What is Invisalign?
For many years, the only way to treat crooked teeth was with the metal braces that were visible to everyone.
Braces covered most of the front surfaces of your teeth, and sometimes included metal bands on the back of the teeth. Because they were visible, many people found them objectionable.
Invisalign is a new approach to orthodontic treatment that replaces metal braces with a series of clear plastic aligners.
The aligner is worn at night, and it gently moves your teeth to straighten your teeth.
This type of orthodontic treatment is called “self-ligating,” because the teeth are “locked” together using small plastic bands on the teeth.
How Effective Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is very effective. Many people find that Invisalign is as effective (or more effective) than traditional braces. Plus, you will not have to endure the pain and discomfort of metal braces. In fact, many people who use Invisalign enjoy not wearing the aligner for long periods of time. For example, some people report that they only wear the aligner for about an hour each night. That means you will spend less time with braces on your teeth, and that reduces the chance that your teeth will become discolored.
Invisalign is usually recommended for adults as well as children, and it is especially effective for people with crowded or crooked teeth, and also for those who want to keep their treatment invisible until it is finished.
Invisalign vs Braces: Comparison
1. Traditional Braces Are Expensive – Typically, you will need about 36 to 48 months of straightening treatment with Invisalign, as opposed to the two to four years required by metal braces.
2. Invisalign Is Less Likely To Cause Gum Problems – Over time, metal braces can irritate the gum tissue, which can lead to infection and tooth loss. In fact, approximately 3% of people who wear braces will develop a chronic gum disease that requires root canal therapy. By comparison, Invisalign is virtually painless.
3. You Can Get Rid Of Your Metal Braces Easier Than Ever – One of the biggest drawbacks to metal braces is that you have to remove them every night to brush your teeth, which can be difficult if you sleep on them on your side or stomach. While Invisalign aligners can be removed after every cleaning, they are also virtually invisible under clothing. This makes brushing easier and more convenient than ever before.
4. The Cost of Invisalign Is Much Lower Than Metal Braces – Unlike metal braces, Invisalign is virtually invisible and extremely low-cost over time, making it an attractive alternative for most people.
5. Cost: Where metal braces are typical $3,000 to $4,000 per month, Invisalign is only about $100 to $200 per month. If you have more than two years of straightening treatment ahead, the total cost will be much lower with Invisalign.
6. Invisalign is Also A Better Option for Teens and Adults – Invisalign is suitable for patients of all ages, including teens and adults. It also has a lower profile than metal braces, which means that younger patients can wear them without anyone knowing what’s going on. As for adults, wearing Invisalign aligners is a comfortable, private way to straighten your teeth.
7. Invisalign Is More Convenient Than Metal Braces – You can take Invisalign aligners out to eat or even drink. The only time you should remove the aligners is when you brush your teeth.
How much does Invisalign Cost?
To know the exact price of Invisalign treatment, you need to ask the dentist about it. The cost depends on the number of aligners you need to wear and the length of the treatment. In general, the cost of Invisalign varies from $3,000 to $7,000. On the contrary, traditional braces have a fixed price which is usually between $2,000 and $3,000.
Usually, the first thing you should do if you want to find out the price of Invisalign treatment is to ask your dentist.
You can also check with your insurance company to see if they will pay for your Invisalign treatment. If you don’t have insurance, you will have to pay the full price of $6,000 to get started with Invisalign treatment. If that’s the case, you should talk with your dentist about payment plans.
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