If you have an overbite that makes you look unpleasant or cause other problems, you want to know which option can be the best to fix it. So, you might be looking for this, “Braces vs Invisalign: Which is the best to fix an overbite?”
Both braces and Invisalign clear aligners are effective to fix an overbite and give you straight teeth. Invisalign is ahead of the braces, in terms of appearance while wearing them. However, in some severe overbite cases, braces can be more helpful than Invisalign.
But, which one can be better for you?
To know that, you need to compare it with the type of overbite you have and what you expect during the treatment.
In this article, we have highlighted the differences between braces and Invisalign including their costs, effectiveness, pros, and cons for fixing an overbite.
Difference between braces and Invisalign for overbite correction
We will take a look at some most important factors regarding braces and Invisalign that will help you to determine what you should get for fixing overbite.
1. Duration to fix an overbite
Invisalign treatment may need more time to correct the overbite since it’s removable and some patients don’t maintain it properly.
Some of them take breaks by removing them and don’t wear them 22 hours a day. Braces on the other hand are fixed to the teeth.
So, they have no way to remove them on their own. That means, they work constantly to fix the bite.
However, those who follow all the instructions during Invisalign treatment provided by the orthodontist can get results at almost the same time as braces.
You also have to keep in mind that all cases aren’t the same. So, the duration of treatment always varies from patient to patient.
Braces may need at least 1 to 2 years to complete the treatment as it corrects all orthodontic errors of your teeth.
Invisalign may need 6 to 24 months to fix overbite and all the problems.
Know how long it takes to fix overbite with Braces and Invisalign depending on several factors.
2. Changes of appearance
Before getting orthodontic treatment for an overbite, everyone gets worried about their appearance during the treatment.
Invisalign clear aligner is the clear winner in this fact. As they are transparent and plastic made, none can notice you easily while wearing them.
So, if you have any plan to attend a professional meeting or special event, Invisalign is the best option for you.
Traditional metal braces are easily noticeable when you smile or talk.
If you have no option without braces, you can consider ceramic braces as they are clear or transparent and less noticeable.
3. Cost of treatment
Though orthodontic treatment It’s a bit expensive, your first priority should be picking the best possible option to get the best outcome of treatment.
Usually, Invisalign clear aligners cost more than braces to correct an overbite.
The cost of Invisalign treatment is about $5,000 to $8000 whereas the cost of braces treatment is about $2,000 to $6,000. Price varies depending on whether you have dental insurance or not.
So, if you are worried about the price, you can go with braces, as it’s relatively cheaper than Invisalign.
4. Cases of an overbite that they can fix
Overbite is the condition when your top teeth overlap or protrudes more than the bottom teeth.
There are two types of overbite such as vertical and horizontal. Vertical overbite or deep bite is the condition when upper teeth overlap the lower teeth whereas horizontal overbite or overjet is the condition when upper teeth protrude more forward than the lower teeth.
Another thing it the cause of your overbite. It can be due to bad oral habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or nail-biting or using pacifiers.
Sometimes it can be due to skeletal problems or growth problems of the jaw bone.
Which can be best to fix these problems: braces or Invisalign? Let’s find it out.
Braces and overbite cases
Braces can correct most of the overbite, even severe cases. It can also fix deep bite and excess overjet perfectly.
The main benefit of getting braces is they can move the teeth in any direction. So, you can fix any misaligned teeth with them.
However, in some critical cases such as skeletal overbite, you may need surgery to reduce the bite and reposition of the jaw as well as teeth.
In some skeletal or surgical cases, braces are again helpful after the surgery to fix the remaining overbite.
When a patient doesn’t want to perform the surgery, braces can be useful to give a better look than before.
In some cases, you may need teeth extraction to fix the bite. Braces can be the best choice in that case.
Invisalign and overbite cases
Invisalign can correct the overbite effectively almost like the braces. A few years ago, it couldn’t correct complicated cases.
But, as it’s updating day by day, it can solve severe cases as well as a serious overbite.
Now, you can get special attachments, elastics, or buttons to move your teeth to their original or natural position.
But, skeletal cases need surgery to fix the bite. Sometimes, you need to wear braces after the surgery.
Both braces and Invisalign can be helpful in growing children to control the growth of the jaw bone for overbite correction.
5. Time to wear a day
Since the orthodontist fixes the braces on your teeth and you can’t remove them on your own, you have to wear them all time.
You get rubber bands to fix the overbite that you can remove at any time and put back again.
But, you need to wear these elastic bands for a maximum time a day to get the best result.
Usually, you have to wear rubber bands for 22-23 hours. You only have to remove and replace them with new elastics when you brush or eat.
On the other hand, you have full control over Invisalign clear aligners as they are removable.
But, you have to wear them for 22-23 hours a day or you don’t get the benefits as expected.
6. Follow up Appointments
During braces treatment, you have to visit the orthodontist’s office every 4 to 6 weeks to get the braces adjusted or get new components.
Don’t think of correcting only the bite, or it will make the situation worse. Your orthodontist does everything to reposition your teeth and align them perfectly.
This helps you give a beautiful smile as well as proper functioning teeth.
If you get Invisalign, you have to visit the orthodontist’s office every 14 days, because one set of aligners work up to the maximum this time. After that, you get a new set of Invisalign.
So we can conclude that to fix an overbite, you need to visit the orthodontist’s office at least once every month for braces treatment.
On the other hand, you have to visit the office at least twice a month for Invisalign treatment.
7. What they are made of
Braces
When you talk about fixing overbite, braces come first to help you. Without any doubt, it’s the best treatment option to fix an overbite.
But, other options like Invisalign can be great in this modern era. Braces are made of either metal or ceramic.
You can get any type that you want. Ceramic braces are transparent which means it’s aesthetically pleasing.
As metal braces may not look so great, you can go with the ceramic variety.
Invisalign
People don’t want to show those metal braces or foreign materials on the teeth to others. They are more concerned about their looks.
Invisalign can solve your problem as well as the overbite.
These are clear trays made of plastic. So, people can’t notice them while wearing them.
Invisalign is a type of clear aligner just like a retainer that can fix the overbite and other types of malocclusion. But, getting Invisalign is a little bit different.
They aren’t fixed to the teeth like the braces, which means, you can remove them any time you want.
But, you need to wear it almost all the time to get the best result.
8. Comfort
Invisalign are plastic-made devices whereas braces are metal or ceramic made. So, you feel more comfortable with Invisalign than braces.
Sometimes, the wire of braces may become loose, poking, or pooped out to hurt your back cheek.
Sometimes, they can be broken and cause various problems. However, you can fix these issues easily. We have solutions for you which we have discussed in other articles.
If you get Invisalign you don’t have to face these kinds of issues.
9. Pain
Speaking of pain, it can be said that Braces may hurt more than Invisalign to correct the overbite. But, you will get one of these two.
So, you will experience much pain for the first few days whatever you choose.
Metal braces also irritate and rub your mouth, tongue, and gums and become uncomfortable for the first few weeks.
But, Invisalign doesn’t cause these problems, because they don’t touch the gums and tongue that much.
However, your mouth gets used to braces within a month. So, nothing to worry about.
Know how long braces hurt and how long Invisalign causes pain.
10. Eating habits
You can’t remove the braces during eating. The orthodontist attaches them with glue on your teeth.
That’s why you have to eat with braces. You can only remove the rubber bands that you get to fix the overbite.
So, you have to change your eating habits with braces. If you don’t it can damage the braces as well as hurt your teeth. As a result, the progress of treatment will slow down.
Learn how to eat, what to eat, and which foods to avoid with braces.
On the other hand, you can remove Invisalign at any time, even during eating. So, you don’t need to change your diet for that.
11. Maintaining oral hygiene, brushing and flossing
Tooth cleaning and maintaining oral hygiene are also easier tasks with Invisalign than braces. As you don’t wear them while eating, cleaning is the same as any other time.
However, you have to cover your teeth with the aligners all the time, you need to clean teeth more thoroughly or you will end up having more plaque and risk of tooth decay.
So, brush and floss your teeth regularly. Clean your teeth after every meal and then, put Invisaligns back on your teeth again.
On the other hand, you have to change your food and tooth cleaning habits for braces. You can say, you have to adopt a new lifestyle with braces.
But, don’t panic. It’s not so hard and you get used to it soon after getting them.
You have to give more time to clean your teeth thoroughly with braces on teeth because braces accumulate more food debris and plaques.
You need to clean your teeth after each meal properly. Moreover, braces make it hard to clean the teeth as it can break any bracket or wire.
So, you have to learn proper brushing and flossing techniques with braces on teeth to fix an overbite.
Become of these reasons, patients with Invisalign’s may have better periodontal health than patients with braces.
12. Cleaning and maintenance
Maintaining Invisalign is quite easier than braces. You can remove them whenever you face any trouble with them.
But, you should keep them in your mouth until there is no way without doing it. You also remove clear aligners when you need to clean them.
Cleaning is also a very easy task. You can wash them with lukewarm water regularly.
On the other hand, you need to take care of your braces more. You can’t remove them either if you want to clean them. That means you have to clean them while they are on teeth.
Besides, you have to be careful so that any component of braces doesn’t get broken or loose. So, it’s a little difficult to clean them thoroughly.
13. Effectiveness
I personally think that braces still are more effective than Invisalign. However, Invisalign is giving the braces a good competition because of the invitation of various attachments and techniques.
But, if you have a serious or complicated overbite, you should consider braces.
Braces have a wide range of treatment options and they can correct almost any malocclusion effectively.
They can also be helpful in surgical cases to fix the overbite. But, I don’t discourage you to get the clear aligner.
Invisalign can correct almost any kind of overbite now a day. You can surely get that if you are a good candidate for it.
Consult with an orthodontist to know which one can be the best for you.
14. How they work
Let’s take a look at the difference between braces and Invisalign regarding their techniques for fixing overbite.
Braces
Braces brackets are attached to your teeth with the help of adhesive glue. That means you have to carry it in your mouth during the whole period of treatment.
But, it can correct your overbite perfectly. To achieve this, your orthodontist put wires in the brackets.
They are tightened to provide pressure on the teeth through brackets. This pressure moves your teeth in the desired position.
In the case of an overbite, he focuses on a few more things. He corrects all the problems related to occlusion as well as an overbite.
You get rubber bands or springs to fix the overbite specifically. They are attached to connect upper and lower braces.
This provides a force on the teeth and puts pressure on the jawbones. In this way, they move your front teeth backward easily over time using their elastic or spring property.
Invisalign
The orthodontist designs the aligners for your teeth depending on the requirement such as fixing an overbite.
Then, he attached elastic bands that connect top and button aligners. This helps move the teeth backward by using their elastic property and putting an ideal force.
It provides pressure on the bones of your upper front teeth to shift the back. Gradually it corrects the bite.
However, you have to replace the Invisalign after every two weeks and get the new sets.
15. Side effects after treatment
Both Invisalign and braces have no side effects if you seek a certified orthodontist. If the treatment doesn’t give you any benefits, he won’t perform it in the first place.
If you need a tooth extraction for braces, he will also evaluate you nicely to see if you are a good candidate for that.
16. Tooth staining or decay after treatment
Both options may not cause tooth sensitivity, decay, or staining if you maintain oral hygiene.
However, braces have more chances of having yellow tooth dislocation or staining after treatment as maintaining oral hygiene with them is hard.
So, learn how to prevent yellow stains from braces effectively.
Using tooth whitening products with traditional braces also makes teeth color uneven.
On the other hand, you can use tooth whitening products with clear aligners as you can remove them while applying them.
Know how to whiten teeth with braces before applying any products.
Takeaways
There are several options to make the teeth straight by fixing the bite. Braces and Invisalign are the two most important and effective options to solve this purpose.
If your overbite and teeth misalignment isn’t complicated and you are more concerned about your look, you can consider Invisalign treatment over braces.
But, if you have an excess overbite, you should go with the braces to fix it. Though it may be uncomfortable, it can give you the best result in serious cases.
Whatever you decide, you should fix the overbite or it may cause various problems in the future such as speech impediments, chewing difficulty, TMJ issues, and more. So, consult an orthodontist today to prevent it.
You can also check out other options to fix an overbite.
