Does the average cost of Invisalign help you get a charming smile? Well, everyone wants that, but sometimes misaligned teeth or any other problem with the teeth get in the way of that charming smile.
It’s a common problem, and over 4 million Americans wear braces to get rid of it, and surprisingly, 25% of them are adults.
If you’ve got crooked teeth and are wondering about how to get straight teeth, then you might feel like following the crowd.
But traditional metal bracket braces can be conspicuous, restricting, and even painful at times. Don’t you deserve better?
A much more favorable alternative is the Invisalign treatment, which uses removable clear plastic aligner trays instead of fixed metal braces. However, Invisalign prices can be higher, which may put a damper on your finances.
But don’t worry, in this article, I will discuss the factors that contribute to the high cost of an Invisalign treatment and also share some ways to cut money on the treatment cost. So keep reading.
Table of Contents
The Average Cost of Invisalign
In the US, Invisalign will cost you between $3,000 and $8,000. This cost is determined by two factors.
- The Complexity of the Case
- Length of the Treatment
Patients with mild cases will have to pay a lower cost than patients with moderate-to-severe cases. Following are the costs of the treatment, depending on the complexity of the cases.
- For mild cases: $1200–$2,000 (five to seven aligners are required).
- For moderate cases: $3000- $5000 (14-20 aligners required)
- For moderate to severe cases: $4500–$8000 (unlimited aligners required)
- The treatment for growing children will differ and will cost around $3000-$4500 (unlimited aligners required).
Factors That Impact The Invisalign Cost:
Various factors contribute to the high cost of this treatment. So let’s break down the factors that will change the pricing.
Case Complexity:
Invisalign can’t be used for more serious cases, so if you’ve got very crooked teeth, you won’t even be a viable candidate.
Even as a good candidate, your price will vary. Milder cases will cost less than more acute ones since they’ll take less time and supplies to correct.
How Responsible You Are:
One of the best benefits of Invisalign is that you can take out the aligners whenever you want. However, for optimal results, you need to keep them in for at least 22 hours a day. If you don’t do so, this prolongs treatment time, which will cost you more money.
Also, you’ll take out the trays to eat and drink. Most people like to wrap their aligners up in tissue, it’s not the right way to store them. You must store them properly in a storage container to avoid damage. If you’re not responsible enough you will lose multiple trays, and the costs will add up.
Location:
An area’s cost of living will directly impact how much businesses charge for services. If you live somewhere rural, then you’ll likely pay less for Invisalign than someone located in a major metropolitan city.
Some areas are more saturated with Invisalign providers, while others don’t have many. The more competition there is, the more affordable prices will be.
Hidden Costs:
If you are booking online for the treatment, there are chances that the provider does not include the cost of the following procedures in the mentioned treatment cost.
- Clinic visits
- X-Rays
- Intraoral scans
- Invisalign attachments
- Refinements
- Retainers
Not knowing these hidden costs can leave you with extra bills and increase the total cost. So, always make sure to consult with your Invisalign provider whether the treatment includes other costs or not so that you can get a better idea of the total cost.
Dentist:
The Invisalign provider you choose will matter greatly too. If they’re highly experienced, have a great reputation, and are in high demand, expect prices to be higher.
However, do note that the higher the provider is on the Invisalign Advantage tier, the lower it’ll cost for them to provide Invisalign treatments. The tier level is determined by the procedures completed. In most cases, they’ll pass those savings onto you.
How To Save Money On Invisalign:
You have read all the factors that can contribute to the high cost of your Invisalign treatment. Now let us learn some methods that can help you save money on treatment.
Payment Options:
Once you have decided to get the treatment from a dentist, ask them if they provide any payment plans. Most dentists will offer you payment plans, as it’s regular practice because of the high cost of the treatment.
You can either pay the whole bill once at a discounted rate or pay in installments for 24 or 36 months without any interest. Yes, you read right, without any interest!
But to use this method, you must have a good credit score so that the procedure can proceed smoothly.
FSA (Flexible Spending Account):
You can pay your healthcare bills using your FSA account. A flexible spending account allows you to save some pre-tax dollars in the account for your healthcare expenses. The money is deducted from each paycheck for your FSA account.
Luckily, the Invisalign bills can also be paid from your FSA account using a debit card.
But there are some limitations as well.
- It’s an employer-sponsored account and will only be available if it is included in your employee benefits package.
- You can only have a limited amount of money in your FSA account per employer. In 2024, one can have a total of $3200 in an FSA account.
- You have to use the money in your FSA account by December 31 of the plan’s year. Some employers also grant a grace period of two and a half months after the deadline for spending your FSA funds.
Keeping aside the limitations, if you have an FSA account, it’s a good option to save money on your Invisalign treatment. Because if the treatment costs you $5000, your FSA account will save you $3200 by paying it.
Dental Schools:
Another option is to get the services of a dental school to get your Invisalign treatment done.
Basically, by getting the services of a dental school, you are letting their students learn and get experience by doing your treatment. But don’t worry; they will do so under the supervision of a professional dentist.
However, this method also has some limitations.
- First, you can only cut the cost by 10–15% by taking services from a dental school.
- Second, you have to face longer wait periods, lengthy visits, and strict protocols.
So, you can either directly get the services of a professional dentist and pay them a reasonable amount or get your treatment done by a student to save a little money. It’s your choice.
Conclusion:
As you can see, the average cost of Invisalign is between $3,000 and $8,000. Where you fall on that spectrum will depend on a number of factors, which we’ve discussed in this article.
So find a provider you’re interested in, then book an appointment. Once they’ve assessed your situation, the orthodontist can then give you a more accurate picture of how much you’ll have to pay.
We have also shared some ways to save money on the treatment so that you can get your dream smile without any financial pressure.
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