If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, it’s worth spending a little time figuring out whether it’s the right option for you. You need to consider not only the aesthetic benefits, but also other factors, like cost.
If you’re struggling to find all the information you need in one place, this post is for you. We look at some of the things you’ll want to consider before moving forward with treatment.
Your Overall Dental Health
Start by looking at your overall dental health. Usually, you’ll only want to go for orthodontic treatment if you have healthy teeth and gums. This means that you probably won’t want to go ahead if you have gum disease or cavities. Adding orthodontics to these conditions can lead to further complications (which are best avoided).
Also, you may need to consult with your dentist if you have medical conditions, like TMJ. These can prevent healing and treatment from taking place, leaving you in a worse position than when you started.
Your Budget
How much does clear aligners cost? The answer is actually usually less than you might think. Most aligners are inexpensive these days, and most treatments are over in a few months.
Even so, you’ll need to budget. More involved procedures often cost more, so it is always worth taking that into consideration.
The Type Of Treatment You Get
You should also think about the type of treatment you want. Clear aligners are one option, but there are many others. For example, you could get metal braces, usually the least expensive option. For better aesthetics, you could also choose ceramic or lingual braces, which are also options worth looking into.
Appliance costs can also be extensive. For example, you might have headgear or expanders, based on the advice of your dentist.
Severity Of The Issue
The severity of the issue may also determine whether you need braces. Most people ignore things like simple crowding. However, you may want to take things a step further, dealing with things like underbite and gaps.
It depends on your preferences and the advice of your dentist. Seriously misaligned teeth are more of a medical issue and could mean that it is worth spending the extra time and money to fix them.
The Time Commitment
You also want to think about the time commitment involved. As we discussed above, many treatments take six months or less. However, complex cases can take years to resolve.
Generally, fixing gaps in your teeth is what takes the longest. These treatments can rumble on for two years or more if you have large gaps from extractions. However, other issues, like cross-bite or underbite are usually resolved in a few months and less than a year.
The Lifestyle Considerations
Finally, you’ll want to think about how treatment might impact your lifestyle. For example, dentists will often tell you to avoid certain hard foods like nuts if you have orthodontic treatment to prevent damage to your braces. It’s up to you whether these downsides are worth it.
