Invisalign is a pioneering and leading brand of clear braces that have allowed patients to undergo orthodontic treatments without feeling self-conscious about their appearance. Most patients who choose Invisalign over traditional braces do so due to its aesthetic advantage. Invisalign uses its blend of clear plastic aligners to straighten teeth and correct bite, which makes them almost invisible in appearance compared to the metallic brackets used in traditional orthodontics. The Invisalign treatment also lets patients remove their aligners while eating and cleaning their teeth, which allows them not to let their lives get affected by tedious orthodontic complications.
Comparison of Invisalign with Traditional Braces :
|
Invisalign |
Traditional Braces |
| Have to be worn 20-22 hours a day. | Have to be worn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week since they are cemented onto the teeth. |
| It can be removed, hence, cleaning and maintenance of teeth become easier. | Cleaning of teeth can be difficult with the metal brackets and orthodontic wires. |
| They have more aesthetic value and can be almost invisible in appearance. | Most patients find the metallic brackets to be displeasing in appearance. |
| Has proven to be more comfortable for the wearer. | Patients often report discomfort and even pain associated with getting braces. |
Cost of Invisalign:
While the popularity of Invisalign is progressively increasing, for most patients, the final decision about choosing Invisalign comes down to the total cost of the treatment. Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign can typically prove to be a costlier option. Invisalign works by putting pressure on the teeth and moving them into place, according to the treatment plan designed by the dentist. The Invisalign tray fits tightly into the mouth, and as the teeth move, the tray becomes looser. For this reason, the aligner trays need to be replaced every few weeks. The new trays are designed to continue moving the teeth and will feel slightly different each time the patient gets a replacement.
The technology used in Invisalign and the frequent replacement of aligners contributes to the increased cost of the treatment. The price of getting an Invisalign treatment can range anywhere from $3000-$8000. The exact cost usually depends on the amount and type of oral work needed in the patient’s mouth, the fees of the dentist, and the patient’s insurance coverage.
Individuals who are serious about getting Invisalign but are apprehensive about the cost can choose from many programs like Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and payment plans offered by their dentist.
Alternatives to Invisalign
The high price tag of Invisalign might put off some consumers and make them look for cheaper alternatives to the clear aligner providers. There are both in-office and at-home options to Invisalign available to people today. The in-office options work just like Invisalign, wherein patients are required to make regular visits to the dental office for replacements of their aligners and monitoring of their treatment progress.
The at-home options allow patients to undergo their orthodontic treatment from the comfort of their home. This is the primary care provider to cut down on costs. The patients are required to send in a 3-D scan of their teeth, after which they are mailed their retainers to be used at home. While considerably cheaper, at-home services have many drawbacks. The kind of expertise, treatment progress, and feedback that are offered by regular visits to an orthodontist cannot be replaced by any at-home kit. Patients also put themselves up for riskier treatment outcomes as there is no form of progress monitoring involved.
The main competitor of Invisalign in the market today is ClearCorrect, which uses more or less the same technology to provide results that are comparable to Invisalign. Uniform is another brand that offers cheaper treatment options and Invisalign-level results.
Some of the most popular at-home alternatives to Invisalign are SmileDirectClub, CandidCo, SnapCorrect, and SmileLove. Orthly is a brand that combines the in-office and remote treatment options, making it considerably better than the exclusively at-home option.
