Money Research Collective’s editorial team solely created this content. Opinions are their own, but compensation and in-depth research determine where and how companies may appear. Many featured companies advertise with us. How we make money.
How Much Is Invisalign and Is It Worth It?
By James F. Trumm MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
If you’re thinking of straightening your teeth or fixing an underbite, you may have wondered about Invisalign, a treatment that relies on clear aligners and provides results comparable to those delivered by traditional orthodontia.
How much does Invisalign cost? How does it compare to conventional braces? What are its risks and benefits? Read on to learn more about the cost of Invisalign to see if it’s a viable option for you.
Table of Contents
- What is Invisalign?
- How Does Invisalign Work?
- How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
- Invisalign FAQ
- Invisalign Costs Bottom Line
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a type of orthodontic treatment that straightens and aligns teeth. Rather than attaching metal brackets to your teeth as is done with traditional braces, Invisalign uses a series of plastic aligners to gently and gradually move your teeth into the correct position.
You may be able to use Invisalign aligners to:
- Straighten crooked teeth
- Help give crowded teeth more space
- Correct underbites, overbites or crossbites
- Close gaps between teeth
As with traditional braces, Invisalign treatment is FDA approved, and an orthodontist will oversee your Invisalign treatment from start to finish to ensure your teeth are moving appropriately.
How Does Invisalign Work?
An Invisalign treatment typically takes place over 12 to 18 months. Your specific treatment time will vary depending on the condition of your teeth and your desired results.
At the start of your treatment, your orthodontist will take a mold and X-rays of your teeth. You’ll then receive a series of custom-made clear aligners that will gradually move your teeth into the desired position. You’ll need to wear the aligners for at least 22 hours a day to see the best results. The only times you should remove them are to eat and to perform your regular oral health tasks, like brushing and flossing. Because of the diligence required for Invisalign, it might not be the best option for younger children. Though there is no minimum age, the earliest recommended age is seven, and the system is designed for adults over the age of eighteen.
Because you can take your aligner trays out at any time, keeping your teeth clean is an easy process compared to what you might experience with conventional braces. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to look into the best electric toothbrushes and best water flossers. These will help ensure you don’t leave any food trapped in your teeth when putting your aligners back in.
Generally, you’ll change to new aligners every one to two weeks. To make sure you’re progressing, your orthodontist will check your progress regularly. The direct, in-person involvement of an orthodontist makes Invisalign different from other services like Smile Direct Club, where treatment is conducted entirely remotely.
At the conclusion of your treatment plan, you’ll be given special retainers to wear at night. These keep your teeth securely in place so your new smile doesn’t start to shift over time.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
For most people, the average cost of Invisalign is somewhere between $3,000 to $7,000. The actual price will vary greatly depending on the length of your treatment plan. For example, if your orthodontist recommends a full 18 months of treatment, that will cost more than someone who only requires six months. Additionally, you may need other dental treatments to support your candidacy for Invisalign, such as a tooth extraction or the placement of a crown.
There are a few options to help lower the overall cost of Invisalign. Because they are an approved medical item, Invisalign trays can typically be paid for with your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA). These accounts allow you to set aside some money, tax-free, for medical expenses and let you pay for eligible expenses from your savings.
To qualify for an FSA, you’ll need to enroll with your employer and contribute part of your paycheck to your account. An HSA is a little different, as you’ll need to be enrolled in a high-deductible health plan. Either way, using these funds can help you reduce your tax liability. However, you won’t save anything on the actual sticker price of treatment.
Another option is checking to see if your insurance company will cover the cost of Invisalign. This is more likely if you have specific dental insurance coverage. Most companies and plans don’t cover 100% of orthodontic treatment, but they may offer some type of coinsurance to help with the costs. A few offer partial or full coverage for the medically-based dental services you might need before Invisalign, such as a root canal or wisdom tooth removal.
Be aware that your insurance plan may have a coverage limit in addition to deductibles, so if your treatment exceeds that amount, you’ll be responsible for the rest of the bill. Keep in mind that many dental plans only cover orthodontic services for children 19 or younger, so check your plan to see if you’ve aged out of their coverage.
You may also be able to work out payment plans with your Invisalign provider. Many offices know that the upfront cost of Invisalign can be prohibitive, so they allow you to make a down payment. Then you can arrange monthly payment plans that let you pay off your balance over time. Typically, this works out to be between $100 to $250 a month, depending on the duration of your treatment and the size of your down payment. In best-case scenarios, your Invisalign provider will charge little to no interest, making in-house financing an attractive choice.
Two final options are using CareCredit or other credit cards. CareCredit is essentially a medical expense credit card that doesn’t charge interest on outstanding balances for up to 24 months. If you don’t want to open a new credit account, you may also be able to use one of your existing credit cards. Just make sure it has a low APR, or otherwise, you could wind up paying excessive interest charges.
Invisalign Costs Bottom Line
When used as directed, Invisalign is generally as effective as traditional braces. Compared to traditional metal braces, aligners are more visually discreet and cause less discomfort. Plus, maintaining proper dental care can be easier when you can simply remove your trays to clean your teeth.
The cost of Invisalign is similar to that of traditional braces – and there are payment options you can explore to help make the cost more affordable.
