Invisalign has been around for over 20 years, making them the oldest invisible aligners on the market. In the years since Invisalign made its debut, it’s challenged metal braces and, more recently, a wide field of clear aligner competitors. How does the cost add up and is Invisalign really worth it?
Average Invisalign Cost Without Insurance: $5,000.
Average Invisalign Cost With Insurance: $3,350
In-office attention is expensive and may not be necessary for very mild cases. In such cases, you could save time and money by using at-home aligners.
Invisalign counts as both orthodontics and a major procedure, so, not every policy will cover it. Some insurance plans may even insist on a waiting period first.
On average, Invisalign costs around $3,000 with insurance [1]. Many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign aligners, which helps bring the cost of Invisalign treatment down considerably; sometimes upwards of $2000.
On the official website, it’s claimed that insurance coverage may pay up to 50% of the average cost of Invisalign. That can obviously bring the cost down quite a bit. However, it still leaves you with a $2500 bill to cover.
It’s important to understand that the Invisalign system is a form of orthodontic treatment. This means that, while Invisalign trays are removable and discreet, Invisalign treatment is still considered a major procedure by any dental insurance company [2]. That may translate to stricter criteria for your cover, and higher premiums.
Invisalign costs also depend on how crooked your teeth are and how hard it is to straighten them.
First, it’s important to be aware that not all dental insurance covers orthodontic treatments. There are a couple points to keep in mind:
Finally, not all Invisalign providers work with every insurance company. Most orthodontists will establish that first thing. Another option is to download the Invisalign app, which may allow you to check if your insurance covers Invisalign.
>>Check the best prices for Invisalign
While $5,000 is the average cost of Invisalign treatment without insurance, the actual treatment costs will depend on the state of your teeth. If your insurance plan doesn’t cover orthodontic care or coverage hasn’t kicked in yet, or you don’t have a dental insurance provider at all, you may end up with a much larger bill to cover.
There are a couple of ways to make the treatment costs more bearable. One important option to keep in mind if your insurance won’t cover the Invisalign costs is a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA). Funds you’ve saved in those types of accounts can be applied to Invisalign treatment.
Additionally, your Invisalign provider may offer monthly payment plans. Invisalign can also connect you with an online financing option through LendingPoint. This option is essentially a personal loan that you have to qualify for, though the terms are generally less stringent than other lenders require.
Finally, there are other options for clear aligner trays which might work and are much more affordable, such as Byte aligners and other Invisalign alternatives.
>>Check the best prices for Invisalign
The cost of Invisalign will depend on several factors, some treatment-related and others relating to finances.
Treatment-related factors include:
Invisalign treatment is usually only recommended in just a few treatment contexts. They’ve been found to be most effective in correcting minor to moderate misalignments, specifically those caused by:
These are the same recommendations for any sort of clear aligner. Invisalign isn’t necessarily more effective than any other clear aligner treatment.
It’s worth noting that there are more situations in which Invialign isn’t recommended. If you’re interested in addressing one of these issues, you’ll more likely need traditional metal braces or other orthodontic treatment:
Braces are usually only part of a larger custom treatment plan. The same is true of Invisalign. You’ll almost certainly end up with a retainer at the end of your Invisalign treatment, just as you would with traditional braces. The retainer is an additional cost, as is the continuing treatment.
We’ve already discussed Invisalign’s substantial cost, any potential insurance contribution, and the possibility of affordable monthly payments. However, there may be other ways to bring the cost down.
>>Check the best prices for Invisalign
The cost of Invisalign treatment is more than many Americans make in a month, even though good dental health isn’t really a luxury [5]. Even with insurance, that’s more than most people can afford. Payment plans are an option to bring the cost down, though the interest rate and down payment can be intimidating. Luckily, there may be some other options for saving money.
The best strategy may be to investigate providers in your area. As the retail price is set by the orthodontist and not Invisalign, it may be possible to find cheaper treatment. Additionally, it’s not unusual for providers to offer discounts and deals. You can even check out sites like Groupon to save some money. If you have insurance, just be sure to check if a provider is in-network.
Believe it or not, you may be able to get Invisalign treatment at dental schools [6]. Several schools have made Invisalign part of their curriculum and are looking for patients to practice on.
>>Check the best prices for Invisalign
Invisalign is cheaper and faster than traditional braces, but may not be as suited for the most severe of cases. The cost of Invisalign treatment can vary depending on a range of factors. The same can be said of metal braces. Traditional braces are estimated to cost around $6,000, but that may be affected by the severity of your condition. Braces are also often the only recommendable option where custom aligners are unable to treat a complicated issue, for example, severe crossbite correction [7].
Yes, Invisalign is usually cheaper than braces, but for some conditions, patients pay approximately the same for either treatment. However, that doesn’t mean they’re interchangeable. Beyond the financial considerations, the two have a range of treatment-related capabilities that will inform the orthodontist’s decision.
The main selling point of Invisalign is that they’re harder to see. However, traditional braces can also be surprisingly well camouflaged. For example, metal brackets can be replaced with ceramic ones that are harder to see. Another option is lingual braces, which are fixed to the inside, tongue-side of teeth [8].
If you’re able to go the at-home route with a service like Byte which offers remote monitoring, you can cut your costs in half.
>>Check the best prices for Invisalign
Yes, but only if you have a severe condition that can’t be addressed by cheaper clear braces. Invisalign treatment costs will vary depending on the patient’s condition. An Invisalign aligner is also only one option of many for improving dental health. For instance, lingual braces, hidden completely behind your teeth, are more discreet than Invisalign. At-home aligners offer similar benefits with a more appealing price tag.
The cost of monthly payments, insurance, and other financial considerations also play a role. However, the larger point is that they could be worth it. If you’re considering straightening your teeth, Invisalign braces are a viable option.
The best Invisalign alternatives mild treatment requirements would probably be byte aligners. When dealing with severe cases of misalignment, however, Invisalign may be the best alternative. The only safer option in such a case would be traditional braces.
The primary selling point for these invisible braces is that they allow for at-home teeth straightening. Rather than going to a dentist’s office, you take impressions with a kit and mail it in, receiving your aligner trays in the mail a few weeks later. The downside is that the lack of intensive orthodontic supervision may allow the advancement of a problem, should it occur during your treatment.
>>Check the best prices for Invisalign
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>>Check the best prices for Invisalign
Invisalign works well for a lot of people. Moreover, it comes with a degree of reassurance, as you get to work directly with your orthodontist. However, it may cost just as much as metal braces, while offering similar treatment to much less expensive competitors. As a result, it might be the best option for patients who can afford in-office orthodontic supervision and do not suffer from severe misalignments.
>>Check the best prices for Invisalign
