How Much Does Invisalign Cost? Part 1 of a 3 Part Series

The perfect smile. As the science of cosmetic surgery progresses, a straighter and whiter smile is top priority for an individual interested in improving their appearance. Until recently, the only options for straightening crooked teeth were uncomfortable, unattractive metal braces. Invisalign significantly changed how some orthodontic professionals approach mild to average tooth misalignment (malocclusion) in teenagers and adults. 

The simple fact that an individual wearing Invisalign is nearly impossible to pick out made the product extremely popular. But short of a consultation with a dentist, it is difficult to get a straight answer as to how much Invisalign costs. There are several reasons for this, one simply being that everybody’s teeth are different. Let’s take a look at them and try to find, at least, an estimate of how much Invisalign costs.

First, you need to know how Invisalign works to understand how much it costs. Through a series of aligners called trays that are made from a thermoplastic material, Invisalign slowly straightens specific teeth. The aligners resemble teeth-whitening trays and are nearly invisible to detect which contributes vastly to their popularity. According to the treatment plan created by your doctor, you will be supplied with a series of these tray aligners (sometimes more than 20 depending on the severity of the case) that will slowly reposition your teeth. You’ll wear each tray for 2-3 weeks and then switch to the next one in line. During each of these stages, the trays supply force to certain teeth, gradually adjusting them for proper alignment. Each instance of aligners only works on a particular part of the mouth, so if you have a severe malocclusion you may need as many as 20 aligners or more and that means higher costs. Many of the more difficult cases require a combination of Invisalign and orthopedic facial devices or even metal braces. This can also contribute to how much Invisalign costs, with some extensive treatments soaring beyond $10,000 dollars.

In the next article in this series about Invisalign, we’ll delve deeper into lab fees, material and product costs and why location is the leading contributor to how much Invisalign costs.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost? The Finale

In the previous two articles covering how much Invisalign costs we learned how Invisalign gradually straightens your teeth through the use of a series of aligners and how that can lead to higher costs depending on the severity of the malocclusion. We also saw an example of an Express Invisalign procedure and all the associated fees and costs. In this article we’re going to examine how to save money on an Invisalign treatment and how much Invisalign costs after any possible insurance benefits.

When looking to save money on an Invisalign treatment, one thing that you should never compromise is the skill and experience of the dentist. Although, you may pay higher dentist’s fees for a more talented orthodontic professional, you will also get better results from your Invisalign treatment. But many dentists offer regular discounts reducing how much Invisalign costs by a significant amount. Look in your local newspaper for special offers on Invisalign.

Another factor contributing to how much Invisalign costs is the quality of material that the dentist uses when preparing the plastic aligners. Brackets are used to attach the plastic trays to the backs of the teeth and are made of different material. Gilt, sapphire, metal and even ‘wild’ types that produce glowing effects are available. Be sure to speak with your dentist about which type they plan to use on your Invisalign treatment.

Some orthodontic professionals offer special interest free payment plans. They may also offer discounts if the procedure is paid in full or on a credit card. To find out about these special offers ask your dentist during the consultation regarding your Invisalign procedure.

Insurance, as with any medical procedure, is always different depending on the type and amount of coverage. But there are a number of dental insurance packages on the market that cover orthodontic treatments and will help lower how much Invisalign costs. And there are even braces specific insurance, under which Invisalign is covered, that have been reported to pay for up to half of an Invisalign procedure.

If we have learned anything throughout this series it is that short of a consultation with a dentist it is hard to get an exact figure on how much Invisalign will cost. The best an individual interested in Invisalign can hope for is to get a ballpark estimate of the price before going to see the actual dentist. But also remember to speak with your insurance provider and look for any office related discounts before you start your Invisalign treatment routine.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost? Part 2 of a 3 Part Series

In the previous article about how much Invisalign costs we examined exactly how Invisalign works and why that, combined with additional procedures for extremely severe malocclusions (crooked teeth), can lead to the soaring price of Invisalign products. Here we’ll examine some less-than-visible fees, how location affects pricing and why the severity of the malocclusion can have an extreme effect on how much Invisalign costs.

When you begin researching Invisalign as a viable substitute to braces or to help perfect a smile, you must understand that it is not a commodity but a professional service provided by a dentist or orthodontic professional and thus, take into account the out-of-pocket costs for the Invisalign material, the dentists (and their teams) price per hour, lab fees and records fees. These fees can add up to a considerable amount, usually $2,000 to $3,000 of the overall cost of the procedure.

There are also two different types of treatments available depending on the severity of the case, the Express and the Full or Complete. The Express usually consists of 10 trays or less and lasts for 6 – 8 months, while the Complete can involve up to 20 or more trays and ranges from 12 – 18 months long. Needless to say this can affect how much Invisalign costs by a huge amount, with the Express, in certain states, being as low as $2,800 dollars while the Complete in the same state being as much as $8,000 dollars or more. On the national level, the average of how much Invisalign costs is more than $5,000 dollars. 

Here is an example of an Express Invisalign treatment routine, meant for mild malocclusions, and its related fees and costs from the state of Indiana:

• ·         Total amount per Express routine (10 trays/ 3 weeks apiece): $3,500  to $4,000
• ·         Consultation fee (some dentists are free): $25 to $75
• ·         Various X-rays: $200 to $400
• ·         Records fee: $500 to $800
• ·         Computerized analysis of procedure and results: $400 to $600

As you can see, there are nearly $2,000 dollars in fees alone, adding up to almost half of the overall cost of an Invisalign procedure. Complete Invisalign treatments have been reported at nearly double the price of the Express listed above and some as high as $10,000. Be sure to catch the next article on how much Invisalign costs and learn how insurance and a little research can help you save money on an Invisalign procedure.