Do crooked teeth leave you embarrassed to smile? You’re not alone. More than half of adult Aussies are self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth.
A growing number of Aussies are turning to ceramic braces or clear braces to enjoy the benefits of teeth straightening. If you are wondering about ceramic braces cost versus clear braces cost, we will overview both dental treatments. While metal braces have been a popular orthodontic treatment for decades, clear aligners are increasingly seen as a cost-effective alternative.
What Are Ceramic Braces?
Ceramic braces are a form of traditional metal braces. The orthodontic treatment uses brackets, archwires, and rubber bands to gradually move teeth into better alignment. What sets ceramic braces apart is the use of tooth-coloured ceramic brackets that blend in with the teeth.
Ceramic braces can address a wide range of tooth alignment issues that could include:
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Gapped teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Diastema
Ceramic braces are sometimes called clear braces because the dental work is more cosmetically pleasing than traditional metal braces. Unlike clear aligners, people might still be able to see your braces.
How Much Do Ceramic Braces Cost?
You are probably asking yourself, “How much do braces cost?” Ceramic braces cost $6,500 to $9,500 for a full treatment period that typically lasts 18 to 24 months.
Clear Braces Cost Factors
Clear braces cost a large amount because of the extensive hours that are required to place, maintain, and adjust ceramic braces.
Shorter treatments may come at a lower price. Ceramic braces typically cost more than traditional braces.
The high cost of braces is due to all of the work that goes into prepping teeth and adjusting wires. Any brackets or attachments that break will need to be replaced, which can further add to the average cost of braces.
Clear Aligners: A Cost-Effective Alternative Treatment to Clear Braces
Advances in dental care now allow patients to enjoy the benefits of discreet orthodontic treatment without the need for spending upwards of $8,000 — or more!
Clear aligners correct teeth alignment issues at a fraction of the cost of ceramic braces. Monthly installment payments are as low as $81/month, and one-time payments are as little as $1,449.
Clear aligners are quickly replacing traditional metal braces. Teens and adults of all ages are eligible for the clear aligner procedure. More than 40,000 Australians per year undergo clear aligner treatments, and the clear aligner industry is the fastest-growing segment of the global dental industry.
Ceramic Braces Procedure Overview
Although ceramic braces must be placed by an experienced dentist or orthodontist, the concept behind the treatment is fairly simple. Brackets are glued to the front of each tooth.
Archwires are run through the brackets. The dentist then tightens the wires to pull teeth toward their new position.
Routine Dental Visits
Undergoing orthodontic treatment using ceramic braces takes regular and repeated visits to the dentist or orthodontist’s office. Patients must be careful to avoid certain foods that could stick to braces or damage them.
Wire Tightenings
After each wire tightening, patients may feel discomfort as teeth are pulled. As teeth move, the underlying jawbone gradually adjusts to the tooth movements.
Treatment Timeline
Teeth straightening can last anywhere from several months to two years or longer. Once your teeth reach their optimal position, the ceramic brackets will be carefully removed. A permanent or removable retainer will keep your teeth in place once the treatment is completed.
How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Clear aligners offer a convenient and fairly comfortable alternative to ceramic braces. In fact, our company offers direct-to-customer options that do not require visits to the dentist! Competitors like Invisalign can be more expensive because that company requires regular visits to a dentist or orthodontist.
While ceramic braces use wires to pull teeth into alignment, clear aligners fit snuggly over an entire arch of teeth. Each successive aligner is slightly more straight than the previous aligner.
Clear aligners budge teeth into position through micro-movements. After two to three weeks, the trays are traded out and the old trays are discarded. Clear aligners offer drastic results in as little as a few months.
Are Ceramic Braces Worth It?
Ceramic braces can be an effective treatment for teens and adults who seek teeth straightening. While the orthodontic treatment has been popular for decades, several factors should be weighed before deciding between ceramic braces and clear aligners.
Questions you should ask include:
- Am I OK with periodic wire tightening?
- Will I mind the dietary restrictions that traditional braces require?
- Do I have $8,000 or more budgeted to straighten my teeth?
- Have I explored all of the alternative treatment options?
If you have a trusted orthodontist or dentist you already work with, you may be a good candidate for ceramic braces. If you are open to working with our trusted team at SmilePath, you may be a great candidate for direct-to-customer clear aligners.
Candidates for clear aligners desire straighter teeth but prefer the convenience of undergoing the treatments at home. Clear aligner candidates often wish to enjoy the drastic cost-savings of the direct-to-customer services we offer.
Enjoy the Benefits of Teeth Straightening
Ceramic braces (commonly called clear braces) offer one way to enjoy the benefits of teeth straightening. Clear braces cost upwards of $10,000 due to the factors outlined in the article.
If ceramic braces cost factors have you worried, consider the popular alternative that thousands of Aussies are trying — direct-to-customer clear aligners! Don’t let clear braces cost keep you from enjoying the benefits of a new smile. Take the first step by taking our free online assessment.
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