Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment that uses clear, removable aligners to gradually move your teeth into the desired position. Invisalign treatment offers a number of advantages over other orthodontics, but can vary in cost based on different personal circumstances. To help you understand, this is our guide to the Invisalign cost and the factors that play a role.
Cost of Invisalign
The average cost of Invisalign varies based on a number of factors, but typically comes in between $6000 and $9000. For the least severe cases — including Invisalign for small gaps and minor straightening — costs could be as low as $1800. However, the most severe cases may exceed $9000, requiring more aligner trays and more visits to the orthodontist.
Factors affecting the cost of Invisalign
Invisalign treatment has no fixed cost, and the average price of Invisalign will vary based on treatment needs. It will come down to each patient’s individual circumstances. After an initial consultation, your orthodontist will provide an accurate idea of your treatment timeline and potential Invisalign costs. These are the main factors that play a role in cost.
Complexity of treatment
More complex and severe cases will require a longer treatment as the teeth take longer to reach the correct position. Longer treatments also require more aligner trays, as they are usually replaced every 1-2 weeks. The average patient will go through between 20 and 30 Invisalign trays in their course of treatment. However, for severe issues like overcrowding and large gaps, patients may require up to 50 or 80 trays.
Treatment duration
The average Invisalign treatment process is around 12 months, but cases can range from anywhere between 6 to 18 months. Extremely complex cases may require longer, but dental professionals will often recommend a different treatment in this case. Longer treatments will entail a higher cost, and will involve more visits to the dentist to continue evaluating progress.
Professional expertise
Variations in price between different dental practices can indicate levels of expertise. Experienced Invisalign providers often charge more, but guarantee an exceptional standard of care. Heavily discounted or cheap Invisalign deals may be a sign that the dentist is less experienced. At Oakleigh, we are a certified Platinum Invisalign provider.
Cost of Invisalign vs braces
Invisalign’s primary competitor for teeth straightening is braces. The overall cost of Invisalign may be slightly higher, but it comes with benefits that braces lack, including a discreet appearance and removability. Additionally, Invisalign typically requires fewer dental visits compared to braces.
Traditional braces are generally more affordable and may be a better option for complex or severe orthodontic cases. Their fixed positioning makes them better suited to treating complex issues, and they are more cost effective for these situations. A consultation with your dentist will help them provide a pricing estimate for both treatments depending on your needs, ensuring you can make the most informed decision.
Does private health cover Invisalign?
While private health insurance can help cover the cost of a variety of general dental treatments, orthodontic treatments are not often included as standard. You may need to purchase further extras cover — or a dental-specific insurance policy — to receive cover for orthodontics. If you are considering any cover or insurance plan, make sure to clarify whether orthodontics are included, or if there is any way to have it added.
It’s also worth noting that many insurance policies will include a waiting period before you can make a claim on orthodontic services. In this case, you will have to pay out of pocket if you want to receive Invisalign prior to the waiting period, which is worth keeping in mind. Unfortunately, Invisalign is not covered by the Australian Government’s medical insurance scheme Medicare.
Invisalign payment plans
Many practices allow their patients to go on a payment plan instead of paying for their entire Invisalign treatment at once in full. This helps to make Invisalign a more accessible treatment course so that more people can choose it. Some providers may also opt to allow treatment to be paid with Buy Now, Pay Later services like AfterPay or Zip Pay.
At Oakleigh, we offer monthly payment plans to ensure our patients can make the best possible choice for their orthodontic treatment with less worries. Payment plans involve paying an initial deposit, and paying the rest of the costs over a period of 6-18 months. These payment plans are interest free. If you are interested in our payment plan options, you can discuss with us and we can help create a suitable plan for you.
Is Invisalign worth it?
It all depends on your individual circumstances, but we largely believe that Invisalign is a good investment for eligible patients. Due to the near-invisibility of the aligners, you are paying for both the treatment itself and the discreet comfort it offers. The other major benefit is its removability, which makes the aligner trays much easier to clean and maintain, and ensures there are fewer restrictions around your eating and daily habits compared to fixed orthodontics.
Invisalign is known to be a very effective orthodontic treatment for appropriate cases of mild to moderate misalignment. Severe cases may be better treated by fixed orthodontics like braces, but for those who can receive Invisalign, it is a proven effective treatment option. Read more on Invisalign vs Braces if you’d like to learn more about the differences between the two treatment options.
Exceptional Invisalign in Melbourne
At Oakleigh, we are committed to helping you restore your smile and treat any dental issues. If you are interested in exploring how Invisalign could benefit your teeth, book a consultation with us and we can assess how best to help you. We’re always here to help you smile.
