Innovations continue to break through various industries, and orthodontics is no exception. There are newer, easier, and better ways to help you achieve that picture-perfect smile without having to take so much out of your daily life and risk pain. Case in point: clear aligners.
You may have heard about invisible aligners and wondered what all the fuss is about. If you have crooked teeth or a malocclusion, consult your orthodontist to see if this option would address your condition.
In the meantime, check out this article to learn more about this teeth-straightening solution, including how much you might have to shell out.
What Are Clear Aligners?
In a nutshell, clear aligners are a viable alternative for those who want straighter teeth without going for traditional metal braces. Think of hi-tech mouthguards but thinner, colourless, and virtually invisible. Aligner trays usually comprise BPA-free plastic and are tailor-made for each patient.
An orthodontist studies your dentition and creates aligners to push your teeth slowly and surely towards the right direction. As the treatment progresses, you switch to new trays to address the changes in your alignment.
These appliances might take some getting used to, with patients reporting feeling pressure or discomfort at the start. However, they help resolve several alignment issues.
- Crowded teeth or overlapping teeth
- Diastema, or a gap between your teeth
- Overbites, where the upper front teeth overlap with the lower front teeth
- Underbites, where the bottom teeth extend forward
- Other malocclusions, such as excessive overjet and crossbites
Clear Aligners Vs. Braces
So what’s the difference between traditional metal braces and clear aligners? Both teeth-straightening devices serve a specific purpose and market. Braces, which use metal wires, bands, and brackets, are highly versatile and can treat even extreme misalignment cases. They are also affixed to your teeth, so you have zero chance of misplacing them.
However, braces create a more elaborate routine. You must eat soft food during the first few weeks to manage soreness and pain. You must see your orthodontist more often for adjustments, as well as to replace missing or broken parts. Teeth cleaning also becomes more intricate, requiring special brushes and extra attention to ensure you cover every corner.
If you work in an image-conscious industry, then you might be put off by the look of braces. However, there are more subtle options, such as ceramic or clear braces or even lingual braces, which are bonded behind your teeth. The latter, however, can put a dent on your wallet and may cause a slight lisp.
On the other hand, clear aligners are removable, which means you can pull them out when you brush your teeth and eat. However, to maximise their effect, you must keep them on for 20 to 22 hours a day. You must also take extra care not to lose them.
How Much Are Clear Aligners?
The benefits of clear aligners are pretty, well, clear. They do the job and look terrific. But how much would these advantages set you back?
On average, a full treatment would range from US$4,500 to US$8,000 in the United States (A$6,000 to A$9,000 in Australia or S$4,500 to S$8,000 in Singapore), depending on your condition and the professional rates of your dental practitioner.
The decision between clear aligners and braces is up to you and your orthodontist. If you’re inclined towards the former, try ClearCorrect. Born from decades of material science, research, and innovation, the ClearCorrect system is engineered for precision, comfort, and aesthetics. The combination of proprietary tri-layer design of ClearQuartz material, high and flat trimline, and scientifically proven clinical features deliver greater control and consistent force application to achieve complex movements more predictably, and ultimately help you achieve your faster results. It’s also developed for patient satisfaction.
All dental professionals who are certified with ClearCorrect utilise the ClearPilot, a proprietary digital planning tool that doctors use to create effective and customised treatment plans. It empowers you, the patient, to visualise and understand every step of your treatment.
Clear aligners or braces? Either way, congratulations on entering your straight-teeth area. Don’t forget to make the most out of your ideal smile by practising proper dental hygiene.
