Invisalign Alternatives

Since it was introduced as a treatment option for people seeking to straighten their teeth, Invisalign has been continuously popular. Rockford Invisalign can treat crooked teeth and is also effective at treating many cases of overbite or other bite issues, and it is far less visible and more comfortable than traditional braces. Invisalign treatment can cost as much as $8,000, however, which may be too steep for your budget. There are other low-profile, clear aligners on the market, some of which are placed during dental visits and some of which provide an at-home treatment option, and each of these has its own set of pros and cons.

Invisalign and other in-office clear aligners are similar to at-home aligners like those from SmileDirectClub and similar services, in that both are clear and customized to securely fit in the dental arches and slowly shift the teeth over a determined period of time. At-home aligners require zero dental visits and take place entirely remotely. This makes them convenient and helps to keep them affordable. When patients have severely misaligned teeth, at-home aligners aren’t as effective as in-office ones, but for people with less-severe dental alignment issues who aren’t married to the idea of in-office treatments, at-home clear orthodontic aligners could be an effective selection.

If you prefer to see your dentist or if your alignment condition is severe or complex, ask about alternatives to Invisalign. Many of the choices, like ClearCorrect, are as effective as Invisalign and provide customized benefits under the supervision of a local dental professional at a lower cost. Some options, like Candid, require an initial visit with a local dental professional but otherwise rely on scrupulous at-home monitoring involving digital scans that are sent to the dentist at assigned time increments. These plans can be more comprehensive than aligning packages that are solely remote and allow the dentist to remain connected throughout the process, providing additional dental adjustments or treatments if any issues arise. They tend to have a shorter treatment time and lower cost than Invisalign; for example, treatment with Candid takes as little as 6 months, while the minimum treatment time for Invisalign is twice that, and costs as little as $3,500, while Invisalign usually costs $5,000 or more. Candid and similar combination treatments can include the rear molars in the orthodontic realignment, as is the case with Invisalign but not with 100% at-home treatments.

Some treatments, like Six Month Smiles, require regular dental visits but condense treatment into a shorter time frame; these are most effective for people who want to correct minor alignment problems while also receiving individualized care from an in-person dentist, though their results are comparable to at-home treatments and cost more. If you’re hoping to resolve a serious dental alignment issue, you may require in-office aligners. If your alignment needs are simpler, there are a wide variety of possibilities in your treatment choices. Some of these affordable at-home alignment options, including a company called Byte, use innovative technology to expedite treatment times, and many offer financing options to facilitate at-home treatment for people with mild to moderate dental alignment issues. Your dentist can help you figure out if one of these convenient, affordable clear tooth-alignment treatments is appropriate for you.

How Does Invisalign Work?