Looking for affordable ways to straighten your smile without traditional braces? Clear braces, clear aligners, and similar teeth straightening options are a great place to start. Especially for adults and older teens who prefer not to have visible braces on their teeth.
With so many effective teeth straightening options on the market, it can sometimes feel a little overwhelming knowing which one is right for you. Tooth-coloured braces or removable aligner systems tend to be the most popular, especially among adults. These systems are designed to be low-profile so that other people don’t notice them when you’re smiling or talking.
Are Clear Braces Expensive?
There are typically two different categories of ‘clear braces.’ One is tooth-coloured brackets and wires. These teeth straightening systems use the same size and shape as appliances like traditional braces, only they’re made out of tooth-coloured materials like ceramic. They blend in with the natural colour of your tooth. Most ceramic or clear braces of this variety cost a little more than traditional orthodontic systems do.
And then, there are clear aligners, which are also referred to as ‘clear braces’ in some cases. With aligners, the cost of your entire teeth straightening appearance is about the same as the price of traditional braces. Except in some cases, it’s even less. Much of it will depend on the type of teeth straightening system you choose and how long you need to wear them.
How Much Do Clear Aligners Cost?
The biggest factor impacting the cost of clear aligners is the length of your treatment. Every teeth straightening system that uses removable trays requires sets of aligners that you change out every week or two to continue your tooth movement. The number of trays directly impacts the overall price of your clear aligners system.
For example, someone who only needs to wear clear aligners for six months will have a lower-priced treatment plan than an individual who needs to wear clear braces/aligners for a year or more. More complex cases take more time and more trays to correct; as such, they cost more to complete.
Thankfully, you’ll have a good idea of the total price tag after your initial consultation. That way, you can compare various teeth straightening options or financing plans to choose one that works for you. There’s no need to rush into anything.
Are Monthly Payment Plans Available?
Yes. It’s fairly uncommon for someone to pay full price upfront for their clear aligners or other types of teeth straightening treatments. Since the investment can be significant at times, it’s normal for these services to be broken down into complimentary low monthly payments.
Depending on your budget, you might even want to make a down payment on your treatment and then finance the remaining portion every month. Most providers offer 0% financing as long as the entire balance is paid by a certain point. Otherwise, low-interest payment options are also available, making it possible to start treatment today while spreading out your installments over a longer timeframe.
When you complete your initial consultation and have an itemised treatment plan, you can easily decide whether it’s time to get started or if you’d like to wait a bit longer to think about things. There is no obligation when all you want is a price quote.
Benefits of Investing in Teeth Straightening
While it’s natural to think about teeth straightening as something cosmetic, the benefits are far further reaching. There are also health advantages of having properly aligned teeth.
For instance, teeth that bite together incorrectly are more prone to premature wear and cause TMJ disorder. By adjusting how teeth match up against one another, you can better improve your oral and jaw function. Not to mention prevent future restorative treatments on worn-out teeth.
Additionally, teeth that are misaligned or crowded tend to be statistically more likely to develop cavities and gum disease. If you find that you’re constantly struggling with a periodontal infection or recurring decay, wearing clear aligners may help improve your oral health and home care routine. Especially since the trays are removable, making it easier to brush and floss your teeth throughout the treatment process.
Which Teeth Straightening Options Can I Afford?
Today’s clear aligners typically cost about the same amount as traditional braces and even less than tooth-coloured ceramic/clear braces do. There’s never been a better time to afford these alternative teeth straightening treatments.
Keep in mind that cost is sometimes relative. How much is it worth to have healthier teeth and gums? Or to feel great about the way your teeth look? Sometimes it’s not possible to put a price tag on having a straighter, properly functioning smile.
Clear aligners have never been more competitively priced than they are today. Especially when there are so many different types of ‘invisible’ teeth straightening options on the market for you to consider.
What other affordable options do I have?
With the advent of at-home clear aligners, you can get your treatment process completed within the premises of your and at an affordable price.
Where traditional metal braces and In-office clear aligners require you to make frequent office visits and can cost around $6000 to $9000, at-home clear aligners require no visits to the dentist and cost lesser than these two options.
In Australia, there are five brands offering remote clear aligners treatment at a reasonable price.
SmilePath is the most affordable clear aligner brand and offers clear aligners at a price of $1499. EZ Smile is the second most affordable clear aligner brand and offers aligners for $2149.
WonderSmile offers their clear aligners for $2690. Byte is known to be the pioneer of at-home clear aligners in Australia and requires you to pay $2749 for its aligners. SmileDirectClub is another well-established brand that offers clear aligners for $2825
Talk to a Smile Specialist
If you’re looking for affordable teeth straightening treatment that also offers the clear design you’re hoping for, the best place to start is an orthodontic consultation. You can meet with a provider virtually or in-person to discuss which teeth straightening options are right for you, whether it’s traditional or clear braces, clear aligners, or various brands of systems.
After your consultation, you’ll have a better idea of the cost of treatment as it relates to your specific circumstances. Since every smile and teeth straightening system is different, pricing will be too. You can plan on getting a customised treatment outline that reviews all pricing and payment options, including 0% or low-interest financing.
Get started today!