Introduction to Invisalign
Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners. Applying clear aligners is a type of orthodontic procedures and these braces are commonly known as “invisibles” braces. They eliminate having brackets which are a major role in how braces work. In traditional or conventional braces, brackets hold the archwire with a rubber or metal tie in place, but with Invisalign there’s no need for those things. The application of Invisalign uses its own blend of clear plastic, which is then made into customized trays and fits perfectly onto the teeth. Just like other types of braces, they gradually move misaligned teeth into their proper place with the use of pressure. The Invisalign cost is higher than that for regular braces because of this advanced technology. TGUC Financial has financing options for those with no dental insurance and bad credit scores.
It might sound as simple as that but there’s more to it. To get these clear aligners, a consultation with the dentist is done first. Your dentist will take a good look at your smile to see what kind of misalignment or bite you have such as overbite, underbite, deep bite, or cross bite. Then the dentist will check the overall health and wellness of your teeth and gums to see if Invisalign is the right orthodontic treatment to apply or if there are other problems with your teeth that need to be treated first. After all of that, the dentist will then proceed to take photographs of your bite in different perspectives and angles as well as impressions, or 3-dimensional molds, of your upper and lower teeth. These molds will be used to make the aligners unique and have a custom fit for the teeth.
Invisalign may be made from clear solid plastic, but they are braces and are different from retainers. Just as mentioned above, they also use pressure to actively and gradually move the teeth to the positions they are supposed to be in, while retainers are worn after braces to hold the teeth in place and prevent them from relapsing or shifting back.
How long is Invisalign worn? How does it work?
Clear aligners are worn and replaced with a new tray approximately every one to two weeks. They move the teeth approximately 0.25 to 0.33 millimeter. In every replacement, the tray will be slightly straighter and also feel slightly different as it will provide more pressure to continue repositioning, moving, or shifting the teeth in their proper places.
Invisalign trays can be removed whenever it is time to eat, floss, or brush, making it the most comfortable option among the types of braces. Flossing and brushing is also very crucial every after meal as it prevents staining on the teeth. However, they should be worn and kept on at least 20 to 22 hours a day in order to see effective results.
It takes between one to three hours to glue and fasten the metal brackets on each tooth. They will be a permanent fixture in the mouth for the next one to two years, depending on each case. Though the time to be fitted with Invisalign aligners is easier and far shorter, the treatment also takes longer than expected compared to the conventional ones. But on average they are worn for 6 to 18 months, the length of time for the treatment also depends upon on a person’s unique needs.
How much is the average Invisalign cost?
According to the Invisalign website, their treatment costs anywhere between $3,000 and $7,000. On the other hand, according to the Consumer Guide for Dentistry, the national average cost for Invisalign ranges from $3,000 to $5,000. It is far more expensive compared to the traditional metal bracket braces which usually costs around $1,500 to $6,000. However, the prices still depend on a person’s individual case and how severe the case a person has. More severe cases, such as overbite, underbite, or even having very crooked teeth, takes longer for the treatment to gradually reposition the teeth as intended. This applies to both Invisalign or conventional braces.
Here are some factors that contribute to the amount a person might pay for an orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign.
- The patient’s overall oral health needs
- How much work must be done
- The patient’s and dentist’s locations which affects the average price
- The dentist’s labor
- How much an insurance plan will help cover the original cost
Aftercare Invisalign Cost
As with any orthodontic treatment, Invisalign also requires the use of retainers which keep the teeth in their new position and prevent them from shifting back to their old positions. They can be either removable or cemented onto the teeth. Each retainer costs around $100 to $500 and is usually worn every day for a given time before it can be worn only at night during sleep.
Unlike a child or a teenager, adults do not need to repeat wearing braces again because the body, as well as the mouth, is done growing and won’t be changing.
Types of Invisalign Cost Packages
Here are some of the most commonly chosen Invisalign Packages by customers.
Invisalign Full
This package is the most suitable as it is also appropriate for the most complicated and complex cases. It provides flexibility and control over the treatment as there is an unlimited number of trays. The treatment’s process can be gradual and can continue until the results reach the patient’s expectations and satisfaction.
Invisalign Teen
Given the name, this package is recommended for teenagers and young adults with teeth that are still developing. The overall shifting and guidance in the direction of root growth can be controlled. Just like the Full option, there is an unlimited number of trays and the treatment can also continue until the patient is satisfied with the results. Teenagers often misplace or break their belongings which may include aligners. So with Invisalign Teen, six complementary aligners are included in case this happens. Pediatric dentistry requires parental guidance, so the trays are equipped to have blue indicators to show if the aligners are worn enough.
Invisalign Express
People with slight issues, such as minor overcrowding or spacing problems, have less orthodontic work to be dealt with, so they can get away with this more affordable option. However, this package includes only10 trays, given that it’s the most affordable. It may not be enough since there are many online reviewers that are disappointed with the results. You also might end up with an unsatisfactory result. There are offices that offer additional treatment, but additional treatment also means additional payment.
TGUC Financial and Dental Financing
TGUC Financial has financing options for those with no dental insurance and bad credit scores. We submit your loan inquiry to multiple loan companies and provide you with the best rate. Don’t delay your orthodontics procedure for financial reasons. We can help you with dental financing to help you take care of your teeth. Contact us today.
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