When you think of dental braces you probably get a mental image of an awkward teenager with a mouth full of metal and all those pesky little rubber bands. However, braces have evolved significantly over the past decade. Teenagers and, more increasingly, adults are accessing a range of innovative orthodontic devices to align and straighten their teeth.

They no longer have to be so uncomfortable and just plain obvious. Invisible braces are now available to make the whole process of correcting flaws of the teeth and jaw a more enjoyable experience.

What are Invisible Braces?

They are dental braces that are not easily visible. Invisible braces include:

• Invisalign, a series of clear-plastic aligners that gradually correct misaligned teeth. They are replaced regularly during treatment as the teeth move into position. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign has no wires or metal brackets that might irritate your mouth, and there is no painful tightening of the brackets. As the aligners are removable, eating, drinking and brushing your teeth is easy. You can also remove the aligners for special events.
• Ceramic braces have tooth-coloured or clear brackets so that they are less noticeable than metal braces. Some even have tooth-coloured wires so they blend into the teeth. They move the teeth faster than Invisalign but the brackets can stain if you don’t practice good oral hygiene.
• Lingual braces or eBraces have the brackets and wires placed behind the teeth so that they are virtually invisible. However, they can be difficult to clean as they are out of view. The orthodontics team at East Bentleigh Dental Group can help you determine whether or not they are right for your specific requirements.

How Much do Invisible Braces Cost?

Each patient has unique orthodontic problems so the cost of orthodontic treatment depends on the severity of the problem and whether the treatment involves one arch or both.

The fee for orthodontics at East Bentleigh Dental Group varies from $4500 to $8000 or more for both upper and lower braces. The fee covers the entire treatment including fitting, periodic adjustments, removal, and the retention and observation periods afterwards.

Certain health fund schemes offer a limited rebate on fees paid for orthodontics. East Bentleigh Dental Group accepts Bupa, Medibank and HCF private health insurance plans. The rebate depends on your type of health cover and on how long you have been with the health fund.

East Bentleigh Dental Group also offers alternatives to help you pay for orthodontic treatment. We can assist you in organising GEM Visa medical financing that enable you to begin treatment immediately and pay for the costs over time with interest free or extended payment plans.

To find more about straightening your teeth with invisible braces, make an online booking for orthodontics at East Bentleigh Dental Group or phone 03 9575 1100.