Invisalign: Orthodontist Vs At-Home Kits

As modern dentistry continues to improve, it becomes easier than ever to get the smile you’ve always dreamed of. There was a time when the only way to get straight teeth was through painful metal braces. There are various affordable and effective methods to take your smile to the next level.

Clear aligners are growing in popularity, and for a good reason! They’re more convenient and hidden than traditional metal braces. If you’re considering clear aligners to straighten your teeth, you’ll need to decide between seeing an Invisalign orthodontist or purchasing an at-home kit.

This guide will break down the two options so you can easily make a decision. Let’s get started.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses a system of clear aligners to straighten teeth. They’re a popular option among adults and teenagers who want a straighter smile without using traditional metal braces.

You’ll work with your Invisalign-trained orthodontist in Middleburg Heights, who will create a set of custom aligners that will be essentially transparent. As your teeth get pushed into place, you’ll switch over to the next tray in the set. This continues until you reach the end of your treatment.

Unlike traditional braces, which can’t be removed, you’ll take out your Invisalign tray when you floss, brush your teeth, and eat. Once the last tray is done, you’ll have a newly transformed smile.

Invisalign trays are made of FDA-approved plastic. They don’t contain gluten, latex, BPS, or BPA.

Problems Invisalign Fixes

When worn according to the treatment plan, Invisalign can fix many dental issues as efficiently as traditional metal braces. With that said, they are not a universal fix and are best for mild to moderate cases.

If you aren’t sure what treatment is best for your dental issues, you’ll need to consult with an experienced professional. Some irregularities can’t be treated with clear aligners. Let’s take a look at what Invisalign can help with:

Overbites
Crowded teeth
Underbite
Crossbite
Open bite
Gap teeth

Invisalign Cost

Invisalign is more hands-on than at-home aligners, which means there are more trips to the clinic for your process to be monitored. There is more technology involved as well, especially when your aligners are getting manufactured. All of these additional steps come at a premium cost.

You can expect to pay between $3,000 to $8,000 for your Invisalign treatment.

What Are At-Home Kits?

There are significant similarities between Invisalign and home aligners. They have the same appearance, they use the same general technology, the wear schedule is similar, and there’s flexibility with both. Essentially, they’re both clear aligners.

With that said, the differences are extremely important and worth noting.

For starters, at-home aligners are limited in the type of dental issues they treat. These aligners are better for minor cosmetic alignments. More complicated cases require orthodontist oversight which makes Invisalign a better option.

Home aligners don’t require any office visits. Once you receive your at-home kit, you wear each aligner, and that’s that. This is a huge advantage for busy adults who don’t have time to make office visits.

There’s also the treatment speed. You’re likely to wear Invisalign for twice as long as home aligners. This is because Invisalign tends to handle tougher issues, so naturally, you’ll need to wear them longer.

You can expect to wear at-home aligners for six months and Invisalign around 12 to 18 months.

Finally, despite both of these options being clear aligners, at-home kits are more straightforward. They’re clear trays that are molded to match your teeth. Invisalign uses add-ons that work with the aligners to create more powerful results.

How Do They Work?

The first step is to get impressions of your teeth made, which will determine the shape of your trays and overall treatment plan. You can do this by visiting a specific clinic or with an at-home impressions kit.

Once the impressions are made, the aligners are made in a remote lab and sent to you. A dentist will monitor your progress through your mobile phone or an online account.

At-Home Aligners Cost

Compared to Invisalign, at-home aligners are significantly cheaper. There are different options available, but the most affordable is around $1,250, including the cost of making the impression. The most costly at-home kit shouldn’t cost more than $3,000.

It all depends on the service that you’re looking for. If you’re comfortable managing the steps on your own and providing photos online instead of visiting an orthodontist, then you can save thousands of dollars on a new smile.

Both at-home aligners and Invisalign come with the option to finance. Check with your dental insurance and see if it can cover some of the costs. You can also use an HSA or FSA fund.