If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, you may be wondering if Invisalign is faster than braces. At Southern Maine Orthodontics, with offices in Scarborough and Gorham, Maine, we hear this question often. The length of treatment can affect your daily routine and how soon you get to enjoy your new smile. In this blog, we’ll compare Invisalign and braces to help you understand which may work faster and how our team helps you achieve the best results.
Understanding the Options We Offer in Scarborough
At Southern Maine Orthodontics we provide both traditional braces (metal and ceramic) and Invisalign clear aligners.
Traditional Braces
Braces use brackets that are bonded to the teeth and connected by wires, sometimes with elastic bands. At our practice, we offer metal braces and ceramic braces.
With braces, the orthodontist makes regular adjustments, changing wires or tightening them to guide the teeth into their new positions.
Invisalign Clear Aligners
Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable trays that fit over your teeth and gently shift them step by step into alignment. With Invisalign, you usually switch to the next aligner every week or two, but in some cases, changes can happen sooner, sometimes within just two or three days. The timing depends on your specific orthodontic treatment plan and how your teeth respond to movement.
Which Treatment Moves Teeth Faster
The simple answer is: it depends. Neither Invisalign nor braces is automatically faster for everyone. The speed depends on several factors including how complex the case is, how well you follow instructions, the type of treatment needed, and your biological response.
Factors That Affect Treatment Time
- Complexity of the Case: If you have mild crowding or spacing, a relatively simple bite issue, Invisalign may work in fewer months. But if your case involves major bite corrections, it may require longer treatment or traditional braces.
- Patient Compliance: With Invisalign, because the trays are removable, you must wear them nearly all day for them to work as planned. If you remove them too often, treatment can take longer. With fixed braces, you don’t have the “wearing time” variable as much, since the braces are always in place.
- Biological Response: Every person’s teeth move at a unique rate because everyone’s body responds differently. Some people’s bone and gum tissues remodel and adapt quickly, allowing teeth to shift faster. Others may have a slower biological response, which means tooth movement takes more time.
- Orthodontist’s Plan and Technology: At our office, we use advanced technology (such as 3D scanning and digital planning which can help improve efficiency and predictability.
- Instructions and Follow-Up: For braces, you may have more visits for adjustments; for Invisalign fewer visits but you must change aligners on time. If visits are missed or instructions not followed, time increases.
Typical Time Frames
At our practice, we often see typical treatment times vary depending on the case. For mild to moderate cases, Invisalign treatment usually takes about 12 to 18 months. For moderate to complex cases, Invisalign or situations where braces are a better option may take around 18 to 24 months or sometimes longer. It’s important to note that these are general ranges, not guarantees. Every smile is unique, and treatment time can vary from person to person.
Deciding What’s Right for You in Scarborough and Gorham
At Southern Maine Orthodontics, our goal is to help you achieve a straight, healthy smile as efficiently and comfortably as possible. Every patient is different, which is why we take time to understand your needs before recommending treatment. During your first visit, we carefully examine your teeth and bite, take detailed digital scans, and talk with you about your smile goals.
Once we have a full picture of your orthodontic needs, we’ll discuss whether Invisalign or braces is the best option for you. We explain your estimated treatment time, outline the advantages of each option, and review costs and financing so you can make an informed decision.
Compliance is key to success with any orthodontic treatment. If you choose Invisalign, it’s important to wear your aligners as directed each day. If braces are the better fit, maintaining good oral hygiene and keeping up with adjustment visits will help keep your progress on track.
Throughout your treatment, our team monitors your progress closely and makes any necessary adjustments to ensure your smile transformation stays efficient, predictable, and rewarding.
Why Choose Southern Maine Orthodontics
Choosing the right orthodontic provider makes all the difference in your treatment experience and results. You’ll receive expert care from Dr. Christopher Murphy.
Our practice uses advanced digital scanning and treatment planning technology to enhance comfort and precision while helping reduce overall treatment time whenever possible. From your first consultation to your final appointment, we focus on efficiency, accuracy, and personalized care.
When you partner with our team, you’re working with professionals who genuinely care about your smile, your treatment timeline, and your long-term results. You’ll have complete confidence knowing that every recommendation is tailored to help you reach your goals in the most effective way possible.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward your perfect smile, schedule your complimentary exam with Southern Maine Orthodontics today. We’ll evaluate your alignment, explain whether Invisalign or braces may be faster for your needs, and guide you through every stage of your smile transformation. Your journey to a confident, healthy smile starts here.