If you are in the final decision-making process of choosing clear aligners for your orthodontic treatment, you are probably debating if the associated prices are worth it. In this blog, our Vancouver dentists go over the elements you should take into account when determining the value and costs of clear aligners.
What are clear aligners?
There are various brands of clear aligners available to you, and they all come with a series of custom-made clear aligners that you will have to wear on your teeth and change roughly every 2 weeks. Every set of clear aligners are removable and work to gradually shift your teeth in tiny increments.
What are the benefits of clear aligners?
A feature that patients often enjoy about clear aligners is that they are removable so you can keep brushing your teeth, eating and drinking as normal.
Depending on the brand you choose and your orthodontic issues, clear aligners can resolve a number of problems such as bite issues, crowding and misalignment of teeth. This treatment option is popular with both adults and teenagers due to its discreet appearance. Plus, for busy teens and adults the fact that there are no dietary restrictions is a bonus.
Your clear aligners also won’t need adjustments or tightening which can sometimes be uncomfortable. You’ll just need to check in with your dentist regularly on your progress.
How will my aligners cost?
Following are some of the factors that will determine the cost of your clear aligners:
- Your location and average prices for clear aligners
- Your oral health requirements and how much work you will need
- Any coverage you can get through an insurance plan
How will the duration of my treatment be?
When investing in the improvement of your smile you are also committing to your treatment plan in order to get the best possible results from the process. Your dentist is the only one who will be able to determine your specific requirements and inform you of how long your treatment will take. Below is a list of factors that could contribute to the duration of your treatment:
- The severity of your misalignment
- Your compliance with your custom treatment plan
- The number of aligners in your series
If you follow the instructions of your treatment plan exactly as prescribed by your dentist, your clear aligners should be able to help straighten your teeth and improve your smile. If you know how many aligners will come in your series, you can use simple math to learn the duration of your treatment.
For example, if you get 16 sets of aligners and have to change them every 2 weeks, you will be using 2 sets of aligners every month. 16 divided by 2 equals 8, so your treatment will be 8 months long.
You should start seeing results about 4- to 6-weeks into your treatment. You might want to take pictures of your smile every week so you can get a better idea of how much your teeth are moving and the value your clear aligners are bringing to your oral health and smile.