Invisalign is a form of orthodontic treatment that utilizes a set of clear and hence, invisible aligners to re-position your set of teeth. When it comes to alignment and fit, people get wary and have to brace themselves to invest depending upon their needs, the pros outweighing the cons and the total expenditure.
Compared to the traditionally used metal brackets, these clear set of aligners are a boon for many who dread the presence of braces. Well, while considering the total cost of the dental treatment and procedure, braces are comparatively cheaper.
Before diving deeper into the costs incurred for Invisalign, let’s have a look at the factors that contribute to its choice.
Contributing Factors to choosing Invisalign
Now, since you are aware of Invisalign and what it does, let us look at the factors that will help you choose between the former and the braces.
1) Condition of your teeth
Your oral health is a major determining factor in your inclination towards either of the choices. If your set of teeth needs a lot of attention and care, you would instead invest in the metal brackets. However, if your teeth are a little crooked and don’t need extensive work, clear aligners will work well.
2) Insurance coverage
Another critical factor is the nature of your insurance plan. Sine, the Invisalign doesn’t come cheap, you wouldn’t want to be stuck with huge bills at the dentist. Hence, it is better to ensure that your insurance plan covers their expense.
3) User demographics
The costs incurred during the procedure also largely depend upon the location you hail from and the associated standard of living. Hence, if the dentists charge higher in a particular area, you will find a hole drilled in your savings.
Why would you choose Invisalign?
If you’re a person who is bothered continuously about his/her appearance, you will get easily rattled by the presence of the metal brackets fitted in your mouth.
People usually prefer to keep it to themselves and instead do not make a big show of their oral health. Specific spaces are private, and the mouth is one of them.
However, if you have no issue with the metal showing in your mouth and are fine with the pain and discomfort involved in the process, you can go for braces.
Invisalign is a lucrative spend for most people, and they do think twice before making it happen.
Since it works on advanced technology, an expectation of additional costs and a rise in expenditure does occur. The added trouble of moving around with wires in your mouth gets completely avoided with Invisalign for your teeth.
Cost of Invisalign
The Consumer Guide to Dentistry clearly states that the Invisalign’s average cost on the national scale varies between approximately $3,000 to $5,000.
Their website indicates that the price can vary between $3,000 to $7,000, which is a massive leap from braces. They cost anywhere between $2,000 to $6,000, depending upon your oral health.
Concerning insurance schemes, you can avail of a cover of up to $3,000. Now you know that the total cost of fixing Invisalign is either equal to or higher than conventionally used braces.
Pros and Cons
There are a variety of reasons for choosing Invisalign over braces and vice-versa too. Let’s have a glance at the benefits and limitations of Invisalign:
Pros
1) The brackets’ transparent nature facilitates wearing them for prolonged durations since they’re practically invisible.
2) Due to the ‘no visibility’ attribute, you as a user can be more confident about flashing your teeth and not have self-esteem issues.
3) The aligners are removable while consuming food or brushing teeth. Ideally, you have to wear the aligners for around 22 hours per day.
4) The fixing and adjustment options are quicker and more straightforward compared to braces.
5) Even though the recommendation to change the aligners every two weeks occurs, the visits to the dentist’s office are far lesser.
6) The re-positioning occurs slowly, and it is far less painful as compared to braces.
7) The cuts, ulcers, and sores accompanied with braces due to the wires cutting into your mouth are entirely avoided.
Cons
1) The procedure and the cost of the aligners are undoubtedly expensive.
2) Due to dire circumstances, if you end up breaking or losing the aligners, you stand to lose a lot and pay more than the expected amount.
3) The pain is considerably reduced but is still there, and in some cases, the discomfort experienced is quite prominent.
Oral care and Hygiene
Even after getting the clear aligners, you cannot get out of the necessary process of maintaining oral Hygiene. The teeth should be kept clean, and brushing and flossing should get done at least two times a day.
In some instances, if the type of food consumed tends to leave stains or cause discoloration of teeth, gargling with water or brushing of teeth is highly recommended.
You wouldn’t want the clear aligners to change color over time and become visible in your mouth. Hence, it is best to keep your pearly whites in the best shape and brush them regularly to avoid frequent visits to the dentist.
Further, though they’re far superior and sophisticated than braces, they require the use of retainers so that the position of the teeth and the jawline is maintained.
Depending upon the extent of work required, you will be requested to wear the retainer either through the day initially or only at night later on. Once the alignment occurs and the necessary precautions have been taken, you can let go of the retainer, too, just like the brackets.
Wrapping Up
All things said and done, and the choice is ultimately yours. You can arrange a consultation with your dentist and get all of your queries cleared. Further, gaining more knowledge about Invisalign will only ease the process and smooth out the rough edges.
So, make sure you drop by the dentist and discuss your oral health openly.