Cheap braces and low-cost teeth aligners - are they really worth it?

For many patients deciding on an orthodontic treatment provider, cost is very often a key consideration.

It can be very tempting to choose the most inexpensive option such as cheap clear teeth aligners or braces, but we have to remember that the cheapest ways to straighten teeth may not be the best. Providers of these types of cheap teeth alignment treatments often don’t prioritize safety or even guarantee effective results.

While it’s understandable to look for affordable options when it comes to clear aligners or braces, we must remember that orthodontic treatments should meet certain medical requirements to ensure that they’re safe and don’t put the patient’s health at risk.

In this article, we outline the risks associated with cheap dental aligners and teeth straightening treatments that don’t involve medical supervision. We’ll also explore what you should look out for when it comes to choosing a safe treatment, as well as the average cost of orthodontic treatments so you will know if you come across a cheap teeth alignment treatment that might be too good to be true.

Average costs involved in orthodontics

Here we will provide you with a guideline on how safe, reliable orthodontic treatments are usually priced so that you can have an idea of when you might be putting your health and safety at risk with low-cost teeth aligners that lack medical intervention.

In the US, the cost of orthodontic treatments is usually between $3,000 and $13,000. However, several different factors can impact the price:

• The location of your chosen clinic and the expertise of the specialists working there.
• The complexity of your specific case and the required duration of your treatment.
  
• The type of orthodontic treatment chosen: metal braces, lingual braces, clear ceramic braces, or clear aligners.
  
• The age of the patient receiving treatment.
  
• The equipment used at the clinic for determining diagnosis.
  

If you find cheap dental aligners or braces, you should proceed carefully before deciding to go ahead with the treatment. While the teeth alignment treatment may be cheap, you need to ensure that it is safe and won’t compromise your oral health.

Do cheap teeth aligners and braces really work? A review of the risks involved

Next, we'll discover what potential dangers are associated with inexpensive clear aligners and cheap braces that do not have the optimum safety measures in place for oral health.

Cheap braces and teeth aligners that don’t involve medical supervision can lead to the following:

• Risks to oral health: opting for the cheapest way to straighten your teeth may cause issues such as tooth loss, tooth sensitivity, and tooth decay.
• They can also affect the gums, causing issues like gingivitis, receding gums, and worsening of periodontal disease.
  
• Additional orthodontic issues: by using low-cost teeth aligners or braces, you can end up worsening the original problem or even causing new problems.
  
• Aesthetic risks: if the teeth are repositioned without medical supervision, this can alter the overall appearance of the face.
  
• Functional risks: orthodontic treatment using cheap invisible aligners or braces that do not meet medical standards might impact your breathing, swallowing, speech, and ability to chew.
  

So, if you have been asking yourself, “Do cheap teeth aligners work?” you now know that there may be a number of risks involved and that you could be compromising your safety. To read more about the risks involved with cheap teeth straightening treatments, you can take a look at our article detailing the risks of using cheap dental aligners at home without medical supervision.

What is required for safe orthodontic treatment?

If you choose to go with cheap invisible aligners or braces, there are some factors you’ll need to look out for to ensure that your chosen teeth alignment treatment is reliable and safe:

• Correct and professional diagnosis: orthodontic treatments using cheap clear teeth aligners or braces often don’t include a proper medical diagnosis, which may put your health and safety at risk. For a correct diagnosis and treatment plan, you should have a face-to-face visit with an orthodontist for an oral examination and orthopantomography.
• Proper impression of teeth: some providers of cheap teeth aligners ask patients to take an impression of their own teeth at home, which should be avoided. Your dental impression should be made using molds or 3D printing in a dental clinic and should be performed by a qualified orthodontist.
  
• Customized treatment plan: aligners and braces should be personalized according to each case, as a one-size-fits-all approach can be counterproductive and unsafe. Both the treatment plan and the aligners should be designed and produced according to the unique needs of each patient. Some more complex treatments might require additional elements such as orthodontic rubber bands or attachments. Therefore, cheap and pre-designed dental aligners offered by some providers should be avoided since all teeth are different and require customized care.
  
• Clinical visits: some providers of low-cost teeth aligners or cheap teeth straightening don’t have any physical orthodontic clinics. At Impress, we think it’s of the utmost importance that patients have at least their first visit at a clinic, and that more complex cases have the opportunity to visit a clinic when required. Some milder cases can be monitored digitally from home by a medical team, whereas complex cases will require in-person visits from time to time to ensure that the treatment is progressing correctly.
  
• Ongoing monitoring from a medical professional: finally, the treatment provider should ensure that the treatment is continually monitored by a medical professional so that they can assess that the treatment is progressing as it should.
  

Safe and affordable clear aligners at Impress

At Impress, we know that cost is a key factor when it comes to choosing a provider for orthodontic treatment. This is why we provide orthodontic treatments like clear aligners at affordable prices while ensuring we maintain high levels of professionalism, as well as efficiency and safety:

• We have a professional and experienced medical team who diagnose, plan, and supervise your treatment from start to finish.
• We assure you that your very first diagnostic visit will be held in person at one of our clinics or partner clinics, with a doctor from our team.
  
• We create aligners that are personalized for you and ensure precise movements.
  
• We provide ongoing medical supervision for your treatment, either using our app or in our clinics.
  

Additionally, at Impress we offer fixed prices with no hidden costs as well as flexible payment options so we can meet the needs of our patients as much as possible…

If you’re considering a treatment with inexpensive teeth aligners but want to ensure the treatment is safe, you can contact us and we can assess your unique case with a complimentary orthodontic evaluation. You can schedule an appointment with us online or call us at 888.490.1421. We look forward to meeting you at your nearest Impress clinic!