When you have crooked or misaligned teeth, you want to straighten the teeth to get a beautiful smile. Braces can help you to solve your problem but, some of you may not afford the cost. So, you do search for a cheaper alternative to braces.
Is There A Cheaper Alternative To Braces? There are some options for you such as Invisalign, Headgear, removable appliances, and some newer inventions. Some of them work well but some of them aren’t so effective like braces.
In this article, we’ll discuss the cheaper alternatives to braces with their advantage and disadvantage. You can also check why braces are expensive.
Cheaper Alternatives To Braces
Retainer or removable appliance
The removable orthodontic appliance or retainer is the cheapest of all. But, the outcome is poor. In modern orthodontics, it’s only used in the retention phase of treatment.
This is the phase after the removal of braces. In some cases like habit correction or growth modification, we use special types of removable appliances.
But, now orthodontist doesn’t use it for active treatment or correction of misalignment of teeth. Even if we use it, it can only correct minor problems such as mild overbite and crossbite.
But, the result may not be like braces. However, if you can’t afford traditional braces or Invisalign, you can talk to your orthodontist for that.
As you can remove it any time, you can clean it easily and remove it while eating. Your teeth don’t get stained after treatment. Invisalign also gives you this advantage.
There is a lot of disadvantage to the appliances. Orthodontic treatment requires an ideal force to move the tooth. But, it’s hard to control this with these appliances.
Moreover, it’s not possible to move teeth in all directions perfectly while braces can do it easily. If you don’t wear it regularly, there is no use of it.
In short, you should get them for active treatment. So, try other options.
Invisalign
Invisalign is one of the most popular alternatives to braces. These are the clear braces you may be heard of.
Invisalign can be used to correct your crooked or misaligned teeth. However, it may not correct severe cases. Braces can help you in that case.
This is becoming popular as they are clear braces. Someone may not notice you while wearing it. Moreover, metal brackets or wear don’t need to attach to teeth. You can remove it any time you want.
You can keep your teeth clean and white while wearing this. There may not be any staining or decay after completion of the treatment.
Brushing and flossing are very difficult with braces but it doesn’t happen in the case of Invisalign.
It is also comfortable to use compearing to braces. You may feel less pain or irritation. Moreover, you can remove it from your mouth while eating.
But, if you wear braces, you can’t do that. Eating with braces isn’t so comfortable for someone. Moreover, you can take any kind of food with Invisalign, which isn’t possible with braces.
However, you have to change it every week. But, you can do it your own. So, you don’t need to visit your orthodontist frequently in case of Invisalign like braces treatment.
As it’s removable, don’t think of taking a break from Invisalign from time to time. This won’t help you correct your teeth.
So, there is a chance of a lack of perfection in the case of Invisalign. In braces, you can’t remove on your own, so you get better results.
Is Invisalign cheaper than braces?
Sometimes Invisalign cost may be lower than braces, but most of the time price is the same or more in comparison to braces. It may vary from one dentist to another.
It also depends on cases. Also keep in mind that, many orthodontists tell that all cases may not be corrected by Invisalign. And, critical cases may need traditional braces.
Smile direct club
This is invisible aligner which provided by a special team of orthodontists or dentist. Just like Invisalign people can’t notice the aligner.
They help you take treatment from home with a much quicker time.
Orthodontic treatment with braces needs a frequent visit to your orthodontist but smile direct club does not require this.
You have to go to the chamber for the first time and then they deliver the kits to your home. So if you are a busy person you don’t have to worry about appointments.
However, that doesn’t mean you don’t get the work from a specialist. Actually, licensed dentists or orthodontists plan the treatment and provide you the kits.
But, if you have any technical errors during the treatment, it can’t be identified or corrected.
The reason for that is this treatment is arranged in such a way that you don’t have to visit your orthodontist or dentist.
So, you may end up with mild imperfection. However, they contact you over the telephone to know the progress.
As smile direct clubs deal with easier orthodontic cases it may require lesser time then the braces.
So the problem is the smile direct club cannot help you in critical cases. For those cases, you need traditional orthodontic braces.
You can get this in mild to moderate cases of teeth misalignment, crowding, gaps between teeth, and rotation.
However, the good thing is they will inform you if you aren’t a good candidate for smile direct club.
The patient should be at least 12 years of old to get treatment from the club, some dentists suggest the age should be 18 years.
This is because it’s done on permanent teeth. If someone needs orthodontic treatment earlier, headgear or other orthodontics procedures can be the best option.
But, is smile direct club a cheaper alternative to braces?
Practitioners of smile direct club help you align teeth with almost half of cost in comparison to braces. You can also save your traveling costs.
So, it can be cheaper than other techniques to correct your teeth. However, you have to consider the advantages and disadvantages.
Headgear
Headgear is another cheaper alternative to braces. But, it’s used only in growing children. If you go to the orthodontist with your child in an early stage of teeth misalignment, he or she may use the headgear.
It can be used to correct excessive overjet (class II malocclusion), developing orthodontic cases, overbite, underbite, jaw growth problem and misaligned teeth.
This device not move teeth in the proper position but also guide the growth of the jaw and face. Headgear doesn’t cost that much.
However, the cost may vary from case to case. But, if you need other appliances or braces it may cost high. It may be necessary to wear braces after the treatment with headgear.
This device can move teeth rapidly. So, it takes much less time to finish treatment. Moreover, someone only has to wear it 12 hours a day. The treatment outcome is also satisfactory.
Now a day, orthodontists don’t use headgear as there are so many better options like braces or Invisalign. But, your child can still get it.
Consult with a licensed orthodontist and know whether your child is a good candidate for headgear or not.
However, this can’t be used for adults and people whose growth is completed.
Takeaways
Whatever the costs, pros, and cons, it’s still hard to replace braces with anything else. However, the best alternative to braces can be an Invisalign or smile direct club.
But, If you can’t afford the cost, take your time and save money for the treatment and do it later. However, if you don’t have any serious issue, change the way your thinking.
Keep in mind that the correction of misaligned teeth isn’t an emergency. It doesn’t matter what others think of you or want they say.
You can be happy with whatever you have. You just need to change your mentality and love yourself.
