Invisalign vs fixed braces

[nowaynotnownotever]

I know this gets asked every now and again but searching previous threads I can decide what to do.

I have (according to my dentist) very healthy teeth but I'm bothered by an overbite that I think has worsened over the years with each pregnancy.

I mentioned this to the dentist who said 2 options:

1. Referral to orthodontist, he said this would produce best results, cost around £5k and take 2 years (!!)

1. Go for an Invisalign via him doing the mold etc, costs around 4k and takes 6-9 months.

What I can't work out is why the fix braces take so much longer than the retainers? Is that right?

I really can't decide what best to do. Really I think I'd like something as discreet as possible in the shortest time frame. So 2 years is really off putting!

If I was you I would do a consultation with an orthdontist and see what they suggest.

I had fixed braces which had tooth coloured wire and clear brackets. You'd barely notice them. They were on week shy of a year.

The reason I chose those over Invisalign was there was no faffing with taking them in and out to eat.

Got brilliant results and two years on I am still delighted with my teeth. I didn't have an over bite, my front two were slightly crossed.

Braces can fix the overbite if this is what you are bothered about. I don’t think Invisalign can?

I’d have a consultation with a good orthodontist. They can usually show you computer image of what your teeth will look like end result with both.

You can also get Invisalign but a different brand which is often cheaper.

Invisalign can't fix overbites or underbites, if I can recall correctly from my own research. They can only straighten teeth in relation to each other in the same row, not affect their position in relation to the other row. If that makes any sense.

FWIW, I had fixed braces as an adult (they were cheaper than IL, and it didn't bother me how fast it was or how visible they were). No overbite though.

Best thing I ever did.

Agree with posters above - speak to orthodontist. Just had a consultation for my DS with an Orthodentist ans while I can imagine every situation is different, in his case fixed braces would be about a third cheaper and fix in half the time of invisalign. It doesn't sound likely to me that it would cost more.

I got 4 quotes for an open bite / crossbite. 3 orthodontists said I needed extractions and it would take 2 years and cost £4k - £7k.

My dentist said he could do it without extractions and it would take 6-12 months and cost £2k.

I hired my dentist.

It took TWO YEARS and the dentist charged me £4k and the end result was awful - the dentist created a new overbite I didn’t have before plus one cheekbone is higher than the other.

Don’t let anyone except an orthodontist do braces is my strong advice to you. I know you will probably ignore it. I know you trust your dentist - I trusted mine too, he was lovely, just deluded about his own ability. Ask your dentist if he is willing to cap his fees at £2k and guarantee that you will have zero overbite in 9 months. I’m guessing he won’t put that in writing.

(And yes I took legal action.)

Always go to an orthodontist for discussions like this, they are the experts! The orthodontist will be able to talk you through the pros and cons of each option.

There's no way Invisalign can fix something braces can't. Especially not in half the time.

I have fixed braces (white/clear). Original estimate was 6-9 months but I'm likely to be done in 4-6 months. Tbh I'm happy with them after 3 months but dentist wants to give them longer to bed into new positions.

Everyone I have spoken to with Invisalign says it takes much longer than advertised & some end up switching to braces anyway.

fixed braces do not cost 5K for a start. Think your dentist is trying their luck here.

Invisalign is the most expensive orthodontic treatment we offer (4.3K with an orthodontist, not a dentist with special interest who has done a quick Invisalign course - yes there is a difference)

Invisalign can help with overbites, crossbites and underbites but it depends on severity and it can be harder to achieve the result with Invisalign - treatment planning is done at the start of treatment whereas fixed braces can be adapted throughout treatment. If Invisalign doesn’t achieve the required result, you may need to have refinements done and new aligners made, which can extend treatment time.

The teeth don’t know whats moving them - each option can be done but I recommend at least getting a second opinion, don’t listen to one dentist - especially one that says fixed braces cost 5k!

Also just to add, if you need extractions i would always favour fixed braces

I had fixed braces a few years ago. I decided to go for them over Invisalign because the fixed ones were cheaper than Invisalign at the time. I was initially told a year possibly 18 months with braces on but had them on for 9 months in total.

I would strongly advise seeing an orthodontist and discussing with them rather than your dentist only. The orthodontist would be able to do fixed braces or Invisalign and moving teeth is their area of expertise that they do day in day out.

I had a fixed retainer fitted to the back of my teeth afterwards to help prevent future movement and my dentist wouldn't have been able to do this for example.

I had 3 consultations including with my own highly qualified dentist. In the end, I chose to use my own dentist and have invisalign. I've only just started and have 35 trays so 70 weeks. I find I now have eating windows and I'm drinking a lot less tea! You need to be ok with the inevitable lifestyle changes too. The bonus so far is no pain at all.

Go for Invisalign but via Smile Direct. About half the price. I paid around £1250 for just my top teeth. Took about 8 months.

I've had 2 fixed braces and 1 Invisalign (I have EDS, my teeth won't stay put). I liked Invisalign more as an experience, it was much less obtrusive in my life.
Invisalign can't help with an overbite.
You need a fixed brace with elastics for a minor overbite or a jaw break and re-set for a major one. IDK if they would even do the latter for an adult.
Sorry.
But if you just want your teeth aligning and it's not a complicated case I recommend going with Smile Direct (and getting your teeth 3D scanned at one of their offices). Much cheaper and you're in control of it all.

@AndSoFinally Haha sorry I X-posted with you about Smile Direct.

If it's an overbite it'll be too complicated for smile direct, I went for a consultation with them, the person scanning them said they looked suitable, when they got to the dentist they used they advised they were too complicated. I had fixed braces in my early 20s but didn't wear my retainers as they were too uncomfortable so a few at the bottom lean in slightly. They wouldn't do it, they'd happily still do the top which are pretty much fine anyway!

I’m about to have my fixed braces removed after 3 years, I’d recommend seeing an orthodontist.
my teeth were awful, I initially seen a dentist who offered 6 month smile, (estimated to take me 9 months) only focusing on the 4 top front teeth, this would have made them look better when I smiled, cost was £1,500.

I then went to an orthodontist for a consultation before committing, who said I was close to losing teeth as they were so crooked and needed full braces but it would be a long journey, I went for it and it cost £3,000. Orthodontists consider your bite etc and can prevent future problems

Don’t have time to read all responses but defo recommend the consultation- there are many different types of Invisalign , go, lite, full etc and some dentists are only approved to do Invisalign go and limited in what it can offer so absolutely go to get a consultation with the ortho who can recommend- they should give u a full overview, digital images etc and then give you a list of options for you to decide.
Invisalign can remedy overbites but you’ll need to use elastics with them- Google this so you know what I mean and don’t get a shock !( like me)

Thank you all. That seems quite conclusive that I should go for the consultation!

I feel I should say that my dentist didn't seem enthusiastic about Invisalign at all. It was all very odd given he was saying the retainers were quicker and cheaper..

I have healthy teeth so really extractions are not an option for me. They are quite straight overall but the parrot bite is bothering me now.

How do I go about finding orthodontists? Do they come with reviews? The dentist can refer me to their person but others?

Please read reviews on Invisalign-alternative companies who offer orthodontic aligners.

Yes it’s cheaper but there is not the input of a dentist or orthodontist to confirm dental health/gum health beforehand or monitor progress throughout treatment. People don’t always realise the (very real) risks associated with orthodontic treatment. Sometimes, the cost to repair the damaged caused by them far outweighs the saving you get by going with them. We have patients who have had to sign non-disclosure agreements in order to get their money back (and come to us to have their teeth fixed afterwards).