Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that can be used to treat cases of crowded teeth, gaps, misalignment, overbites, and underbites. The best thing about this dental alignment therapy is that it does not come with the “metal mouth” look usually associated with traditional metal braces.
But how much does Invisalign cost? Invisalign aligners can be a huge expense if you do not have insurance to help you with it. Invisalign cost without insurance can be anywhere between $3000 and $7000.
If you’re considering Invisalign but are concerned about the cost, consider trying a new low-cost treatment like Byte or Candid. These invisible braces use remote appointments with qualified orthodontists to monitor your progress without the high costs of in-person appointments at a clinic. Try Byte and get your perfect smile from just $83 per month.
Since Invisalign charges on a case-to-case basis, there is a chance that you will be paying lower or higher than that range. The exact Invisalign cost will depend on how long your treatment will be and how many aligners you need to use throughout the treatment.
Several factors would also be considered when calculating the total Invisalign cost of your treatment. The only way to know for sure how much you will be charged is to talk to an Invisalign provider.
Factors that affect the cost of Invisalign
Here are just some of the major factors that will affect your Invisalign cost:
The complexity of the case
One of the most important factors that heavily dictates your total cost will be the severity of your case. The more work you need, the more expensive Invisalign will get.
If you only have a few teeth to straighten out or a small tooth gap to address, Invisalign treatment will be short and it will cost less.
But if you have severe and complex cases of misalignment or bite issues, it will take a longer time to treat and therefore, your Invisalign cost will be higher.
The number of Invisalign trays you need
The severity of your case will also determine how many Invisalign aligners you will be needing throughout the treatment. The more complex the case, the longer the treatment time and the more aligner trays you will need.
Every aligner tray from Invisalign is made out of high-quality material. State-of-the-art technology is also being used to create the customized trays. So, the number of invisible braces that you have to use will affect the total cost.
Your Invisalign provider
Invisalign has a huge provider network consisting of orthodontists and dentists. And all these providers have gone through a specialized training course.
Invisalign providers are under a tier system where they are ranked by Invisalign according to their expertise with the treatment. The highest tier is Diamond Plus and the lowest tier is Bronze.
Providers in the upper ranks may be charging you more compared to providers who are still starting.
Invisalign providers in the lower tiers are more likely to charge lower to gain more clients and to help them rank up the Invisalign tier.
But if you work with an Invisalign provider in the higher tier, you can be assured that they know what they are doing and that you will be getting better results.
Your location
Just as all products and services are affected by the cost of living in an area, so is Invisalign treatment.
Rural areas such as those in the southern and midwestern states are more likely to have the lowest Invisalign rates in the country.
Urban and suburban areas have higher Invisalign fees. It is said that California and New York have the highest Invisalign rates in the USA.
Refinements and extra support
There is a possibility that your provider will have to do extra work outside of your agreed-upon treatment plan because the treatment plan is not working.
Because of this, additional aligners may be needed by the end of the treatment and these are called refinements. They may cause extra if they are not included in the Invisalign package you signed up for.
Also, if you have a complex case, the aligner trays may need extra support to move your teeth to the desired place. These attachments on your teeth will cost extra too.
Other costs involved with Invisalign
Aside from the cost of the treatment plan, here is a list of other expenses that you may have to pay as well.
- Invisalign provider consultation = $100 to $200
- X-rays = $25 to $250
- Retainers = $1000 to $2000
Again, these expenses can be included in the Invisalign package your provider offers or not. It is best to always ask if these costs are included or if you pay for them separately to get a clear idea of how much you will be spending.
Some Invisalign providers give a free initial consultation. Some Invisalign providers will do the x-rays for free. Some Invisalign price includes retainers in their packages.
The best way to know is to call up dental offices in your area and ask about their Invisalign packages and promos. Make sure to check out numerous Invisalign providers so that you can compare and check which one gives the best deals.
Other ways to pay for Invisalign treatment
Now that you have a general idea on how much does Invisalign cost, saving money on the treatment will help a lot. here are other ways to make Invisalign more affordable for you:
Insurance
The first thing that you should turn to is your dental insurance plan. If you have one that you pay for or if you have one through employment, you should check if your insurance benefits include orthodontic treatment coverage. If you do, it is most likely that you can get coverage for Invisalign treatment.
Many dental insurance plans will give you a complimentary benefits check if you contact them. If you do contact a representative regarding your Invisalign benefits, make sure to also ask for a list of in-network Invisalign providers in your area.
HSA
If you have a high deductible insurance plan, you are likely to have a health savings account (HSA). This is a government-regulated savings account and the money in health savings accounts is taken out of your salary every month. You can use this cash to help cover the cost of Invisalign. Take note that people who have health savings accounts must comply with a couple of IRS requirements.
FSA
A flexible spending accounts (FSA) are also similar to an HSA wherein the cash is taken out of your monthly paycheck. The money gathered under this flexible savings account can be used to help cover the cost of Invisalign. Take note though that not all employers offer these employee benefits packages so you should check if you have one.
Payment plans
You can go for payment plans from your Invisalign provider. Your provider may have their fixed Invisalign packages with monthly installment plans. Some providers will be willing enough to sit down and create a monthly plan that will fit your budget.
Most payment plans can range from 3 to 24 months and your total Invisalign cost will be spread out through that specific period to make it easier for you to pay out of pocket. Whether an interest applies will depend on your provider.
But for sure, a down payment will be required. Typically, the higher the amount of the down payment, the lesser the amount you will have to pay monthly.
You should also be aware that some providers will do a credit check before you can push forward with a payment plan. This is to ensure that you will be able to make your monthly payments.
Third-party loan and credit companies
You can borrow money from credit and loan companies. It is quite similar to a monthly installment plan but most of these will come with a high amount of interest. Down payments and credit checks are usually required
Invisalign FAQs
How much is Invisalign out of pocket?
The average cost of Invisalign can fall between $3000 and $7000 if you are to pay it out of pocket. Some insurance companies can cover the cost of Invisalign and this usually happens when you have orthodontic benefits.
Take note though that this is just a general range. As mentioned earlier, Invisalign costs depend on a lot of factors. You may be paying a higher or lesser amount than the range stated above.
Do dental insurance cover Invisalign treatment?
Having insurance coverage will take a significant amount of the Invisalign costs off your shoulders. However, the amount you will be getting will depend on the total cost of your treatment and the type of coverage that you have.
The highest coverage you can get from dental insurance is half the cost of your Invisalign treatment. The lowest could be 25% of the Invisalign costs.
However, you should also take note that some insurance companies have a lifetime limit for orthodontic benefits. So, if half the cost of your treatment is beyond that lifetime limit, they will only pay for the lifetime limit amount. The majority of lifetime limits would cost $500 to $1500.
Also, you should know that some insurance companies will just reimburse the amount you spend. So, you may still need to find ways to pay the total amount out of your pocket in the meantime.
To be sure, contact your insurance provider and ask for the benefits you can have from them if you go through Invisalign treatment.
If your insurance does not cover orthodontic treatments, Invisalign may not be covered. But you may get a chance to ask for coverage if you can prove that it is a medical necessity and not a cosmetic need.
It helps to choose an Invisalign provider that is in-network with your insurance plan so that the insurance paperwork will be a simple and straightforward experience.
How much is Invisalign cost monthly?
This will depend on the total cost of your treatment and the terms that you agree upon with your Invisalign provider.
If you check the Invisalign website, they have given hypothetical examples of monthly Invisalign aligners costs and the lowest of which is a $50 payment per month for 36 months.
Is Invisalign cheaper than braces?
Like braces, Invisalign charges you depending on the severity of your case. For mild cases, there is a chance that Invisalign costs will be cheaper or cost as much as metal braces. But for complex cases, chances would be that the Invisalign clear aligners cost will come at a higher price compared to traditional metal braces.
How long does an Invisalign treatment take?
As mentioned earlier, the longer the Invisalign treatment, the more expensive the total treatment cost. So, you may be wondering how long does an Invisalign treatment take.
The average case would take about 10 to 12 months for adult patients. If you have a complex orthodontic issue, it might take you more than a year to finish your Invisalign treatment.
Affordable Invisalign alternatives
If the cost of Invisalign does not fit your budget, you should not worry. You can still upgrade your smile without having to go through conventional braces or other obvious orthodontic treatments. But the catch is that your issue should just be mild to moderate.
These Invisalign alternatives are significantly cheaper compared to Invisalign because monitoring is done remotely. The treatment can be monitored this way since the home aligners are specifically made for mild to moderate cases of crooked teeth, crowded teeth, gaps, and other misalignment issues.
If you are looking for something cheaper, here is a list of clear braces dental treatments that you should check out.
- AlignerCo = $1145
- NewSmile = $1195
- Byte = $1895 (day aligners) and $2295 (night aligners)
- SmileDirectClub = $1950 (day and night aligners)
- Candid = $2400
Conclusion
Invisalign is the leading brand when it comes to invisible braces in the market. They have a good reputation, their materials are high-quality, and the service is stellar. They also have a roster of celebrities and millions of Invisalign patients to vouch for them.
People often get taken aback when they find out how much does Invisalign cost. For a brand that has such a high reputation and high reviews, it can be understandable why it comes with a high price tag as well.
Invisalign may be expensive but there is no doubt that it is also one of the best investments that you can make to improve your oral health, looks, and overall well-being.
If you are planning to upgrade your smile, Invisalign is worth the cost! After all, when it comes to your oral health, you should always work with the best.