Are Clear Braces and Invisalign the Same Thing?

Many dentists and patients refer to Invisalign as “clear braces”. That being said, Invisalign cannot rightly be described as a type of braces. This is because they both look and work much differently than the traditional orthodontic appliance.

The Invisalign appliance is called an aligner. These look and fit much like a mouth guard, by encompassing the teeth and staying comfortably in place. Compare this to how braces are placed, with brackets bonded to the teeth and a wire running through them. Furthermore, while braces are semi-permanent, and can only be removed by our dentist at the end of your treatment, Invisalign aligners can be removed easily by the patient. Invisalign also moves the teeth into place differently, pushing rather than pulling by tightening wires.

There are some modern braces options that are more aesthetically pleasing than the traditional option. For example, ceramic braces are more of a while color than a metallic grey. They are not, however, clear, like Invisalign aligners are. Neither are self-ligating braces, which feature smaller brackets, making them less noticeable, but not invisible.

Our San Francisco dentist offers all of these orthodontic options and more. Schedule a consultation appointment to find out which is best for you and your smile.