The Most Common Question We Hear
When patients come in for a consultation, the question we hear most often is: "Should I get Invisalign or braces?" The honest answer is that both work — but they work differently, and the right choice depends on your lifestyle, your case complexity, and your priorities.
How They Work
**Traditional braces** use metal or ceramic brackets bonded to your teeth, connected by archwires that are gradually tightened. They work 24/7 because they are always on.
**Invisalign** uses a series of custom clear plastic aligners — changed every 1 to 2 weeks — to progressively move teeth. They are removable, so you take them out to eat and brush.
Effectiveness: Is One Better Than the Other?
For most patients, both achieve equivalent results. Braces have a slight edge for very complex movements — severe rotations, significant vertical shifts, or cases requiring precision control. Invisalign has improved dramatically and now handles the vast majority of cases, including moderate to complex ones, when prescribed by an experienced provider.
Dr. Kamdar is a Premier Invisalign Provider, which means he has the training and case volume to handle more complex Invisalign cases than a general dentist or less experienced orthodontist.
The Invisalign Advantages
- ·**Nearly invisible** — most people will not notice you are wearing aligners
- ·**Removable** — eat whatever you want, brush normally
- ·**Comfortable** — no metal brackets or wires to irritate your cheeks
- ·**Fewer emergency visits** — no broken brackets
- ·**Digital preview** — see your projected final result before you start
The Braces Advantages
- ·**Always working** — no compliance required
- ·**Better for some complex movements** — precise control over tooth rotation and vertical position
- ·**Often preferred for kids and teens** — no risk of losing or forgetting to wear aligners
- ·**Slightly lower cost** in some cases
The Compliance Factor
Invisalign only works if you wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours per day. If you think you will regularly forget to put them back in after meals, or if you are getting treatment for a teenager who might leave them on a lunch tray, braces may be the more reliable choice.
Cost at Platinum Orthodontics
We offer all-inclusive pricing for both options — no hidden fees, no surprise add-ons. Your treatment price covers everything from the first wire to your final retainers. Book a free consultation and we will tell you exactly what we recommend and what it will cost.