Discount teeth straightening: Why is it so cheap?

 

 

Invisalign’s^® treatment systems remain the number one 1 clear aligner brand¹, so we often receive questions about the latest trends in discount teeth straightening methods.

Low-cost clear aligner brands introduced in recent years promise a cheaper alternative to Invisalign treatment. They also offer their customers the ability to not visit a dentist or orthodontist after their initial consultation — some offer only in-app follow-ups.²

Using generic appliances can potentially put the user at risk due to poor fit and discomfort arising from that. Its side effects might include unwanted tooth movement which can potentially worsen your bite, damage your gums, or cause exposed roots that can lead to tooth loss.³

That promise of a lower cost combined with the convenience of limited in-clinic follow-ups will undoubtedly appeal to some budget-conscious customers — but why are these discount options so cheap compared to Invisalign treatment?

Let's look at cheaper teeth-straightening options, how they manage to get their costs down, and how that compares to Invisalign treatment.

Teeth-straightening technology

 

 

Let's start by looking at the technology you benefit from with Invisalign treatment versus what you get with discount brands.

To start with, your first Invisalign consultation will usually involve having your teeth and mouth scanned with an intraoral scanner such as the advanced iTero scanner. This gives your orthodontist a 3D model of your mouth (teeth and oral health), allowing for highly detailed treatment planning and visualization of your potential outcome even before beginning treatment.

From this 3D model, your orthodontist can virtually plan your entire Invisalign treatment journey — mapping out each tooth movement that needs to happen to give you the smile you're looking for.

From there, you’ll receive your custom Invisalign clear aligners that are made with a patented, SmartTrack material. SmartTrack material has been designed to be more comfortable and predictable⁴ in moving teeth, made possible from the intelligence of over 15 million patients worlwide⁵ and counting.

In contrast, many discount teeth straightening brands will not offer a similar holistic approach to teeth straightening. In fact, some discount brands may not use any 3D scanning at all. Invisalign offers orthodontists and users a fully integrated, digital system. While still compatible with Invisalign treatment, 3D scanning removes the need to take dental impressions the old-fashioned way: with a tray of putty in your mouth.

Lastly, as one of the most advanced clear aligner systems in the world, Invisalign clear aligners are also precisely made to fit your unique gumline. Not all brands have the technology to offer precision gumline trimming for improved looks and comfort⁶!

Additionally, other brands do not use SmartTrack material for their clear aligners, which is developed by, and only for the Invisalign system. Instead, they could use a generic "off-the-shelf" material, which does not have the unique properties of SmartTrack material. SmartTrack material helps deliver just the right amount the force to straighten your teeth with more predictability and comfort⁷. These areas of different technology help the discount brands cut down on their costs, so let's look at some other areas where they save money.

Ongoing support

As we mentioned before, one of the major selling points of many discount brands is that there are less frequent visits to a dentist or orthodontist for follow-up appointments.⁸

While this might be more convenient for some people, it's important to remember that teeth straightening is often classified as a medical procedure. To ensure the best outcome during and after treatment, you can rely on the many years of experience and expertise of your Invisalign-trained orthodontist. It’s important to understand however, that Invisalign-trained orthodontists are not employed by Invisalign. Rather they are independent practitioners who complete Invisalign training courses to give you the best smile possible.

Your Invisalign-trained orthodontist will be with you every step of the way before, during, and after your Invisalign treatment journey to ensure that you're getting the best possible results. Not only will they ensure that your teeth straightening journey goes as planned, but also that your oral health, from your gums to your roots, is taken care of! They'll be on hand to answer any questions or concerns you might have — either in the My Invisalign app, over the phone, or crucially, in person.

Additionally, if you do have any problems with your aligners or need to make any adjustments to your treatment plan, your Invisalign-trained orthodontist will be able to help quickly and easily.

On the other hand, low-cost brands may refer you to a virtual dentist support, or their own customer service team, effectively minimising contact with a dentist or orthodontist, who might only become involved when more complex issues arise.

Remember, we are dealing with the movement of teeth through bone, impacting your entire oral health — so it's super important that you have an experienced dentist or orthodontist who can give you in-person support and advice whenever you need it.

If you happen to have any complications with your discount tooth-straightening treatment, you run the risk that they will not be treated in time, possibly resulting in permanently changed bites, or

tooth or gum loss.⁹ These unfortunate scenarios may mean you need to pay for a new treatment altogether when you don’t get the outcome you expected.

Treatment time and complexity

Another factor that can affect the price of teeth straightening is the complexity of your treatment. While Invisalign treatment can be used to treat a wide range of dental concerns, some cases are more complex than others. If you need to have bite corrections or require other forms of initial work before your aligners can be fitted, this will obviously take longer and be more expensive.

Some discount brands, on the other hand, might not be able to treat as wide a range of cases. In fact, there might be some discount brands that will only accept patients with very simple dental concerns, as they do not have the technology or experience to deal with anything more complex.

This means that if you have a more complex case, you might not even be eligible for treatment with a discount brand. Additionally, the time it takes to complete your treatment can also affect the price. Invisalign treatment is generally completed within 6-18 months, depending on the complexity of your case.

However, discount brands may sometimes have shorter treatment times, but that's because they can only treat simple cases, which take much less time. This might be fine if you only have very minor dental concerns, but if you have a moderate-to-more complex case, it's important that you get a treatment that will fully serve your needs.

The Invisalign difference

At the end of the day, it's important to remember that you get what you pay for.

Invisalign is one of the most advanced teeth-straightening system in the world9 for a reason — it's trusted by doctors¹¹ and can be used to treat a wide range of dental concerns.

You might be tempted to go for a cheap discount brand because the initial price tag is lower, but remember that you could end up paying more in the long run if you have to have your treatment redone or if you experience complications.

Not to mention, Invisalign clear aligners are the #1 doctor-recommended clear aligner treatment for teeth straightening, globally¹². From start to finish, you'll be in good hands with an experienced orthodontist who is dedicated to giving you the best possible smile.

That all adds up to better value — and a more confident smile in the long run.

So, if you're considering teeth straightening, make sure you do your research and choose a brand that you can trust. Your smile is worth it!

If you're considering Invisalign treatment, we recommend that you book a consultation with an experienced orthodontist through our Find a Doctor page. They'll be able to assess your individual case and give you an accurate quote for treatment.