Is Invisalign Faster Than Braces? What Dentists in Manchester Say

Is Invisalign Faster Than Braces? What Dentists in Manchester Say

When you’ve got misaligned teeth, it can do more than just make you self-conscious about your smile. Crooked teeth can also affect eating, and two of the most effective treatments for the issue are Invisalign and fixed braces in Manchester. The question we aim to answer in this article is – which does its job faster?

Standard braces have been used for decades, while clear aligner systems like Invisalign have only been around since the late 1990s. Offering a discreet alternative for correcting alignment, crowding, spacing, and bite problems, they’ve become increasingly popular with adults across the UK.

However, when it comes to the speed at which you get the desired results, we’ll shortly see why it’s not a simple like-for-like comparison. There are a number of other factors that need to be thought about.

In What Ways Do Regular Braces and Invisalign in Manchester Differ?

Essentially, if you’re weighing up whether to turn to Invisalign in Manchester or fixed braces, the differences between the two matter. They both do the same job, it’s just that they go about it in different ways. So, let’s take a look at each one in isolation and see what that means for the experience.

Fixed Braces in Manchester

Fixed braces in Manchester are attached directly to your teeth and apply pressure through brackets and wires that are adjusted a little at a time, at scheduled appointments with your dentist (typically every 6 weeks or so).

The big thing to remember here is that (as the name suggests), they’re fixed in place, so they can’t be taken out by anyone but your dentist. That means you’ll need to get used to cleaning and eating with them in your mouth.

Invisalign in Manchester

Invisalign ‘trays’, on the other hand, can be taken out for cleaning, and whatever else you have in mind. Rather than being adjusted by your dentist in Manchester when the time comes, you’re simply moved to a different ‘tray’ to take your teeth to the next position on the journey.

The practical issue here is that when you take them out, you have to remember to put them back in, as they obviously won’t work if they’re not being worn.

As we can see, we’re not comparing apples with apples here, so that has a bearing on the ‘which is faster’ question – something we delve back into now.

Which Is Actually Faster – Invisalign or Fixed Braces in Manchester?

So, we’ve explained the fact that Invisalign in Manchester is basically used for different reasons. Dentists might choose Invisalign for one patient, but fixed braces for another, and that’s the crux of the matter. Sometimes Invisalign will be faster, and sometimes it’ll be fixed braces. It depends on the goal.

Explanation needed, so here we go. Invisalign can be the quicker option when the changes you need are fairly small, such as if your teeth are a little crowded and just need nudging back into line. Braces, however, come into their own when there’s more to do – and they’ll do that job faster than aligners.

When we talk about speed, we’re not asking “which system is faster?” in isolation; it’s really about what’s faster for you. It usually looks like this in practice:

This is why braces in Manchester aren’t “slow” by default. They’re just doing more of the hard work in cases that need it. Invisalign can absolutely be the quicker route, but only when the movements suit aligners and wear time stays on track.

That’s how two people can start treatment at the same time and still finish months apart. They likely began and ended in very different places.

How Do I Know Whether Braces or Invisalign in Manchester is Best for Me?

Once you realise that speed isn’t a particularly key factor when deciding how to straighten your teeth, it gets much simpler to work out which is the right option. That’s why it’s best to talk to your dentist in Manchester before making any big decisions. Below are the factors you’ll likely cover.

What Needs Correcting

Teeth that only need small positional changes can often be moved very efficiently with aligners. When movement needs to be more forceful, more controlled, or involves bite correction, braces tend to offer greater consistency, meaning they’re better when there’s a long, complex treatment plan.

How Each Treatment Suits Your Daily Life

Invisalign relies on aligners being worn properly every day. For people who are disciplined with wear time, that usually isn’t a problem. However, the more you forget, the less will happen. Braces avoid that issue entirely, which is why they’re sometimes recommended even when aligners are an option.

The Current Condition of Your Teeth

Dentists also factor in how much work you’ve already had done. For example, if you’ve got teeth with large fillings, cracks, or a history of problems, fixed braces might be the best choice, as it’ll need something that straightens, at the same time as keeping everything stable.

Thinking About Invisalign or Braces in Manchester? Talk to the Ringway Team

If you’ve been weighing up Invisalign and braces and still feel unsure which way to go, a proper assessment can make things much clearer. Looking at what needs correcting and how treatment is likely to suit you in practice often answers questions that comparisons online can’t.

At Ringway Dental, our orthodontic team uses both options on a frequent basis, so they know exactly when to use them. After a brief chat about things, our patients get straightforward advice based on their unique needs.

If you’d like to talk things through with our team, get in touch today, because sometimes having a clear plan in front of you is all you need.

FAQs About Teeth Straightening in Manchester

Q – Does having to have refinements mean Invisalign has “failed”?

A – No. Refinements are fairly normal. Teeth don’t always move perfectly on the first pass, and extra aligners are sometimes needed to tidy things up. It’s more a sign of adjustment than anything going wrong.

Q – Are braces always better for bite problems?

A – Not always, but they’re often used when bite changes are more involved. Braces offer better control over how each tooth meets together, which can make certain work easier to manage. Invisalign can fix bite issues too but we just need to assess the severity first.

Q – Can you switch from Invisalign to braces if it’s not working?

A – Yes, it does happen. If progress isn’t going the way it should, dentists may recommend changing the approach rather than letting things drift. It’s about keeping treatment moving forward.

Q – Does teeth straightening in Manchester really work that well?

A – Absolutely, just look at what our teeth straightening services did for Laura at the same time she had veneers installed.

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