What you need to know before getting Clear Braces

Clear Braces are sometimes known by the brand-name Invisalign. They have the obvious perceived benefit that they can hardly be seen and are relatively comfortable to wear.  However, it is important to understand their limitations.

Limitations of “Clear Braces”

Providing the jaws are balanced and in their correct positions, Clear Braces may be used as an alternative to placing fixed brackets on your teeth. However, in cases that involve a jaw problem, it is our opinion that these jaw problems should be corrected first..

Clear Braces Cost / Invisalign Cost

Clear Braces will usually cost more than fixed brackets. A series of clear plastic trays (like mouth-guards) has to be fabricated to move the teeth a bit at a time.  This involves taking multiple impressions throughout the course of treatment, which can add up.

Costs for all types of treatment vary according to their complexity and the length of time taken to do treatment.  Clear braces are usually the most expensive and are said to usually take a longer time to move the teeth than fixed braces.

Your orthodontist or dentist may be able to advise you on the complexity of your case and therefore give you a reasonable idea of cost.

In our opinion, for most cases Clear Braces are best used for minor tooth movements when the jaws are already properly aligned.

What about “Invisble Braces”

These days, many people ask about Invisible Braces. The term “Invisible Braces” can be used to talk about various types of braces. The most common is perhaps clear braces (as already discussed). The other types of Invisible Braces, they can be called “Lingual Braces” when the dentist places the brackets out of sight on the tongue or palate side of the teeth.

Another type is when orthopaedic (or FJO) appliances are used, many of which are invisible, or barely visible. A perfect example of this is an A.L.F. (Advanced/Alternative Light-wire Functional) appliance. This appliance is used to expand the jaw and create balance within the skeletal system. The appliance itself cannot be seen easily as it sits in the palate for upper arches, or on the tongue-side for lower arches. However, often fixed braces are used at the same time or afterwards.

More Info on A.L.F. Appliances:

See the YouTube video here for a great presentation of the A.L.F. appliance…

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