Invisalign versus braces?

From: Mike (mike_catsimiste_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 09/25/04 

Date: 24 Sep 2004 23:21:43 -0700

Hello,

I am thinking about getting braces because my lower teeth are crowding
and now one is starting to be crowded (i.e., the two next to it are
moving over the front of it).

I saw an orthodontist. I thought at first I should just get bottom
braces and top and bottom retainer. Ortho is kinda pushing invisalign.
My dentist says I should get a mouth guard because I grind my teeth.

Invisalign is more expensive than bottom braces, but my dentist was
going to charge $800 for a mouth guard... and my orthodontist says
that invisalign can be used as a mouth guard to protect my teeth from
grinding.

So when I factor it all together, the invisalign is only $400 more
with the following benefits:

1) braces don't show
2) Acts as mouth guard at same time so saves me $800
3) Will fix top and bottom teeth (top is very slight overbite and
slight gap on sides)
4)Can remove for brushing, eating, etc.

BTW, here are the prices (it'll probably seem high cuz it's expensive
here in San Francisco:

1) Upper/lower retainers only $1200
2) Upper retainer, lower braces and retainer $4000
3) Upper / lower invisalign $5200 (not that this is for some sort of
limited invisalign for the top that's cheaper than the full think -
it's called 3 something I think)

4) Mouth guard from different dentist $800

Questions:

1) Can invisalign act as mouth guard to prevent grinding problems?
2) Is invisalign effective, safe? (I was reading some post by people
who regretted their treatment because it made big gaps in their teeth
and receded their gums -- Mine are a bit low right now -- dentist says
it's may be because i grind my teeth)

Any other advice you can give about considering invisalign? It really
feels as though the orthodontist is pushing this. Is it more
profitable for them to sell me invisalign?

Thanks!

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Invisalign versus braces?
    ... > braces and top and bottom retainer. ... Ortho is kinda pushing invisalign. ... > My dentist says I should get a mouth guard because I grind my teeth. ... Orthodontists usually make more using traditional braces because of ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)
  • Re: Invisalign versus braces?
    ... I do full braces either kind for $2500 ... Invisalign is to thin to stop you grinding through it like ... I thought at first I should just get bottom ... >> My dentist says I should get a mouth guard because I grind my teeth. ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)
  • Re: Invisalign versus braces?
    ... I do full braces either kind for $2500 ... Invisalign is to thin to stop you grinding through it like ... I thought at first I should just get bottom ... > My dentist says I should get a mouth guard because I grind my teeth. ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)
  • Re: orthodontist work -> cosmetic work
    ... >when the ortho work is completed plus these braces are driving me nuts. ... >braces off and reshaping the teeth since they needed a lot of work anyway. ... >want to have crooked porcelain teeth 6 months later. ... braces and avoid the possibility of shifting back. ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)
  • Invisalign dilemma
    ... I've got crowded and crooked upper and lower teeth, ... doing Invisalign, said he didn't think he could "give me the results I ... traditional braces might work, but that they might also produce an open ... difference in the two orthodontists' opinions. ...
    (sci.med.dentistry)
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