Are you torn between Invisalign and Lightforce Braces? Maybe you want orthodontic treatment but want to avoid traditional metal braces? No matter the reason, we are here to help.
Deciding between clear aligners and ceramic braces can be difficult, but it doesn't need to be. At Gorgeous Smiles, we think everyone deserves access to their perfect smile. Today, you will learn the difference between Invisalign and Lightforce braces to help you determine your best choice.
What We Are Going To Cover:
Invisalign Vs Lightforce Braces: Treatment Approach
Treatment for Invisalign and Lightforce braces are similar; dental professionals do them. Lightforce braces use a ceramic brace to straighten your teeth, while Invisalign focuses on clear aligners to gently move them into their new position.
Invisalign Treatment Approach
The Invisalign treatment approach is broken into three stages:
Stage 1: Consultation
We begin with an in-person consultation to assess if Invisalign is right for you and discuss your dream smile. We create a 3D model of your smile and use SmileView to show you what your new smile could look like. Invisalign can help with crooked teeth, crowding, and some bite issues, making it easy for anyone to build their dream smile.
You can make adjustments here, and once you are happy with your new smile, custom aligners will be ordered.
Stage 2: Treatment Begins
Once your aligners arrive, you will have a second appointment, where one of our CBD dentists will fit your aligners, ensure the fit is correct, and show you how to use them. They will also run through your treatment plan, answering your questions.
You will change your aligners every two weeks as they move your teeth into their new position. During your treatment, you will attend check-ups every six weeks, where we will assess your progress, make adjustments, and carry out routine dental work. To keep your new smile healthy, we will carry out cleanings, check for tooth decay, and remove plaque build-up where necessary.
Stage 3: Enjoy Your Smile
Once your treatment plan ends, you can enjoy your new smile! You will wear a retainer at night to keep your smile in place and attend usual dental check-ups every six months.
Lightforce Braces Treatment Approach
Lightforce Braces uses five steps for your treatment process, listed below:
- Meet your orthodontist for an evaluation to see if you are a candidate for Lightforce braces and have a digital scan of your teeth and bite
- Lightforce digital software is used to create your custom treatment plans based on your goals
- Lightforce will 3D print your braces and send them to your orthodontist
- Your braces are fitted, and your journey to your new smile begins
- Your orthodontist offers regular appointments to assess your progress
Invisalign Vs Lightforce Braces: Treatment Duration
Lightforce Braces take longer than Invisalign to create your dream smile. The duration for both treatments varies depending on the complexity of your case and the work required to create your new smile.
Invisalign Treatment Duration
How long Invisalign takes depends on your treatment plan and the work required to achieve your new smile. On average, Invisalign takes between three and eighteen months. Minor straightening and aligning can take three months, while more complex cases will take over a year.
At your consultation, you will be given an estimated time frame. You must follow your treatment plan carefully to ensure an accurate time frame.
Lightforce Braces Treatment Duration
Lightforce Braces take one to three years, depending on the misalignment and work required to create your new smile. The completion time is roughly the same as traditional braces, with your orthodontist providing an estimated time frame during your consultation.
Many customers did find that their treatment time was shorter than anticipated, but this does vary from case to case.
Invisalign Vs Lightforce Braces: Technological Features
Both Invisalign and Lightforce Braces have technological features that set them apart. They are virtually invisible and durable and focus on precise tooth movement to help you achieve your dream smile.
Invisalign Technological Features
Invisalign aligners feature several technological features to help you create your new smile. The three key elements are listed below:
- SmartTrack Material - Uses gentle and constant force to move your teeth. The material helps to speed up treatment time, allowing you to see results quickly
- SmartStage Technology - Programmes individual tooth movement simultaneously, helping us to predict your results and you to see them quickly
- SmartForce Attachments - Helps your aligner deliver the results you want. Bite ramps, precision cuts, and a power ridge are some of the attachments and features we can use to help you achieve your perfect smile
Lightforce Braces Technological Features
Lightforce Braces uses several technological features that set them apart from conventional braces. We have outlined the key elements below:
- 3D Printed Bracket - compared to traditional bracket systems, Lightforce brackets are 3D printed to provide you with an accurate and tailored bracket, speeding up your treatment
- Digital treatment planning - allows for a tailored plan based on 3D models and scans of your teeth to ensure that your tooth movement is done without disrupting your facial features or damaging your jaw
- Durable ceramic brackets - are placed front and back on all teeth, with durable and virtually invisible materials, allowing you to wear your braces with confidence
Invisalign Vs Lightforce Braces: Cost
Invisalign aligners can be cheaper than Lightforce Braces, but this depends on the smile you want and the work required to achieve your smile. Those with more complex cases might find Lightforce Braces a cheaper alternative, especially if they address bite issues.
Invisalign Cost
The cost of Invisalign aligners varies, depending on your chosen plan and the required work. On average, Invisalign costs between $6,000 and $9,000, although plans start at $3,500. More details on prices can be found below:
- Invisalign i7: $3,500 to $5,500
- Invisalign Lite: $5,000 to $7,000
- Invisalign Full: $7,000 to $9,000
Here at Gorgeous Smiles, we believe everyone should have access to their dream smile. We offer several payment plans, allowing you to spread the cost and making straight teeth more accessible. Why not book a consultation with us to discuss our prices and determine the available payment options?
Lightforce Braces Cost
The price of Lightforce Braces varies, but it can cost from $7,350 to $8,100. You might find that the price varies depending on your chosen orthodontist; consider this before committing to your treatment. The cost will vary depending on the work required to create your new smile. Your orthodontist will offer a price for these clear braces during your consultation, giving you an accurate cost.
You might also be offered a payment plan, allowing you to spread the cost of orthodontic treatments, making a new smile more accessible. These payment plans might be subject to charges and interest rates; read the fine print before agreeing to any payment plans.
Invisalign Vs Lightforce Braces: Customer Experience
Customers were happy with both treatments. They found Lightforce Braces quicker than anticipated but found the staining between appointments an issue. Staining was not an issue for Invisalign customers, but a few found their treatment time was longer than they first anticipated.
Invisalign Customer Experience
Customers were impressed with their Invisalign experience. They enjoyed everything from the informative consultation to the results. Customers particularly enjoyed seeing their new smile before treatment began, giving them a goal to work towards.
While the aligners can be uncomfortable, hardly any customers find them painful, making them easy to wear. They found the plan easy to incorporate into their routines, reducing the chance of them skipping days, which could impact the effectiveness of the treatment.
A few customers noted that the treatment took longer than anticipated, but they had support to guide them through it. The support of our dental professionals will make the necessary adjustments and ensure you still achieve your desired results.
We have many success stories and happy customers impressed with their new smile. Check out our before and after
pictures to see what your new smile could look like.
Lightforce Braces Customer Experience
Customers were impressed with the speedy treatment time. Many customers found the treatment time was quicker than anticipated, allowing them to show off their smiles within the year. They also found that the appointments were insightful, with advice and guidance provided. There were very few reports of pain, too, with customers finding that the braces did not cut into their gums as we see with traditional braces.
Some found that the check-ups were quite far apart, sometimes as much as twelve weeks, which meant the bands became quite stained. They found it hard to prevent staining and preferred more frequent appointments to avoid this issue.
Invisalign Vs Lightforce Braces: Customer Support
In-person customer support is provided with both treatments. The regular check-ups with Invisalign make it easy for us to spot any concerns and address them quickly, avoiding adding to your treatment time. The frequency of your check-ups with Lightforce Braces will vary depending on the dental practice you choose, but you can also expect regular check-ups.
Invisalign Customer Support
You get lots of in-person customer support during your Invisalign treatment process. Our dental professionals are with you from your initial consultation to the final aftercare appointment, answering questions, adjusting your treatment, and providing support.
You will also have regular check-ups every six weeks, where your progress is assessed, your treatment adjusted where necessary, and routine dental work carried out. We will check for tooth decay, provide cleanings, and remove plaque build-up so that your new smile is healthy.
Lightforce Braces Customer Support
Customer support with Lightforce Braces comes from your orthodontist. You will be cared for by dental professionals from the beginning, with an initial consultation. Regular appointments will also be after the braces are fitted to assess your progress and make any adjustments needed. These regular appointments allow your dentist to carry out routine dental work and for you to ask any questions you might have.
The support you receive will vary depending on the dental practice you choose. Not everyone offers as much support as Gorgeous Smiles do.
Invisalign Vs Lightforce Braces: Aftercare
Invisalign and Lightforce Braces have similar aftercare treatments, with retainers needing to be worn nightly. Good oral hygiene must be maintained to keep your new smile healthy.
Invisalign Aftercare
Aftercare is a vital part of Invisalign. It ensures that your hard work is not undone and allows you to enjoy a happy and healthy smile. We provide you with a breakdown of your aftercare during consultations, but the guidelines can be found here:
- You must wear your retainer at night to maintain your results
- You must attend regular dental check-ups and cleanings to maintain your oral health
- You should avoid staining foods and drinks like berries, coffee, and wine as these can discolour your teeth
- You must clean your aligners regularly to prevent bacteria and plaque from building up. Lukewarm water and a soft-bristled brush is the best method
- You must rinse your aligners after use in lukewarm water
- You must floss and brush regularly to ensure good oral hygiene
Lightforce Braces Aftercare
Aftercare is an important part of the Lightforce Braces treatment. You must wear a retainer at night after removing your braces to maintain your smile's position. You must also attend dental appointments every six months to check your oral health and practise good oral hygiene, like brushing regularly.
Get A Invisalign Treatment Consultation
Now that you have seen the differences between Invisalign and Lightforce Braces, we hope you can see which is right for you. While Lightforce Braces can be quick, the in-frequent dental appointments and staining can be off-putting. You get none of that with Invisalign; you can enjoy regular check-ups, clear and stain-free aligners, and a treatment plan that fits into your lifestyle.
Plus, with a Invisalign treatment consultation, nothing stands in the way of you and your new smile. Why not book one today and see what your dream smile could look like?
