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The average cost of Invisalign is comparable to the cost of braces.
According to the American Dental Association 2020 Survey of Dental Fees, Metal braces cost $4,200 to $6,600. They may cost up to $10,000 for severe cases.
The cost of clear aligners varies greatly, especially between in-office treatment, such as Invisalign aligners, and at-home aligners such as Byte and SmileDirectClub.
The average cost of treatment without insurance is:
Byte | Invisalign | Braces | |
Cost | All-Day Aligners: $1,895 |
$3,000 to $8,000 | $3,000 to $12,000 |
Treatment Time | 4 to 6 months | 12 to 18 months | 12 to 24 months |
Best For | Mild misalignment, some moderate may qualify (take the candidacy quiz) | Mild to severe misalignment, excluding skeletal issues | Mild to severe misalignment, including skeletal issues (jaw) |
Monitoring/Care | 100% remote monitoring via an app | In-person, every 6 to 8 weeks | In-person, every 4 to 8 weeks |
Only your orthodontist will know how much your dental treatment will be. It is essential to know that other factors also affect the price. If your teeth require more attention and work, the price will increase.
If you have an overbite, shifting your teeth into the desired position will take longer. The average orthodontic prices in your city and your dental insurance plan also affect the price.
However, price is not the only factor affecting which orthodontic treatment you choose. Clear aligner treatment and traditional braces differ in many ways.
Read on to learn which treatment is better for your orthodontic needs.
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Invisalign treatment uses removable clear aligners that are virtually invisible to straighten your teeth. They are discreet and comfortable. Clear aligners are ideal for mild cases of malocclusion (misaligned teeth).
The aligners are completely transparent and custom-made.
Clear aligners are an effective treatment option for various orthodontic issues, including:
Clear aligners are not ideal for patients with:
The treatment results in a well-balanced, beautiful smile in as little as twelve months. Invisalign aligners look like clear, flexible retainers and are removable so they can be taken out before eating or brushing.
In most cases, Invisalign can also correct many teeth misalignments. However, your dentist or orthodontist may suggest braces for complicated cases.
There are both pros and cons of Invisalign treatment:
Interested in straightening your teeth at home? Here are the best clear aligner companies.
Traditional braces consist of small brackets fixed to your teeth, linked by a wire, and held to the brackets by rubber bands. These braces move the teeth into the correct position by applying pressure.
The braces' wire is tightened by an orthodontist or dentist every 4 to 6 weeks. This shifts your teeth into place slowly. Sometimes, the brackets are colorful.
Clear braces, also called invisible or ceramic braces are also available. They function the same as traditional braces, but have tooth-colored brackets and white or clear rubber bands. This makes them less conspicuous.
There are also pros and cons to braces:
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Invisalign treatment time typically takes anywhere between 12 to 18 months. While the precise amount of time depends on each patient’s requirements, Invisalign usually works faster in straightening teeth than traditional braces.
Generally, Invisalign takes less time than traditional braces to shift teeth into the correct position. This is because of the type of force the process uses to move teeth.
Invisalign clear aligners add force to the teeth altogether while braces move each tooth individually.
For optimal and quick results, it is essential to follow the instructions for wearing Invisalign clear aligners.
Both traditional braces and Invisalign have their pros and cons. If you are an adult or have a teenager who tends to be self-conscious, Invisalign may be more appealing than braces.
Invisalign aligners are removable so you can eat, drink, brush, and floss more naturally. This may also sound more desirable. But if having to remove the aligner trays for eating or drinking anything apart from water seems inconvenient, Invisalign treatment may not be for you. Plus, patients must brush their teeth after each meal before placing their trays back into their mouth to avoid staining.
It is also essential to understand that Invisalign’s success depends almost entirely on the wearer. If you do not wear your Invisalign aligners, they will not work. But when wearing metal braces, you do not have any choice in the matter.
If you need to treat your back teeth or need to rotate or shift teeth vertically, Invisalign may not be an option. It is a good idea to visit an orthodontist experienced with both traditional metal braces and Invisalign. That way, they can recommend the most effective treatment to suit your needs.
There are two types of clear aligners available.
In-office aligners include Invisalign and Clear Correct. These require you to visit your orthodontist or dentist for your treatment plan and all check-ups. They also cost significantly more than at-home aligners.
At-home aligners, also known as direct-to-consumer or mail-in teeth straightening kits, are a remote treatment option. This means you don't have to visit an orthodontist or dentist. These aligners are more convenient and much cheaper than in-office treatment.
Many cases of mild malocclusion can be treated with at-home aligners, but not everyone is a candidate.
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