Invisalign or Braces: Choosing the Right Treatment for Your Smile
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Invisalign or Braces: Choosing the Right Treatment for Your Smile
Invisalign or braces is one of the questions we hear most often from patients and parents in Anderson, Fortville, and the communities around them. Both treatments can give you a straight, healthy smile. The right choice depends on your teeth, your daily routine and, for younger patients, how consistently they will follow each treatment's instructions.
This guide compares the two in plain terms so you can arrive at your consultation knowing what to ask.
The short answer: Braces stay on your teeth and work well for nearly every case, including complex bite concerns and younger patients. Invisalign uses clear, removable aligners that are hard to notice, and it suits many teens and adults who will wear them 20 to 22 hours a day. The best way to choose is a consultation with Dr. Bettagere, a board-certified orthodontist.
How Braces Work
Braces use small brackets bonded to the front of your teeth and connected by a wire. Gentle, steady pressure guides your teeth into place, and Dr. Bettagere fine-tunes your braces at regular appointments as they move. Because braces stay on all the time, they keep working whether you remember them or not.
We offer three types of braces:
• Traditional metal braces: strong, reliable, and familiar. Kids and teens can choose colored ties to make them their own.
• Clear (ceramic) braces: they work just like metal braces, with tooth-colored brackets that are much harder to see.
• Pitts 21 braces: our advanced bracket system. Each bracket holds the wire with a built-in door instead of elastic ties, and the smooth, rounded, low-profile design is more comfortable and easier to keep clean. Pitts 21 braces are designed to move teeth faster with lighter force, so most patients feel very little discomfort.
How Invisalign and Clear Aligners Work
Invisalign uses a series of clear, custom-made aligners. You wear each set for a short period before moving to the next, and every set brings your teeth a little closer to their final position.
The aligners are removable, so you take them out to eat, to drink anything other than water, and to brush and floss. They only move teeth while they are in, which is why we ask patients to wear them 20 to 22 hours a day.
We offer Invisalign, Angel, and custom 3D-printed aligners made right here in our office, so you are not waiting on an outside lab between sets.
A note on microplastics
Some families ask whether clear aligners release microplastics, and we take that question seriously. Recent laboratory studies have found that aligners can shed tiny plastic particles as they are worn, with more shedding over longer wear and after exposure to acidic or sugary drinks [3][4]. These studies were done in lab settings rather than in patients, and the researchers stress that clinical studies are still needed before any conclusions about health effects can be drawn [5]. Our in-house aligners are thermoformed, shaped from sheets of material over 3D-printed models of your teeth, the same method used for Invisalign and Angel. In that same research, thermoformed aligners shed fewer particles than aligners printed directly on a 3D printer [5].
If you choose aligners, three habits help keep wear on the material low: take them out for anything other than water, switch to each new set on schedule, and clean them daily. If microplastics are an important consideration for your family, Dr. Bettagere will walk you through braces and every aligner option at your consultation.
Invisalign vs. Braces at a Glance
What each treatment can correct
Both braces and clear aligners treat many common concerns. The bigger question is how complex your case is.
Braces give Dr. Bettagere more control over complex tooth movements, and she can pair them with advanced tools like TADs (temporary anchorage devices, tiny anchors that help guide teeth precisely). For milder cases, Invisalign often works just as well. A consultation is the only way to know which fits your smile.
Choosing for Children, Teens, and Adults
Children. Braces and appliances are usually the better fit for younger patients. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7 [1]. At that age most children have a mix of baby and adult teeth, which lets us spot jaw and bite concerns early. If early treatment is needed, it may include an expander or partial braces to guide the jaw while it is still growing.
Teens. Both options can work well. Braces are a dependable choice for a teen who may forget or misplace aligners, while Invisalign suits a responsible teen who wants a less noticeable look and will wear aligners most of the day. Braces won't keep your teen from sports, band, or choir, and athletes should wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth and braces.
Adults. Many adults choose Invisalign or clear braces because they are discreet at work and in photos. You are in good company: one in three orthodontic patients today is an adult [2]. For more complex bite concerns, braces or Pitts 21 braces may deliver a better result, and Dr. Bettagere will walk you through the reasons.
Five Questions to Bring to Your Consultation
1. Is my case simple or complex? Complex bite concerns often respond best to braces.
2. Will I wear aligners 20 to 22 hours a day? If not, braces are the more reliable choice.
3. How much does appearance matter to me? Invisalign and clear braces are the least noticeable.
4. How much flexibility do I want with food? Invisalign lets you eat what you like, as long as the aligners come out first.
5. What does Dr. Bettagere recommend for my smile? Your records and goals guide the final recommendation.
At your consultation, Dr. Bettagere will tell you honestly which option suits your case, even if it is not the one you came in asking about.
Your Treatment Investment
Your investment depends on your case and the treatment you choose. Our team verifies your orthodontic insurance benefits, submits claims for you, and offers flexible in-house payment plans, so you know exactly what to expect before treatment begins.
Book Your Free Consultation
Your best smile starts with a conversation, and we'd love to have it. Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Bettagere, a board-certified orthodontist, at our Anderson or Fortville office. Plan for about 90 minutes so we can take photos and a 3D x-ray and review your options together. Ask about our current offer of $500 off braces or Invisalign.
