Braces vs Invisalign (Orthodontics)

[Iblamecolme]

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:

• 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?

Invisalign:

• 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:

1. Expansion: Can either of them actually push the arch outward (especially the top arch)? Or do they only push teeth forward/backward?
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. 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.

 

[davidlaidisme67]

If you plan to get braces, get Damon braces

 

[realfederalegent]

good youre a male and not a female

 

[ltn_looksminner]

If you plan to get braces, get Damon braces

I confirm this , i literally have nearly 0 pain since installing them , apart from the damn bite blockers which makes eating feels like shit

 

[Iblamecolme]

I confirm this , i literally have nearly 0 pain since installing them , apart from the damn bite blockers which makes eating feels like shit

Apparently chatgpt says they are better for arch expansion, opinion?

 

[ltn_looksminner]

Apparently chatgpt says they are better for arch expansion, opinion?

Neither braces or Invisalign will give you palate expansion

 

[Iblamecolme]

Neither braces or Invisalign will give you palate expansion

Teeth arch expansion not palate

 

[realfederalegent]

"I don’t want to half-ass this" and then you talk about braces... Thats not going to looksmax you. Its not going to fix assymetry if its skeletal. If you really want to go trough the effort youre talking about you should get jawsurgery. And as long as you dont have teeth crowding you wont need expansion (SARPE in your case) and no it wont push your maxilla forward. Also what do you mean by "push teeth forward/backward"?

To answer the last question, the risk of relapse is not different between braces and invisalign just make sure you do in fact thumbpull bro, its very important.

 

[ltn_looksminner]

Its the same

Teeth arch expansion not p

Teeth arch expansion not palate

Teeth arch expansion not palate

 

[Iblamecolme]

Fai

"I don’t want to half-ass this" and then you talk about braces... Thats not going to looksmax you. Its not going to fix assymetry if its skeletal. If you really want to go trough the effort youre talking about you should get jawsurgery. And as long as you dont have teeth crowding you wont need expansion (SARPE in your case) and no it wont push your maxilla forward. Also what do you mean by "push teeth forward/backward"?

To answer the last question, the risk of relapse is not different between braces and invisalign just make sure you do in fact thumbpull bro, its very important

 

[Iblamecolme]

Fai

"I don’t want to half-ass this" and then you talk about braces... Thats not going to looksmax you. Its not going to fix assymetry if its skeletal. If you really want to go trough the effort youre talking about you should get jawsurgery. And as long as you dont have teeth crowding you wont need expansion (SARPE in your case) and no it wont push your maxilla forward. Also what do you mean by "push teeth forward/backward"?

To answer the last question, the risk of relapse is not different between braces and invisalign just make sure you do in fact thumbpull bro, its very important.

Fair enough about surgery but for now, in my case it’s only the smile which is asymmetrical so i had teeth gap while young and had braces but they did a terrible job, so they only moved one side of my smile so that whole side is inclined.
And for the "push teeth forward/backward" I mean to procline (tip forward) or retrocline (tip back) that is moving the tooth within the bone, so obviously doesn’t change skeletal structure just the teeth setting, also what i mean by arch expansion

 

[realfederalegent]

Stop overthinking this nigga. What can go wrong as long as as you dont get extractions

 

[Iblamecolme]

Yeah I know but the point is, is there any difference between braces or Invisalign in terms of a better end product

Stop overthinking this nigga. What can go wrong as long as as you dont get extractions

 

[realfederalegent]

You are the end product in the ortho industry bro.. wake up

Yeah I know but the point is, is there any difference between braces or Invisalign in terms of a better end product

 

[Iblamecolme]

Well obviously , I just wnna know what to choose between those, leave me alone bro

You are the end product in the ortho industry bro.. wake up

 

[sensu]

got the same issue as you, a slight crossbite and midline deviation. getting invisalign soon to fix my crossbite which will hopefully fix my asymmetry as well soon.

 

[somalie]

also I’m 20 so MSE or palate expander

it aint too late