
Iblamecolme
Iron
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2024
- Posts
- 13
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Basically, I’m a male with mild asymmetry and a light crossbite, nothing super severe but it’s noticeable, also I’m 20 so MSE or palate expander out of the equation. Mostly what I care about is maximizing aesthetics, especially jawline/face balance. I don’t want to half-ass this — if I’m going to go through the effort, I want the best result long-term.
So I’ve been researching Braces vs Invisalign and I talked to an ortho who told me both options would take 6 months in my case. Sounds short, but that’s what they said.
Here’s what I’ve learned so far (but correct me if I’m wrong):
Braces:
Invisalign:
Now the things I really want to understand deeper:
I’m not trying to shortcut this. I don’t care if one’s easier or more convenient. I want the most complete, efficient result — especially since the ortho told me both would take the same amount of time (6 months).
I just want to make sure I’m making the right call.
So I’ve been researching Braces vs Invisalign and I talked to an ortho who told me both options would take 6 months in my case. Sounds short, but that’s what they said.
Here’s what I’ve learned so far (but correct me if I’m wrong):

- Basically the same concept as Invisalign, but you’re locked in 24/7.
- Monthly visits to get them tightened.
- Stronger force, better for serious tooth movement, rotation, or vertical shifts.
- Can be used with elastics, TADs, expanders — so maybe better for asymmetry or bite correction?

- Clear trays that you wear 22+ hours/day — but you can take them off.
- No monthly visits (usually every 6–8 weeks).
- Works if you’re super compliant.
- Also apparently can do expansion/uprighting of teeth that have collapsed inward.
- Might be less painful / more aesthetic short-term.
Now the things I really want to understand deeper:
- Expansion: Can either of them actually push the arch outward (especially the top arch)? Or do they only push teeth forward/backward?
- Asymmetry / Crossbite: If I want to correct a small midline shift or crossbite, is braces always better for that or is Invisalign just as good now?
- Combination with other things: If I were doing light thumb-pulling (don’t roast me, I know the reputation, but I actually feel it working a little), would that support the treatment? Or is it just a waste of time?
- Retention: After I’m done, would either system keep results more stable? Or is it 100% up to whether I wear retainers?
I’m not trying to shortcut this. I don’t care if one’s easier or more convenient. I want the most complete, efficient result — especially since the ortho told me both would take the same amount of time (6 months).
I just want to make sure I’m making the right call.