Affordable Braces for Adults

affordable braces for adults

Orthodontic treatments are not cheap and if you don’t have the right kind of dental insurance, they can wreak havoc on your finances. However, braces for adults are important for more than one reason. First, having correctly aligned teeth gives a person the confidence to go about their day with a smile. In addition to that, having misaligned or crooked teeth can make proper oral hygiene a difficult task to accomplish, especially as an adult.

If you are looking to fix your teeth but don’t have a ton of extra cash to burn on the more expensive treatments, there are some types of braces that can prove to be relatively affordable. However, it is important to keep in mind that the final cost will depend on a number of factors like the severity of the problem, the type of braces that are recommended, the labor cost of your orthodontist or dentist, and finally the amount of time that you need to have the braces on for.

To understand what the most affordable options for braces are, their average cost and the benefits and limitations of each of these, keep reading!

Most Popular Affordable Braces for Adults

cheap braces for adultsBraces can be expensive and the cost goes up slightly – almost 4% – if you get them as adults. On average, adult treatments can cost between $150 and $250 more than the same treatment would cost for children. This is primarily because it takes longer for the braces to align the teeth once the mouth and face have been completely developed, as in the case of adults.

Despite this, you can still get your dentist or orthodontist to fix your teeth by choosing one of the more affordable options mentioned below.

Metal Braces

The first option on the list of affordable braces is the traditional one – metal braces. These braces are made up of two primary components – the brackets and the wires. The metal brackets are attached to the front part of your teeth with a specialized, medical-grade bonding glue. They have small slots through which the wire is threaded to give your teeth the right amount of pressure that they require to be put in place. Rubber bands are used to hold the wires in place. These braces cost between $2,500 and $6,000.

Advantages

  • This is the most affordable option on the list if finances are an issue.
  • Metal braces can help in dealing with a wide variety of orthodontic problems – even the more severe ones.

Disadvantages

  • The biggest disadvantage of these braces for adults is that they are very noticeable. The silvery appearance of the brackets and the wire is very apparent.

Ceramic Braces

The next option works in a manner that is similar to the first – brackets and wires – but differs on one crucial point. Instead of metal, these braces use ceramic material that is able to camouflage itself with your teeth because of the similarity in color. The wires are also in the same color scheme, which makes these braces less noticeable in public. They also cost a little more – between $3,500 and $8,000.

Advantages

  • Ceramic braces are good at blending with the background so they can’t be noticed as easily as metal braces.
  • They can be used to deal with many different – even severe – dental issues.
  • Ceramic braces are more effective if you are trying to fix misalignment, more than usual aligners.

Disadvantages

  • If you play sports or play musical instruments using your mouth, these aren’t the best choice.
  • They can cause some discomfort in the form of cuts during the initial phase.

Self-Ligating Braces

As we discussed before, regular braces make use of small rubber bands to hold the wire in place. Development in orthodontic techniques has eliminated the need for rubber bands as the newer brackets come with small doors or clips that hold on to the wire that is threaded through them. These braces aren’t very expensive and cost about the same amount as metal or ceramic braces – between $3,000 and $7,000.

Advantages

  • The convenience associated with these braces has made them a favorite in the dental community because of the elimination of the small rubber bands.
  • Self-ligating or Damon braces do not hold on to as much food as regular braces, allowing for better oral hygiene.
  • You may not have to visit the dentist as often because malfunctions are reduced.

Disadvantages

  • As was the case with traditional metal braces, these can be noticed very easily. This can be a deal breaker for many adults who feel that it can affect their personal and professional life.

Invisalign

While Invisalign isn’t the cheapest option on this list, it is mentioned here because of the relative ease of use associated with this clear aligner. If it’s the case of a small misalignment, you do not have to wear proper braces. Instead, you can opt for this custom made mold that will correct any minor alignments quickly and effectively. Invisalign can cost between $4,000 and $8,000.

Advantages

  • The biggest advantage of opting for Invisalign is the discretion. No one will be able to tell that you are wearing anything around your teeth, as there are no brackets and wires.
  • If you have braces, you cannot eat any hard or sticky food. There are no such restrictions associated with Invisalign, as you will be removing the aligner before you eat or drink anything – other than water.

Disadvantages

  • Invisalign may not be the suitable answer for more complex dental or orthodontic issues.
  • You need to be disciplined for Invisalign to work, as it needs to be on your teeth for at least 22 hours each day.

Wrap-Up

The average cost mentioned alongside all the options on this list may seem quite high to most people but, in reality, it is on the lower end of the spectrum. There are some types of braces that can set you back by almost $13,000, depending on the exact procedure.

Consult your dentist to get a better understanding into what would be the best option for you – depending on a number of factors like the problem, amount of time you have and the aftercare procedures.

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