Invisalign Cost Vs. Regular Braces
After determining a need for braces for your child or for yourself, the question people now are wondering about is the cost of Invisalign braces as compared to the regular metal kind. Do they cost more than metal braces, and if so how much more? Will they work as well?
Other People Are Reading
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Function
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Invisalign is a more attractive choice for many people, because Invisalign is not visible like metal braces. Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners that move teeth over time. You will wear Invisalign at all times except during meals.
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Potential
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According to Board Certified Orthodontist Jerome Shuman ,writing for bracesquestions.com, a 2005 study revealed that while Invisalign braces worked great for closing small spaces and straightening front teeth, they were not as successful at correcting a severe overbite, underbite or correcting back tooth bite problems. Regular orthodontic braces will do a better job for those more serious conditions.
Considerations
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Shurman points out, however, that there have been advances in Invisalign, which involve using rubber bands, to correct bite problems. Your dentist should be able to tell you if your bite problem is one that Invisalign can correct, or if you should use metal or clear braces instead. If wearing metal or clear braces is something you absolutely do not want to do, you can perhaps limit your time in them, at least, by wearing Invisalign for part of the time and then finishing up with traditional braces, according to Shurman.
Expert Insight
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According to Shurman's research, the national average cost for Invisalign is about $5,000. The national average cost of braces is $4,941 for children and $5,354 for adults. Another factor to consider in the cost of Invisalign is whether you will use a dentist or an orthodontist. Using an orthodontist will probably cost you more than using a dentist, because orthodontists are specialists and have undergone additional training in straightening teeth. Therefore, when you compare what an orthodontist will charge for Invisalign compared to braces, the Invisalign will cost an average of $500 to $1,000 more.
Research
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You will want to find out if dental insurance will cover Invisalign treatmensts. Most people find that their coverage with Invisalign is the same as with other orthodontic procedures, according to DocShop.com.
References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Drew Herron
