I can’t afford Invisalign. How do I find transparent braces that are half the cost of Invisalign? I have severe overjet and my dentist quoted me just over $5000 and that was not at all what I had in mind. The overjet is so bad that it’s starting to get really uncomfortable. It looks bad too. You can’t see my bottom teeth at all now. I’m getting really self-conscious about this. I asked for Invisalign because I’m 39 yrs old and I don’t want braces to interfere with my career or my social life. Transparent braces are really the answer. I have about 3 more years to pay for my masters in occupational therapy education and I don’t want to add to my debt with Invisalign. What are my options for transparent braces? Half the cost is just where I need to be to afford it. Thanks. Aruna
Aruna – Transparent braces, like Invisalign, are a popular option for adults. They allow you to straighten your teeth while people see the improvement—not your braces.
Overjet describes how much the top teeth sit forward from the lower teeth, or how much they protrude, as opposed to simply overlapping your lower teeth. Severe overjet needs orthodontic or cosmetic dental treatment to correct it.
Will Transparent Braces Help?
There are different types and brands of transparent braces. Braces that are half the cost of Invisalign will produce limited results if they help at all. In some cases, they can create additional problems with your bite.
Overjet – Causes and Treatment
Overjet has different causes and treatment options. A few of them are discussed below.
Short mandibular (lower) arch – If your mandibular, or lower, arch is short, it can result in overjet. Orthodontic treatment can be used to lengthen the arch and reduce overjet. Missing teeth can be replaced with dental implants. The jaw can also be surgically repositioned.
Long maxillary (upper) arch – When the upper arch is longer than the lower arch, excess overjet can result. The upper arch can be longer due to genetics, or due to retained second primary molars, which have a greater width than the permanent molars that should have replaced them.
Maxillary teeth protrude or mandibular teeth recline – If the cause of overjet is due to upper teeth protruding, or lower teeth reclining, orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign, can be used to correctly align them.
In some cases, overjet can be corrected with porcelain veneers, but depending on your case, it might cost more than orthodontic treatment.
Invisalign or Another Brand of Transparent Braces?
We recommend that you get a second opinion for diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Invisalign might be a good option for your case, or another brand of transparent braces could work. Although another type of braces might cost less than Invisalign, don’t expect to pay half the cost. Significant overjet isn’t something that cheap orthodontic treatment will correct. Be certain to weigh your options carefully and select an option that will give you the best results—even if you have to wait until your budget is right for it.
This post is sponsored by San Jose dentists Dr. Ralph Stanley, Dr. Magdalena Azzarelli, and Dr. Rogé Jacob.
