Surely you have seen at least one commercial touting how fabulous Invisalign braces are, the braces that fit neatly and transparently over your teeth instead of traditional metal braces. They seem great, almost too good to be true. Who wouldn’t have wanted these back in the 90s, when the only alternative then was the clear porcelain braces that sadly stained easily, therefore negating their somewhat invisibility? However, before you rush to your dentist or orthodontist and request this new appliance instead of metal braces, take the following into consideration.
For starters, Invisalign braces are incredibly expensive. Yes, metal braces are already expensive, but prepare yourself for just how much more expensive Invisaligns are. Traditional braces on average cost around $3500 and Invisalign braces cost $5000 on average. Every dentist has different prices for their orthodontic services, so your individual price could vary.
One of Invisalign’s top draws for patients is its claim that it can align your teeth more quickly than regular braces, thereby reducing the number of visits to the orthodontist. However, while the appliance indeed can align teeth faster, patients may find themselves visiting the orthodontist more often than planned. Invisaligns occasionally have difficulty aligning molars, so the orthodontist may have to see you quite a bit to correct the appliance to properly align all of your teeth.
If you grind your teeth, particularly at night, you may end up damaging your appliance to the point of needing a costly replacement. In addition, there is always the rare possibility that you could be allergic to the braces’ material.
Unlike traditional braces, the Invisalign appliance can be removed at any time. This can cause a couple of problems. For one, it could be easily lost. Secondly, you have to be disciplined enough to wear it every day for at least 20 hours every day. If you wear it inconsistently, it will take far longer to correct your teeth and possibly never at all. Teenagers are usually the biggest culprits of both potential problems.
Even with all these issues, Invisalign braces are still wondrous breakthroughs in cosmetic dentistry as well as orthodontics. If you are prepared for the cost and the responsibility for wearing and maintaining the appliance, then talk to your dentist or orthodontist to find out if Invisaligns are right for you.