Got misaligned teeth? Then wearing braces can fix your dental problem but how much do braces cost? Let’s take a closer look at the various straightening options available to you and more importantly, the costs involved.

Why do people get braces for teeth?

A dentist normally recommends teeth braces to improve the appearance of a patient’s face and mouth. Orthodontic treatment can correct dental problems such as an incorrect jaw position, crowded or crooked teeth, and even disorders of the jaw joints. If these problems aren’t treated then a whole host of other problems could occur including headaches, ear ache, tooth decay, gingivitis (gum disease) as well as problems with speaking, and biting and chewing food.

What is the best age for braces?

A person of any age can benefit from orthodontic treatment but an ideal time is when a child is between 10 and 14 years old. This is because it’s easier to access the teeth to straighten them while the head and mouth are still growing. However it’s not just kids that wear braces either. In fact, did you know that more adults than ever are seeking orthodontics treatment thanks to a wider range of brace types?

These include:

1. Metal braces
2. Ceramic braces with tooth coloured wires and clear brackets
3. Lingual braces which sit behind the teeth
4. Invisalign (an innovative clear type aligner)

Your dentist will be able to help you choose the style of braces which not only address your particular dental needs, but also fit into your lifestyle and budget. Speaking of budget, because some braces cost much more than others, most dentists offer payment plans so that you can spread the cost over several months and get the treatment you want.

Braces cost- cheaper options

There have been huge advances in recent years not just in the type of braces available but also in the overall treatment times. Whereas once the only option was to wear conventional metal braces for several years, nowadays ‘fast’ braces can align and fix less severe cases in as little as 4 to 6 months. Even better, they’re often cheaper than longer term braces.

So how do they achieve such quick results?

Instead of moving both the root and the tooth, fast braces concentrate on just aligning the 6 front teeth that show when you smile. Although they can’t correct more complex issues, they’re ideal for people more concerned about the aesthetics of their smile and who are seeking a quick solution.

Invisible braces for adults No need to shy away!

Adults used to shy away from the idea of wearing conspicuous metal braces but thanks to a clear alternative Invisalign Aligners both adults and children can go about their daily lives without anyone knowing they are having orthodontic treatment. If you fancy the idea of invisible braces then you need to know that Invisalign braces cost from around $4500 for minor treatment and between $6000 and $9000 on average. You may find Invisalign cost is covered by your private health plan, but that depends on the level that you’re insured for.

So how does Invisalign work?

Similar to all other types of braces, Invisalign works by applying gentle pressure to guide the teeth into their correct positions, with the main difference being that instead of one device being worn, a series of custom aligners are worn instead. The aligners are made from a transparent thermoplastic material which is lightweight and fits over your teeth, a bit like a whitening tray. A series of bespoke trays are made for you which are worn to move your teeth in a sequence pre-determined by your dentist. Each aligner is worn for around two weeks after which it is changed for the next one in the series. Once you’ve worn all the aligners, your teeth should be in their correct position and your brand new smile will be unveiled.

Now you know more about what braces cost and the various straightening options why not book an appointment with our friendly dental experts to see just what they can do for you. We don’t just stop at straight smiles, we can also complement them further with tooth whitening and other cosmetic treatments to get the smile you’ve always dreamed of. Call Point Cook Dental today on (03) 8595 2630 and start your journey to a better smile.