Braces have been around for ages, but so have their problems. Problems like appearance, comfort and the incredibly long treatment time have always been and will always be. Manufacturers started to take notice of these problems, trying to come up with solutions for them, and along came the answer in the form of Invisalign technology. There is, however, one catch when it comes to Invisalign, and that is its cost. So exactly how much does Invisalign cost ? Find out in a little bit.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is one of the latest and greatest technologies in the field of orthodontics. It replaced the old fashioned system of brackets, wires and elastics, with clear transparent and invisible molds known as aligners. These aligners are fitted on the outer surface of the teeth, and apply pressure to move them to the location we need.

Is Invisalign better than braces?

Yes, in almost every way imaginable. Here are some advantages of Invisalign over braces:

1. Appearance: The looks of metal braces have always been their greatest problem. For that, there are a number of esthetic braces options such as clear braces and lingual braces, but none even come close to Invisalign. The aligners are virtually invisible, and you can remove them whenever you need to. So if you have that special occasion where you have to look your best, just leave your aligner at home.
2. Oral hygiene: Brushing with braces is a tedious process, and flossing is impossible. There is just no way to properly clean the brackets due to their design. Well, Invisalign took care of that too. Since nothing is attached to the teeth, and the fact that you can remove the aligners at will, teeth cleaning becomes a lot easier and far more effective.
3. Comfort:The brackets tend to cut and scrape the gums, lips and cheeks. Invisalign, however, is made of highly polished plastic. It feels very smooth against your oral soft tissues, and with no protruding or sharp parts, no damage will be done.
4. Accuracy:Computers are used in every step of Invisalign fabrication. From scanning the original molds to formulating a treatment plan video, right until the part where they are milled from blocks of acrylic, all are done with the help of highly specialized computers. Needless to say that accuracy is incredibly high.
5. Treatment time:Again due to the fact that computers are used, the treatment time is significantly shorter. Most cases of Invisalign take less than 1 year to complete.

How much does Invisalign cost?

Perhaps the only downside to Invisalign is its cost. The exact cost of your case depends on many variables, such as the complexity of the case, how long it will take, and the experience of the treating orthodontist. On average, Invisalign cases cost between $2500 and $7000. It may seem like a lot of money, but you should also know that traditional braces could cost up to $6000 for complex cases. The difference is not that significant when you consider all the advantages of Invisalign.