Fixed brace or invisalign for a teen

[Stumpedasatree]

DD is 13, plays a lot of contact sport, and we've been told she would need to take an invisalign out for this, which would be 3x a week. Not sure if this or a fixed brace would be best. We have no choice but to go privately as our NHS dentist waiting list is at least 1y long (been waiting 9 months already) and I'd rather get it over and done with for her.

Anyone got any pros and cons for either?

DD12 (almost 13) has a fixed brace top and bottom and wears a gum shield for sports regularly with no issue (Opro Gold). The difference we can already see in her teeth in 9 months is amazing.
DS14 is on NHS waiting list for his as less severe, but will go fixed for him again.

I’ve had both; fixed as a teen then no fixed wire or retainer thereafter and so wound up having Invisalign in my thirties as my teeth moved again. The Invisalign was hell. I had weekly trays but I would forget them, misplace them (this could just be me!) resulting in slower progress and expensive replacements. The pain was excruciating, far worse than fixed which are tender for a day or so then you get used to them. With Invisalign you can only drink water, removing them for meal times then brushing your teeth each time. If you need braces for longer than 6 months go fixed. Invisalign are not that invisible especially as you will have fixed buttons. I also found them unhygienic as just removing them for a drink or meal it’s hands in your mouth, saliva etc. I think fixed braces have a clearer set time and are now fashionable. I was predicted 9 months with Invisalign and I had them for 2.5 years, some fault of my own but my teeth were badly crowded and I should have gone fixed. Now I love them and I’ve had bonding etc but my vote is fixed.

I had Invisalign as an adult and my kids had them as teenagers. We liked that you took them out to eat and for sports. They didn’t want fixed braces so were very compliant with wearing them for the required time. They were uncomfortable for the first week but once the teeth were moving we only got a bit of a tight feeling on new sets of aligners, we didn’t find it painful. My partner had fixed braces as a child and found them uncomfortable and difficult to clean his teeth, cleaning is much easier with Invisalign. Invisalign cost slightly more but not much. If you’re kids are organised and compliant, Invisalign will be great for them. If you think they’ll try to get out of wearing them or are prone to losing stuff like the pp, get fixed.

I’ve recently done Invisalign. I wouldn’t recommend it for a 13 year old. You have to be very disciplined with keeping them in for long enough each day, carrying around a toothbrush around with you everywhere to brush if you take them out to eat etc. I don’t think I’d have been mature enough as a 13 year old - I’d probably have left them out after eating all the time and therefore not worn them for long enough each day so the treatment wouldn’t have been effective.

I had invisalign in my late 20's, it was bloody painful. The first removable brace was like torture and I sounded like Daffy Duck 🤣 Not good when working in retail. My teeth were beautiful, however, they started moving back after my first dc. They're now almost back to how they were.

Did you not wear a retainer? I still wear mine 3 nights a week as do one of my kids. We’ll always have to wear it at night a few times a week. The other wears them every night as she’s not long finished treatment.

I had fixed braces in my 40's. It was only when they came off and I had to (was supposed to) wear a retainer overnight that I realised I made the right choice not having Invisalign. The retainer makes me gag - both a metal one with a roof plate and the moulded one which is basically the same as Invisalign. I tried for weeks and just can't do it. A friend currently has Invisalign- just the taking in and out for eating and drinking is enough to make me think it won't be great for children/teens - far too much of a faff and quite a high chance of being lost I would think.

I would go with fixed braces and if the contact sport involves a gum shield, get one moulded by the orthodontist so it's a good fit rather than a diy job.