Thursday, February 16, 2017

Braces & Invisalign Cost In Australia?

Type
Description
Metal Braces
These are the most commonly used braces, usually constructed of high-grade stainless steel, and fitted to the front of the teeth
Clear Ceramic Braces
Made of clear ceramic material, these braces too are worn in the front of the teeth. However, they are less visible since they blend with the teeth. They are more delicate than steel braces, and can get damaged or break more easily
Lingual (concealed) Braces
Similar to their traditional metal cousins, these braces are fitted behind the teeth. That's why they are often referred to as "incognito" braces
Invisible Braces
These braces are built as a series of removable, customised clear "trays", called aligners, that help address spacing problems
The most common usage of dental braces are to rectify conditions such as Malocclusion (misalignment between the teeth), or Deep bites, Under bites and Over bites (as a result of misalignment between the lower/upper jaws).

How Much Do Braces & Invisalign Cost In Australia?

Just as the need for having braces can vary, so too can the costs for dental braces vary depending on several factors.
Cost Factor
More or less costly?
Type - Costs vary based on the type of braces, from Metal, Ceramic, Lingual to Invisalign
The more clearer the braces, the more costly they tend to be. Metal braces are the least expensive where Invisalign are the most expensive
Issue being addressed - The complexity of the issue to be addressed
More costly: Severely malformed teeth, or (usually) defects that have not been treated early on

Less expensive: Braces for issues where growth problems have been addressed at an early age
Geographic location - Costs are also influenced by the location where braces are acquired (within Australia)
More costly: Typically, treatment in metropolitan areas like inner Sydney may cost more due to the higher cost of doing business there
Health Care Funding - Having Health Care Plans can reduce the cost of dental braces. Costs vary based on several factors
Less costly: Long-time Health Care plan members

More expensive: If applicable limits for dental care have been exceeded
Practitioners experience and reputation - The reputation and experience of a dental practice can be a contributing factor to the cost of braces
Less costly: Relatively small dental practices, or those that are competing to establish themselves within a community
The following table provides rough estimates for various costs associated with braces treatments:
Cost component
Estimated cost
1) Initial consultation (for an accurate estimate)
Approximately $60-$80
2) Limited duration (15 minutes) evaluation visit may be an alternate to a formal initial consultation. The estimate provided will be very cursory
FREE
3)Traditional (Metal) Braces for upper and lower braces
$4,500 to $8,000
4) Ceramic Braces for upper and lower braces
$5,000 to $8,500
5) Lingual Braces (Single arch)
From $7,500
6) Lingual Braces (Full treatment)
Up to $12,500
7) Invisalign: Minor treatments Full treatment
Minor treatments Start at $4,500. Full treatment costs between $6,000 to $9,000
These fee estimates usually include the entire range of services covered by the treatment, including:
  • Fitting
  • Adjustments
  • Retention visits and observation
  • Removal
Most dental practices do not include the cost of pre-fitting consultation, record maintenance and preparatory work required prior to the fitting.

While the above is a list of typical factors that might impact the overall cost of acquiring dental braces, other factors may also influence the cost. For instance, individuals may have comprehensive insurance plans via a Health Care Fund (dental insurance) that covers all or most of the cost of such procedures. 

Clear Dental Aligners – Invisalign® Removable Braces


Invisalign® Removable Braces, manufactured by Align Technologies, consist of transparent, incremental aligners which gradually adjust teeth to their desired position.  A mold of the patient's teeth is taken and scanned to create a computerized model.  This model uses the orthodontist's treatment plan to create stages between the current teeth position and the desired position.  Several molds are then used to customize individual aligners that are numbered and worn for two weeks each, 20 hours per day.  The aligners can be removed for brushing and flossing teeth, as well as eating.


Advantages of Invisalign® Removable Braces include:

  • Virtually invisible
  • Comfortable
  • Easy to clean
  • Removable
  • Well-established treatment time (each tray worn for 2 weeks)
  • Computer simulation shows teeth progression and outcomeClear 

Disadvantages of Invisalign® Removable Braces are:

  • Not suitable for severe dental problems
  • Higher cost than traditional braces
  • Six week wait time for aligners to arrive from factory
  • In some cases, traditional braces are still needed for a few months after treatment

Traditional Metal Dental Braces

Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces.  They are made of high-grade stainless steel, making them very strong and able to withstand most treatments.  These traditional braces use small metal brackets (glued to each tooth) and archwires to straighten the teeth.  Elastic O-shaped rubber bands (ligatures) are used to hold the archwires into the brackets. Over time (generally 18 to 24 months), the wires exert slow, but deliberate, pressure on the teeth to move them into the desired position.  Periodically, these wires are tightened to continue the progression of movement.  A wide variety of colored bands are available so that you can personalize your smile while you wear your braces.

Advantages of traditional metal dental braces include:

  • Most cost efficient
  • Extremely durable
  • Shorter treatment time than some of the more cosmetic braces
  • Colorful elastic band choices

Disadvantages of traditional metal dental braces are:

  • More noticeable than other options
  • Discomfort (usually only for the first couple of weeks)



Self-ligating Dental Braces (Damon® Braces)

Damon® Braces use a fixed, passive, self-ligating method to straighten teeth, eliminating the need for elastic or metal ties.  Damon® Braces use a permanent, moveable slide component to hold the archwire, allowing the teeth to move freely, quickly, and comfortably.  With the innovative Damon®system, fewer adjustments are required and typically, the teeth move faster than traditional methods.  Light, high-technology shape- memory titanium wires gently guide teeth into the desired position.  Because of the low-force, low-friction nature of the system, very little discomfort is experienced.  Damon® Braces are available in clear brackets for those concerned with the aesthetics of braces.

Advantages of Damon® Braces include:

  • Shorter treatment time
  • Fewer office visits
  • Comfort (no tightening)
  • Durable (made of high-grade stainless steel)
  • No elastic ties
  • Easy to clean
  • Available in clear brackets for less visibility


Damon® Braces have very few disadvantages.
They generally cost slightly more than traditional braces, so that can be a barrier for some patients.

Clear Ceramic Braces

clear ceramic braces
Ceramic braces are similar to traditional metal braces in that they use brackets to straighten the teeth. Rather than metal, these brackets consist of tooth-colored ceramic that blends in with your teeth making your braces far less noticeable.  The rubber bands (ligatures) used to hold the archwires are usually white or clear.  Many older teens and adults prefer ceramic braces because they are visually less prominent.  Made of composite materials, ceramic braces typically aren't as strong as metal braces.  Adjustments may need to be made more slowly in order to ensure that the brackets stay in tact, therefore treatment time can be longer.  Ceramic braces are usually more expensive, so some patients opt to use them on only the most visible teeth, while using metal braces on the remaining teeth that need straightening.  This allows the patient to enjoy the benefit of the less visible ceramic braces and the durability and lower cost of the traditional braces.

Advantages of ceramic braces include:

  • Less noticeable than metal braces
  • Many patients feel they experience less gum irritation than with metal braces
  • Less expensive than other low visibility braces
  • One office visit per month


Disadvantages of ceramic braces are:

  • More expensive than traditional braces
  • Clear/white ligatures are susceptible to stains (although, these are changed monthly)
  • Treatment may take longer
  • In severe cases, may not be suited to withstand treatment

Oral Hygiene Tips By Dental Experts



  1. Brush at least twice a day.
  2. Use fluoridated toothpaste. 
  3. Brush thoroughly.
  4. Floss your teeth daily. 
  5. Limit acidic drinks like soft drinks, cordials and fruit juices.
  6. Limit sugary foods. 
  7. Protect your teeth from injury.
  8. Try to save a knocked out tooth.