Invisible Braces : Invisalign

So, what are Invisalign?

Invisalign braces are a new alternative to metal braces or clear braces with brackets. Unlike other types of orthodontic device they are removable so they can be taken out of the mouth for eating, drinking and for important social occasions. They need to be worn for approximately 22 hours a day in order to work correctly.

On the right you can see a picture of a patient who is wearing Invisalign.

Invisalign braces are invisible because they are made of a clear type of medical plastic. There are no wires involved. Invisalign instead use a series of braces known as aligners, each one a little different from the last, that gradually over time move teeth into their new position. Each individual aligner is worn for around two weeks.

A mold is made of the patient's mouth and this mold is then sent off to Invisalign. From this they create a computer generated impression of the patients mouth. They then work out the correct number of aligners and movements that need to be made in order to get straight teeth.

One of the unique features of Invisalign is the clincheck. This is a computer simulation of how the patients teeth will move into position and gives an impression of how the teeth may look when treatment is complete.

The cost of Invisalign varies according to several factors. The first of these is where you live, and this is generally the biggest determinant of the cost of your braces. Areas with high costs and overheads such as New York tend to be more expensive than places where rent etc is cheaper. However it also depends upon the competition where you live. In areas where there are large numbers of Invisalign providers prices can be cheaper.

Another factor is how complex your treatment is likely to be. More complex treatments generally cost more whilst very simple treatments can be relatively inexpensive. Also, some more experienced providers charge more than less experienced ones, although that is not always the case.

On average the US price for Invisalign is around the $5000. However, this varies greatly by city. You should seek a number of quotes and opinions to determine what a reasonable price for Invisalign treatment is in your area.

Invisalign are available through dentists and orthodontists that are Invisalign approved providers, which means that they have taken a course in using Invisalign. As a general rule dentists are general providers offering all types of dental services including fillings etc whereas orthodontists specialise only in tooth movement. For this reason I personally chose an orthodontist to complete my treatment.

Whether you choose a dentist or an orthodontist you should choose a provider with as much experience as possible. The Invisalign website keeps a list of approved providers and ranks them according to the number of cases that they have completed. You can then obtain a shortlist of providers to obtain opinions and quotes from.

Remember to choose a provider that you feel comfortable with and that you feel will listen to your opinion. You will need to visit your Invisalign provider many times so it is important to feel happy with your choice.

If you need more information on choosing an Invisalign provider why not check out this fantastic article on choosing an Invisalign dentist or orthodontist