What is the true Invisalign cost Michigan?
Wherever you decide to have them, orthodontic treatments are generally expensive. Whether it’s conventional treatments like traditional metal braces or modern innovation techniques such as Invisalign clear aligners, you can expect to pay a couple of thousands of dollars (usually more) for a full orthodontic treatment. And as with most dental procedures, Invisalign costs could go even higher if you don’t have the dental insurance plans to cover the cost.
However, there are many factors that affect treatment cost; one of which is geographical location. This is why the total cost of Invisalign differs from one place to another. If you live in Michigan, and you are planning to straighten your crooked teeth to fix your smile, then you are in luck. The state actually is one of the more affordable places to get Invisalign clear aligners in the country.
With the low cost of living that is fairly consistent across the state, Michigan is an affordable state for most types of orthodontic treatment. Whether it’s conventional braces, or newer types of braces like ceramic braces, lingual, self-ligating, or an orthodontic alternative like clear aligners, you can easily find a reasonably priced dental office and Invisalign providers, especially in its big cities. Generally, you can expect to pay around $3,000 to $5,000 for a full Invisalign procedure. Where you fall in that price range depends on several factors.
Cost of Invisalign Treatment in Michigan
- Invisalign cost in Michigan: $4,500 to $6,500
- Median average price for Invisalign in Michigan: $5,000
- Invisalign cost in urban areas in Michigan: $4,500 to $6,500
- Invisalign cost in suburban areas in Michigan: $5,000 to $7,000
- Invisalign cost in rural areas in Michigan: $4,000 – $5,500
Breaking down the cost of Invisalign treatment in Michigan
The average cost for orthodontic treatment in Michigan State is a little lower compared to the national average, thanks to the lower cost of living in the state. However, there are also other factors that usually affect the total cost of Invisalign treatments.
Michigan’s Low Cost of Living Affects Orthodontic Care Prices
Generally speaking, dental health and specifically orthodontic care, is more expensive on the coasts and a lot more affordable in the middle of the country. Southern states like Arkansas and South Carolina have the lowest prices for dental care, while northeast states are usually more expensive. Cost of living and taxes has a lot to do with it since dental professionals have to pay sales tax, state tax, and corporate tax.
Michigan sits in the Midwest where dental and orthodontic costs tend to be a little below the national average. This means you will not likely get slapped with an expensive bill by your Invisalign provider. And since the cost of living is fairly affordable, Invisalign certified dentists don’t need to worry about paying expensive rent and utility bills as they might in other states. This allows them to set lower prices for their services.
Both the sales tax and corporate income tax in Michigan are only 6%, slightly lower than the national average. Though corporate income tax shouldn’t be directly reflected in your bill, it surely does affect the pricing model of dentists and orthodontists as it influences their expenses.
If you reside near the southern border of the states, and you are willing to drive to Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, then you may find even cheaper orthodontic care and Invisalign providers there. Obviously, should you decide to get your invisible aligners there, you should also consider going back and forth every four to six weeks to your Invisalign provider’s clinic for follow-up checkups throughout the treatment.
Invisalign cost in urban, suburban, and rural areas of Michigan
Not only are the prices of Invisalign differ between states, but they can also differ based on the exact location of the Invisalign providers within the state. Obviously, highly urbanized cities with a more expensive cost of living will definitely have expensive orthodontic care compared to their small-town counterparts.
Invisalign cost in urban Michigan
While Detroit is the largest and most populated city in the state (population of almost 700,000), there aren’t a lot of Invisalign providers compared to similarly populated metropolitan cities. The same situation goes with Grand Rapids. But there are a few really good options to compare and find better deals in both cities. Similarly, the cost of living in Detroit and Michigan is fairly lower, which means real estate and the rental average are also lower. This allows Invisalign providers to set affordable prices for their services.
Invisalign cost in suburban Michigan
Suburbs of Michigan, specifically Detroit, have a higher cost of living compared to the city. This definitely affects the pricing of dental and orthodontic costs. However, compared to other states, they can still be considered reasonable.
College towns and university towns in Michigan fall on both ends of the cost of living spectrum. Towns like Howell, Ann Arbor, and Rochester Hills are some of the state’s expensive places, while Big Rapids, East Lansing, and Ypsilanti although cheaper, are isolated, with not a lot of dental clinics that offer Invisalign procedures.
Invisalign cost in rural Michigan
For the most part, you can find cheap Invisalign prices in rural areas of Michigan. Summer getaway spots like Petoskey and Traverse City are understandably expensive, yet these small towns have access to a few provider options.
Factors that influence Invisalign cost in Michigan
A quick look at the Invisalign treatment process
Regardless of where you get the treatment, Invisalign clear aligners aren’t cheap. And there’s a reason behind it.
The Invisalign system is a comprehensive and complex process. This allows the orthodontists to correct a wide range of malocclusion problems, including severe cases of misaligned teeth, such as underbite and overbite. Every step of the treatment goes through an accredited Invisalign dentist or orthodontist called Invisalign providers.
The treatment starts with an initial consultation with the Invisalign provider. Here your dentist or orthodontist will assess the condition of your teeth, their angles, distance from one another, positions in relation to the size of your mouth and jaw, etc. Also, your Invisalign doctor will discuss your teeth-straightening goals with you. From here, they will determine whether you can be a good candidate for the treatment or not.
If they find you’re suitable for the treatment, they will proceed with making digital scans of your mouth and teeth.
They use a special scanner from Invisalign that allows them to take 6,000 photos of your mouth and render those photos in a special app to make a complete 3D picture of your mouth. From here, they can assess. Some Invisalign dentists also use the good old putty mold to make dental impressions. They will then send these to the Invisalign lab where the clear aligners are manufactured.
The process of making your custom-made aligners usually takes around four weeks. It takes this long since your Invisalign doctor and the lab will discuss the treatment progress thoroughly.
Once your custom-made aligners arrive in your dentist’s office, you will be called to check in with your dentist for fitting, refinement, and adjustments of your clear aligners. Your dentist will make sure your aligners fit tight and perfect and don’t poke on anything in your mouth, such as your gums, inside of your cheeks, etc.
You will also be given instructions on how to use, clean, and switch to a new aligner set at home, and how to eat, drink, and brush and floss your teeth throughout the treatment process. You will have to come back to your dentist’s office every four to six weeks for follow-up checkups to ensure your treatment is going according to plan, and address any potential issues before they become problems.
Generally, a full Invisalign treatment process takes 12 to 18 months. Complex and severe cases can take longer, which means more visits to the dental office and more invisible aligners.
Adding up all these things, you can easily understand why Invisalign patients shell out thousands of dollars for the treatment.
Complexity and Severity of the case
Each patient has their own unique needs; this is why the cost varies from one person to another. Thus, there is no set price for clear aligner treatments like Invisalign. What you can have when you search online is the average cost based on how much people had to pay for their treatment.
The cost differs from a lot of factors, from the complexity and severity of the condition (from the angles of the teeth, how far the teeth are from their desired positions, how far they have to move), length of treatment (number of in-person follow-up checkups and number of Invisalign trays needed to complete the treatment), geographical location, local competition of Invisalign providers, and of course, the experience of the Invisalign certified dentist.
Invisalign provider’s pricing model
Note that each Invisalign dentist or orthodontist can set their own Invisalign fees, the same goes with their other services like tooth extraction, dental fillings, and orthodontic procedures like traditional braces, or even jaw surgeries, etc.
Invisalign providers have the full autonomy to set their prices based on their experience and educational background, complexity and severity of the malocclusion of the Invisalign patient, their overhead and operational cost, etc.
Moreover, orthodontists generally charge higher than general dentists. This is because they have undergone more years of schooling and training to be able to offer specialized treatments.
It is also important to note that the total Invisalign cost quote given by Invisalign providers is fully inclusive. This means the quote includes everything about the treatment process, from the consultation, scans for the digital impression, fitting, refinements, and adjustments of the clear aligners, follow-up in-person checkups, and even post-treatment retainers.
The good thing is, that most Invisalign dentists have transparent pricing and provide a price breakdown of their treatment process. Thus, the initial cost quote given to you in your initial consultation is close, if not the exact full treatment cost.
Invisalign versus Braces: why they almost cost the same
While the upfront cost of Invisalign aligners and traditional metal braces may be, the overall cost of the latter could go higher if you factor in the more frequent orthodontist appointments for readjustments (tightening) of the braces, and the expenses for repairs (traditional braces are more prone to damage and breaking).
Moreover, compared to other types of braces like ceramic braces, self-ligating, and lingual braces, Invisalign aligners are cheaper. The upfront cost for ceramic and self-ligating braces may be similar, but on average their total cost could go higher. Lingual braces, on the other hand, averages around $10,000.
Why you should choose Invisalign: Advantages of clear aligners over braces
Virtually invisible
The most common reason why adults and teenagers forego teeth straightening treatments is that having a mouth full of brackets and wires looks unflattering. Invisible aligners (Invisalign for short) addressed this dilemma by offering a teeth-straightening solution that is virtually invisible.
Invisalign aligners are made with clear plastic that gums in the gum line to make a discreet and natural look.
A lot more comfortable
Invisalign aligner trays look like thin mouth guards designed to fit snugly over the entire arch of your teeth. On the other hand, traditional metal braces feel super uncomfortable, not to mention painful, since the brackets and wires can poke to the inside of your lips and cheeks, causing cuts that lead to canker sores.
And since you will get the full set of aligners, you can switch from one aligner tray to the next in the comforts of your own home. No need to schedule visits to your dentist for readjustments every couple of weeks or so.
Removable and convenient
Whatever type of braces you choose, one thing is certain – they will be attached to your teeth 24/7 throughout the duration of your treatment. This means constantly dealing with brackets and wires poking on the inside of your lips and cheeks causing chaffing, food debris getting trapped on tight areas of the braces, avoiding certain food, and taking extra time to clean the braces thoroughly every time you eat anything. That’s a lot of inconveniences. I
Invisalign on the other hand, can save you from a lot of inconveniences like these. All you have to do is remove the aligners each time you eat or drink (you can drink water with your aligners on) and clean your teeth by brushing and flossing, as you normally would, before putting the aligners back on.
You can also remove the aligners when playing sports like basketball, football, training martial arts, etc.
Ease of cleaning
While on the topic of removability, Invisalign makes it easy for you to clean and keep your teeth straightening dental appliances fresh. Simply mix baking soda with water and gently brush it on your clear aligners using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
If your aligners start to look cloudy, you can soak it in a bowl of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water for a couple of hours and they will look pristine again.
Better oral hygiene
Since you can easily remove the aligners and clean them, you can also do the same with your teeth. There are no brackets and wires to worry about, thus, you can brush and floss your teeth as you normally would.
If you want to learn even more about precisely what to expect from the Invisalign treatment, read our article about Invisalign Teeth right here.
Frequently Asked Questions on Invisalign Treatment
Q. Does insurance cover Invisalign treatment?
A. Yes, as a matter of fact, many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign treatment, since they consider it as orthodontic treatment, meaning it’s medically necessary.
Q. How much does insurance cover Invisalign treatment?
A. Dental insurance covers up to 50% of the total cost of the treatment, depending on the specifics of your plan. On average, however, they pay about $900 to $1,200 of the total cost, which is more than enough for most occasions.
Q. How much does Invisalign treatment in Michigan cost without insurance?
A. There are no fixed rates, but you can expect to shell out $500 to $1,500 more out of your own pocket for the treatment.
Q. Are there payment options to make the treatment affordable?
A. Yes! A lot of dental clinics actually offer payment options like affordable monthly payments to their Invisalign patients. They usually ask for a small down payment. Talk to your Invisalign doctor for more details.
Q. Can I use my FSA or HSA to pay for Invisalign?
A. Absolutely, yes. Most clinics accept Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HAS) to pay for Invisalign treatment.
Q. Are traditional braces cheaper than Invisalign?
A. Generally, they are pretty similar. Depending on the complexity and severity of the malocclusion, traditional braces’ overall cost could go higher.
Q. Is treatment faster with Invisalign than with traditional braces?
A. Generally, yes. On average, Invisalign treatment duration could last 6 to 12 months. Metal braces average 24 months to complete treatment.
Q. How soon can I notice improvements in my teeth with Invisalign?
A. Again, this depends on the specific details of the patient’s condition. Generally, you may notice significant improvements in your teeth in as fast as 10 to 12 weeks of treatment.
Q. Are there any bad side effects of wearing Invisalign aligners?
A. Since the Invisalign works by applying constant pressure to move your teeth to the right direction and position, you can expect some discomfort and even minor pain, but nothing intolerable. You may also notice some difference in your speech, but this goes away after a few days as you learn to get comfortable with your aligners on.
A small percentage of Invisalign patients report dry mouth, receding and bleeding gums, headaches, jaw pain, nausea, and dizziness. If you experience these symptoms, make sure to consult your Invisalign doctor as soon as possible.
Q. Do teeth relapse after Invisalign treatment?
A. There is that possibility, similar to traditional braces. That is why you will be prescribed to wear Invisalign teeth retainers, especially during nighttime, to keep your teeth in their desired positions during your teeth’s “retention phase”.
The Takeaway
The orthodontic benefits of Invisalign are undeniable. Imagine getting your teeth straightened and your smile fixed without the inconvenience and discomfort of brackets and wires on your mouth. Talk to your nearest Invisalign doctor in Michigan and find out how these invisible aligners can give you a perfect smile!