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So I Want To Straighten My Teeth, Now What?
Delaney Widen
Head of Patient Experience

What are my teeth straightening options?

There are a few methods of straightening your teeth, all with varying experiences, aesthetics, and pricing. Let’s talk through them. 

Traditional Braces

Price: $2,500-$10,000

When you think of old-school teeth straightening, traditional braces are probably the first thing that come to mind. While this may be the cheapest option of the bunch, the pros often outweigh the cons. Traditional braces aren’t particularly aesthetically pleasing and are the most uncomfortable option of the bunch, especially when you get food stuck in them. Yuck. Additionally, you can’t clean your teeth as well due to the wiring and placement of the brace on the tooth. 

Lingual Braces

Price: $5,000-$13,000

Wait, there’s other types of braces? Yup. Lingual braces are actually placed on the inner side of the teeth instead of the outside. While this may sound more appealing because they’re hidden from view, patients still experience the same amount of discomfort, just for more money than traditional braces.

Veneers 

Price: $1,000-$10,000 per tooth (every 10 years) 

Some people opt to change their teeth entirely by choosing veneers. Essentially, veneers are tooth-colored shells attached to teeth to give off the appearance of a brand new tooth. You see these on celebrities a lot – and there’s a reason for that – they are expensive (think up to $10,000 per tooth). Veneers are the highest risk and highest cost option of the bunch, due to the fact that they are not permanent solutions and will need to be replaced approximately every 10 years. 

Mail-Order Aligners 

Price: $1,200-$2,500

Mail-order aligners have become increasingly popular over the last decade. The main reason being convenience, price, and appearance. Unfortunately, that comes with a huge risk. Customers are encouraged to be their own orthodontist, creating molds and monitoring their progress, never once being consulted by a professional to discuss any health or aesthetic problems that could happen. Orthodontists have seen a massive increase in in-office cases because patients are unhappy with their results. 

Orthodontist-Prescribed Aligners 

Price: $4,000-$18,000

Orthodontist-prescribed aligners are the safest option, and when you think about your health, safety should be a top priority. With this option, an orthodontist will complete a full assessment and actually submit a prescription for your aligners, designed specifically to your needs. It’s important to note that when your aligners are orthodontist-designed, you’re less likely to see the aligners than with mail-order aligners. 

Two Front uses entirely ortho-prescribed aligners (Invisalign®) because it is the most effective, safest, and fairly priced option of all. Being a Two Front patient means you can get expert orthodontic care from the familiarity of your dental office and a digital-first experience to allow you to do virtual check-ins from the comfort of your home. 

I already have a dentist. Do I really need an orthodontist? 

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! Just like when you go to your primary care physician and they refer you to a foot or back or brain specialist, orthodontists are specialists too. Think of dentists as the experts on oral hygiene and dental wellness and orthodontists as the experts on the movement of the teeth, focusing their attention on specialties of tooth and jaw alignment. 

How much should I be paying to straighten my teeth?

There is no one answer to how much you should be paying, but the most important thing to remember is that you should not sacrifice your dental health for the cheapest and/or quickest option. Some options may seem more expensive upfront, but the long-term value is greater. 

Pricing Source: https://www.carecredit.com/well-u/health-wellness/teeth-straightening-options/