Updated: 9/25/2025
Whether you have classic metal braces or choosing the clear convenience of Invisalign®, both treatments work the same magic: gently guiding your teeth into their perfect positions. Using steady, gentle pressure, your teeth, gums, and bone gradually shift and adapt until your bite is properly aligned.
Both options are effective—it just depends on which style of treatment fits your lifestyle best!
| Feature | Invisalign® | Traditional Braces |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearance |
Clear, nearly invisible aligners |
Visible metal brackets and wires |
|
Removability |
Removable for eating and cleaning |
Fixed in place 24/7 |
|
Comfort |
Smooth plastic, no wires |
Wires and brackets may irritate mouth |
|
Diet Restrictions |
None |
Many foods must be avoided |
|
Treatment Time |
6–18 months on average |
18–24 months on average |
|
Checkup Frequency |
Every 6–8 weeks |
Every 4–6 weeks |
|
Best For |
Mild to moderate alignment issues |
Mild to severe cases, complex corrections |
Think of Invisalign® as orthodontics made simple. Instead of brackets and wires, you’ll wear a series of clear, custom-made trays that gently guide your teeth into place—step by step. Each set of aligners makes tiny adjustments until your smile reaches its perfect alignment.
It all starts with a 3D digital scan of your teeth. From there, your dentist maps out a personalized treatment plan that shows your smile’s journey from start to finish. Every week or two, you’ll switch to a new set of aligners to keep things moving forward.
The trays are slim, comfortable, and practically invisible, so most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them. You can pop them out to eat, brush, and floss—but for best results, you’ll need to wear them 22–23 hours a day. Consistency is the secret to success.
At Dental Depot, we’re proud certified Invisalign® providers, helping patients across DFW achieve healthier, straighter smiles with one of the most advanced aligner systems in the world.
Traditional braces are the tried-and-true method for straightening teeth—and they’ve been doing the job well for decades. They use a system of small stainless steel brackets bonded to your teeth and connected by a thin wire called an archwire. Tiny rubber bands, also known as o-rings or ligatures, hold the wire in place and keep everything working together.
As treatment progresses, your orthodontist makes careful adjustments to the archwire. These adjustments apply steady, gentle pressure that gradually shifts your teeth into proper alignment. Early in treatment, flexible round wires get the movement started. Later on, sturdier rectangular wires step in to fine-tune your bite and create that picture-perfect finish.
For certain cases, your orthodontist may also add small rubber bands (elastics) that attach to the brackets. These give your smile a little extra push exactly where it’s needed, helping guide your teeth into their best position.
For more information on your orthodontic treatment options, or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our orthodontists, visit our website at dentaldepot.net/find-location to find an office near you.
