“You can pay for Invisalign with a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Additionally, many orthodontists offer affordable monthly payment plans that typically do not include added interest charges. To How much does Invisalign cost? it’s helpful to assess your budget and consider cutting out some non-essential expenses. Several key factors impact the overall cost of Invisalign, which we’ll explore to give you a clearer picture of what you might expect to pay.
The Number of Aligners
Many dentists offer a payment plan that lets you pay for your Invisalign treatment in small monthly payments. These plans are often flexible and can be adjusted if your financial situation changes.
Your insurance may cover some of the cost of your Invisalign treatment. This depends on whether your dental insurance policy covers orthodontic treatment or if you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) that allows you to use funds from those accounts for qualified dental expenses.
Your insurance company may also set a lifetime limit on the amount it will pay for your Invisalign treatment. This limit is usually $1,500, but some insurers have a higher limit. The severity of your orthodontic condition can also affect how much your Invisalign treatment costs. More complex cases typically require more aligners and take longer to treat than simple cases. This can significantly increase the overall cost of your Invisalign treatment. Fortunately, you can minimize the amount your Invisalign treatment costs by following all the guidelines laid out by your orthodontist.
The Length of Treatment
The length of time required for Invisalign depends on the severity of your dental issues. For instance, small gaps can close very quickly, but more crowded teeth may require more time to straighten. In addition, certain issues can take longer to correct (such as a severe overbite or a mouth with low bone density that requires a jawbone graft).
Age and compliance also affect the duration of treatment. Teens’ teeth move more quickly than adults’, but consistent compliance with wearing the aligners is the key to keeping your treatment on track. If you frequently remove the aligners or change them out before visiting your orthodontist, it will extend your Invisalign treatment timeline. Likewise, if you skip appointments, this can also significantly increase your treatment time. This is why it’s important to follow your orthodontist’s instructions and schedule your appointments every 4-6 weeks.
The Experience of Your Dentist
Whether you choose to have your Invisalign treatment at a dentist office or a dental school, the quality of the work will depend on the experience of the doctor. Invisalign providers with more experience tend to charge more, says Dr. Eckhardt.
During the course of Invisalign treatment, your dentist will need to make adjustments if your teeth don’t align as expected. These changes are known as Invisalign refinements, and they will add to your overall treatment cost.
Many dental insurance companies cover Invisalign, though coverage varies by plan and region. You can also use a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to pay for Invisalign. These accounts are funded with pretax paycheck deductions and can be used to pay for eligible medical, dental, and orthodontic expenses. You can learn more about this option by speaking with your insurance company or a benefits manager at your employer. You can also find information about Invisalign prices on the websites of various Invisalign providers.
Insurance Coverage
Invisalign is not typically covered by dental insurance, since it is considered a cosmetic procedure. However, some dental insurance plans do have an orthodontic rider that can help cover a portion of the costs. In addition, some medical credit cards and third-party financing companies offer interest-free or low-interest payments on Invisalign treatments.
When shopping for an Invisalign provider, keep in mind that you can often get a more competitive price through dental schools, where student dentists provide treatment under the supervision of experienced orthodontists. These prices are generally 20% to 25% less than a typical practice, says Dr. Eckhardt.
Also, consider checking with your dental insurance company to see if they have a list of providers who are in network for Invisalign. Then, choose an orthodontist that is in your network to receive the best coverage from your insurance plan. Some plans have a maximum amount that they will pay in a year or lifetime for orthodontic services, so it is important to know the details of your specific plan before selecting an Invisalign provider.