What are aligners for correcting bites?

To improve the dentition in orthopedic dentistry, there are a large number of devices whose action is aimed at aligning the bite. Aligners and mouth guards have become widespread; when used correctly, they can affect the position of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Their use is driven by the desire to make the process of creating a beautiful smile zone more comfortable.

In order to understand in which cases this method should be preferred, and in which it is better to choose other similar options, you need to familiarize yourself with their characteristics in more detail.

Before we talk about prices, let's look at the manufacturers themselves

The first two companies - Invisalign and Orthosnap - are American companies, and 3D Smile and Star Smile are Russian manufacturers of aligners.

Invisalign is an American trendsetter in aligners.

Invisalign is the #1 company

in the world in terms of volume of aligners produced, with production in Mexico. Developed technologies, they position themselves in no other way than with the words “highest” professionalism of doctors and quality of aligners. They use Align Technology in their work. Actually, it was in their depths that the word “aligner” was born.

But when we talk about the price of Invisalign, we understand that it is quite expensive. We will show the cost of Invisalign aligners below.

Now let's move on to the second manufacturer - OrthoSnap

OrthoSnap is the No. 2 American manufacturer of aligners in the USA

Having studied a sufficient amount of information on Orthosnap

, we also encountered advertising slogans about the highest quality, super doctors, etc. For now, we note that, as in Invisalign, all data after examining the patient’s bite is sent to the OrthoSnap laboratory. She is located in the USA. And aligners are also produced there, which are then supplied to Russia. Apparently, logistics costs, like Invisalign, are included in the cost of OrthoSnap aligners.

But there is something special about Orthosnap aligners - they are hand-made. Whether this is good or bad, we’ll tell you below.

Now the first of the Russian companies we named is 3D Smile

3D Smile

— participant of the Skolkovo innovation center

Having begun to develop several years ago and even received #3 in the startup ranking according to Forbes, the company is now positioning its 3D Smile aligners as a system that combines the effectiveness of braces, the experience of previous generations of orthodontic trays (teeth straightening trays, aligners) and ultra-precise 3D modeling technologies and 3D printing.

The cost of 3D Smile is close to that of American manufacturers, this is very strange, given the reviews. But let's also introduce the fourth manufacturer - the Star Smile company

Star Smile has been developing the production of aligners in Russia since 2010

And independently. No startup money. Positions itself as an innovative company that designs and produces transparent mouth guards using the latest unique computer software using modern technology, which ensures products with maximum precision in manufacturing. Today it produces mouthguards for the following countries: Russia, USA, Canada, Brazil, Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Estonia, Belarus, Israel.

It even produces 3D visualization technology for aligners not only in Russia, but also supplies it to other countries. The price of Star Smile aligners is lower due to the localization of production in Russia. Star Smile works with orthodontists and dentists in more than 100 cities of Russia

.

A short summary. In fact, an aligner from any manufacturer is

• computer technologies that work in a similar way,
• Production. 3D printing and polymer consumables are a common point for all manufacturers,
• logistics costs (delivery of aligners from the manufacturer to the doctor),
• and most importantly, the work of a doctor.

Now let's understand the price of aligners.

Advantages and disadvantages

Aligners are an excellent option for correcting mild to moderate occlusion defects. Compared to other orthodontic devices, they stand out with a number of advantages:

• lungs;
• invisible to others;
• do not violate diction;
• comfortable to use;
• addiction takes only a few days;
• do not require special care;
• can be removed if necessary, but the daily wearing time should be at least 20 hours;
• the patient sees the result before treatment begins thanks to computer modeling technology;
• shorter duration of treatment;
• can be used in children under 12 years of age (on permanent teeth).

Among the disadvantages of mouth guards:

• ineffectiveness against complex defects;
• high cost due to the manufacturability of the manufacturing process.

Is the cost of aligners determined by technology?

If we say that the price of aligners for straightening teeth takes into account the influence of technology, then this is not entirely true. Since the technology is practically the same, it came to us from the American continent thanks to Invisalign.

Undoubtedly, digital technologies are constantly moving forward and improving. And at least 3 companies out of the 4 mentioned are developing their software and collaborating with orthodontists - these are Invisalign, 3D Smile and Star Smile.

The result of cooperation is the opportunity for the patient to see the result of treatment BEFORE it begins. That is, get a 3D computer model of how your teeth will move from their current, crooked state to a normal, healthy smile.

Virtual 3D setup

- this is undoubtedly an intellectual product; each manufacturer calls it differently (virtual model, scenario, etc.). It is clear that since this is intellectual work, it must cost something, affecting the cost of dental aligners. But at least one company out of 4 has reduced the cost of this part of the aligners to zero - this is the Star Smile company. The American Orthosnap also has a zero cost for the virtual model, but everything is much simpler there - the manufacturer DOES NOT MAKE it.

How much can a patient save on 3D modeling? A lot - from 5 to 55 thousand rubles

from various manufacturers. We'll see the numbers below in more detail.

Manufacturing and installation

Before starting treatment with mouth guards, the prosthodontist and technician must complete the following:

• conduct an initial consultation and draw up a detailed treatment plan;
• make working impressions of the dentition;
• prepare plaster models;
• make a template;
• perform an orthopanoramic photograph and, at the request of the manufacturer, a teleradiogram;
• send the manufacturer a photo of the patient - profile and full face with and without a smile (ears and shoulders must be visible in the photo);
• Send to the manufacturer a photo of the patient’s dentition in a closed and open state.

A model is made at the company and sent to the orthodontist. Then the product is installed and the rules of use are explained to the patient in detail.

Is aligner production better than American quality?

It’s not for nothing that we put the phrase “American quality is better” in the section title. And that means we should instinctively think that “and therefore the cost is higher”? But aligners are innovative digital technologies based on 3D printing, which breaks stereotypes. The technologies for producing aligners - both in Russia and in the USA - are almost the same. Only the software and programs are different.

But the same Russian manufacturer of Star Smile

ranks second (according to the Star Smile company) after the Invisalign company in terms of the quality of software for orthodontics and exports its technologies to the same USA - as of October 2018, more than 500 (!) US clinics work with Star Smile. Therefore, the argument “American means better” does not work here. And our President’s call to buy Russian works 100%.

They promised to talk a little higher about the features of the production of OrthoSnap

. So, OrthoSnap aligners are printed manually using an articulator, a model is made from super plaster, then sawed along the teeth and moved, each stage (step) is crimped with an aligner. It turns out that the human factor plays a big role in production. Therefore, in addition to the fact that the cost of production includes a large share of the worker’s salary, the error in manufacturing can also be large due to the fact that everything is done by hand

The price of aligners includes the cost of consumables and the salary of technicians. Apparently it’s not in vain that Invisalign

, having localized production in Mexico, also aimed to reduce the cost of production.

And accordingly, do not forget about the dollar-ruble exchange rate - in Russia production is much cheaper, which should affect the final cost of the aligners. But is it?

Aligner prices include logistics costs

For American companies - Invisalign and Orthosnap - yes, of course, delivery is included in the price. Since production is located in Mexico and the USA. For Russian companies, logistics (in theory) should not have a significant impact on the cost of aligners.

The work of a doctor is gold!

The bulk of the costs are incurred by doctors. For example, in Invisalign the price for an initial consultation with an orthodontist is determined by the clinic, in Orthosnap they will charge a minimum 500

rubles, if you undergo a consultation but refuse their treatment, 3D Smile also charges a fee..Only at partner clinics of the Star Smile company, the initial appointment is
free
. But here, according to Star Smile, a reservation must be made: if you are undergoing a consultation on their aligners not in partner clinics, then with a greater degree of probability the consultation will also be paid.

Next, in terms of the cost of treatment, a dark forest begins for the patient. No matter how many times a patient asks for price information, clinics stubbornly call for a doctor’s consultation. We understand that this is marketing, this makes it more convenient for clinics to make money from patients. Therefore, in this article we will try to lift the curtain of secrecy on the cost of treatment with aligners from various manufacturers.

In clinics, not only do they not immediately tell you how much dental aligners cost, but they also do not warn the patient about possible additional consultations, additional services (teeth separation, replacement of broken aligners, etc.).

Information on prices for aligners is current as of October 2020

In fact, prices do not change much over time, so we think that the listed price for dental aligners will remain unchanged at least until the beginning of 2020.

Use of mouthguards in children and adolescents

At the age of 5-6 years, the orthodontist can already make a definite diagnosis and predict the further formation of the child’s dental system. But at this age, it is absolutely forbidden to install braces - this is too intensive a technique for an unformed bite.

In this case, children's trainers may be prescribed. Typically, such blue models are used for 6-8 months. At this time, the emphasis is on combating bad habits such as thumb sucking, mouth breathing, and improper tongue positioning. At the end of the course with the blue mouthguard, it is time for the pink, more severe modification. It has a more pronounced effect, and you will have to wear it for six months to a year.

Children are mainly prescribed to wear trainers

The aligners themselves are also used for teenagers, but the main condition for successful treatment is the patient’s self-organization. Such pads must be worn at least 20-24 hours a day. Therefore, this technique may be ineffective for adolescents. However, for this case, the Invisalign company has developed a special model, Invisalign Teen. Now parents can monitor the progress of their child’s treatment, all thanks to special indicators that change color depending on how long the teenager has been wearing them. If the child frequently removes the mouth guard, this can be seen on the indicator.

1. According to information provided on the official website star-smile.ru.

As a first approximation, the price for aligners from manufacturers in Russia is

"Invisalign" price

treatment with aligners from
270,000
rubles to
350,000
rubles

"Orthosnap" prices

for aligners a maximum of
260,000
rubles for the full course + hidden fees (the cost of consultations and doctors’ appointments is at the discretion of the clinics)

" 3D Smile" has a price

aligners during treatment
250,000
rubles for the full course + hidden fees (the cost of consultations and doctor appointments is at the discretion of the clinics)

Star Smile offers two price options for aligners:

• in partner clinics from 60,000
  rubles to
  167,900
  rubles (examples) (no more hidden fees)
• In clinics working with Star Smile aligners - from 80,000
  to
  250,000
  rubles + the cost of consultations and the work of doctors is determined by the clinic
• the price of aligners both in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities of Russia is within these price limits

Where to start correcting your bite with aligners?

The first step is to go to the clinic and consult with an orthodontist. Only a doctor can say for sure whether correcting your bite with aligners will be effective in your particular case. Before making a final decision on treatment with mouth guards, it is better, if possible, to listen to the opinions of several specialists, whose contacts are often indicated on the websites of mouth guard manufacturers. Typically, these orthodontists have a certificate of completion of training/training confirming their professional skills in using aligners.

Well, what are the advantages of this or that manufacturer?

If we take away the bravado about “super-duper” doctors, what else can be highlighted?

Well, of course - features of modeling and production technologies

1. American Orthosnap
   makes aligners by hand.
2. One could highlight 3D Smile
   with their innovative feature: now the 3D Smile company is being actively promoted, highlighting the advantage that their program accurately shows the movement of tooth roots and this is their main feature: they show doctors that on OPTG the roots of teeth move exactly as their program predicts. But this is also a conventionally beautiful feature for patients. If you turn to the company’s main resource on the Internet, you can see that the last time they reported this news to doctors was in early spring: the last certification and training of doctors dates back to March 2020.

By the way, let's talk about the number of specialists trained by aligner manufacturers in Russia.

Number of certified aligner doctors

Where can I get treatment?

• The first unconditional place is occupied by Star Smile - as of October 2020, there are already more than 1,700 doctors in more than 100 cities of the Russian Federation. These are good indicators for the company, and they regularly train orthodontists not only in our country but also abroad.
• Invisalign holds second place in terms of trained specialists. The company has been operating in Russia for a long time, and has a medically trained resource of approximately a little more than 1,600 doctors throughout Russia.
• Orthosnap takes third place - more than 500 doctors, more than 30 cities
• But 3D Smile is not doing so well - there are more than 300 doctors in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other regions of Russia. Certification of doctors is very rare.

Stages of treatment

1. Preparatory. A diagnosis of the patient’s dentofacial apparatus is carried out to identify physiological characteristics (CT scan, jaw impressions, orthopantomogram). The oral cavity is sanitized for dental diseases. If any are identified, appropriate treatment is prescribed. Teeth are professionally cleaned to remove tartar and plaque. A treatment plan is drawn up.
2. Laboratory stage. The data obtained during the examination is processed by a special computer program, and individual mouth guards are developed. A preliminary model of the future result is created and shown to the patient. The production of aligners takes 2-3 weeks.
3. Clinical. The doctor installs the mouth guards, talks about how to remove and put them on, and how often to replace them with new ones.

Who has the best prices for aligners?

Summarizing all of the above, let us highlight the most important points in the cost of treatment with aligners

• Cost of consultation
  .
  Don’t believe when they say it’s free - only if you stay for treatment is it “included” in the price. Only at Star Smile,
  in partner clinics, consultation on aligners is truly
  free
  .
• Virtual model in 3D
  . Not available from Orthosnap, Invisalign and 3D Smile - pay money, from Star Smile - free (at partner clinics).
• Drawing up a treatment plan for aligners
  . Manufacturers of aligners, of course, delegate this function to clinics, which will definitely charge you money, and not a little. The only ones who do this for free are Star Smile in the clinics of its partners.
• Buying aligners is half the battle; don’t forget about hidden fees
  when undergoing treatment in clinics. And the treatment time is quite long. The Star Smile company openly talks about the cost of treatment with aligners and does not change it during the treatment process. But even then, not all clinics, but only partner ones, have such a convenient price.
• If the aligner breaks
  while wearing it, replacing it may cost money. Find out this point in detail at the clinics.
• The most important point. Guarantee for treatment with aligners
  . It’s somehow not good here - the clinics don’t give a guarantee or, if they do, it’s very minimal. Star Smile provides a 5-year warranty.
• Two companies have the most trained doctors, and this means the most cities covered in Russia - Invisalign and Star Smile.

Indications and contraindications for aligners

Almost all types of aligners are effective in correcting large spaces between teeth, eliminating crowding, and various malocclusions. Their use to consolidate the effect after treatment on braces also gives good results. Each brand of aligners has its own specifics, and manufacturers often indicate in which cases treatment using aligners is appropriate. Unfortunately, not all types of transparent aligners can correct severe crowding or serious malocclusions.

The results of the study on the cost and treatment of aligners are as follows:

"As for infrastructure

— in terms of the number and coverage of Russian cities, lovers of Invisalign and Star Smile have a better chance of undergoing treatment with aligners.

Regarding the timing of the start of treatment

— the fastest Star Smile. In just 6 days, your aligners will be ready - and forward to a beautiful smile!

Regarding the price of aligners

— the price for Invisalign is the highest, and the prices for Star Smile aligners are the most affordable, they are unrivaled. You can buy cheap aligners here!

Regarding the quality of service

— Invisalign is the coolest. But the cost of aligners is exorbitant

Regarding quality

— computer technology rules. Invisalign, 3D Smile and Star Smile are great. Orthosnap is a thing of the past.

As for the free “buns and candies”

— Star Smile has no competition: here you have free consultations, a virtual 3D setup, and even a ready-made treatment plan. BUT - only in the company’s partner clinics

Regarding installments

- Star Smile has the best financial service and the most reasonable prices; any citizen of Russia can afford treatment with aligners starting from 4 thousand rubles per month. So, inexpensive aligners and in installments are also here!

Invisible teeth aligners instead of braces

Correcting malocclusion using clear aligners has become widespread around the world since 1998, when the American company Align Technology began producing aligners under the Invisalign® brand.

Important!

The fundamental difference between cap-aligners and braces is that aligners are removable orthodontic structures.