Clear braces are one of several types of braces available to patients interested in straightening their teeth. If you don’t already have dental coverage that covers orthodontic treatments, this likely includes costly treatment using clear braces. But your yearly dental cover limit could be much less than the full cost of clear braces installation, so you still will have some out-of pocket expenses. In this guide, we’ll go over how to find the most affordable braces and how to shop around for the best price. Let’s hope you get the smile you’ve always wanted.
The most important thing you can do to reduce the cost of braces is to shop around for the best price on your clear braces from a dental practice near you. If you’re fortunate enough to have insurance coverage, this will likely come in the form of a discount plan for your monthly braces payment. If there isn’t a discount plan with your insurance company, look into whether or not they offer any financing options, which may be an alternative to saving money on your braces.
You have two different types of brackets you can use for straightening crooked teeth: wire and clear. Wire braces are probably the most common, and come in several different styles including invisible ones. Because they are metal, wire braces are usually more expensive than clear braces cost. The wire method also has its own disadvantages like sagging over time. Invisible ones are less noticeable than wire, and may not cause as much discomfort, but they can cost more because they don’t offer any kind of style options.
Clear braces are an upgrade from traditional braces and are the ideal option for those with straight teeth, crossbite or overbite teeth, and severely misaligned teeth. Clear braces do not need to be adjusted like traditional braces so you can go about your daily activities with them. The elastics that are used to hold the wire in place will gradually stretch out so that the wires lie flat against your teeth. They may be slightly visible at first, but this is minimal.
The traditional braces are much more comfortable and easier to adjust, but they are often the most expensive option. With a little bit of work, you can get the wire aligners to be almost invisible, while still allowing the teeth to be seen. The problem with using dental aligners is that they can be uncomfortable and move around during eating or talking, creating problems when trying to eat or speak normally. For these reasons, many people find that they prefer fixed braces over aligners.
Fixed braces consist of either a plastic mold that holds the tooth outline, or a thin wire mesh that is placed directly over the tooth. If you don’t like the idea of wearing braces, you can also have your orthodontist make a mold of your mouth for you. This mold is sent to a lab where a dentist will apply a thin layer of a tooth-colored ceramic material over the mold, creating a custom fit. This tooth-colored material is similar to ceramic material found in window panes and other products you see around the home. These materials are nearly invisible when the braces are on, and they are comfortable and durable enough to help you eat and talk normally.
If you are looking for an inexpensive way to improve your smile, you may want to consider getting a retainer. A retainer is a simple brace that goes behind each individual tooth to help hold it in place during the eating process. The retainer is worn for a set amount of time each day and can easily be removed without a great deal of effort. As you use your retainer more, it will help your teeth stay in place more easily, which can make you more comfortable while eating or talking. Although the price can be a bit higher than traditional braces, you can get special retainer treatment at a cosmetic dentist office, saving you even more money.
If your goal is to improve your smile, but you do not have orthodontic needs, there are other options. Clear braces are a common choice because they provide minimal side effects and are very effective at making your teeth look less noticeable. However, if you are simply looking for a way to improve your smile without noticeable side effects, you should choose clear aligners instead. Invisible aligners are an excellent alternative to braces because they do not draw attention to your mouth or lack the advantages of invisible braces.