Nashville Orthodontist Endorses 3 Affordable Options for Braces
Have you been considering straightening your teeth for a while, but didn’t know where to start? Deciding you want to get braces at any age is a huge decision, which is why we’ve paired up with a Nashville orthodontist from Castle Dental to break down three of the most affordable options for braces, including Invisalign. We have plenty of convenient Castle Dental locations with highly skilled orthodontists in your neighborhood ready to provide you with the orthodontic treatment you’re looking for. Even better, search for an orthodontist near me and schedule a free consultation to initiate your new smile. Before you go, keep in mind these affordable options for a straighter smile:
1. Metal Braces
Metal braces are generally the most affordable option when it comes to getting your teeth straightened. They can handle a wide variety of complex dental issues, including teeth that need to be moved vertically, or canine teeth that need to be rotated. If you’re a patient needing to fix these types of issues, they may be your only option as treatments like Invisalign won’t work in rectifying complex dental issues.
Metal braces work by using brackets and wires made of stainless steel to gradually move your teeth into a straighter, more aligned position. The brackets are glued to the enamel of your teeth, and your orthodontist will shift the pressure of the wires to move your teeth. The span of your treatment will vary patient to patient, but can generally last anywhere between one and three years.
Braces made out of metal have been around for a while, and most orthodontists should be well equipped at understanding your individual needs as a patient. One of the nice aspects of metal braces is that the size of the brackets and wires have gotten smaller over time, making them less noticeable. The cost of braces range anywhere from $3,500 to $5,500 on average. This can change depending on your needs as a patient, as well as the cost of maintenance and length of duration in treatment.
Patients that play contact sports may want to take extra caution when considering choosing metal braces as an option, as they can irritate cheeks and gums a bit more than other types of braces. However, there are options like dental wax that can be placed over the brackets to ease any kind of sores or irritation that have developed. The nice thing about metal braces versus other types of braces is that they are irremovable, often times making treatment much quicker. You won’t have to think twice about a lost aligner, or wondering how long they’ve been off your teeth.
2. Ceramic Braces
A less common option, but also affordable, are ceramic braces. Ceramic braces are great for patients that want an orthodontic treatment option that isn’t as noticeable as metal braces, but have complex dental issues that aligners like Invisalign can’t treat. This is great for adults in a work environment that would prefer their colleagues not to notice that they’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Ceramic braces work by using a ceramic bracket, rather than a stainless steel bracket to be applied to the tooth enamel. The brackets are much smaller, and are the color of your tooth enamel, blending in with your natural coloring. Ceramic braces also use elastic bands to shift your teeth, or align your jaw. Patients should be aware of the beverages and foods they consume with ceramic braces, as they are more prone to staining. This includes things like tomato sauce, coffee, tobacco, or tea. Your orthodontist can change the elastic bands out when you have a checkup.
The treatment time with ceramic braces will also vary patient to patient, but generally you can expect it to take longer than traditional metal braces. They also tend to cost more than metal braces, but perform an orthodontist near me search and you may find several Castle Dental offices running promotions or offers in your area. You can speak with a Nashville dentist about which orthodontists and treatment types are right for you. As a middle-of-the-road option, ceramic braces could be the right fit for your smile.
3. Invisalign
The third most affordable option to consider is Invisalign. While generally associated with a higher price point, Invisalign offers many advantages that traditional braces can’t. And with affordable payment plans and offers given at numerous Castle Dental locations, you might be surprised to find that Invisalign is in your budget.
Invisalign is a great option for patients looking to undergo orthodontic treatment discreetly. The aligners are made of clear, BPA-free plastic that fits onto your teeth just right. Generally patients with Invisalign experience a teeth straightening treatment that goes unnoticed by their peers and colleagues. This is great for boosting your self-esteem on the road to a beautiful, new smile.
Invisalign works by gradually shifting your teeth with a new set of a aligners. Patients will change these aligners with the advisement of their orthodontist. The aligners are custom made to each patient, creating an individualized treatment plan specific to your teeth. The aligners can be removed, allowing you to eat and drink as you normally would without them. They should be worn at least 22 hours a day, and will require some self-discipline to keep you on track for the duration of your treatment.
It’s important to keep your teeth and aligners clean after each meal or consuming a beverage other than water. This is especially true after consuming things like wine, coffee, or soda, as putting the aligners back in your mouth without cleaning them and your teeth can result in an increased likelihood for developing tooth decay or gum disease as the aligners trap in that bacteria and plaque. It’s important to remain diligent in your oral care routine so that your smile is not only beautiful, but healthy too at the end of treatment.
Prior to Treatment
Now that you know what orthodontic treatment options are the most affordable, you’ll need to get prepared for the first steps in getting a new smile. You’ll want to schedule a checkup and professional teeth cleaning with a Nashville dentist. Just search “dentist near me” and pull up the closest Castle Dental location. Because we offer both dentists and orthodontists in the Nashville area, you won’t have a headache looking for both seperately. The staff here are able to help you make sure your teeth are clean and cavity-free before heading into a consultation with an orthodontist. The dentist can assess if any gum disease is present, as you want to make sure your teeth are in tip-top shape before they’re straightened out.
Once your teeth are ready to go, you’ll have a consultation with an orthodontist. During your consultation, feel free to discuss some of the treatment options you prefer. They can assess the complexity of your teeth and tell you what to expect during treatment. This will include the duration of treatment you’ll need to attain perfect results. From there, you can work with your orthodontist on choosing the type of braces you’ll use during treatment, and the process that will continue from that appointment moving forward.
Orthodontist Near Me
With several Castle Dental locations in your Nashville neighborhood, we have the orthodontists on hand to give you the smile you’ve always been wanting. Whether you’re a teen or adult, braces are great at any age, and your results will last you a lifetime. You can schedule your first consultation by visiting us online, or calling at [phone]. Bring us whatever smile you’ve got, and will work with you in getting the results you’ve dreamed of.
