Invisalign is a very effective way to upgrade your smile but like all things high quality, it comes with a steep price.
The average cost of Invisalign is in the range of $3000 to $7000. That is generally the amount you would be paying if you do not have Insurance coverage.
The more work your teeth will need, the higher the Invisalign cost and the longer the treatment duration.
But the high cost does not mean you should give up on getting Invisalign treatment. When it comes to something that has a big impact on your looks and your overall health such as your teeth, you should not settle for less.
Thankfully, there are a lot of ways to make Invisalign more affordable. One of these ways is by setting up a monthly payment plan with your Invisalign provider.
Many Invisalign providers offer affordable and flexible payment plans. It helps to see several Invisalign providers in your area before you settle on one to make sure that you are getting the best deal.
This will also give you an idea of how comfortable you are with the provider. This is important since you will be required to do regular office visits while doing the treatment.
How a payment plan works
Most Invisalign providers offer a monthly payment plan for the treatment so patients can have flexible options to pay for Invisalign.
Generally, a monthly payment plan means your total cost will be spread out during your treatment time or on a specific period. Payment plans can range from 3, 6, 12, or 24 months.
Whether an interest is charged or not will be up to the Invisalign provider. Most of the time, you will be asked to give a down payment. Generally, the higher you are willing to give for a down payment, the lesser the amount you will be paying monthly.
You should also be aware that some providers may do a credit check before they let you go through a payment plan. This is to ensure that you will be able to make the monthly payments. So, you might also want to prepare for that.
Some Invisalign providers have a fixed arrangement for their payment plans so all you have to do is pick one out of the options to pay for Invisalign.
Some Invisalign providers will also be willing to sit down and customize a payment plan that can suit your monthly budget.
To get complete and sure details about how the payment plan works, the best way is to get a consultation with an Invisalign provider directly.
Other Invisalign financing options to consider
Here are some options you can turn to that will help make Invisalign treatment affordable:
Insurance
The first option that you should check is if you have orthodontic benefits on your health insurance plan. Insurance policies that cover orthodontic costs will be able to cover Invisalign.
If not, you may get coverage if you can prove that getting Invisalign is a medical necessity. Most dental insurance plans will consider Invisalign clear aligners as a cosmetic treatment.
You can also opt to get orthodontic coverage as an add-on for your insurance but there will be a waiting period before you will be able to use it to lower your orthodontic costs.
If you find that your dental insurance covers a small amount, do not be discouraged. It is always better than nothing. You can always combine your insurance coverage with other options in this list.
Health savings account (HSA)
If you have a health insurance plan, there is a chance that you also have a health savings account (HSA). People who have a high policy deductible get to have an HSA.
If your deductible is $1350 and above for a single insurance plan or $2700 and above for a family plan, then you do have a health savings account.
Your HSA gets pre-tax money deducted from your salary every month. The amount that you have on your health savings account can be used to pay for your Invisalign clear aligners.
The money that you have on your HSA will roll over to the next year so if you have not used it for a while, the amount you have can be good enough to cover most of your Invisalign treatment.
Flexible savings account (FSA)
A flexible spending account (FSA) is also similar to a health savings account. The money that goes into it also comes from your salary pre-tax. The only difference is that the funds will not roll over to the next year. If you have an FSA and you have not used it yet, you can also use it for your Invisalign clear aligners.
Personal loan
If you are a financially responsible person then your bank statements will show that you have good credit. You will be able to easily qualify for personal loans and your good credit score can get you low-interest rates.
You can approach your bank and other lending companies. If there is a medical loan provider in your area, you may get the best rates from them.
Just make sure that before you start inquiring, you already have an idea of how much you need for Invisalign treatment. This will help you decide which lender will be giving you the best deal.
Factors that affect the total Invisalign cost
Orthodontic treatment complexity
The major factor that will influence how much you pay for Invisalign treatment is the complexity of your orthodontic issue.
If you only have a few teeth to straighten out, a small tooth gap, or just a slightly off bite, the Invisalign treatment will be short and simple. Therefore, it will cost less.
The more complicated your case is, the more work you will need and the longer your treatment time will be. This will significantly raise your total Invisalign cost.
Invisalign provider
Invisalign rank their providers. Valued Invisalign providers get higher ranks and often have discounts or other benefits from Invisalign.
The more experienced your provider is with Invisalign, the higher his professional fee would cost. An inexperienced Invisalign provider would likely charge lesser than someone who has had more experience but you have to risk getting less than satisfactory results.
The thing about going for a higher-tier Invisalign provider is that they really know what they are doing and deliver faster and better results. This means you will not have to go through additional orthodontic treatment down the road compared to an inexperienced provider messing up and causing you to extend your Invisalign treatment, which would mean additional expenses.
Location
Where you are located affects your total cost. The Invisalign treatment cost is usually higher in urban and suburban areas like New York and California compared to rural areas such as those in the Midwestern and southern states.
Patient cooperation
Of course, the way you handle the treatment also factors with the total cost. You may be wondering why since you have not started out treatment yet. This factor affects the total cost as you are taking treatment.
Your treatment plan should progress the way your doctor planned it. If you did not follow the instructions correctly such as wearing the aligners in lesser hours than what was required, this will cause a delay in your desired results.
The delay could mean your provider will have to adjust the treatment plan and order more aligners which means more expense for you.
What are the benefits of Invisalign treatment?
Just in case you still need a little push to see that the Invisalign cost is worth it, here is a quick list of advantages you get with Invisalign treatment.
Easy to clean
Clear aligners are easier to maintain and clean compared to traditional braces. This is why people who wear braces usually watch what they eat.
But with Invisalign, there are no food restrictions to impose on yourself. You can eat or drink anything you want because you can simply remove the aligners while you are eating.
You just have to make it a habit to clean your teeth and aligners after you take the aligners out.
Lesser office visits
People who use braces will have to visit the dentist’s office more frequently to get their rubber bands and wires adjusted.
With Invisalign, you only have to show up every 2 to 3 weeks, depending on how your treatment is progressing.
No age limits
Invisalign is safe enough even for children. However, dental professionals would suggest that you only do orthodontic treatment when all the permanent teeth are already out.
Better looking
Getting braces when you are a full-grown adult can be embarrassing. Especially if your career often requires you to face people or give talks and reports from time to time. Having the “metal mouth” look will make you feel self-conscious all the time.
Invisalign clear aligners are almost invisible. People will hardly notice that you are getting orthodontic treatment! Therefore, you get to go about your tasks with the same amount of confidence.
Comfortable
Meta braces are not only uncomfortable to look at – they are uncomfortable. If you are not careful, your wires can scar the sides of your mouth or lip. Plus the process of having them tightened every few weeks will make you feel sore. It is a cycle of pain that will only end when your treatment is over.
Invisalign patients only feel slight discomfort during the first 2 to 3 days that you are wearing the aligners. And that is just because you are still adjusting and getting used to wearing them. After that, it is mostly an easy breezy experience.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How much is Invisalign monthly?
There is no fixed price for Invisalign treatments. This is because Invisalign charges on a case-to-case basis like traditional braces do. Generally, the more work you need, the more expensive it will get.
If you are looking for a specific number, we can tell you that Invisalign treatment can cost anywhere between $3000 and $7000 without insurance. If you have insurance coverage, that will greatly help lower your treatment cost.
But then again, everyone’s dental needs are different. There is a chance that you may be paying a lower or higher rate than that price range.
The only way to get a sure quote is to look for an Invisalign provider in your area and get an assessment.
How much can dental insurance cover for Invisalign?
This will depend on the type of insurance policy you have and who is your insurance provider. Some dental insurance plans can cover between 25% to 50% of the total Invisalign costs. Others would only pay up to $500 to $1500 for orthodontic coverage and that would be a lifetime limit.
To maximize the amount that you can save through dental insurance, you should pick an Invisalign network that is in-network with your insurance provider. The paperwork involved will be so much easier too.
The best way to learn about your insurance coverage is to consult a representative from your insurance provider. This way, you will know how much your out-of-pocket cost would be if you pursue an Invisalign treatment.
When talking to your insurance benefits provider, you should also take the chance on this meeting to ask for a list of in-network Invisalign providers in your area.
What insurance companies cover Invisalign?
Many dental insurance plans have orthodontic benefits that will cover the cost of Invisalign. Some of these insurance companies include Aetna, Metlife, Cigna, and Delta Dental. Combine their benefits package with other Invisalign financing options and you will find that you will be making affordable monthly payments easily.
Is Invisalign cheaper than braces?
This will depend on the severity of the issue you want Invisalign to fix.
If you only have a mild issue and you only need a few months of treatment time, chances are Invisalign can be cheaper than traditional braces.
But if you are getting treatment for a more severe or complex orthodontic case, chances are Invisalign will cost higher than traditional metal braces.
Another factor why Invisalign can cost more than metal braces is the lab costs involved in making the clear Invisalign aligners. Invisalign uses premium materials for their Invisalign trays and advanced technology to create them, making it more expensive compared to other orthodontic treatments.
Conclusion
When you are working on a budget, you have to be smart in finding ways to get what you want without going broke in the process. The same thing can be said when you pay for Invisalign.
If you want Invisalign to be your treatment, there is no need to worry about how you would pay for it. You can always arrange for a payment plan with your Invisalign provider to give you more flexible payment options.
With a payment plan, you just have to make small monthly payment plans throughout the treatment plan instead of making a big upfront payment for your Invisalign aligners.
One thing is for sure – when it comes to upgrading your smile, Invisalign is definitely worth the cost.