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Your insurance might pay for a certain percentage or fixed value of your Invisalign treatment. This amount will depend on your insurance provider and your individual plan.
Without insurance, Invisalign costs an average of $1,800 to $9,500. According to Invisalign, their treatment is within the typical price range of conventional braces.1
Fix your teeth from home for cheaper than Invisalign. Learn about the best Invisalign alternatives.
The true cost of Invisalign treatment depends on five factors:
Your doctor will prescribe an Invisalign treatment plan based on your condition.
Moderate to severe cases of teeth misalignment require longer treatments, so they will cost more:
If your doctor offers you Invisalign Assist, you will need an extra set of trays called refinements. These trays are already included in the treatment cost. Should you need more, each extra tray may cost you an additional $300.
Treatments that occur in dental clinics cost less than those in private dental offices.
Treatments that occur in dental schools are cheaper than both options.2
Orthodontists usually charge more than dentists. This is because they specialize in teeth straightening and assessing malocclusions, while dentists focus primarily on dental health.
Some dental professionals may waive fees on additional refinements at their own discretion, regardless of their experience or training.
Location is another factor that determines the average cost of Invisalign treatment.3
Invisalign dentists located in the suburbs charge less than those in urban cities. Both suburban and urban dentists typically charge more than providers in rural areas.
After completing your treatment, you must wear retainers to keep your teeth straight. These retainers cost $400 to $1,000 per set of four.
It depends. Many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign clear aligners in the same way as conventional braces. Your provider can cover up to 50% of the treatment, depending on your individual plan.4
Most insurance companies have a lifetime cap on dental benefits. If you exceed your coverage, they may not pay for additional treatments.
Also, if your dental insurance company considers Invisalign a cosmetic treatment, they will likely not cover it at all.
Interested in straightening your teeth at home? Here are the best clear aligner companies.
Besides paying upfront, you can pay for Invisalign in three other ways:
Many dentists and orthodontists allow you to pay in affordable monthly increments throughout your treatment. Some work with finance providers like LendingPoint to make this possible.4
Unlike other loan companies, LendingPoint does not require a down payment.
A flexible savings account (FSA) deducts $2,600 from your paycheck every year. If you have a health savings account (HSA), you can set aside $3,400 for one person or $6,750 for an entire family each year.
You can use the saved amount to cover Invisalign costs. It’s more affordable than paying monthly or upfront because you won’t have to pay taxes.
Keep in mind: Not all employers offer an FSA, so it’s not an option for everyone. You also have to meet Internal Revenue Service (IRS) eligibility requirements to get an HSA.5
Invisalign treatment involves wearing a series of individual aligners or “trays.” Each tray is designed to gradually straighten teeth by shifting them into place.
Invisalign aligners correct different types of misaligned teeth, including:6
Which is better for you, Byte or Invisalign? Find out now
Invisalign costs about the same as traditional metal braces.1 However, Invisalign is more expensive than at-home clear aligners.
Here’s why:
Your Invisalign provider will take digital impressions of your teeth by using an advanced 3D iTero® scanner. This allows them to design Invisalign aligners that perfectly fit your teeth.7
Next, your provider will use the Clincheck® Software to create a treatment plan and a 3D model of what your teeth may look like after you complete it.8
Invisalign aligners are made of a patented material called SmartTrack®. You can use them with SmartForce® Attachments for complex tooth movements.
Unlike conventional braces, Invisalign aligners discretely straighten your teeth with their clear coloring. They also have better precision than at-home aligners.9,10
Invisalign trays do not require painful adjustments like metal braces do. You simply have to wear them for 20 to 22 hours a day and switch aligners every 1 to 2 weeks.
These trays gently shift teeth into position without causing too much discomfort. You can also remove them when you’re eating, drinking, brushing and flossing your teeth, or cleaning your trays.
A dentist or orthodontist will be with you every step of the way during Invisalign treatment.
After the initial assessment, they will get you started on the Invisalign procedure and continue to monitor you during in-person checkups.
Traditional braces typically take between 1 to 2 years to straighten teeth completely. With Invisalign, you can get straighter teeth in as little as 6 months.11
Invisalign is just one way of correcting misaligned teeth. There are other Invisalign alternatives, such as:
Below is a comparison of each alternative’s total treatment cost and insurance coverage:
Total cost: $3,000 to $7,000
Most dental professionals offer standard metal braces. They are close to the average price of Invisalign Full. Dental insurance can reduce their total cost by up to half.2
Total cost: $1,500 to $8,000
ClearCorrect has many similarities with Invisalign. Both are in-office clear aligners and cost about the same. Insurance coverage will also depend on your policy.
One advantage of ClearCorrect aligners is their faster treatment time. They can straighten teeth in 4 to 6 months.
Read our review of ClearCorrect aligners here.
These invisible braces are the most affordable alternative to Invisalign treatment.
Their cost varies depending on the provider:
| Byte | SmileDirectClub | AlignerCo | NewSmile | SnapCorrect | |
| Cost | $1,999 to $2,399 | $2,050 | $895 to $1,095 | $1,495 to $1,595 | $1,749 |
| Dental Insurance | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Accepts HSA and FSA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
At-home aligners are cheaper than Invisalign because they are much more convenient.
You don’t have to see a dental professional during treatment, which may create problems for overall dental health. You can order an impression kit and take molds of your teeth at home.
After approving your treatment plan, the company will deliver your custom-designed trays. A dentist or orthodontist will then monitor your progress remotely.
Candid now offers hybrid clear aligners. They combine the best of in-office and at-home teeth straightening.
Before starting treatment, you have to see a CandidPro provider for a consultation. They will send your teeth scans to a licensed Candid orthodontist if you qualify.
The orthodontist will then plan your treatment. Once approved, they will create your clear aligners and send them over. The same orthodontist who designed your treatment will monitor you remotely via the CandidMonitoring™ app.
Candid provides affordable treatments without sacrificing the quality of care.
Read our review of Candid aligners here.
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