can You Eat During Treatment?

Before you get braces, keep in mind that all foods that make life worth living will become your enemy. We’re talking about popcorn, caramel, corn on the cob, even whole apples. Anything that’s hard, sticky, or overly chewy can either snap your bracket or bend your wire.

This problem doesn’t exist with Invisalign, since you can take them off before you eat. The only downside is you have to brush your teeth before putting them back on. If you don’t, you’re just trapping all the food and bacteria against your teeth for hours at a time.

Cleaning and Maintenance

For anyone who already has a hard time keeping up with their oral care, braces might not be the best choice for you. Brackets and wires create extra nooks for food and plaque to hide in. Because of this, in addition to regular brushing, you’d also have to add flossers and interdental brushes to your routine.

Cleaning and maintaining your Invisalign is more straightforward. Most trays come with an anti-bacterial cleaner for cleaning them. Alternatively, you can wash them with mild soap and water. Avoid using hot water because it can warp the plastic. Outside of this extra step, you can keep brushing and flossing your teeth as usual, since the trays come off before you eat anyway.

Ideal Candidates for Each Option

Braces are usually a better fit for anyone dealing with severe crowding, big gaps, or bite issues that need mechanical control. They’re also a good fit for anyone who can’t be trusted with a removable appliance (yes you, retainer-losers). And if we’re being honest, braces are still the default option for kids and teenagers.

Invisalign is a much better match for people who have mild to moderate concerns and want to keep their treatment low-key. According to research published by the National Library of Medicine, clear aligner therapy has a high success rate for mild to moderate alignment cases. The catch is you have to be disciplined enough to actually wear your trays as directed. Most adults prefer them, especially because of how easy it is to remain discreet during important moments like job interviews and client meetings.

Alternative Treatments to Braces and Invisalign

If neither of these feels like the right treatment for you, there are some other options you can still consider to get a straighter smile:

• Ceramic Braces: They’re like regular braces, but with tooth-colored brackets so they blend in more.
• Lingual Braces: These go behind your teeth making them fully hidden. Just keep in mind that they are more expensive and you’d need a longer period to get used to talking with them.
• Other Clear Aligners: Invisalign is just one brand name for clear retainers. You’re free to shop around for other clear retainer brands as alternatives.

The most important thing is to speak with a professional first so they can guide your decision-making process.

Which One’s Actually Right for Your Smile?

In reality, there isn’t a clear winner between braces and Invisalign. What actually matters is which is best suited for your case and how you want to live for the next year or two. If your teeth need serious work or you aren’t sure you can keep a removable tray in for 22 hours a day, braces are a better option. But if you aren’t dealing with any severe dental concerns and you prefer to keep your treatment discreet, then Invisalign should be your preferred choice.

Either way, whatever choice you eventually opt for all starts with booking a consultation and letting a professional look at your teeth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Traditional Braces More Effective Than Invisalign?

When dealing with complex cases like severe bite misalignment or crowding, braces are considered a more effective option. Unlike aligners, you won’t have to remember to put them on or take them off. For mild or moderate cases, both options are effective.

Why Do People Quit Invisalign?

The most common reason we hear about is discomfort. Other times people can’t keep up with the daily 20-to-22-hour minimum wear requirement, so they call it quits. Sometimes it’s even because they keep losing their trays, since you can take them off whenever.

How Painful is Invisalign on a Scale of 1-10?

Most people would put it around a 2 to 4, especially within the first few days of getting a new tray. Invisalign pain is generally considered to be milder when compared to the soreness that follows a brace-tightening appointment.

Why Don’t Dentists Recommend Invisalign?

A lot of times they do, but they have to make sure it’s a right fit for you first. In more severe cases, it may be better to treat your dental concern with traditional braces instead. Also, your dentist is more likely to refer you to an orthodontist if you need Invisalign rather than offer it in-house.