Teeth straightening no longer means months (or years) of wearing very noticeable and not-so-comfortable metal braces. Thanks to invisible braces (also known as clear aligners), straightening your smile has now become much more discreet, comfortable and flexible.
But are invisible braces as effective as traditional braces? The answer might surprise you. Keep reading to learn how invisible dental braces work, how much they cost and how they weigh up against traditional metal braces.
‘Invisible braces’ is sometimes the name used to refer to clear aligner systems like Invisalign. Invisible braces are custom-moulded aligner trays that fit snugly and smoothly over your teeth. The aligners are made from a clear thin plastic which means they’re barely visible and barely felt when in your mouth.
Invisible braces use a series of clear, removable aligner trays to gradually guide your teeth into the correct position.
One of the main reasons why people opt for invisible teeth braces like Invisalign vs traditional metal braces is that the aligners can be removed to brush, floss, eat, drink or for special events. But keep in mind that the clear aligners must be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours a day to be effective!
At Dental Implants on Miller, the clear aligner system we offer is Invisalign. With Invisalign, specialised software is also used to plan out your treatment from start to finish and customise each set of aligners. Unlike traditional braces which apply the same amount of pressure across all of the teeth, Invisalign clear aligners move each tooth individually. This gives your Invisalign dentist more precise control over each tooth and often results in faster, more predictable outcomes. Invisalign’s special software can also create a computer-generated image of your teeth after treatment. This means you’ll know what your new straighter smile could look like, all before you even pop in your first set of aligners!
The short answer is…
Yes, invisible braces or clear aligners can be a highly effective teeth straightening solution.
But the key thing to remember here is that not all invisible braces are created equal. There are many clear aligner companies out there — some even offer completely remote treatment where you don’t ever have to visit a dentist. But beware! This treatment approach may not be suitable for your case and it may not actually help you achieve the outcome you want. Why? It’s usually comes down to the fact that these remote-style invisible braces treatments do not take any x-rays of your teeth and mouth beforehand. This means they may miss underlying problems that could interfere with your treatment and hinder your results.
Here’s the thing: straightening your smile with invisible teeth braces is a major dental procedure. And like all dental procedures, it always pays to have a professional dentist by your side to ensure your teeth are moving safely and correctly.
If you want invisible braces that are proven to be effective, Invisalign is the way to go. This clear aligner system helped millions of people worldwide to straighten and correct their teeth. Plus, it can effectively treat most orthodontic issues, such as overcrowding, teeth spacing and bite corrections.
There’s a common misconception that invisible dental braces or clear aligners will take longer to achieve results than traditional braces. But this is simply not the case. In fact, in some cases, Invisalign may be able to move the teeth into their proper position faster than braces. How? It’s all thanks to Invisalign’s advanced technology. This tech can map out the optimal progression of tooth movements, helping to reduce interferences that may slow down your treatment.
In general, Invisalign treatment can take anywhere between 4 to 18 months, while traditional metal braces may take between 6 months and 2 years.
It’s important to note that your treatment time is not determined by the type of teeth straightening option you choose. Ultimately, the duration of your treatment will depend on the complexity of your case and how much your teeth need to move. If you only require minor corrections, your treatment time could be as short as a few months. But if you have more severe issues and require complex readjustments, you’ll be looking at a much longer treatment time.
Another thing to remember is that if you opt for removable invisible braces over fixed metal braces, your treatment time will also hinge on how well you can stick to the recommended wearing guidelines. If you leave your aligner trays out for long periods of time or often forget to put them back in after eating or drinking, it will take you a lot longer to see results.
Like all teeth straightening solutions, invisible braces or clear aligners come with their own set of pros and cons you should consider. We’ve broken them down for you in the table below so you can make a more informed decision:
It’s a question we hear all the time at our Cammeray Invisalign clinic:
How much do invisible dental braces cost?
We know cost is a huge consideration when deciding to straighten your smile. To help you get a clear idea of how much you can expect to pay for invisible teeth braces, we’ve dedicated an entire article to the cost of Invisalign. Check it out to learn all about the factors that can affect the price of your treatment, as well as a cost comparison between Invisalign and the different types of braces, including metal braces, ceramic braces and lingual braces.
To give you a quick rundown, the average cost of Invisalign in Australia ranges from $5,000 to $9,000. At our Sydney clinic, Invisalign treatment starts from around $6,500.
Want to know exactly how much your invisible braces will cost? Come see us for your FREE Invisalign consultation (book yours here). During this appointment, you’ll discover everything you need to know about Invisalign treatment, from what to expect to how much it will cost.
Feeling a little nervous about the cost of invisible braces? There’s really no need! With our flexible Invisalign payment plans, you can pay for your treatment in easy and affordable instalments over time.
You’ve come to the right place. At our Sydney Invisalign clinic, we can help you achieve your dream smile discreetly with Invisalign clear aligners. And the best part? We offer a FREE Invisalign consultation so you can find out whether invisible braces are right for you — book yours today.
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