Dental aligners are used to correct teeth malformations. It is a good way to revert an overbite, underbite, crossbite, and other kinds of teeth alignment problems. Most teeth misalignment occurs because of poor dental habits, poor oral habits, and genetics. Dental aligners usually cost around $3500 to $8000. Invisible aligners cost anywhere within this range as well.
What are Invisible Aligners?
Invisible aligners are aligners designed to look..well, invisible. They’re usually made from clear plastic or acrylic material. Invisible aligners have to be placed by orthodontists or dentists. The aligners are going to be worn for at least 22 hours a day, everyday, for about two weeks. It’s recommended for mild to moderate tooth crowding or spacing measuring 1-6 mm.
Invisible aligners are made using a mold taken from the patient’s teeth. The mold is then given a computerized model. Each aligner will be based from this mold and will be designed based on the desired final or transitional positions of the teeth. Teeth alignment happens in stages and this will mean recipients will have to wear several aligners over a period of time.
How much does the treatment cost?
Invisible aligners cost cheaper than traditional metal aligners. Since invisible aligners are usually made from plastic rather than metal, they’re easier to manufacture. Invisible aligners can cost anywhere from $1800 to $8000, depending on the brand.
Invisalign usually is the most expensive as the materials and technology used are not substandard. Invisalign also spends money to research the materials for their products. There are other products that offer invisible aligners. These products cost cheaper than Invisalign but cannot guarantee the same performance or results from Invisalign.
The cost of Invisalign aligners for adults and kids can vary. Children can have invisible aligners for as low as $2000. Orthodontists and dentists will recommend that children be fitted with invisible aligners when they’re over 12 years old. By 12 years old, most of the children’s baby teeth should have fallen out. Fitting invisible aligners on children will be more costly. The treatment will also be longer, further increasing the costs.
Payments for invisible aligners will require you to pay an upfront amount of at least 50% of the quote provided by the orthodontist or the dentist. The remaining balance can then be paid off in the following months. Some brands are also cheaper when paid in full. But for most teeth alignment services, people are more used to paying them in installments.
Pros and Cons
Invisible aligners are more convenient. We all know (even the ones that don’t have aligners) that orthodontic adjustments are painful the first few weeks. Traditional aligners don’t really help with the pain either because the metal will eventually leave cuts and sore areas in the mouth. Invisible aligners don’t cause this problem because they’re made of a softer material. They follow the contour of the teeth and therefore will not leave any damaging cuts.
Invisible aligners are more visually appealing. Since they don’t have any color, invisible aligners will let you smile confidently. People won’t notice and if they do, they’d be impressed that it’s not that visible at all.
One of the best things about invisible aligners is how convenient they are. Unlike traditional aligners, you can remove them when you eat. It’s easier to maintain a cleaner mouth as you can brush your teeth better without anything blocking the way. It will also allow you to remove it when you can’t tolerate the pain any longer. It’s a much easier setup especially since you don’t have to go to the dentist every time an adjustment is needed. Just remember how painful it is to have screws tightened on traditional aligners.
Invisible aligners do come with some hassles though. Invisible aligners’ convenience is their biggest inconvenience too. That means you have to take them out everytime you eat and every time you brush your teeth. You may find yourself going to the sink more often to do some work on them. But that pros should outweigh the cons, as invisible aligners are meant to work like braces, with the bonus of concealment.
Who should get invisible aligners?
Aligners are for anyone seeking to correct malocclusions. The same concept goes with invisible aligners. If you have an overbite, an underbite, a crossbite, an open bite, or other kinds of dental malocclusions, then invisible aligners are for you. People getting this treatment should understand that this is a huge commitment, both financially and time-wise.
If you’re embarrassed about wearing traditional aligners because they look awkward on your teeth, then opt for invisible aligners instead. Although the stigma of traditional metal wire aligners don’t exist in adulthood, invisible aligners may be ideal for young adults or teens that are conscious with the way they look. It’s a confidence booster.
Invisible Aligners vs Traditional Aligners
Invisible aligners win in terms of aesthetics over traditional aligners. Although there are a select few who find metal wire aligners as artistic, the majority of us prefer not to show any oral devices. It’s our smiles after all, and our smiles should always look pretty whenever and wherever.
Metal aligners may not win in the aesthetics department but the advantage they have is they are more convenient in other ways. We mentioned in this article how invisible aligners are more convenient because they can be removed prior to eating meals or brushing teeth. Although metal aligners can’t be removed, they stay on longer and there is no need to constantly get them on and off from our mouths. That means you have less time to spend manually readjusting your aligners.
Metal aligners are also more durable because they’re sturdy and don’t distort. If you accidentally hit them with a toothbrush or eat something really hard, then they won’t yield. You can try yanking them out with a pair of pliers for them to actually get deformed. Metal aligners biggest disadvantage is how they’re extremely uncomfortable. They cause cuts inside the mouth and the cuts can get infected if they’re not taken care of.
Metal aligners are more consistent with the pressure they provide. However, there’s no escaping the pain that comes with metal aligners. This is where invisible aligners shine. When you can’t handle the pain from your aligners, you can simply remove them. Invisible aligners are also designed to cause the minimum amount of pain possible.
Are invisible aligners worth it?
If you think you’re the shy type for wearing traditional aligners, then wearing invisible aligners is a good choice. Otherwise, it’s more of a preference. There are several advantages of wearing invisible aligners, and though they may not be as speedy as their metal counterparts, you’re guaranteed a more comfortable dental experience.
Just make sure you have the finances to back it up and the commitment to be very meticulous with dental hygiene. People with the traditional aligners don’t have to think about this problem as they really have no choice on whether they can remove it or not.