Are Clear Braces More Expensive Than Metal Braces In New Jersey

In a world where looks are everything, the art and science of braces had to develop. About 15 years ago, you would have limited options if you decided to get braces, with metallic braces the only reliable option. Nowadays, however, the situation is very different. Manufacturers realized the importance of people’s appearance, and so started to develop more esthetic braces options. It all started with clear braces, and more and more developments have emerged over the years, such as lingual braces and Invisalign. But now to the question at hand: Are clear braces more expensive? And are they worth it?

How Do Clear Braces Work?

The system is composed of 3 main items:

• The brackets: Your orthodontist attaches these to the outer surface of the teeth.
• The wire: Crosses the entire front surface of the brackets. It does all the action.
• The elastics: Circular elastic bands that hold the wire firm in place against the brackets.

The wire and the elastics exert a pulling motion on the brackets – which are attached to the teeth – making them move to the desired location.

What’s The Difference Between Clear Braces And Metal Braces?

In terms of mode of action, nothing. They both work exactly the same way. Both systems are composed of the same components as mentioned before, and pull the teeth into the desired position in the same manner.

However, they are very different when it comes to their appearance. We all know what metallic braces look like, and how unsightly they can be. Clear braces took care of that problem. The brackets are made of a clear ceramic material – hence their other name “Ceramic braces” – and that alone adds loads to the appearance since the brackets make most of the looks. To add further to the enhanced appearance, the wire – usually metallic silver in color – is coated with a white coating to make it invisible. Finally, the elastic bands – the colorful ones you see most kids wear – are transparent or white in color. This makes the whole assembly a lot better looking.

Ceramic Braces Pros And Cons

Pros:

1. The appearance is greatly improved, as we explained before.
2. The Ceramic braces are a lot more polished and quite softer than metal braces, which makes them more comfortable.

Cons:

1. Ceramic brackets are more fragile than metallic ones, so liable to break with hard foods.
2. The coating on the wire can also be chipped off with hard foods, exposing the metallic color underneath.
3. While they fixed the problem of appearance –and somewhat comfort – they didn’t solve other problems such as the difficulty in teeth cleaning or the length of treatment time.
4. They are a bit more expensive than metal braces.

Are Clear Braces More Expensive?

Now we’re getting to the main issue at hand. Yes, clear braces are more expensive than metal braces. However, the price gap is not as large as you might think. On average, metallic braces cost between $2000 and $7000, while clear braces cost between $3000 and $8000. So basically when it comes to the cost difference between clear braces and metal braces, you’re looking at about a $1000 difference.

Why Are Clear Braces More Expensive?

As to why: Well, it’s because clear braces have something more to offer compared to metal braces – the enhanced appearance – and that comes with a price. Yes, they work in the same manner and take roughly the same amount of time, but clear braces are far better looking. In fact, they have developed so much over the years that they are practically invisible from a distance, and can only be seen at a small range or when someone gets up close and personal.

Is This Difference Worth It?

Are clear braces more expensive? Yes. Is the difference worth it? From our perspective, yes certainly. Let’s put it this way: How much are you willing to pay for an improved appearance?

You took the first step in getting the braces to fix your smile, and that alone is brave and fantastic. But you might want to consider that a lot of people abandon their pursuit of a beautiful smile through braces – some of them even midway through their treatment – solely because they can’t stand their looks with metal braces. That alone – in our opinion – is worth the $1000 difference.

Another aspect to consider is the other esthetic options and how much they cost. Invisalign cost starts at $3500 and could go up to more than $8000 for complex cases. Lingual braces are even more expensive – since they are a fairly new technology – since their price ranges from $5000 to $13000. So compared to the other forms of esthetic braces, clear braces are fairly more reasonably priced.

Finally, consider the length of the treatment. In most cases, braces can take between 6 months and 2 years to complete. You have to be comfortable with them throughout that period, otherwise, you could end up not completing your treatment. Most orthodontists would adopt a very reasonable payment plan, so the cost difference between clear braces and metal braces may be as little as $50 a month. If you ask us, it is a small price to pay for what they offer.

Final Verdict: Clear Braces Are More Expensive, But Are They Worth It?

The pros and cons of clear braces are very clear – no pun intended-. If you do choose clear braces, you would enjoy a far better appearance for the duration of your treatment – which as we said could be up to 2 years, so quite a bit of time – and you would be more comfortable wearing them. However, expect to have some difficulty – especially in the beginning – when you brush and floss, and you would be paying a little bit more.

The choice is yours!

If you need more information, you are more than welcome to contact Dr. Lorino and his amazing team at Smiles by Lorino. Dr. Robert Lorino and his team are experts in clear braces. If you have any questions pertaining to braces, clear braces, Invisalign, or Invisalign Teen in Belleville NJ 07109, Essex County NJ, Bloomfield NJ, Clifton NJ, Lyndhurst NJ or would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Robert Lorino contact Smiles by Lorino at: (973) 751-4040