The Average Cost of Braces vs Invisalign

Choosing an orthodontist to help you get the perfect smile can be a time-consuming process. Deciding between traditional braces vs an Invisalign treatment is often what patients have trouble with at the start of their orthodontic treatment.

The aesthetics of crooked teeth can make people feel self-conscious and metal or wires in your mouth can also feel unpleasant, which can factor in a patient’s decision to seek out treatment. Investing in the right type of orthodontic treatment option can also have many benefits such as a lower risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and the formation of good oral hygiene.

At The Orthodontic Place in Adelaide, we understand the importance of looking after your teeth and achieving confident smiles as a result of choosing the right treatment for you. With so many options available today, from braces to Invisalign clear aligners, you can trust in our expertise to help you decide 0n the best treatment for your dental and orthodontic issues.

Both braces and Invisalign help to realign crooked teeth and help improve the overall appearance of your smile. The main and most obvious difference between Invisalign and braces is that Invisalign can be removed throughout treatment – they involve inserting/removing what’s known as ‘trays’ to help move your teeth gradually over time. Braces on the other hand require placing metal brackets and wires on teeth throughout the duration of your orthodontic treatment – every few weeks the wires are adjusted for teeth alignment.

We’ve expanded on some more information about both braces and Invisalign treatment below!

Braces

• Dental braces are the traditional method of addressing and treating orthodontic issues in children and adults.
• Braces use more force than Invisalign as each metal bracket and wire in your mouth work together to move teeth and fix your smile, which can be uncomfortable for patients with low pain tolerance.
• Metal brackets and wires are glued on the patients’ teeth, which are then tightened over time to result in straighter teeth at the end of treatment.
• You will need to schedule regular appointments with your orthodontist to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments.
• Rubber bands are used to align the jaw as well as offer patients the option to personalise their metal braces with a pop of colour.

Invisalign

• Invisalign braces use clear aligner ‘trays’, which makes them virtually invisible compared to traditional braces.
• The trays need to be worn over your teeth for at least 20-22 hours a day to make a difference and shape your smile to be the best that it can be.
• After your meal, you need to make sure you’re brushing and flossing your teeth to remove any foods before putting the aligner back in your mouth.
• You have to be disciplined when wearing the clear aligners over your teeth after you eat or drink otherwise it could prolong your treatment.
• It’s not as invasive as metal braces as each aligner is made from materials like plastic to give you the freedom to take them out when you need to.
• Whether you’re looking to invest in getting straight teeth for your child or as an adult without wires or brackets, you can rely on Invisalign aligners to get you great results.

The cost of braces varies between the patients’ treatment plan and option.

Braces cost around $4,500 – $8,500 but the final amount will depend on the treatment option that’s chosen, as well as your own specific teeth alignment issues. Private health insurance can cover some of this cost.

The price of Invisalign will also depend on the factors of the patients’ treatment plan and the number of aligners they require to straighten their teeth. In some cases, a good insurance policy can help with the overall Invisalign cost but you’ll need to contact your healthcare provider to double-check before starting your treatment.

Invisalign costs around $6,000 – $9,000 but likewise with braces or any dental treatment, the amount can vary depending on your own situation.