Are you tired of the frustration of having a crooked smile? Many people are born with uncentered teeth and want an affordable option to help get them straightened. But what can you do if braces are just too expensive? Fortunately, braces are not the only available option to you anymore. With modern advances in orthodontics, cheaper and sometimes less noticeable options are out there. If you have been looking for a cheaper alternative to traditional braces than this is the article for you.
Adults Have A Lot Of Orthodontic Options in 2019
For adults who have struggled with having uncentered teeth and are ready to do something about, advances in cosmetic dentistry have opened up the options for treatment. Where once metal braces were thought of as the only method to attain that perfect smile, now there are several other options available. Each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Invisalign
Invisalign has become one of the most popular methods of straightening teeth in recent years due to the discrete nature of the treatment. Through the use of clear aligners specially molded to fit your teeth, Invisalign can help straighten that crooked smile. And the best part is they can be easily removed for activities that metal braces complicate, such as eating and brushing your teeth. If you are interested in Invisalign, you will have to go in for an office visit to see if they are the right option for you.
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the most traditional orthodontic method for straightening teeth. This option does tend to be the cheapest option for adults looking to align their teeth. The downside is that metal braces are the most noticeable and can require a lot of care to keep clean.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces involve attaching the metal brackets behind your teeth, making them much less noticeable than traditional braces. They are usually affixed to the lower and upper front teeth and do not need to be removed during the course of treatment. Some other advantages to lingual braces are that they require less office visits and typically take around 12 to 24 weeks for to be effective.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces use a clear brackets or brackets colored to match your teeth. These tend to be preferred over metal brackets because they are a bit less noticeable and can be just as effective. There is a bigger risk of teeth staining with ceramic braces, but they can be faster at aligning teeth than other options.
A Cheaper Alternative to Invisalign
Although Invisalign is a very unnoticeable way to straighten your teeth, it is not always the most affordable option. However, there are cheaper options out there.
One cheaper option for straightening your teeth is teeth straightening kits. These kits can be used at home and do not require visiting a doctor to get your teeth scanned. With a home straightening kit, everything you need is sent by mail. They typically work by using the kit to take an impression of your own teeth, then the company you are using will use this impression to develop a treatment plan and send you aligners.
Home kits do carry the risk of not meeting with a trained dental professional in person to be evaluated. They can also rely on you taking a correct impression of your teeth on your own in order for treatment to work and aligners to fit correctly. Because of this, home kits are usually used for fairly mild cases.
Another alternative is contouring and bonding. This can help make your teeth appear straighter without actually altering their position in the gums. Contouring and bonding involves the use of composite material to build on some parts of the teeth while using a drill to take other parts of the teeth down.
One other cheap alternative to Invisalign are retainers. These can be much more affordable than braces or aligners. However, as with teeth straightening kits, this option is mainly used in mild cases.
Benefits of Getting Your Teeth Straightened
There are a multitude of benefits to having your teeth straightened. One of the biggest benefits being a greater sense of confidence in your smile. This can lead to an overall improved quality of life and might give you the confidence to apply for that dream job or talk to that person you’ve been wanting to, but were just too embarrassed because of your teeth.
Apart from the social and professional benefits of having straighter teeth, getting your teeth straighten can also have oral health benefits such as:
- Healthier gums
- Improved speech
- Easier cleaning
- Less wear and tear
What is the Average Cost of Orthodontics for Adults
The cost of orthodontics can vary greatly depending on what type of treatment you are thinking of getting.
Metal braces tend to be the cheapest form of brace orthodontics. They tend to range between $2,500-$7,500. Fortunately they are sometimes covered by state-funded insurance.
Invisalign does tend to be a bit more expensive than metal braces. Typically coming in around $3,500-$8,500. However, many adults find that the lack of visibility makes them worth spending a little extra.
Ceramic braces, while less noticeable than metal braces, can also be more expensive. This treatment option can range between $3,000-$10,000.
Lingual braces that go on the back side of the teeth are probably the least noticable bracket option. The downside is lingual braces can be very pricey. They tend to range between $5,000-$13,000.
Retainers are typically very affordable, coming in around $100-$750 per set. However, these are only used for mild cases.
Home kits can be a bit more affordable than metal braces or Invisalign. With a home kit you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,000.
Composite bonding can also be a cheap and fast fix, depending on how much you need done. Pricing usually ranges between $250-$1,200 per tooth.
What Are Your Financing Options with Impressions?
Interested in getting orthodontic treatment with Impressions, but not sure about the price? If you have dental insurance, it may be able to cover some of the cost of your orthodontic treatment, making it more affordable to you. You should first check to see if the orthodontist you want to go with accepts your insurance. If not, you may want to find another provider.
If you do not have insurance, there are still options out there for you. Talk with your orthodontist about setting up a payment plan to help spread the cost out over a longer period of time. Other options are the use of an FSA (Flexible Spending Account) or an HSA (Health Savings Account) to help afford orthodontic procedures, such as metal braces or Invisalign.
Conclusion
The days of braces being the only option for straightening teeth are behind us. If you have been considering getting your teeth straightened, Impressions is a great option! Call us today at (844) 846-8836 or fill out our form to request an appointment. We would be happy to walk you through what to expect from your Impressions consultation at the ImpressionsHub in Asheville.
