Invisaline Braces, Anyone Ever Have Them???

I looked into invisalign for my daughter, and was disappointed to find that they were not cheaper than the regular braces. The websites all say that they are, but it's a lie.

I work for a company that produces a system called SureSmile that enables orthodontists to treat patients faster. This is especially appealing to adults and it works with any braces, including the clear brackets. The doctors who use the system are listed at www.suresmile.com. This does not cost much more than traditional braces. Of course the cheapest option is metal brackets using traditional methods, but remember more time in braces also means more doctor's appointments. So there are all kinds of benefits to a shorter treatment time. I'm thinking of sending my husband next year to Dr. Jeff Johnson in Dallas (by Presby) since he offers SureSmile and I'm pretty sure it's cheaper than $7,000. By the way, my insurance offers FSA so I plan to pay with before tax dollars...another way to save a little money!

Hey H., I echo everything Staci C said regarding invisalign. In fact, I became pregnant with my now 2 year old son during that time period and just could not wear them due to exaggerated gag reflex. I still have not finished them but am attempting to psych myself up to do so after the birth of my second son due sometime next week. I am a pretty disciplined person but not when it comes to much cherished, desperately needed sleep! :) Anyway, if you really feel this is the route for you, I can suggest you call Dr. Brian Scaff for an estimate. His prices were better than anyone else's when I checked but I believe the ones he uses are not invisalign brand so that is probably the reason. Good luck with your decision!
Sherri

A couple years ago, I paid about 2000.00 for top only to re-straighten a few teeth after having traditional braces as a teen. The Invisalign took about twice as long as it would have if I went for the traditional braces. I chose Invisalign since I did not want to be an adult walking around with metal mouth. You really cannot see them once they are in.
The problem I had was that once they started hurting really bad halfway through the night, I would take them out. It was just too tempting for me to take them out and not wear them. Also, each time you go in for your next set, the dentist has to shave a TINY bit in between the teeth that need to be moved so that there will be room to move them. This part did not hurt, but I HATED the sound. Also, I did not like the thought of them shaving my teeth, even just a little.
If I had it to do over again, I might do the traditional braces with the clear or white brackets- it's cheaper, you cannot see them quite as much as the silver kind, and they work faster.
If you are worried about people seeing that you have braces, then go for the Invisalign. Just remember that no matter what you choose, you will ALWAYS have to wear your retainer consistently if you do not want your teeth to wind back up like they are now. I wish I would have listened to my mom about that the first time around years ago when SHE was paying for them!

I got these braces years ago for about $3000-$4000. My teeth weren't too bad, I just wanted to fix my bite. It didn't fix my bite and it didn't straighten my teeth completly(which the ortho informed me beforehand). I still wear the retainer to this day because my teeth start to shift when I don't wear it. If your teeth need alot of work I would not recommend this. I think traditional braces may do a better job.

A PS to my response...........
I also used a splint for TMJ. (one of the removable deals) IF you use this type of brace or retainer........make sure it is put away TIGHTLY when you take it out. Someone said they took it out at night when it hurt, very logical. BUT....I have dogs. My dogs ate my $400 splint when I took it out and just had it on a nightstand not thinking about consequences. Oops.

I did traditional braces with clear brackets. When I did it, I was 26 and the cost at that time for me was about $3000 total. Gees, that was 20 yrs ago. I remember how they hurt a lot, especially after tightening. I was not overweight (never have been) and I had issues with eating because they hurt. I lost about 20 lbs the first few months.

Even if I had to do it over again today, I would still go with traditional. it would be too easy for me to just take the removable ones out when it was hurting.

Good luck

I just got a consult today from my dentist and the price was about $4000 for braces (top and bottom). or $4500 for invisalign (top only). I told them I only wanted to do the top teeth anyway (that's where my biggest problem teeth are).
apparently, for my teeth, if i get the regular braces they need to do the bottom teeth too because I'll need to anchor the top teeth to something.
but with invisalign I won't need the bottom row.
Both are estimated to be completed in 12-14 months. the price included all exams, visits, xrays ... everything.

about the insurance coverage, if your insurance is anything like mine (and I think like most)....dental/health insurance typically does not offer any assistance for ortho dental services for people over 18 yrs of age. So only kids are given some kind of coverage. I wish my parents would have taken care of this problem when I was a kid! :-)

I have no insurance and I paid almost 8,000, for my sons. I think it really has to do with the amount of straightening your teeth need just as it does with the regular kind.

That is a lot of money! I have no idea about Invisaline, but with MetLife insurance, my son's braces only cost us $150! So, it might be worth checking into a dental plan that you can buy into, and the "old fashioned" braces. They don't have to be silver - you can get those clear ones!

I had braces as a kid but never finished my ortho work then. A few years ago I resolved to finish it and decided to go for the Invisalines. They were about the same price you said and I LOVED them! Of coarse they hurt but so do the traditional brackets! Take some Tylenol and put on your big girl panties and be greatful that you are fineally fixing your teeth! No one could tell when they were in, you take them out only to brush and eat so it is easy to keep your teeth clean and still eat what ever you want. With brackets it is a chore to brush and it take twice as long to floss and forget about eating corn on the cob, ribs, sandwiches... My teeth look great and I am happy! I wasn't going to be a brace face again!

I had them as a retainer, and I HATED THEM. Mine cracked (regularly, across the top of my mouth) and hurt like a sonofagun.. They hurt like regular braces, you take them out to eat, brush your teeth (or what a show - and cavity central), and then you have to brush your braces before you put them back in - or they taste horrible. And you can't chew gum.

They cost twice as much, they're twice the work - and they take twice the discipline - and I would totally have kept my metal mouth (with white bands) until I didn't need anything anymore given the choice.

S.

H.:
I am currently wearing invisalign and I LOVE them. I got them right before my daughter's first birthday and when we took all those photos there isn't a huge chunk of metal in my mouth. I even got married while wearing them and no one even knew I had braces. Another great thing is how easy there are with the whole process. The cost was cheaper for the invisalign then traditional braces. They hurt a little but no one should expect braces to not hurt. If you do get them, I recommend when you change your trays, do it at night. It makes the transition a little easier. My braces will be off in less than a month and the whole experience was wonderful. You are less likely to get cavities because you can brush all of your teeth and the trays plus floss your teeth. I also know several people that have had the invisalign braces and they would never want any other type now. You could try Dr. Calvert at Smile Creations on Slaughter. He is a really nice dentist and will talk to you about your concerns. The staff is also great and understanding. I totally recommend it.