Invisalign vs Braces - Which is Faster?

It’s a question as old as time itself.

…okay, not quite, but ever since Invisalign reached the point of being a trusted, reliable alternative to orthodontic treatment with braces, it’s been one of the most common questions: “Invisalign vs braces - which is faster?”

Both Invisalign and braces are effective at correcting dental issues, but the speed of treatment between them isn’t always the same.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the factors that determine how fast Invisalign works compared to braces, accounting for different factors like the type of braces you receive, the complexity of your dental needs, and even your age.

By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of which option might help you achieve your perfect smile sooner.

Why you can trust us

Glen Dental Centre is led by a team of 6 dentists. With deep experience in orthodontic care, oral surgery, and cosmetic dentistry, we’ve spent years honing our skills providing Invisalign in Coquitlam and creating beautiful, health-supporting smiles.

Invisalign speed vs different types of braces

When it comes to orthodontic treatments, time is a major consideration for most patients.

So, can Invisalign, known more for its convenience and less obvious appearance, match - or even beat - the speed of braces?

Here’s how it stacks up against the most common types of braces available today.

Traditional wire/metal braces

The metal braces that most people know have been around since the 70s, and they’re still considered one of the most reliable orthodontic solutions for a wide range of dental issues.

They use metal brackets and wires to gradually shift teeth into their correct positions. On average, treatment with traditional metal braces lasts between 18 to 24 months, although more complex cases can take longer.

In comparison, Invisalign typically requires between 6 to 18 months to complete a treatment plan.

​However, the speed of Invisalign can be heavily influenced by how much time you wear your aligners each day. For optimal results, Invisalign aligners need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day, and failing to do so can extend the treatment duration.

Ceramic braces

Ceramic braces work similarly to traditional metal braces, but instead of metal brackets, they use clear or tooth-colored ceramic brackets, making them less noticeable.

The treatment time for ceramic braces is generally comparable to metal braces, often lasting around 18 to 24 months, depending on the complexity of the case.

Basically ceramic braces come with a tradeoff - they’re more aesthetically pleasing than metal braces, but they aren’t as strong. That can result in longer treatment times due to the need for more adjustments. In some cases, treatment with ceramic braces can extend past the 24-month mark.

Compared to Invisalign, ceramic braces can be slower if they require more frequent adjustments. Invisalign’s advantage lies in the ability to plan each stage of treatment digitally, which can make it more predictable and efficient for certain issues, particularly less complex ones.

Lingual braces

Lingual braces are similar to traditional metal braces, but they are placed on the back of the teeth rather than the front, making them virtually invisible.

They offer a more discreet solution, but they also tend to be less comfortable and can take longer to achieve the desired results. Lingual braces are harder to adjust, which may require more frequent orthodontist visits, and they’re typically recommended for people with complex dental issues.

Treatment times for lingual braces can be longer, usually 18 to 36 months, due to the difficulty of adjustments and the complexity of working on the back side of the teeth. When comparing this to Invisalign’s average timeline of 6 to 18 months, Invisalign can definitely be faster for many patients—especially those with simpler orthodontic needs.

Kids, teenagers, adults - does age matter?

Yes, age absolutely does matter - quite a bit, actually! The age of a patient plays a major role in how quickly treatment progresses, whether using Invisalign or braces.

Why? Well, age affects the movement of teeth, with younger patients often seeing quicker results. Let’s break it down by age group.

Kids

For younger children, especially those who are still growing, braces (rather than Invisalign) are often recommended as the best treatment option.

This is because children’s jaws are still developing, and braces tend to still be more effective at guiding teeth and jaws into the correct alignment. Treatment typically takes around the same amount of time as for adults, but because children are still growing, braces may sometimes be more effective in a shorter period.

Invisalign can be an option for some older children, but it requires a lot of discipline since the aligners must be worn consistently.

Parents need to consider whether their child can be counted on to wear their aligners for the recommended 20 to 22 hours per day, as failing to do so will delay treatment.

Teenagers

For teenagers, both Invisalign and braces are common options. Invisalign is the more popular of the two, although braces have become a bit of a style statement, too.

Teenagers with milder orthodontic issues may find Invisalign faster than braces because it allows for controlled, incremental movements and all-around pressure that effectively shifts teeth.

However, traditional braces might still be more appropriate for teens with more severe alignment problems or bite issues.

For most teens, treatment time for both Invisalign and braces is quite similar, often ranging between 12 and 24 months, depending on their specific case. As always, with Invisalign, commitment to proper aligner usage matters - older teens may be more diligent about wearing their aligners than younger ones.

Adults/Seniors

Invisalign is an attractive option for adults because of its discreet nature. Adults are often more committed to wearing the aligners as directed, which can lead to faster results.

For mild to moderate cases, Invisalign can offer quicker treatment than braces, usually completing in about 6 to 18 months​.

However, as people age, their teeth move more slowly, so adults and seniors may find their treatment times extend a bit longer than for teens.

Braces, particularly metal or lingual braces, are generally recommended for more complex cases that involve significant bite correction or severe misalignment, and these cases can take 18 months or more.

How do overbite or other issues affect speed?

Not all orthodontic issues are created equal!

While straightening teeth can sometimes be a relatively quick process, more complex issues, such as fixing an overbite or closing significant gaps, tend to lengthen treatment time.

These factors, in turn, affect whether Invisalign or braces is the faster option.

Fixing crooked teeth

Both Invisalign and braces are effective at correcting crooked teeth.

For mild cases of crowding or crookedness, Invisalign can often be faster, especially when the patient is diligent about wearing the aligners for the full recommended time each day. Minor crowding can sometimes be corrected in as little as 6 to 12 months with Invisalign.

For more severe cases, braces may be required, especially if the misalignment is tied to bite issues or if other orthodontic work (like extractions) is needed. In these complex cases, traditional braces may take about 18 months to 2 years.

Closing teeth gaps

When it comes to closing gaps, Invisalign often works faster than braces.

For minor gaps, some patients see improvements within the first 6 months of treatment. For larger gaps, however, the treatment time can stretch closer to 12 to 18 months​

Braces can handle larger gaps just as well, but may require additional appliances or more adjustments, which can slow down the process.

Correcting bite alignment

Correcting bite issues like overbite, underbite, or crossbite is one of the most time-consuming aspects of orthodontic treatment.

Invisalign can treat these problems, but it typically takes longer than straightening teeth alone. On average, Invisalign treatment that involves bite correction takes 12 to 24 months, typically on the upper end of that range.

Traditional braces, particularly when combined with elastics or other dental appliances, typically correct bite issues in a similar timeframe as Invisalign.

One thing to keep in mind: for the most challenging alignment problems, sometimes traditional braces are the only option, and treatment can take upwards of 24 months.

A reminder: speed isn’t everything

Everyone wants their treatment to be over as quickly as possible. That’s not unique to Invisalign, braces, or even dentistry.

But it’s important to remember what really matters—long-term health and quality of life.

Consider a couple of common scenarios:

“I’ve got a wedding/big vacation coming up soon!”

Imagine: Your dentist recommends braces because they offer a higher chance of success for your case, but you’re tempted to go with Invisalign because they’re removable and there’s a chance they could be quicker.

Don’t give in to the temptation—it’s not ideal, but your braces can always be removed for a few days at a time to accommodate things like your wedding ceremony or holiday photos, so you absolutely can look after your long-term health and still have braces-free memories of meaningful life events.

“I just want it to be over as quickly as possible!”

Imagine: Your dentist says you’re suitable for both braces and Invisalign, although braces could actually shave off a few months in your case. You want your treatment to be over ASAP, but you also know that your brushing habits aren’t the best, and that braces will call for really diligent daily care.

In these kinds of situations, you need to be honest with yourself. Are you really going to take the extra time to properly clean around those wires and brackets every day?

If not, it's probably better for you to go with with Invisalign. Yes, it'll take a few extra months—but it’s better to extend your orthodontic treatment time by that tiny amount if it means you’ll be able to maintain a more diligent flossing and brushing routine that protects you from developing cavities or gum issues.

The bottom line…

You should choose the option that gives your treatment the best chance of delivering a healthy, well-aligned smile.

Because, at the end of the day, what's most important? It's having a smile that looks great, feels great, and is easy to take care of.

If getting to that result takes a few extra months, or even another year...the reality is, yes, that can feel really, really frustrating at the time. Wearing dental appliances, changing your daily care routine, even preparing you for orthodontic care with other treatments like cavity removal or tooth extraction—nobody likes those things.

But in the big picture, those extra few months are just a drop in the bucket.

So, as conflicted as you might feel about it at the time, years later - when you’re enjoying all the benefits that come with a well-aligned smile - you’ll look back and be glad that you made the responsible choice.

Looking for braces or Invisalign in Coquitlam?

Glen Dental Centre is a certified Invisalign provider—but we don’t only provide Invisalign.

Here at our Coquitlam dental clinic, we take a hybrid approach to smile correction. For example, if you have complex smile correction needs, we might start you with braces but switch you to Invisalign once your teeth and jaws are more suitably positioned.

That way, you’re able to get the best of both worlds: proven correction for challenging orthodontic issues, plus the convenience and discreetness of clear, removable aligners.

Plus, we’ve done our best to make the experience as simple and accessible as possible, offering direct billing, financing, transit accessibility as well as evening and Saturday appointment hours.

If you’re ready to get started with an Invisalign consultation, call us at (604) 552-2241 or book an appointment online.