In our years of experience working in New York, we’ve seen more and more adults every year asking about orthodontics and about what’s better for them, braces vs. Invisalign.

At DPI Dental, we treat patients in both Howard Beach and Manhattan’s East Village, to help adults get the smiles they’ve always wanted, and we want to help you understand the distinction so you can choose what’s best for you.

Braces or Braces. Which Is Better?

We’ll start by saying this: Braces have their place and their uses, particularly for growing patients, but for most adults Invisalign has plenty of advantages. 

Appearance: Invisalign Is Practically Invisible

Let’s be honest, adult braces in NYC can feel a little out of place, especially if you’re working in a client-facing role or giving presentations every day. 

Invisalign uses clear aligners that are nearly invisible when worn. Most people won’t even they’re there.

If you value subtlety, clear braces vs. Invisalign isn’t much of a contest: Invisalign wins.

Comfort & Flexibility: Invisalign Is Removable

With Invisalign, you can take the aligners out to eat, brush, and floss, with no food restrictions whatsoever. You eat, you brush your teeth, and you put the aligner back on.

Braces require adjustments, come with wires and brackets, food restrictions, and dental hygiene complications, so if you’re balancing a busy NYC lifestyle, Invisalign vs. traditional braces is a simple choice.

Lifestyle Fit: Invisalign Works With Your Schedule

Adult life is fast in NYC, and sometimes getting to the dentist’s office is just too hard, which means that if you’re choosing between braces vs. Invisalign for adults, you have to prioritize efficiency.

Invisalign requires less in-office visits and there’s no such thing as emergency wire fixes. You get a full set of aligners from the start, and you just swap one aligner for the other at home after a set amount of time.

Should Adults Choose Invisalign or Braces?

Let’s break down both options clearly so you can decide which orthodontic treatment is best for adults like you.

Invisalign Pros and Cons

Invisalign is known for giving adults a chance to improve their smile without making it obvious they’re wearing something. Like with any treatment, however, it comes with pros and cons.

Pros:

• Almost invisible when worn
• Can be taken off for meals and cleaning
• Fewer dentist visits overall
• Has no metal parts or wires

Cons:

Depends on self-discipline, since you need to keep them on for 20-22 hours a day.

• Not ideal for complex bite problems
• Higher cost than braces
• Aligners can be lost or damaged.

Braces: Pros and Cons

Regular braces have been around for decades. They’re reliable, predictable, and consistently deliver great results even in difficult cases. However, they also have their downsides.

Pros:

• Ideal for complex dental issues
• No need to remember to put them on
• Often covered by insurance

Cons:

• Highly visible, even with clear brackets
• Food restrictions
• Need frequent in-office adjustments.

When asking which orthodontic treatment is best for adults, it boils down to what’s easiest for you. Both will deliver results, so the real choice is about which one fits your lifestyle better.