How much does Invisalign Cost?

     When I was growing up we had cows and they necessitated a sturdy fence to keep them from wandering off and destroying our garden or getting out into the hay field and eating themselves into a situation that could kill them. They could quite literally eat to death. The first fence we had was barbed wire and the posts that held it up were cheap and rotten and our cows got out a lot. Luckily there were 9 of us kids so we had a lot of eyes watching things and an army to round them up when they got out. We were constantly mending the fence and we never felt very secure about the cows not getting out. I remember coming home from church or school and three or four cows would be eating the tall grass outside their barbed wire containment. We added Electricity and that helped for a while but those cows seemed like they didn't mind taking one for the team, knocking down a section so they could eat the corn in the garden or wander off. Finally my parents realized we had to upgrade. They realized that the risk of losing a cow or having the cows destroy the neighbors garden, or the fact that we had no freedom at all because we had to be on guard constantly was too much. We invested in a sturdy wooden fence.

    My father purchased railroad ties and we sawed them in half and dug three foot holes 10 ft apart all around our pasture. Where we needed gates to get the tractor in we placed full railroad ties and buried them even deeper. The project seemed never ending. I was probably 11 or 12 years old. My dad worked at JH Huscroft Sawmill in Creston and we were good friends of the the Huscroft's so I'm sure we got all the rough boards at a great price. Ken Huscroft was an amazing man and gave my family so much. We carefully cut those 1/10 boards so they fit neatly into place and we had a fence to be proud of. The cows still managed to get out a time or two but it was very rare and I was so proud of what we had accomplished. Then my parents made us paint it, linseed oil first and then white paint. although I thought I would die from being over worked when we were done we had something of great value.  On top of the strong beautiful fence are some of my fondest memories, working with my father and my brothers and sisters. Over the years there have been repairs, posts replaced but that fence still stands to this day 35 years later and every time I go home I think of the value that fence holds and has held through out my life.

     Why do I tell you this story, when the title is asking how much does Invisalign cost? The reason is because Its not about what straitening your teeth costs. It is about what not straightening your teeth can cost you. When I think about all the energy we put into the sad old barbwire fence and how much of our lives it consumed and really did not serve our needs. It was a patch job and we could have saved so much time and money if we had just built the fence our farm needed in the first place.

     I see a similarity between properly aligned teeth and that sturdy wooden fence we constructed around our property. Since you are not a dentist and it might be hard to imagine all the benefits I decided to list some things here for you. Having properly aligned teeth can bring so many wonderful benefits, not just for your smile but for your overall well-being and confidence! Let's talk about the benefits here!

1. Radiant Smile: First and foremost, when your teeth are aligned, your smile shines bright like the sun. They feel good and you can be proud to show your smile, and it's infectious. People around you can't help but smile back!
2. Boosted Confidence: With a beautiful smile, you feel more self-assured. You  walk into a room with your head held high, knowing you look fantastic. I notice that after I aligned my teeth I actually show my teeth in pictures where as before I was a mouth closed smile guy. I actually had to learn to smile at 45. What has that insecurity cost me through out my life?
3. Improved Self-Esteem: When you know your teeth are in great shape, you start to believe in yourself more. You can take on new challenges and face the world with a can-do attitude. You don't have to worry about when things will fall apart but instead you can focus on new and exciting things to spend your money on instead of the next tooth ache or the next broken tooth that needs to be extracted.
4. Better Oral Health: Aligned teeth are easier to clean, which means fewer cavities and gum problems. It keeps food from being lodged into spaces only your dentist can get to. You'll enjoy that fresh, clean feeling all day long. Of course you still have to clean them but the job is much easier and there is less of a working up hill mentality.
5. Effortless Speech: Properly aligned teeth make it easier to speak clearly and confidently. No more worrying about lisps or mispronouncing words.
6. Easier Eating: Your bite is a finely tuned instrument when the bite is right. Eating becomes a breeze, and you can savor your favorite foods without discomfort. Mealtime is more enjoyable and you don't have to excuse yourself so you can go floss the chicken out of your food traps.
7. Fewer Headaches and Jaw Pain: Crooked teeth and unbalanced occlusion can lead to headaches and jaw pain. With aligned teeth, you'll experience fewer aches, so you can enjoy life without those nagging pains. Your teeth are all working together and so there is much less wear and the future looks brighter. When alignment is put off certain teeth have to work harder and wear out faster and can even break. When they break it costs you, and not just money. Time is the most precious commodity we have. You miss work or school and you feel handcuffed by a situation that can be overwhelming.
8. Enhanced Social Life: When you feel great about your smile, you're more likely to socialize and connect with others. Friendships blossom, and you become a magnet for good times. The more extreme the mal-position of teeth its easy to imagine the more a person could suffer self consciously.
9. Career Success: Confidence radiates in professional situations too. You'll excel in job interviews and meetings, and your smile can open doors to amazing opportunities.
10. Lasting security: Properly aligned teeth provide a long-lasting gift. Your smile will stay beautiful as the years go by, and you are less likely to need root canals and crowns etc.
11. Positive First Impressions: People judge us based on our appearance, especially our smile. With aligned teeth, you leave a remarkable first impression, and people are drawn to your positivity.

    Last and probably the most motivating thing I can imagine is Less Dental Work and saving money: In the long run, properly aligned teeth mean fewer visits to the dentist for fixes or reassuring. You save time and money, and you get to spend more time doing things you love. I try to get people to stop the patch game when it comes to their teeth on the daily. It is a hard sell and requires a little vision and maybe a little faith but I assure you as someone who took the plunge, that it is worth it. Having properly aligned teeth is not just about aesthetics; it's about freedom and saving money!

Did you think I wouldn't answer how much it costs to get clear aligners?

    In my office I charge a couple hundred bucks upfront and I provide you with a carefully constructed digital model of all the stages your teeth will go through as you progress with Invisalign or another clear aligner program. I show you where your teeth will be when you are done and show you the actual cost. Every patient is different and the cost is too depending on how long you will need to be in treatment. If you decide to accept a strong wooden fence type of smile I will give that initial money back to you and you can put it towards the treatment. Please reach out to my office I would love to talk to you more and find out who you are and where you are in your journey towards an amazing smile.