Invisalign vs. traditional braces: which is right for you?
For decades, straightening your teeth meant one thing: brackets, wires, and a couple of years of careful eating. Today there's another path. Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, virtually invisible aligners to move your teeth gradually into place — no metal, no wires, and no one needing to know you're in treatment unless you tell them.
The benefits over traditional braces
Nearly invisible. Invisalign aligners are made from a clear, medical-grade plastic that sits snugly over your teeth. Most people won't notice you're wearing them, which makes them a popular choice for working adults and teens alike.
Removable. Because the aligners come out, you eat whatever you like, brush and floss normally, and keep your routine. With braces, popcorn, sticky foods and hard snacks are off the menu, and cleaning around brackets takes real effort.
More comfortable. Aligners are smooth and trimmed to fit your gumline. There are no brackets to irritate your cheeks and no wires to poke or snap, so emergency visits are rare.
Fewer appointments, more predictability. Treatment is planned digitally from the start, so you can see a projected result before you begin. Check-ins are typically every six to eight weeks, and there's no tightening — you simply move on to your next set of aligners.
Better for your gums. Being able to clean your teeth properly during treatment means a lower risk of the decalcification marks, plaque build-up and gum inflammation that can come with fixed braces.
Is Invisalign right for everyone?
Invisalign treats a wide range of concerns — crowding, gaps, crossbites, overbites and underbites — and the technology keeps improving. For a small number of complex cases, traditional braces may still be the better tool, and we'll tell you honestly if that's the case. Success with aligners also depends on wearing them 20 to 22 hours a day, so it suits patients who are ready to commit to the routine.
How we offer Invisalign at Beechwood
It starts with a consultation. Dr. Gabi Micheli or Dr. Valerie Roth will examine your teeth and bite, talk through your goals, and let you know whether Invisalign is a good fit. If it is, we take a digital scan of your teeth — no messy impressions — and map out your treatment plan so you can preview your projected smile before committing.
Your custom aligners are then made and delivered to our Waterloo studio. You'll wear each set for about one to two weeks before moving on to the next, with short check-ins along the way to make sure everything is tracking as planned. Once your treatment is finished, we provide retainers to protect your new smile for the long term.
We offer Invisalign for both teens and adults, and our team is happy to walk you through costs, financing options and how your insurance may apply. If you've been thinking about straightening your teeth but didn't love the idea of braces, book a consultation — we'd love to show you what's possible.