Walk into any Calgary coffee shop near a high school and you will see the familiar flash of metal brackets across a grin or two. Braces have been a rite of passage for decades. Yet, at every consult in my clinic, someone asks if Invisalign has replaced dental braces altogether. The short answer is no. The long answer is more interesting and, if you are deciding between treatments, a lot more useful.
The right choice comes down to your bite, your lifestyle, and how precisely we need to move each tooth. Braces remain a powerhouse, especially for tougher cases. Clear aligners like Invisalign shine when you want discreet treatment with excellent control and you can commit to wearing them. A seasoned orthodontist won’t choose based on trend or advertising. We choose based on biomechanics, predictability, and the specifics of your smile.
What “gold standard” actually means in orthodontics
When patients say gold standard, they usually mean the most reliable method to reach a healthy, stable bite with teeth in the right place and a smile that looks natural. Reliability has three pillars. First, the system has to deliver the movements prescribed in the treatment plan. Second, it needs to work across a broad range of malocclusions, not just straightforward crowding. Third, the result should last with ordinary retainer wear.
By those criteria, fixed dental braces have earned their reputation. They are bonded to the teeth and work 24 hours a day, so treatment does not stall when life gets busy. They allow us to apply multiple forces at once, and to tweak torque and rotation in tiny increments. They also work for nearly every kind of bite problem, from deep bites and crossbites to impacted canines and significant asymmetries.
That said, aligners have matured. A decade ago, clear aligners struggled with certain movements, especially extrusion of incisors, complex root torque, and derotation of cylindrical teeth like lower canines. Today, with optimized attachments, staged movements, and better digital planning, aligners can handle far more than they used to. In my Calgary orthodontist practice, I routinely complete full bite corrections with aligners when the patient is diligent and the case selection is thoughtful.
Where braces still lead without question
There are situations where braces are not just better, they are the right tool for the job. If you need interarch mechanics like elastics to correct a Class II or Class III discrepancy, we can do that with aligners, but braces give more robust anchorage. If a canine is impacted high in the palate, braces let us guide that tooth into place with a controlled sequence of forces and custom auxiliaries. If molars need to be rotated and torqued in a crowded arch while we expand the archform, braces do this with crisp efficiency.
I recall a 14-year-old hockey player who came in with a deep bite, flared upper incisors, and a lower midline drifted 2 millimeters to the left. We considered aligners. He admitted he would forget trays at practices, lose them in the locker room, and chew through them on bus rides. Braces with a bite plate and well-sequenced elastics fit his life. We finished in 20 months with roots well centered in bone and a stable, level occlusion. No heroic compliance required, just steady adjustments and a calendar.
Another example: an adult patient with severe crowding and triangular-shaped incisors where the contact points were too short for clean rotations with aligners. With braces, we used slenderization and bracket repositioning to fine tune the contact points, then torqued the roots to ideal positions. The detail work would have taken more trays and more refinements with aligners. Braces let us see the tooth positions directly and adjust in real time.
Where Invisalign earns its reputation
When a patient is motivated, keeps trays in for 20 to 22 hours a day, and values removable comfort, aligners are outstanding. For many adult professionals and teens who want discretion, Invisalign removes the social friction that sometimes accompanies brackets. Speech usually adapts within a day or two. Eating is simpler because you take the trays out. Oral hygiene is easier. For patients prone to decalcification, that matters.
In terms of force systems, aligners apply gentle, staged forces that can be very kind to the periodontium. I have seen less irritation of cheeks and lips during sports and fewer wire pokes, which is not nothing if you are playing ringette in the winter and do not want to track down orthodontic wax before a tournament.
Calgary Invisalign cases often fit a particular profile: mild to moderate crowding or spacing, relapse of previous orthodontic treatment, open bites due to tongue posture, or cosmetic alignment after restorative dentistry. With robust attachment design and smart staging, I also treat full bite corrections and more complex movements. The caveat is consistency. If you treat your aligners like reading glasses and only wear them part-time, movements lag and trays feel tight. The plan then requires refinements, which extends treatment time.
Treatment time myths that need clearing up
People tend to believe braces are slow and aligners are fast. Reality is messier. Treatment time depends more on the initial problem than the appliance. A crowded arch with good skeletal relationships might finish in 12 to 16 months with either braces or aligners. A significant overjet with vertical issues and a transverse discrepancy might take 20 to 30 months, even with excellent compliance.
What changes with the appliance is how often we need to monitor and adjust. With braces, I typically see patients every 6 to 10 weeks to activate wires, reposition brackets, or adjust elastics. With aligners, you might change trays weekly or every 10 days, and we see each other every 8 to 12 weeks to ensure tracking is accurate. Remote monitoring helps, but we still need in-person checks to evaluate root positions and gum health.
I track our local numbers. Over the past three years, across a mix of cases in my practice, average treatment lengths are within two months of each other for braces and aligners when case complexity is matched. What adds time are missed appointments, broken brackets, lost trays, and, occasionally, the need to revise the plan as teeth respond in unique ways.
Comfort, convenience, and the day-to-day reality
Braces are not painful, but the first week brings soreness as teeth start to move. The inside of your mouth gets used to brackets. Wax helps. Diet changes are real. Popcorn hulls and caramel lose their charm when a bracket pops off during a movie. Brushing takes more focus and a bit more time. Calgary winters also come with dry air that can make lips catch on brackets, which is preventable with a small tube of balm kept in your coat pocket.
Aligners feel tight for a day or two when you switch to a new set, then settle. They do not cut cheeks. However, the discipline is daily. Every coffee, tea, or snack requires removing trays, storing them safely, and brushing before reinsertion. If you graze your way through the afternoon, that limits tray wear time and can stain them. For teens, parents sometimes use case counters or apps to encourage consistency. For adults, I suggest setting a rule: if you are not actively eating or brushing, trays go back in.
Biomechanics under the hood
For those who like the why behind the what, orthodontic tooth movement relies on precise, light forces that remodel bone around the tooth root. Braces use wires with varying stiffness and memory, slot dimensions that allow torque control, and elastic modules or power chains for space closure. The bracket prescription matters. A high torque upper incisor bracket behaves differently than a standard one. We can also custom-bend wires to refine positions late in treatment, a skill that sets experienced clinicians apart.
Aligners rely on programmed plastic deformation against attachments bonded to the teeth, along with pressure points and staged steps. Each tray is a tiny instruction set. Good planning avoids asking for too many movements at once. For example, we might derotate a premolar first, then distalize molars a fraction of a millimeter per tray while anchoring with optimized attachments. The software outputs a clean animation. The reality requires biological pacing and periodic checks to make sure attachments are doing their job and trays are fully seated.
Costs in Calgary and what drives them
Fees in Calgary vary by clinic, case complexity, and the type of appliance. For a typical comprehensive case, families will often see ranges that overlap between braces and Invisalign. Braces can be slightly lower in some practices because lab costs are different and materials are standardized. Aligners carry lab fees per case and sometimes per refinement. Insurance plans often reimburse similarly under orthodontic benefits, regardless of appliance.
What changes cost is the time investment from the orthodontist and team, the number of visits, and the need for mid-course corrections. If we are moving a single arch with minor correction, aligners may be more economical. If we are coordinating jaw growth in a teen with appliances and elastics, braces sometimes fit better financially. A Calgary orthodontist with transparent estimates will map out both options for you, including retainers and any refinements.
A word about airway, growth, and timing
We see many children around age 7 for an early check. Most do not start treatment then. What we are watching is growth direction, the width of the upper jaw, and whether habits like thumb sucking or mouth breathing are shaping the bite. When we expand a narrow palate in a growing child, braces often become part of the plan later to align teeth. Aligners can be used for alignment in the teen years, but the orthopedic changes we seek in early treatment respond better to fixed expanders and related appliances.
For adolescents in growth spurts, braces can harness that growth for class correction with elastics or functional appliances. Aligners can also do this when compliance is high, but if trays sit in a backpack, we miss the window. Timing matters more than appliance choice. A short consult with a Calgary orthodontist will help you understand whether early steps make sense or if waiting for full eruption is wiser.
Esthetics and the middle ground
If metal brackets feel too visible, there are ceramic braces that blend with tooth color. They reflect less light, look clean in photos, and still provide the control we want. They are a touch more brittle, and we adjust our techniques to protect them during debonding. For patients on TV or often in front of clients, ceramic brackets paired with clear elastics can be a smart middle ground. I have treated local news anchors, teachers, and public-facing professionals with ceramic braces and the result reads polished without calling attention to itself.
Invisalign wins on invisibility. Up close, attachments can be seen, but across a boardroom table or on a video call, most people will not notice. If you play a woodwind instrument or sing, aligners can be removed for practice sessions, which preserves tone and embouchure. I generally recommend a protective case be kept with your instrument to avoid lost trays backstage or in rehearsal rooms.
Hygiene, gum health, and long-term stability
Straight teeth are easier to clean, which reduces the risk of gum inflammation and cavities. During treatment, braces demand better technique: a small interdental brush, floss threaders or a water flosser, and fluoride toothpaste. In Calgary, our water is not fluoridated citywide. I often recommend a 0.05 percent sodium fluoride rinse at night. With aligners, hygiene is simpler, but aligners can trap sugar and acid against enamel if you sip sweet drinks with trays in. The rule is simple: water only while aligners are worn.
Stability after treatment hinges on retainers. Teeth have memory. Collagen fibers in the gums and ligaments relax over months, not days. A typical plan includes clear removable retainers at night and, in some cases, a bonded wire behind the front teeth. If you stopped wearing a retainer from high school and your lower front teeth crowded again, aligners are ideal for fine tuning and delivering a new retainer. The more we respect retention, the less we need to revisit alignment later.
The Calgary factor: climate, sports, and daily life
Living and working in Calgary shapes how we plan. Winter dryness and temperature swings can make elastics brittle if they sit in a cold car; keep a spare pack in your coat. Many of our teens ski, skate, or play hockey. Braces plus a well-fitted mouthguard works fine. We have boil-and-bite guards designed to fit over brackets without dislodging them. Aligners act like a thin guard but are not protective enough for contact sports; wear a proper mouthguard over them or remove aligners for the game and put them back in promptly.
For adults commuting downtown, aligners are popular because lunch meetings and coffees are easier to navigate discreetly. If you love turmeric lattes or red wine, aligners can stain. Rinse and brush soon after. Ceramic braces also pick up color temporarily in the elastic ligatures when exposed to curry or tomato sauce. We swap those at visits, so the effect is temporary.
Making the choice: who does best with which
Think of treatment success as https://archerhxps896.timeforchangecounselling.com/orthodontic-checkups-why-regular-visits-matter-in-calgary a partnership. Our job is to design forces that move teeth safely and efficiently. Your job is to show up, keep things clean, and either avoid breaking brackets or wear aligners consistently. When those roles sync, results come.
Here is a concise way to size up your options:
- Braces suit patients who want a set-it-and-forget-it approach, have complex bites or impacted teeth, or know they will forget to wear aligners reliably. Ceramic brackets address esthetic concerns without sacrificing control. Invisalign suits patients who value discretion, can commit to 20 to 22 hours of daily wear, want the convenience of removing trays to eat, and have mild to moderately complex cases. With strong compliance and good planning, even more complex movements are achievable.
If you are a teen with a packed sports schedule and a history of misplacing water bottles, braces reduce risk. If you are a consultant flying to client sites and presenting weekly, aligners may fit your professional life and still deliver a great result.
What matters more than appliance brand
I spend as much time discussing habits and goals as I do discussing brackets versus trays. Two patients with the same overbite can need different plans. One may clench at night and require occlusal adjustments and a particular wire sequence. Another may have thin biotype gums and need coordinated care with a periodontist before we move roots outward. No appliance makes up for a plan that does not respect biology.
Experience also matters. A Calgary orthodontist who has finished hundreds of Invisalign cases will leverage attachments, precision cuts, and staging in ways a novice might not. The same is true for braces. A skilled wire bender can resolve stubborn rotations and root angulations without lengthening treatment. When you interview a provider, ask to see completed cases similar to yours, not just animations or brochures.
What a first visit looks like
Expect records: photographs, digital scans, and a 3D X-ray if we need to evaluate roots or impacted teeth. We discuss what you want from your smile and where your bite needs to be for long-term health. Then we map options. Sometimes I present a braces plan and an Invisalign plan side by side, along with timelines, visit frequency, and costs. I will tell you where one option requires more compliance or where another offers more predictable control.
There is usually time to sleep on it. A good decision lasts years and shows in every photo. You should feel clear about what daily life will look like with your choice.
Are dental braces still the gold standard?
Yes, in the sense that they handle the full spectrum of orthodontic problems with unwavering reliability and minimal dependence on patient compliance. They remain the benchmark for complex movements, impacted teeth, and comprehensive bite correction. But Invisalign has earned a seat at the same table for a wide swath of cases, especially when discretion and convenience matter and the patient is committed to wear time. In practiced hands, both can deliver excellent outcomes.
If you are weighing Calgary Invisalign treatment versus dental braces, the best step is an honest conversation with an orthodontist who treats with both and is not wedded to one tool. Bring your questions. Share your routines. We will look at your bite, your airway, your gum health, and your goals, then build a plan that fits your life and gets you where you want to go.
A simple way to prepare for your consult
- Write down what bothers you most about your smile or bite, in order of priority. Note any clenching, snoring, mouth breathing, or gum sensitivity. Think about your calendar for the next 12 to 24 months and where travel, sports, or braces-friendly diet changes might be tricky. Bring your dental insurance details and any previous records or retainers. Decide how important discretion is to you compared to convenience and speed.
The choice between braces and Invisalign is not a referendum on taste or tech. It is a careful match between biology, biomechanics, and your daily reality. With that alignment, your smile will take care of the rest.
6 Calgary Locations)
Business Name: Family Braces
Website: https://familybraces.ca
Email: [email protected]
Phone (Main): (403) 202-9220
Fax: (403) 202-9227
Hours (General Inquiries):
Monday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Thursday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Friday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Locations (6 Clinics Across Calgary, AB):
NW Calgary (Beacon Hill): 11820 Sarcee Trail NW, Calgary, AB T3R 0A1 — Tel: (403) 234-6006
NE Calgary (Deerfoot City): 901 64 Ave NE, Suite #4182, Calgary, AB T2E 7P4 — Tel: (403) 234-6008
SW Calgary (Shawnessy): 303 Shawville Blvd SE #500, Calgary, AB T2Y 3W6 — Tel: (403) 234-6007
SE Calgary (McKenzie): 89, 4307-130th Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 3V8 — Tel: (403) 234-6009
West Calgary (Westhills): 470B Stewart Green SW, Calgary, AB T3H 3C8 — Tel: (403) 234-6004
East Calgary (East Hills): 165 East Hills Boulevard SE, Calgary, AB T2A 6Z8 — Tel: (403) 234-6005
Google Maps:
NW (Beacon Hill): View on Google Maps
NE (Deerfoot City): View on Google Maps
SW (Shawnessy): View on Google Maps
SE (McKenzie): View on Google Maps
West (Westhills): View on Google Maps
East (East Hills): View on Google Maps
Maps (6 Locations):
NW (Beacon Hill)
NE (Deerfoot City)
SW (Shawnessy)
SE (McKenzie)
West (Westhills)
East (East Hills)
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Family Braces is a Calgary, Alberta orthodontic brand that provides braces and Invisalign through six clinics across the city and can be reached at (403) 202-9220.
Family Braces offers orthodontic services such as Invisalign, traditional braces, clear braces, retainers, and early phase one treatment options for kids and teens in Calgary.
Family Braces operates in multiple Calgary areas including NW (Beacon Hill), NE (Deerfoot City), SW (Shawnessy), SE (McKenzie), West (Westhills), and East (East Hills) to make orthodontic care more accessible across the city.
Family Braces has a primary clinic location at 11820 Sarcee Trail NW, Calgary, AB T3R 0A1 and also serves patients from additional Calgary shopping-centre-based clinics across other quadrants.
Family Braces provides free consultation appointments for patients who want to explore braces or Invisalign options before starting treatment.
Family Braces supports flexible payment approaches and financing options, and patients should confirm current pricing details directly with the clinic team.
Family Braces can be contacted by email at [email protected] for general questions and scheduling support.
Family Braces maintains six public clinic listings on Google Maps.
Popular Questions About Family Braces
What does Family Braces specialize in?
Family Braces focuses on orthodontic care in Calgary, including braces and Invisalign-style clear aligner treatment options. Treatment recommendations can vary based on an exam and records, so it’s best to book a consultation to confirm what’s right for your situation.
How many locations does Family Braces have in Calgary?
Family Braces has six clinic locations across Calgary (NW, NE, SW, SE, West, and East), designed to make appointments more convenient across different parts of the city.
Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist at Family Braces?
Family Braces generally promotes a no-referral-needed approach for getting started. If you have a dentist or healthcare provider, you can still share relevant records, but most people can begin by booking directly.
What orthodontic treatment options are available?
Depending on your needs, Family Braces may offer options like metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign, retainers, and early orthodontic treatment for children. Your consultation is typically the best way to compare options for comfort, timeline, and budget.
How long does orthodontic treatment usually take?
Orthodontic timelines vary by case complexity, bite correction needs, and how consistently appliances are worn (for aligners). Many treatments commonly take months to a couple of years, but your plan may be shorter or longer.
Does Family Braces offer financing or payment plans?
Family Braces markets payment plan options and financing approaches. Because terms can change, it’s smart to ask during your consultation for the most current monthly payment options and what’s included in the total fee.
Are there options for kids and teens?
Yes, Family Braces offers orthodontic care for children and teens, including early phase one treatment options (when appropriate) and full treatment planning once more permanent teeth are in.
How do I contact Family Braces to book an appointment?
Call +1 (403) 202-9220 or email [email protected] to ask about booking. Website: https://familybraces.ca
Social: Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube.
Landmarks Near Calgary, Alberta
Family Braces is proud to serve the Beacon Hill (NW Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for orthodontist services in Beacon Hill (NW Calgary), visit Family Braces near Beacon Hill Shopping Centre.
Family Braces is proud to serve the NW Calgary community and offers braces and Invisalign options for many ages. If you’re looking for braces in NW Calgary, visit Family Braces near Costco (Beacon Hill area).
Family Braces is proud to serve the Deerfoot City (NE Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in Deerfoot City (NE Calgary), visit Family Braces near Deerfoot City Shopping Centre.
Family Braces is proud to serve the NE Calgary community and offers braces and Invisalign consultations. If you’re looking for Invisalign in NE Calgary, visit Family Braces near The Rec Room (Deerfoot City).
Family Braces is proud to serve the Shawnessy (SW Calgary) community and provides orthodontic services including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for braces in Shawnessy (SW Calgary), visit Family Braces near Shawnessy Shopping Centre.
Family Braces is proud to serve the SW Calgary community and offers Invisalign and braces consultations. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in SW Calgary, visit Family Braces near Shawnessy LRT Station.
Family Braces is proud to serve the McKenzie area (SE Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for braces in SE Calgary, visit Family Braces near McKenzie Shopping Center.
Family Braces is proud to serve the SE Calgary community and offers orthodontic consultations. If you’re looking for Invisalign in SE Calgary, visit Family Braces near Staples (130th Ave SE area).
Family Braces is proud to serve the Westhills (West Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in West Calgary, visit Family Braces near Westhills Shopping Centre.
Family Braces is proud to serve the West Calgary community and offers braces and Invisalign consultations. If you’re looking for braces in West Calgary, visit Family Braces near Cineplex (Westhills).
Family Braces is proud to serve the East Hills (East Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in East Calgary, visit Family Braces near East Hills Shopping Centre.
Family Braces is proud to serve the East Calgary community and offers braces and Invisalign consultations. If you’re looking for Invisalign in East Calgary, visit Family Braces near Costco (East Hills).