Compare Your Options
A straight, side-by-side look at how the two treatments differ - cost, timeline, and daily life - plus how our financing works and what every stage feels like. No sales pitch, just the details you need before your free consultation.
Side by Side
Both straighten teeth beautifully - the difference is in how they get there. Here’s the honest comparison we’d give you in the chair.
Traditional & Ceramic Braces
Best for complex cases
Invisalign Clear Aligners
Best for discretion
Financing & Payment Plans
Cost should never be the reason you skip the smile you want. Here’s exactly how we make either treatment affordable.
We finance every treatment plan directly - no third-party lender and no credit check. Most families put down $500–$1,000 and spread the rest across the length of treatment.
Plans that finish inside two years carry no interest. You pay the treatment price, split into equal monthly installments - most land under $150 a month.
We accept Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, United Concordia, and most PPO plans with orthodontic coverage. Our front desk confirms your benefits before your consultation so your out-of-pocket number is exact.
What to Expect
A digital 3D scan - no gooey impressions - plus an exam and a written treatment plan with a real price. You leave knowing your options, timeline, and monthly cost, with no pressure to decide on the spot.
For braces, we bond the brackets and place the first wire - about an hour, painless. For Invisalign, you get your first sets of aligners and we show you how to swap them. Mild soreness for a few days is normal and eases fast.
Braces get adjusted every 4–6 weeks; aligner patients check in every 6–8 weeks and change trays at home every 1–2 weeks. Each visit is quick - we track progress against the timeline you signed off on.
When your teeth reach their finish line, braces come off (or aligners end) and we fit your retainer. Wearing it as directed is what keeps your smile straight for life - we walk you through the schedule before you leave.
Questions
Neither is universally better; the right choice depends on your bite. Braces handle complex corrections and don't rely on you remembering to wear anything, which makes them the safer pick for younger kids and severe cases. Invisalign shines for mild-to-moderate cases in adults and responsible teens who want a discreet, removable option. At your free consultation we tell you which one fits your specific bite - and if either would work, the choice is yours.
At Meridian the two are close in price - Invisalign starts around $125/month versus $85–$115 for braces - and the gap is smaller than most people expect. The bigger cost driver is case complexity, not the treatment type. Your exact number comes at your consultation, and either option qualifies for the same in-house financing.
Most full treatment runs 12–24 months. Straightforward Invisalign cases often finish closer to 12–18 months, while complex bite corrections in braces run longer. Early (Phase 1) treatment for kids is shorter - usually 9–12 months. You'll get a written timeline estimate before you start, so there are no moving goalposts.
For the cases they're suited to, yes. The catch is compliance: aligners only move teeth while you're wearing them, so they need 20–22 hours a day. For very complex rotations or bite issues, braces give us more precise control. We're honest at the consult about whether aligners will get you the result you want.
Most Meridian families pay a $500–$1,000 down payment and then equal monthly installments for the length of treatment - commonly under $150 a month. Plans that finish within 24 months carry 0% interest, and there's no credit check. We'll show you the exact monthly figure before you commit to anything.
Adults are a growing share of our patients. Invisalign in particular is popular with working adults who don't want visible hardware, and ceramic braces offer a subtle fixed option. It's never too late - healthy teeth can be moved at any age, and we treat patients well into their 60s.
That's exactly what your free consultation is for. One 3D scan, a real treatment plan for both options, and an honest recommendation - no obligation.
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