Is Invisalign as effective as braces?

For most adults with mild to moderate alignment issues, yes. Invisalign can achieve the same results as braces when worn consistently at 20-22 hours per day. Complex cases involving significant bite changes may still be better suited to braces.

Can Invisalign fix an overbite?

Yes, modern Invisalign with mandibular advancement features or bite ramps can correct mild to moderate overbites. Severe skeletal overbites may require a different approach. We assess this at the consultation.

What happens if I lose an aligner?

Contact us right away. We'll either have you wear the previous set or move to the next set early, depending on where you are in treatment. Replacement trays can be ordered from Invisalign, typically within one to two weeks.

How do I decide between Invisalign and braces?

The best way is to come in for a consultation. We'll assess your bite, crowding, and goals, then give you a straightforward recommendation rather than defaulting to whichever treatment we can charge more for.

Which is faster: Invisalign or braces?

Treatment time varies by case complexity, not by appliance type alone. Simple cases with either Invisalign or braces may resolve in 6 to 12 months. Complex cases can take 18 to 36 months with either option. Some patients with braces achieve results faster because the treatment is always active; Invisalign results depend heavily on consistent wear.

Can adults get braces or Invisalign?

Absolutely. More than one in four orthodontic patients today are adults. Both Invisalign and braces are appropriate for adult patients. Invisalign is particularly popular among adults who prefer a discreet treatment option. There is no age limit for orthodontic treatment, provided the teeth and gums are healthy.

Orthodontics, Glendale, AZ

Invisalign vs. Braces: Which Is Right for You?

Independent · Doctor-Owned

Both straighten teeth. The question is which one fits your lifestyle, your bite, and your preferences. We'll give you an honest answer at the consultation.

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Both

Options Available

we offer both

Free

3D Consultation

before you decide

Financing

with approved credit

No bias

We Offer Both Treatments

Because we provide both Invisalign and braces, we have no financial reason to push you toward one. Our recommendation is based on what actually works for your case.

Honest assessment, not upsell

Getting started

See Your Options in 3D First

At the free consultation we scan your teeth and show you both a projected Invisalign outcome and a braces treatment plan, side by side, before you commit to anything.

Free 3D scan included

Side by Side

Invisalign vs. Braces at a Glance

Here's a straightforward comparison across the factors that actually matter to most adults.

Factor	Invisalign	Traditional Braces
Visibility	Nearly invisible clear trays	Visible metal or ceramic brackets
Removability	Removable for eating and brushing	Fixed until treatment ends
Cleaning	Brush normally; clean aligners daily	Flossing around brackets takes more time
Treatment Time	6–18 months for most cases	12–24 months typical
Comfort	Smooth plastic, no wires or brackets	Initial soreness; occasional wire irritation
Cost Range	$3,500–$8,000+ depending on case	$3,000–$7,000 typical
Best For	Adults with mild to moderate issues who value discretion	Complex bite corrections; patients needing maximum control

Honest Assessment

Where Each Option Excels

There is no universally better choice. The right treatment depends on your bite, your discipline, and your goals.

Invisalign

Where Invisalign Wins

For adult patients with mild to moderate crowding, spacing, or bite issues who want a discreet treatment, Invisalign is often the better experience. You can remove trays for important meetings, photos, or meals.

Virtually invisible while worn
Remove for eating, no food restrictions
Easier to brush and floss
Smooth plastic, no irritation from wires
Fewer emergency appointments for popped wires
Digital preview of your final result before starting

Important note on compliance

Invisalign only works if you wear the aligners 20–22 hours per day. Leaving them out for long periods stalls treatment and can add months and cost. This is the most common reason Invisalign underperforms expectations.

Traditional Braces

When Braces Are the Better Choice

Braces still have a meaningful advantage in certain clinical situations. They give the provider more precise control over tooth movement, especially for complex bite corrections or cases where full-time force is needed.

Severe crowding requiring significant rotation
Complex bite issues, including skeletal discrepancies
Younger patients who may struggle with compliance
Cases requiring precise torque control

Braces are also a reasonable choice for patients who simply prefer not to manage removable appliances, or who want a fixed treatment that advances regardless of daily habits.

Invisalign Results: What You Can Expect

Real cases treated at Smile Science. The comparison table tells you the technical story. These photos tell the aesthetic one.

Invisalign diastema closure: before and after — Diastema closure

Invisalign case: before and after — Crowding correction

Invisalign before and after results - Smile Science patients — Patient results gallery

Decision Guide

Which Is Right for You?

Neither option is universally better. Here is a practical breakdown to help you think it through before your consultation.

Invisalign tends to win when:

Your case involves mild to moderate crowding or spacing
You are an adult or older teen who wants a discreet treatment
You have an important event coming up (wedding, reunion, graduation) and need to look your best during treatment
You are confident you will wear the aligners consistently for 22+ hours per day
You want to see a 3D simulation of your result before committing

Braces may be the better choice when:

Your case involves complex bite corrections or significant rotation
You are treating a younger patient who may struggle with compliance
You are not confident you will keep the aligners in for the required hours
Your 3D simulation shows braces would produce a faster result for your specific bite

We offer both. At your free consultation we give you a recommendation based on your scan, not on which product has a higher margin.

Independent & Doctor-Owned

Smile Science is owned entirely by Dr. Dawson and Dr. Turke -- two practicing dentists with no outside investors, no DSO involvement, and no private equity. The doctors making your treatment decisions are the same people whose names are on the practice.

Your Invisalign treatment is monitored by Dr. Turke or Dr. Dawson throughout -- not a remote provider you have never met.

Common Questions

Invisalign vs. Braces FAQ

For most adults with mild to moderate alignment issues, yes. Invisalign can achieve the same results as braces when worn consistently at 20-22 hours per day. Complex cases involving significant bite changes may still be better suited to braces.
Yes, modern Invisalign with mandibular advancement features or bite ramps can correct mild to moderate overbites. Severe skeletal overbites may require a different approach. We assess this at the consultation.
Contact us right away. We'll either have you wear the previous set or move to the next set early, depending on where you are in treatment. Replacement trays can be ordered from Invisalign, typically within one to two weeks.
The best way is to come in for a consultation. We'll assess your bite, crowding, and goals, then give you a straightforward recommendation rather than defaulting to whichever treatment we can charge more for.
Treatment time varies by case complexity, not by appliance type alone. Simple cases with either Invisalign or braces may resolve in 6 to 12 months. Complex cases can take 18 to 36 months with either option. Some patients with braces achieve results faster because the treatment is always active; Invisalign results depend heavily on consistent wear.
Absolutely. More than one in four orthodontic patients today are adults. Both Invisalign and braces are appropriate for adult patients. Invisalign is particularly popular among adults who prefer a discreet treatment option. There is no age limit for orthodontic treatment, provided the teeth and gums are healthy.
No. Smile Science is 100% owned by Dr. Dawson and Dr. Turke, two practicing dentists. There are no outside investors, no private equity involvement, and no management company directing clinical decisions. Both owners practice here full time. In a DSO or corporate chain, treatment recommendations can be influenced by investor returns, production quotas, or rotating providers who do not know your history. At Smile Science, the people making your treatment decisions are the same people whose names are on the practice. They are the doctors you will see at your appointment.

Your Care Team

Meet Your Glendale Dentists

Co-Founder

Dr. Richard Dawson, DMD

DMD, ICOI Fellow, AGD Member. Focuses on Invisalign using digital treatment planning and AOS continuum training.

Co-Founder

Dr. John Turke, DMD

Restorative dentist and digital dentistry lead. Implant Pathway Fellow. Focuses on Invisalign, digital dentistry, and comprehensive restorative treatment.

20118 N 67th Ave, Suite 308 -- Glendale, AZ 85308 -- (480) 530-3663

Invisalign vs. Braces: Which Is Right for You?

Invisalign vs. Braces at a Glance

Where Each Option Excels

Invisalign Results: What You Can Expect

Which Is Right for You?

What Our Patients Say

Invisalign vs. Braces FAQ

Meet Your Glendale Dentists

Invisalign Starting at $199/Month

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