<p>I’ve started going to a new dentist (today for a root canal 
). He offers Invisalign braces. I am really surprised by how inexpensive the prices quoted were (due in part to insurance). Both boys need them, and I’m really tempted. Has anyone had any experience with Invisalign?</p>
<p>Invisalign braces for boys? Did the orthodontist mention what the care regime for invisalign braces is? When my kid got braces, the orthodontist recommended against invisalign, because the care required is usually more than kids, especially kids with tight school schedules and lots of activities, can manage.</p>
<p>Did he compare the invisalign price to “regular” braces? Everything I’ve heard is that invisalign makes the regular look cheap.</p>
<p>We considered it for D1. The orthodontist cautioned us that when you use invisalign, you have to be very disciplined about wearing the appliance. It’s apparently very tempting to leave off the appliance because it is of course not comfortable. When we gave D1 the pros and cons, she heard this particular caution and said that no, she wanted to go with regular braces. She felt she wouldn’t be responsible about wearing the appliances, which surprised me, as she’s generally a highly responsible kid.</p>
<p>I did Invisalign, and it worked fine. But it’s hard for me (50+) to imagine a teenager properly managing the regime. Traditional braces stay put and can’t get lost.</p>
<p>Research suresmile braces…I think that’s what D2 had. She was in braces half the time D1 was.</p>
<p>edit: Yes, it was SureSmile! They are great! Only took a year to make her teeth perfect!</p>
<p>DB, that’s what surprised me. I haven’t been to an orthodontist yet to price out regular braces, but these were so reasonable compared to prices I’d heard about ($5k-$6k) that I’m about willing to forgo price comparisons. </p>
<p>The 13yo is vain and would be pretty motivated to follow the regimen. The 16yo not so much. That would be my only concern with him. They are both exceedingly responsible and never lose things.</p>
<p>vossron, the regimen is basically “don’t take them out,” right? The receptionist who was giving me the price quotes said they should stay in 23 hours a day, removing only to eat, brush teeth, etc.</p>
<p>Sorry about the RC!! :(</p>
<p>My kids ortho used an invisalign device as a retainer after normal braces and this was nice.</p>
<p>Our braces were so long ago Invisalign was just beginning, but I do recall it as being expensive</p>
<p>A receptionist was giving you the quotes? I’d run from this place fast ASAP. Neither my dentist nor my orthodontist would give any quotes without a thorough evaluation. The ortho guy’s free evaluation included a panel of X-rays and clay molds. He would put together a treatment plan with the total cost depending on the severity of the problem and the time required to correct it. One D’s treatment was $3.5K, the other one was not so lucky - $5.5K but no head gear 
The orthodontist normaly advises against Invisalign for anyone younger than 18-20 (compliance issues).</p>
<p>The root canal wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. First time.</p>
<p>Yes, after the Invisaligns come off, the kids would have to wear a “holly” ??? retainer on top and a permanent retainer on the bottom.</p>
<p>The other surprise was the length of time. I’ve known kids in braces for years, but supposedly the Invisalign would require only a year or so. The lead dental hygienist had them done a year ago, and her teeth look great. According to the receptionest, her teeth were really bad before (hope the dental hygienist doesn’t care she’s saying that to the other patients!</p>
<p>My 14 yr old is interested in invisalign. She would just need them for the bottom. My oldest had traditional braces. Child 2 didn’t need them. The 14 yr old had a palate expander and retainer when she was young and the top teeth are good. The bottom are crowded but it doesn’t look that bad. I have put off taking her to the orthodontist since she is not the best at dental care.
She is only interested in invisaglign and does not want braces if she has to have the traditional. We have not actually gone yet to the orthodontist.</p>
<p>I discussed them with our dentist years ago. I think that he said that invisalign was fine for smaller corrections. If one has bigger corrections to make, then traditional braces are the way to go.</p>
<p>BB, I see what your saying, but these prices were for standard, run-of-the-mill treatment (if you need xx number of trays it will be xx $$$). Yes, they would have to do an evaluation still, get imprints and send them to Invisalign to see whether he would qualify for Invisalign Express or would need the full Invisalign. I was just trying to get a ballpark of what we were looking at with insurance and asked whether paying cash would result in a discount (it would!). The receptionist is the one who works with our insurance, so she was the logical one to ask.</p>
<p>Was that $3.5K and $5.5K out of pocket after insurance?</p>
<p>I was also wondering who was doing the consultation. My experience was invisilign
isn’t appropriate for everything, and for my son, was going to cost more (maybe 1K billed to insurance either way) ,and required compliance; not just good intentions. No way would I trust my sons “promise” on that, but even HE knew better!</p>
<p>BTW, this year my dentist has referred me & mine to an orthodontist, an endodontist, and ( and in the past an periodontist). He was trying to do a crown for pain and noted a crack; referred to the root canal guy who said a crack was too deep so I was referred to dental surgeon for an extraction, then back around to two of them for their part in in implant. Son was refferd to Ortho… your dentist does root canals AND braces?</p>
<p>A receptionist was giving you the quotes? I’d run from this place fast ASAP.</p>
<p>My dentist’s receptionist gave me the quotes after the dentist did the thorough evaluation.</p>
<p>
Yes, that is the goal! Apparently seldom adhered to in this age group.</p>
<p>Once they are out, they have to be put back in. My son got rubber. bands yesterday They are taken out for solid food. He said he was not going to eat solid food.</p>
<p>He only does Invisalign, not metal braces. From what I gather, all the “work” is done by the Invisalign people so that makes sense.</p>
<p>The good news is this is spurring me to make calls about regular braces. And I looked up the SureSmile braces, NorthMinnesota. Only one guy in town does them, but I’ll call.</p>
<p>I just remembered another concern about invisalign. Some people apparently need some sort of thing cemented to the teeth to hold the appliance in place. I can’t remember where I read about this, but I would want to make sure to ask the orthodontist about what’s required and what will show when the appliances are being worn.</p>
<p>“Was that $3.5K and $5.5K out of pocket after insurance?”</p>
<p>Youdon’tsay, that was the treatment cost. Insurance picked up some (close to 50% in my cases), but the rest was my responsibility. I read an article that orthodonthia costs vary greatly depending on location and provider, so it pays to shop around. Our orthodontist was very reasonable and only did what was needed. A friend’s D only needed braces for 6 months and that cost less than $1K pre-insurance while another orthodontist wanted three times as much for her treatment.</p>