A Parent’s Guide to Braces and Invisalign

One of the questions we get most from parents is: “which is better: Braces or Invisalign?”

It’s a hard question to answer because so much depends on each child’s personality and their specific needs. That’s why we prioritize spending time with them, and listening to parents. That’s what helps us land on the best possible treatment plan for each unique child who comes to see us for orthodontics.

Here’s some background on our treatment options. Traditional metal or clear braces can be a great choice. There’s minimal involvement from the patient’s perspective except for avoiding foods that can damage brackets and wires, and brushing really well. Braces are also great for kids who simply aren’t going to wear aligners for 22 hours a day. And that’s okay! You’ll come to us every 6-8 weeks for adjustments and we’ll be on our way to a straighter smile in no time.

On the other hand, clear aligners are an excellent alternative for kids that are good at keeping to a schedule. They’re also a great choice if you know brushing is already an issue - which makes braces more challenging. It’s harder to reach those nooks and crannies when the brackets and wires are in place.

If we feel that one would be a better option for any reason we’ll let you know why but we’ll talk through everything in detail together. In most cases both treatment options are efficient and effective at giving your child their ideal smile, and making parents smile along the way. 

At Kirby Nelson Orthodontics we are committed to helping our patients achieve – and keep! – their dream smile. That’s why we are proud to offer all of our patients lifetime retainers — at no charge!

Dr. Kirby Nelson is a leading orthodontist and a top 1% Diamond Invisalign provider in Maple Valley and Enumclaw, WA.  With over 25 years of experience and thousands of happy smiles, you can feel confident in your choice to start orthodontic treatment with Kirby Nelson Orthodontics. Click below to schedule your free consultation today!