How Much Do Invisalign Braces Cost? Preparation For The Treatment

Invisalign® braces are an extremely popular and successful orthodontic treatment. They can solve problems such as crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and diastemata (gaps between teeth). As well as improving your overall oral health, fixing these dental issues significantly enhances your self-confidence. For patients considering undergoing Invisalign treatment, many questions need to be answered, such as how long will it take and how much do Invisalign braces cost? In this post, we help you decide whether clear aligners are for you by discussing the factors which affect Invisalign cost.

Invisalign Treatment Procedure

The first part of the Invisalign treatment process is having a thorough consultation with your Invisalign-trained dentist. They assess your suitability for clear aligners and establish your goals. They will also share with you a customised digital treatment plan that allows you to see what your new smile will look like once your treatment is complete. Once you and your dentist are happy, your unique clear aligners will be created using align technology. You will wear your Invisalign aligners for approximately 22 hours a day, changing them for a new set every couple of weeks as directed by your dentist. The aligners gradually move your teeth into place and, once your Invisalign treatment has been completed, you’ll be left with your dream smile.

Benefits of Invisalign Treatment

The popularity of Invisalign is primarily due to the many advantages of clear aligners. The three most frequently cited benefits are:

• Aesthetics – many patients feel self-conscious about wearing traditional braces, but Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible.
• Removability – Unlike traditional fixed braces, clear aligners can be removed for eating, drinking, and cleaning your teeth. This means you don’t have to make changes to your diet and you won’t struggle with flossing, as is common with wire and bracket braces.
• Comfort – unfortunately, many people experience discomfort when wearing wire and bracket braces. Luckily Invisalign aligners, which are crafted specifically for your teeth, are much more comfortable.

How Much Do Invisalign Braces Cost?

There is a misconception that Invisalign braces are prohibitively expensive but, in fact, compared to some other orthodontia, they are relatively cost-effective. There are, however, certain factors that can increase the cost. Let’s take a closer look.

Ceramic braces are very similar to metal braces but are much less visible as they use clear or tooth-coloured brackets and sometimes even tooth-coloured wire. Lingual braces are even less visible than ceramic braces as the metal brackets are fixed to the lingual (tongue) side of the teeth.

Although all three treatments offer discrete methods of treating orthodontic issues, ceramic and lingual braces are significantly more expensive than the Invisalign cost. This is due to factors such as the cost of materials and additional clinical time needed to adjust the brace.

Invisalign Cost: Duration of Treatment

One of the advantages of Invisalign is that you can start to see improvements in just a few weeks, and the whole process tends to be faster than traditional braces. However, the duration of your Invisalign treatment will depend on your teeth. For some patients, treatment can take as little as 6 months, while others may be wearing their aligners for 18-24 months.

Generally, the longer your treatment takes, the more expensive it will be. This is because more aligner trays will be needed. Factors that can affect the duration of treatment include:

• Significant teeth crowding.
• Moderate to severe diastemata (gaps between teeth).
• Age- adults’ teeth tend to move slower than adolescents’.
• Oral hygiene.

Invisalign Cost: Preparatory Treatment

To get the best results from their Invisalign treatment, some patients require additional dental work before the Invisalign process begins.

Oral health and hygiene have an impact on the effectiveness of aligners, so it is advisable to undergo a deep cleaning (scale and polish) before treatment. Some patients may need other procedures such as fillings. You should consider these costs when calculating the cost of your Invisalign treatment.

Invisalign Cost: Post-Invisalign Whitening

After completing their Invisalign treatment, many patients opt to show off their newly-straightened smile by having their teeth whitened. While this is not a requirement, as it’s a popular option, it’s worth taking into account.

If you are planning to undergo Invisalign® treatment and are interested in teeth whitening, you should wait until after your teeth have been straightened. This is because as the aligners move them, some parts of your teeth will be exposed for the first time.

Get Expert Advice Today

At Dentistry on Solent, we understand that many people are concerned about the Invisalign cost, but your dental health is our number one concern; we want all our patients to be proud of their smiles. That’s why we offer a free first consultation and reasonable payment plans to all our patients.

At your free consultation, Dr Rai will listen to your needs and concerns and take time to explain what orthodontic treatment at Dentistry on Solent entails. She will be happy to answer all of your questions from which braces are right for you to how much do Invisalign braces cost.

If you’re ready to start your journey to a new smile, call us today on (02) 9158 6137.