How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

Many people have questions about Invisalign cost. The cost of Invisalign® varies based on insurance coverage, patient age, how extensive your treatment will be, and additional variables.

It’s essential to know the cost of Invisalign before deciding whether or not this treatment is right for you. Many insurance companies do not cover the cost of invisible aligners but will cover traditional braces. Even if your insurance does cover Invisalign, it may not cover the entire cost.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign are clear, removable alignment trays that straighten teeth without metal wires and brackets. Invisalign uses clear, custom-made trays using SmartTrack® material that gently move teeth into alignment.

Each set of aligners moves your teeth incrementally closer to your desired position. The average treatment time for most patients ranges between 12 and 18 months. Some patients may experience longer treatment times based on tooth movement, bite issues, or other factors.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost with and Without Insurance?

Invisalign costs vary in price from $4,000 to $7,000, depending on the severity of your malocclusion. A typical treatment plan will range from $4,500 to $5,500 for an average “full” treatment. Your specific situation will determine if your price is comparable to traditional braces.

On average, traditional wire braces range between $3,000 – $7,000. So the total of what you spend on an Invisalign may or may not equal the cost of having traditional braces. However, the treatment plan and individual needs can cause price fluctuation with either treatment type.

If you have insurance, ask your insurance provider or benefits manager what your benefits are for orthodontic treatments. With insurance, you may be able to get a discount on treatment. However, some plans classify clear aligners as cosmetic procedures and don’t cover them.

Other insurance policies may only partially cover treatments, paying a percentage of the cost or a fixed dollar. For example, some companies have a lifetime cap on orthodontic treatments.

Additionally, you can use a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to cover the cost of Invisalign. Some employers offer an FSA plan through pretax payroll deductions. If you have a qualified high-deductible health insurance plan, an HSA might be an option for you. You can set money aside tax-free for qualified dental, orthodontic, and medical expenses.

If you don’t have an FSA or HSA, you may be able to deduct orthodontic and dental expenses on your tax return. Currently, if costs exceed 7.5 percent of your Average Gross Income, you may qualify for this deduction. Keep every receipt, and be sure to seek professional tax advice when necessary.

How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?

Invisalign is an optimal treatment for everyone. It requires self-guided dedication and commitment. You have to keep the aligners in your mouth at all times (except when eating or drinking), which means you’ll be wearing them for 20 to 22 hours each day.

Some people cannot commit this much time each day, so some orthodontists recommend traditional braces over Invisalign.

Invisalign treatment may be complete in as few as three to six months. However, the average treatment period is 12 to 18 months. In some cases, treatment can take from 24 to 36 months.

What Factors Affect How Much You Will Pay for Invisalign?

The cost of Invisalign can vary greatly. After an initial consultation, you will have a good idea of what you can expect in terms of costs. They will evaluate your smile and talk you through what they see as opportunities for improvement. From there, they will be able to give you a firm estimate on how much you can expect to pay out-of-pocket.

Some dental insurance plans cover all or part of these costs—check with your provider. If possible, you may also want to consider taking advantage of financing options available from some providers. Three main factors affect the price of an Invisalign:

Your Location.
Duration of treatment
The level of experience your provider has.

The best way to determine how much an orthodontist charges for Invisalign is to look at their Invisalign experience level, a tier. A Diamond Plus tier Invisalign provider has done the most and treated the most patients, while a Bronze tier provider has done the fewest and treated the least amount of patients.

The cost may vary depending on the orthodontist you select and whether or not Invisalign will work well for your situation.

Why Is Invisalign More Expensive than Other Aligners?

Invisalign is more costly than other clear aligners because it requires a certified Invisalign provider to be part of the treatment. Invisalign providers must complete a training program and maintain certification.

This limits the number of people who can afford the treatment and increases administrative costs. It also includes an extra appointment with your orthodontist to create a custom set of trays.

The American Association of Orthodontists offers free consultations, but they do not cover the treatment costs themselves, so they are limited in what they can offer their patients. Your orthodontist is responsible for:

Evaluating your mouth.
Measuring your jaw and teeth.
Customize a treatment plan.
Identify potential issues or concerns.
Evaluate your improvement as you progress through the aligners.

Call Hilton Diminick Orthodontics for All Your Orthodontic Needs

Contact us today to learn more about all that we have to offer. Hilton Diminick Orthodontics works with patients of all ages. We offer child orthodontic treatment and adult orthodontic treatment. Give us a call today at (717) 652-0828, or contact us by filling out our convenient web form. We will go over payment plans for your custom oral appliances and helpful treatments during your initial meeting.