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Does your child or teen need orthodontic treatment? If so, you may wonder whether they should get traditional braces or try the more discrete alternative Invisalign.

Which option works for your child will depend on the specific issues they have with their teeth. Preferences also play a role in the decision.

But the good news is that Invisalign can solve most common orthodontic issues and might not cost as much as you think! Even better, Invisalign can offer your child some convenience and comfort that traditional braces can’t watch.

Read on to learn all about this orthodontic option and to explore the cost of Invisalign.

How Does Invisalign Work?

When you think of braces, you probably picture metal brackets, a wire, and some rubber bands. But Invisalign works completely different with the use of custom-made clear retainers made of plastic.

The Invisalign process starts with having the dentist do some x-rays, take pictures, and make a 3-D scan of your child’s mouth. All of this data gets sent to Invisalign where they’ll make a treatment plan specifically for your child. You’ll see a preview of the final result with images that show tooth movement.

After the aligners get made, your dentist will receive them and have you and your child come in. This can take up to four weeks to happen. Your child can put in their first aligner and begin the treatment plan.

Your child will wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day. They should keep them in unless they’re eating, drinking something besides water, or need to brush and floss.

Usually, your child will put in a new set of aligners every two weeks unless your dentist directs otherwise. You’ll also make regular trips to the dentist to check that your child’s teeth are healthy and moving as planned.

Once the treatment finishes, the dentist will have an invisible retainer set made. Your child will wear this full-time for the first few months and then switch to nightly wear. You’ll likely replace the retainers every 12 months or as they become too worn to use.

What’s the Cost of Invisalign?

When comparing Invisalign versus braces cost, both options will depend on the treatment length, dental problems to correct, location, and your dental office.

Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere between $3,500 and $8,000 for Invisalign. The lower end usually fits cases where your child only needs minor corrections that the aligners can correct quickly. Complex cases where your child’s bite needs to be fixed can run higher.

Traditional braces, on the other hand, tend to be a bit cheaper. But this can depend on whether your child gets metal or ceramic braces or uses braces placed behind the teeth. Generally, the price ranges from $2,500 to $6,000.

Don’t let the price of Invisalign scare you, though. Your dental insurance plan may help pay for part of the cost. You can also work out a payment plan through your dentist or a third-party dental care financing company.

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?

Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign comes with many benefits that can keep your child’s or teen’s teeth healthier and give them a comfortable experience during the treatment. Read on to learn some of the major perks of this treatment option.

More Confidence

If your child cares a lot about their appearance, they may not get excited over traditional braces that others can easily see. Invisalign treatment can boost your teen’s self-confidence since the aligners won’t be visible to others.

At the same time, your child will get a boost in confidence as their teeth straighten over time. If they felt self-conscious or got bullied about protruding teeth or gaps, they’ll be happy and more willing to smile.

Less Hassle

Getting your child to brush and floss properly with fixed braces can be a challenge. Not only that, but it also puts their teeth at risk of decay. Invisalign aligners come with less hassle since your child can simply remove them to eat or take care of their oral hygiene.

You can also say goodbye to worrying about foods getting stuck in the braces or having a bracket pop off. Your child can even remove the aligners for an important event easily.

If you have limited time to run your child to dental appointments, you’ll also find Invisalign less hassle since you can usually visit the dentist less often. Your child will have their aligners and can simply switch them out on schedule. Dental visits usually happen around every six weeks.

More Comfort

The brackets on traditional types of braces can sometimes poke your child’s cheeks and gums. They might even irritate the tongue. While dental wax and numbing gels can help, your child may still complain of the discomfort.

Invisalign’s clear retainers are smooth and custom-molded to the teeth. So, there’s nothing rough to hurt your child’s mouth. This increases the chances that your child will complete treatment and wear the aligners as indicated.

Even better, your child may find that they experience less pain with tooth movement than they do with traditional braces. This happens due to the more gradual movements with the aligners.

Faster Treatment

Do you want your child’s orthodontic treatment to finish as soon as possible? Then Invisalign may be able to help in a fraction of the time.

While traditional braces can take years, Invisalign treatment is often done in 12 to 18 months. You can thank the custom aligners and their SmartTrack material and buttons that can target teeth more specifically and fine-tune their movements.

Learn More About Invisalign Today

Are you interested in finding out the cost of Invisalign for your child or teen and want to see if the treatment is the right fit? Then the next step is to reach out to us for a consultation.

We’ll look at your child’s dental records, perform x-rays, and look closely at their bite. We’ll then be able to check whether Invisalign will work, discuss financing, and begin the process of requesting the aligners from the Invisalign lab.

Ready to get started? Schedule an appointment with us today!