Complete Invisalign Cost Guide PLUS Money Saving Tips

Invisalign clear aligners are a series of orthodontic appliances used for treating orthodontic conditions like overbite, underbite, spacing, crowding, and more. The cost of Invisalign treatment depends on the patient’s case, their access to insurance or HSAs, promotions, and more.

Generally speaking, you should expect your costs to be between $2,800 and $7,000 for Invisalign treatment.

This article will answer the many common questions about Invisalign treatment and will educate potential Invisalign patients on the product. We will also provide some money-saving tips to help you get the smile of your dreams for less.

Table of Contents:

Average Cost in US | Hidden Costs | Insurance | Other Ways to Pay | Dentist or Orthodontist | How to Find Invisalign Doctor | Invisalign Cost Calculator | Invisalign Alternatives | Conclusion

Average Cost of Invisalign Treatment in the United States

Invisalign treatment costs depend on your case. More complex cases will require more aligner trays and thus will cost more. Simpler cases that can be completed in 6-12 months will run you a lower bill.

The following are the average costs of Invisalign treatment in the United States, along with the average treatment time for each:

• Invisalign treatment for adults (12-36 months): $3,000 – $9,000
• Invisalign Teen treatment (12-36 months): $3,000 – $6,000
• Invisalign Express (6-12 months): $2,800 – $6,000

Tip #1

Get a price quote from at least three different doctors. Different doctors can give different prices for the same orthodontic treatment, you can see a difference of $1,000, $2,000, even $3,000! Some practices offer free consultations to make it even easier to get the right price for you.

Tip #2

These days, some offices offer virtual consultations. During the virtual consultation, the doctor can see your teeth from the comfort of your own home. Not every office will offer these services, so check prior to booking your consultation.

Hidden Costs of Invisalign Treatment

Hidden costs can pile up if you are not careful. Many providers can give a low price on their website that does not include additional fees like:

• X-Rays
• Intraoral scans
• Office visits
• Invisalign attachments for extra aligner grip
• Refinements to achieve optimal results
• Retainers

Look for a provider that includes various services in the cost of their treatment. Some providers will include the above things into the cost of their Invisalign treatment plans – but others will not. Check with your provider during your consultation to see what is included in the cost of treatment.

Tip #3

Make sure that the overall cost of your orthodontic treatment includes the price of additional items before you sign the contract.

Can Insurance Cover Costs of Invisalign Treatment?

Many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign treatment just like braces. Some may cover a portion of treatment cost. They will pay either a percentage or a fixed dollar amount, up to $3,500 in some cases. But some plans classify clear aligner treatments as cosmetic procedures and don’t cover them.

State insurance plans like Medicaid cover only traditional braces and usually only for children. Private insurance may cover a significant portion of your Invisalign treatment costs.

You should always call your insurance company if you have questions. There are other options available if your insurance will not cover Invisalign treatment.

Tip #4

Many offices can check your insurance FOR FREE and give you an idea of how much coverage they will provide.

Other Ways To Pay

Covering the cost of Invisalign treatment may be easier than you think. There are many options available for patients who want to use Invisalign but do not think they can afford it.

Among the options available are:

Health Saving Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Many employers offer Health Savings Accounts, such as FSA, HSA, HRA, or LCFSA plans. They can be used to pay for Invisalign treatment.

Care Credit

Using a healthcare credit card can offer significant savings and help you cover the costs of dental care, including Invisalign. Care credit cards can be helpful if you need immediate financial assistance to cover orthodontic care.

Promotional Deals

Orthodontic offices want your business! Many offices may run promotional deals or seasonal savings. Look on the provider’s website for any offers on Invisalign, or ask when you schedule your appointment.

Monthly Payment Plans

You do not need to pay the entire cost of Invisalign treatment up-front. Most orthodontists offer monthly payment plans. These allow you to pay only a small portion of the Invisalign treatment costs each month.

These are often flexible, so you can adjust the monthly installment should your financial circumstances change. Be sure to ask whether there is interest accrued by paying monthly: interest-free payment plans don’t incur extra costs.

Your doctor may also have other systems in place to help patients pay for their treatment.

Dentist or Orthodontist for Orthodontic Treatment?

Both dentists and orthodontists go to dental school, but they have different career paths. Dentists focus on general oral health and fixing teeth. Orthodontists go through extra education to learn how to move your teeth.

Only doctors at the top of their class are considered for orthodontic training. When it comes to choosing the right doctor for Invisalign treatment, consider visiting an experienced orthodontist.

How to Find an Invisalign Doctor

You can use Invisalign’s Doctor Locator tool on the official Invisalign website to easily find a doctor near you. All you need to provide is basic information and their services will find you the right doctor for your case.

Just enter your zip code and the patient’s age to find all the Invisalign doctors in your area.

Tip #5

When using the tool, uncheck “general dentists” and leave only “orthodontists.” Orthodontists are more experienced in moving teeth and offer lower prices for orthodontic treatment. They may also offer lifetime smile guarantees.

Tip #6

In the dropdown menu, under “Tier Level” select “VIP: Diamond Plus.” These doctors are the most experienced orthodontists who work closely with Align Technology. Because they handle more cases, they are able to offer discounts others cannot.

In summary

Follow these steps to find an Invisalign doctor who will keep costs low and guide you on your Invisalign journey:

• Find a doctor who is a licensed orthodontist
• Choose an Invisalign Diamond Plus Provider
• Make sure you can meet with a real orthodontist in-person or virtually – not a general dentist or an assistant
• Find an orthodontist operating from a free-standing orthodontic facility rather than a general dentist’s office
• Make sure there are no hidden fees: costs should be shown upfront.
• Make sure the office offers 3D-scanning technology, like iTero intraoral scanners.

Invisalign Cost Calculator

You can calculate your estimated monthly payments over 12, 18, or 24 months using our tool. Enter your details here to get an idea of your monthly payments.

Cheaper Alternatives to Invisalign

Is Invisalign Treatment Effective?

Invisalign treatment can handle simple and complex cases, treating orthodontic conditions like open bite, teeth gaps, overbite, crowding, and more. A real orthodontist will guide you, so you do not have to worry about going it alone. They can make adjustments as your case progresses and keep you on the right track.

Simply put, Invisalign works.

Braces

Braces are a common, cheaper alternative to Invisalign treatment. Braces are covered by more insurances and are less expensive due to the materials they use. Braces cost anywhere from $1,700 to $7,000 but you may pay much less.

The downside to braces is that they are more noticeable than Invisalign clear aligners and cannot be removed. You will also require more visits to the orthodontist with braces versus Invisalign aligners. Braces also may be less comfortable.

Mail Order Aligners

You may have seen mail-order aligner companies advertising their own brand of plastic aligner. These are plastic aligners made from the same material as a water bottle. They are not Invisalign clear aligners made with SmartTrack material. SmartTrack material was designed specifically for Invisalign aligners and is not found anywhere else.

The alternatives may be cheaper, but they come with more problems than solutions. Your treatment plan is not guided by a real orthodontist, you are left on your own to guide your orthodontic treatment. These alternatives also do not have Invisalign attachments, which are used to move teeth into proper position. There are many horror stories of patients who decided to use an Invisalign alternative and did more harm than good.

Conclusion

While Invisalign treatment is more costly than braces, it comes with several benefits. Invisalign aligners are removable, meaning you don’t have to worry about dietary restrictions. They are also not noticeable while you’re wearing them, unlike braces. Invisalign treatment can also correct about the same number of orthodontic issues as braces.

Using your private insurance, payment plans, and the Invisalign Doctor Locator tool, you can find the right provider for you. And start your Invisalign smile journey at a price that is right for you.