Cosmetic orthodontics has evolved significantly over the last decade. Gone are the days when metal braces were the only option for straightening teeth. Today, in Switzerland and abroad, many brands like Invisalign or Smiledirect manufacture clear plastic aligners that shift teeth.
Another recent trend in orthodontics is the number of adults seeking to realign their teeth. Nearly half of my patients are now adults! If you’re not satisfied with your smile and want straighter teeth without wasting your time or money, there are various factors to consider. In this Invisalign vs low-cost aligners comparison, I’ll explain what you need to know before making a choice!
Invisalign vs Low-Cost Solutions: The Comparison
Dental Aligners: The Concept
Undergoing Invisalign treatment means wearing a clear plastic aligner on your upper and/or lower teeth. The aligners gradually shift your teeth to straighten them. These aligners must be removed to eat or drink colored liquids.
Generally, you must wear each aligner twenty hours a day for a week. Then, you switch to the next aligner. The duration of the treatment varies from three to twenty-four months. There are very important differences between Invisalign and low-cost solutions. I propose to review these differences to help you make an informed decision and avoid a lot of frustration later on.
Treatment Process
Invisalign
Invisalign treatment is provided and supervised by a dental doctor specialized in orthodontic devices: the orthodontist. Before any diagnosis, the orthodontist performs x-rays of the jaw, head, and an examination of your gums. Then, 3D molds are created to study the relationship between your upper and lower teeth.
The orthodontist also checks all the muscles operating around the dental arches and especially your chewing method. Then the manufacturing of the first series of dental aligners begins. With Invisalign, the orthodontist personally monitors the progress of your treatment, with appointments at the office every 5 to 7 weeks.
At each of these appointments, he checks that the aligners you were just wearing fit well, that they are effective, and that there is no lack of control over a tooth before making adjustments if necessary.
Low Cost
Low-cost solutions available on the Swiss market have many similarities with Invisalign. They also involve wearing a clear plastic aligner for a determined period to straighten teeth. However, the process is minimized to offer a very low price.
A general dentist receives you to perform a 3D scan of your dentition. There are no x-rays or dental checks planned with this type of offer. Then, you receive a series of aligners by mail, and a smartphone app accompanies you during the treatment.
Type of Treatment
Invisalign
Invisalign can treat mild, moderate, and severe dental misalignments, while correcting occlusion issues. It treats the alignment of the entire dentition of the upper and/or lower jaws.
“The low-cost treatment only aligns the front six teeth”
Low Cost
Low-cost solutions only address mild and moderate dental misalignments. A notable difference of low-cost treatments is that they only realign the first six teeth, from canine to canine. The rest of your teeth will remain in their initial position.
Manufacturing and Safety of Aligners
Regardless of their brand, clear aligners are made of soft medical-grade plastic and are free from bisphenol-A and S (BPA and BPS). They are thin, transparent, and fit perfectly to your teeth, making them practically invisible.
Invisalign
Invisalign uses a patented material for its aligners. It is an innovative multi-layer compound, Smart Track®, which is molded to the exact shape of your arch and cut to perfectly fit the shape of your gums.
Clinically recognized for improving dental movements, it is a major asset in optimizing the predictability of movements. It is also very comfortable for patients.
Low Cost
Unlike Invisalign, low-cost aligners are not cut to the shape of your gums. Their edge is therefore straight on top, which can cause slight discomfort in some cases. They are also slightly thinner, making them less robust and more likely to crack or break.
Cost of Treatment
The main perceived advantage between Invisalign and low-cost is the cost. The price of low-cost aligners is loudly advertised on social media from CHF 2’000.-, while Invisalign is generally known to start at CHF 4’000 or more.
Low-cost may seem like the more economical option compared to Invisalign, but let’s compare apples to apples. The cost of CHF 2,000.- for low-cost aligners refers to the cheapest option. This option includes treatment of only six teeth, on a single jaw.
The advertised price of Invisalign treatment, on the other hand, refers to Invisalign Full, the unlimited option. To make a true cost comparison, it’s therefore also necessary to compare the same options.
Cost Comparison: Alignment of One Arch.
| TYPE D'ALIGNEMENT: UNE ARCADE, TRAITEMENT SIMPLE | Gouttières Invisalign | Gouttières low-cost |
|---|---|---|
| Nombre de dents alignées | 16 (toute l'arcade) | 6 (canine à canine) |
| Bilan orthodontique |  |  |
| Analyse fonctionnelle | | |
| Radiographie panoramique | | 100.- |
| Prise d'empreinte par le médecin-dentiste | | |
| Photographies de la mâchoire | | |
| Gouttières découpées selon votre ligne gingivale (confort optimal et meilleure esthétique) | | |
| Attachements | | 400.- |
| Rendez-vous de contrôle | | Un seul, en fin de traitement |
| Finition post-traitement (limage éventuel et polissage des dents) | | 300.- |
| Fil de contention post-traitement | | 400.- |
| Gouttière de contention post-traitement | | |
| Tarif annoncé | 2500.- | 1990.- |
| Tarif réel | 2500.- | 3190.- |
Cost Comparison: Alignment of Both Arches.
| TYPE D'ALIGNEMENT: DEUX ARCADES, TRAITEMENT SIMPLE | Gouttières Invisalign | Gouttières low-cost |
|---|---|---|
| Nombre de dents alignées | 32 (toutes les dents) | 12 (canines à canines) |
| Bilan orthodontique | | |
| Analyse fonctionnelle | | |
| Radiographie panoramique | | 100.- |
| Prise d'empreinte par le médecin-dentiste | | |
| Photographies de la mâchoire | | |
| Gouttières découpées selon votre ligne gingivale (confort optimal et meilleure esthétique) | | |
| Attachements | | 2 x 400.- |
| Rendez-vous de contrôle | | Un seul, en fin de traitement |
| Finition post-traitement (limage éventuel et polissage des dents) | | 300.- |
| Fil de contention post-traitement | | 2 x 400.- |
| Gouttière de contention post-traitement | | |
| Tarif annoncé | 4000.- | 2990.- |
| Tarif réel | 4000.- | 4990.- |
Note: In Switzerland, most supplementary insurances cover up to 80% of the cost of orthodontic treatment, especially if it is deemed medically necessary. Hence, the cost of treatment becomes less of a concern when choosing the right dental treatment.
Clinical Case
I would like to share with you the case of this thirty-year-old patient, who came to my office just before the lockdown in March 2020. She felt that her jaw was closing “strangely” for some time. She also complained of headaches and tension in the muscles of her neck and jaw. She was visibly very tired.
I conducted the necessary exams and quickly diagnosed a dental malocclusion due to misalignment of the teeth. Simply put, the upper and lower teeth were not closing properly. During chewing, the distribution of forces was uneven across all her teeth, causing premature fatigue of the temporomandibular joints.
Not surprisingly, she then explained that she had just finished a dental alignment treatment using low-cost aligners a few months ago. Thinking to save money, this patient unfortunately ended up having to realign her teeth with Invisalign to achieve a functional and stable occlusion.
It is therefore really important to consider the state of your oral health, as well as any potential malocclusion before, during, and after wearing a dental appliance.
Conclusion
By eliminating checks and consultations, low-cost solutions can offer seemingly very attractive rates.
However, be cautious. While it may be appealing not to have to regularly visit the dentist, with a low-cost solution, you risk being considered a customer and not a patient. That makes all the difference. You buy the aligners and must fend for yourself afterwards. Undertaking such treatment at home without proper follow-up is extremely risky.
Achieving a beautiful smile with an undiagnosed infection is extremely costly in the long run. For instance, cavities are usually not painful until they are close to the nerve. If bacteria cause bone loss or periodontal disease and it is not treated, it can lead to tooth and bone loss, which limits the possibilities of regaining a nice smile.
My advice: a visit to an experienced orthodontist for a thorough examination and x-rays before starting teeth alignment always ensures a healthy smile!
