Mike Myer’s 1999 film titled “Austin Powers” may have led the world to believe the Brits have bad teeth.

After all, the movie made a whopping 51 million in total, which means that millions of people saw the spy in action – together with his less-than-perfect smile.

Now, fast forward 20 years later. Does the bad teeth joke still hold up?

It does, but like two decades ago, it’s still a myth. In fact, a recent study showed that Americans have it worse (more on this later).

This doesn’t mean you should already drop your interest in the braces vs Invisalign battle. If you have crooked or misaligned teeth, it’s best you know your treatment options. Because these conditions can put your oral health – not just your smile – at even more risk.

What exactly should you know about these teeth straighteners? How can they help?

Keep reading to learn more!

A Quick Look in the Oral Health Status of Brits

We mentioned above a study showing that, in comparison with Americans, Brits fare better. That’s because according to the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the average number of missing teeth in the United States is 7.31, whereas it’s only 6.97 in the United Kingdom.

Indeed, this signifies considerable improvements in the UK’s oral health. But it’s far from something to smile about.

Teeth misalignment, although not as urgent or severe as missing/lost teeth, can still result in many consequences. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not only one’s smile that misaligned teeth can affect. Here’re a few of these unwanted “side-effects” of teeth misalignment:

• Changes in facial appearance
• Injuries caused by frequent biting of the tongue or inner cheeks
• Difficulties in biting, chewing, and speaking
• Movement of the remaining teeth
• Bruxism, or grinding of the teeth

As you can see, straight, healthy teeth don’t only give you a dazzling smile. It also contributes to your overall health and well-being.

It’s also because of this that more and more people from all over the world choose to get orthodontic treatment. Why experts forecast the orthodontic equipment industry to be worth nearly 830 million in 2020.

But which teeth-straightening appliance will do the most for you?

Braces vs Invisalign: The Primary Differences

Both dental braces and Invisalign aim to straighten teeth and “relocate” them in more ideal positions. This “relocation” then improves both the looks and the functions of the teeth. They also promote better overall oral health.

Their differences lie in the materials used in the appliances themselves. That, and the manner how they gradually reposition the teeth. They also have differences when it comes to length of treatment time.

A Quick Overview on Dental Braces

Many people refer to traditional dental braces as “train-track” braces. That’s because the metal wires and brackets resemble tiny train carts on a rail. They’ve been around for many decades, although today’s modern equipment has gone a long way from their humble roots.

Dental braces remain the most popular and most sought after orthodontic procedures in the UK too. A good reason for this is their lower cost of ?219 through the NHS. Get it from a private dentist though, and you can expect to pay anywhere between ?2,000 and ?2,500.

What About Invisalign?

The Invisalign system makes use of aligners or clear plastic trays to achieve better teeth position. Unlike traditional braces, you can remove them as needed, whether before eating or brushing your teeth. This gives you more freedom and flexibility in terms of diet and oral hygiene.

As for the cost of Invisalign, the average for adults can be anywhere from 2,500 to ?5,500. If your teeth only need minor correction or movement, you may even pay less – about ?1,500.

Also, don’t forget that licensed Invisalign dentists can make it even more cost-affordable. You’ll find some of them running special Invisalign money-saving offers.

When Invisalign is Your Better Option

Unless you need major teeth alignment corrections, then it’s worth checking Invisalign out. The system delivers an efficient tooth movement method for less severe and complicated cases.

Your licensed provider will create a set of custom clear trays using digital means. You’ll wear them every day, at all times, except of course when you want to eat, brush, or floss. In most cases, your provider may also require you to have aligner replacements every couple of weeks.

Another good reason to opt for this teeth-straightener is when you want to correct misalignment problems, but rather have people unaware you’re getting treatment. Invisalign got its name from the term “invisible” after all.

Furthermore, these aligners are more comfortable than traditional braces. Especially in social situations, wherein braces can impede your speech (or worse, leave you with food stuck between the brackets!).

The Aligner Advantage That Goes Beyond Its Near-Invisibility

If your biggest concern for not getting braces before is the thought of uncomfortable and shiny metal brackets and wires, Invisalign may just be the best treatment for you.

But there’s more to these invisible aligners than just their lack of obvious appearance.

You may have heard that one common consequence of permanent dental braces is the increased risk of tooth decay. This has something to do with the greater difficulty of thoroughly cleaning the teeth and gums due to the glued brackets and intertwined wires.

The easy-to-remove aligners of the Invisalign system address these concerns. Since you can take them off before eating and brushing, you’ll have greater access to even the hardest-to-reach areas of your mouth. This also makes flossing easier, which is almost impossible with permanent braces.

Here’s a bonus: You don’t have to worry about diet limitations! Of course, you still need to watch what you eat (to stay healthy!). But you won’t have to face the same restrictions when it comes to types of food you can eat while on traditional braces.

Ready for Healthier, Straighter Teeth?

In the battle between dental braces vs Invisalign, you decide the winner. After all, you need to base your final decision on the state of your teeth, how severe the crookedness/misalignment is, and your personal preferences.

We hope this post has enlightened you on the pros and cons of both orthodontic treatments though.

If you’re interested in more information about your options, please feel free to connect with us. We’ll be more than happy to answer your teeth straightening questions!