Invisalign clear aligners are not cheap. In fact, depending on where you live, it can be quite costly. However, the general consensus among patients who use Invisalign is that it’s absolutely worth the money that the clear aligners cost. Sometimes the old saying that you get what you pay for is true. In this case, for most people, it really is.
When you are trying to correct the alignment of your teeth, you want to make sure that you make a wise investment. It is your smile, after all. And the last thing you want is to spend money on aligners that are supposed to correct your teeth, and then they don’t do the job or the aligners are very uncomfortable, discouraging you from wanting to wear them.
Invisalign tends to be the most expensive clear aligners brand on the market because of the quality of the product, but also the quality of the experience. With Invisalign, you go through a consultation in person with your dentist or orthodontist to make sure that your impressions are taken correctly. This is something that makes Invisalign unique to a lot of its other competitors in the market.
In addition, you have in-person visits with your dentist or orthodontist as you go through the process, making sure that your teeth are aligning properly and you can move to the next set of aligners. For a lot of people, having the in-person interaction makes a big difference as opposed to the at-home clear aligners that involve virtual consultations. There is something very valuable about being able to talk with your doctor face to face, in person.
Another big benefit of Invisalign is the ability to adjust both minor misalignments as well as more severe misalignments. Most of the at-home clear aligners aren’t able to correct severe alignments, leaving Invisalign as the best option for these types of cases. Invisalign provides flexibility for people with a variety of different alignment issues.
Most people go to the office to check in with their dentist or orthodontist about every 6 weeks. During this time, minor adjustments can be made to your treatment plan if the dentist or orthodontist thinks it is necessary for you. For most people, the treatment time with Invisalign is between 12-18 months.
Average cost of Invisalign
On average, the cost of Invisalign treatment ranges between $3,000 and $7,000. That, of course, depends on your particular situation as well as the location where you live. The good news is that it’s possible that your dental insurance may pay for a portion of the cost.
The amount of money that will be covered can vary by insurance company, so you will want to make sure and discuss that ahead of time before committing to the Invisalign clear aligners.
Most dental insurance companies treat Invisalign the same way that they treat braces when it comes to coverage, helping to offset the cost for you.
Your dental insurance company will be able to tell you exactly how much they will cover so that you have a better understanding of the amount you will be responsible for.
Cheap Invisalign Alternatives
If you are interested in correcting the alignment of your teeth, but maybe don’t have the budget for the cost of Invisalign aligners, you have a lot of other options out there on the market, many of which are substantially cheaper.
What makes most of the Invisalign alternatives cheaper is the fact that you have office visits with Invisalign, but the at-home aligners are just as they sound – at home. This means you can do your check ins virtually to see how your teeth are progressing.
Some of the more popular Invisalign alternatives include Byte (Review) and Candid (Review).
Byte
With the Byte aligners, you will take your dental impressions yourself, at home, with the kit that they send to you. Your clear aligners are then created custom for your teeth by Byte’s orthodontic team.
Most people wear each set of aligners for one week, progressing to the next set. This allows for your teeth to be corrected gradually.
You will need to wear the aligners for 22 hours a day and also use the signature HyperByte for 5 minutes each day. HyperByte is exclusive to Byte and is why the treatment time for Byte patients is much shorter than with other clear aligner systems.
HyperByte uses vibration-based therapy that can reduce the discomfort of the aligners, helping them fit in your mouth better. For most people, results are achieved in about 2-4 months using Byte.
Candid
Candid is another common clear aligner product that is a bit of a combination of Invisalign and Byte. That’s because you can either create your dental impressions at home with the impression kit being delivered to you. Or, you can go to a Candid studio and have your teeth impressions taken there.
One of the standout features of Candid is that they don’t work with dentists; they work exclusively with licenses orthodontists. Many of the other aligner companies work with dentists and orthodontists, but it’s Candid’s philosophy that it’s a better experience for you as a patient to work specifically with an orthodontist since they have more education than dentists.
With Candid, even if you have your impressions done in a studio, you will check in with the orthodontist remotely, about every two weeks. Most patients have a treatment time of 6 months.
AlignerCo
AlignerCo is another Invisalign alternative that provides at-home aligners, offering a cheaper option that doesn’t include office visits. You will order an impression kit in order to get the process started.
Once you receive the kit, you will take your dental impressions at home, mailing it back in to AlignerCo so that they can create your custom aligner treatment plan for you. The aligners are not only customized for you, but are also handcrafted and trimmed to the gum line, which really optimizes their comfortability while you wear them. Since you need to wear them 20-22 hours a day, comfort is key here.
Each set of aligners is worn for two weeks, at which point you change to a new set that will help to gradually correct the alignment of your teeth. Typical treatment time for patients is 6 to 12 months.
Invisalign vs Braces Cost
When you are considering the best option for correcting the misalignment of your teeth, you are likely wondering if there is an advantage, cost-wise, to either Invisalign or braces. And, there is. Traditional braces are usually more affordable than Invisalign.
Traditional braces are generally around $1,800 to $5,500, while Invisalign is generally $3,000 to $7,000. With both braces and Invisalign, insurance may cover a portion of the overall treatment cost.
Of course, there is more to consider than just the cost alone when you are comparing Invisalign versus traditional braces. With braces, you have metal brackets permanently affixed to your teeth, for most likely, two years. They are very noticeable and can often be pretty uncomfortable. With Invisalign, they are much more discreet, being clear, and the treatment time can be much shorter.
Also, you won’t wear the aligners while you eat, but you can’t really take off your braces while you eat. So, you have to take extra care when eating certain foods and make sure you brush you teeth really well after eating.
Ultimately, they will both have the safe effect on your teeth, which is the goal. But, you have to decide what makes the most sense for you, your teeth, and your budget. It’s really a personal decision.
How much is Invisalign a month?
The cost for Invisalign will vary depending on where you live and the extent of the misalignment of your teeth. Once you know your specific treatment plan, including how long you will need wear the clear aligner system, you can talk with your doctor about setting up a payment plan.
Once you make a down payment, you can then make monthly payments. Generally, the minimum would be around $99 for 36 months. At the top end, you could potentially pay $200 for 24 months. Ultimately, you will need to talk with your doctor to find out the best payment option for you.
Is Invisalign worth it?
When it comes to clear aligners, Invisalign is the market leader. And for good reason. It’s a great product with solid results. You get a bespoke process with an orthodontist and custom made aligners designed to fit your teeth comfortably, while also being discreet.
However, cheaper alternatives are now available that may offer better value for minor cases who don’t mind cutting out dental visits.
How much does Invisalign cost without insurance?
Without insurance, Invisalign can cost between $3,000–$7,000. However, you do have some payment options to help with the cost, even without insurance.
If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), you can use those pre-tax dollars towards the Invisalign treatment cost.
An FSA is an account that is managed by your employer. You can put money into the account throughout the year, usually by way of a deduction from your paycheck.
The money in the account can be used for certain medical, dental, and orthodontic costs. This includes Invisalign aligners.
You can put up to $2,600 in the account each year, which could make this a great option for paying for your Invisalign treatment. However, it’s important to note that not all employers offer an FSA.
An HSA is a savings account that is for people with a high-deductible health insurance plan. If you have insurance through your employer, they typically offer an HSA as well. You can contribute money to the account through a deduction in your paycheck.
You can put up to $3,400 for an individual or $6,750 for a family into this account each year. You can then use the money for things like medical, dental, and orthodontic costs, which includes Invisalign aligners.
As another option, Invisalign does offer monthly payment plans to help spread out the cost of the aligners. Monthly payment plans can be worked out directly with your doctor and often include a down payment before you being treatment.
You can get the exact details of your payment plan worked out during your consultation with the doctor. That way, you’ll be able to set up a budget for yourself for the duration of your Invisalign treatment.
Invisalign Express Cost
Invisalign Express is another option that is quicker and less expensive than the standard Invisalign treatment. With Invisalign Express, you will still get the same clear aligners, but the number of aligners you will use is different, as well as the length of time that you will need to wear aligners.
Invisalign Express is designed for people with minor dental issues, maybe some crowding of the teeth or spacing issues. Or, it can work for people that might have worn braces earlier in life and then the teeth shifted slightly again.
Rather than the traditional set of 20 to 30 aligners that you will wear with the standard Invisalign, you will only use 10 or less aligners with Invisalign Express. And, the treatment time is just 6 months. This is why Invisalign Express is designed specifically for minor misalignment issues.
On average, Invisalign Express costs around $2,500, which can be significantly cheaper than the traditional Invisalign aligners.
Of course, if you are someone who has more sever crowding, spacing, or bite issues, you will likely need to use the traditional Invisalign aligners. You can better determine which is right for you during your consultation with the doctor.
Invisalign cost California
In California, Invisalign costs tend to be more expensive than in other states. This is due in part to California’s cost of living, tax rates, and high population density. In fact, the cost for Invisalign treatment in California is well above the national average. You are likely to pay somewhere between $4,500 and $9,000 for Invisalign aligner treatment in California.
How much does Invisalign cost in Texas
In Texas, like California, Invisalign costs a bit more than other states. Again, a wide range of factors go into this, and of course, it also can vary by specific region within Texas, including a difference between more rural and urban areas of the state. On average, the cost for Invisalign treatment in Texas is about $6,000.
Invisalign Cost Chicago
Invisalign costs more money in Chicago than it does in the rest of the state of Illinois. In fact, in Illinois, the cost for Invisalign is cheaper than a lot of other states. However, due to the cost of living and population in the city of Chicago, Invisalign is more expensive here. On average, Invisalign will cost you between $3,500 and $8,500 in Chicago.
