What is Invisalign?
A smile is the first thing someone can notice about you! Having crooked teeth or being self-conscious about one’s smile can be incredibly difficult and can lead to feelings of anxiety.
Many individuals have turned to Invisalign for help with straightening their less than perfect smiles. Invisalign is a clear retainer that one would wear to straighten their teeth. Invisalign works gradually, and straightens teeth over time. A huge advantage to Invisalign over braces is that these clear aligners can be removed!
Invisalign is built for kids, teens and adults alike. According to Orthodontics Limited, 1 in every 5 orthodontic patients is in adulthood. With Invisalign, patients are able to straighten their teeth in a discrete manner.
With any type of dental care, there are associated costs. Understanding the full scope of these costs, and the different ways in which you can tackle them is the first step towards success!
What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?
There are many benefits to straightening your teeth with Invisalign. Some of the benefits of Invisalign include:
- Fast Results
- Comfort
- Efficient Treatment Plan
While Invisalign has benefits for your smile and overall oral health, the process of moving and adjusting your teeth can be uncomfortable and time consuming. In general, the average Invisalign treatment time is several months shorter than braces treatment time. While fixing your smile can be well worth it, this is usually a process people want to expedite.
Invisalign requires dedication in the sense that individuals need to wear their retainers 20 to 22 hours per day in order to achieve the best results. While these retainers can be removed, it is also important that they remain in place so they can do their work!
While the benefits of Invisalign are vast, there is also a significant cost that comes along with this process. Several factors that can affect the cost of your orthodontic treatment, but there are also ways to plan for this expense to make it an attainable short or long term financial goal.
Is Invisalign Cheaper than Braces?
The cost of orthodontic care can vary greatly depending on various factors. The state of your teeth, age, location and individual orthodontist are all factors that play into the cost of dental care.
In particular, the level of treatment that you require can heavily influence the cost of your Invisalign or braces. If you have a severe alignment or bite issue that needs fixed, this will result in a longer treatment period and therefore a higher price tag.
Traditional metal braces can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000. With Invisalign, the cost depends far more on the complexity of the case, with prices ranging from $1,200 to $8,000 for severe cases.
When it comes to insurance, Invisalign is similar to braces in the sense that some insurance companies will cover part of the cost of Invisalign. However, there are many insurance plans that do not cover this cost. Contact your individual insurance provider for more specific clarification on the types of dental work that they will cover.
In addition, your individual dentist may offer a payment plan or other financing option. This is a great option to explore, and can help you to pay for this expense gradually over time.
How Much Should I Budget for Invisalign?
While Invisalign can range several thousands of dollars depending on your treatment needs, it is undeniable that even a $1,200 expense is a significant amount of money. Planning ahead is key. If you feel as though you may want to get Invisalign, start planning this process early.
Once you know about how much you need to set aside for your individual treatment plan, you can begin slowly chipping away at the expense. Consider taking a small amount of money out of each paycheck and putting it in another account in order to save up enough money to complete your treatments.
If you want to speed up this process, you could also find another source of income and designate the funds towards your Invisalign. With this plan, you will not need to worry about reallocating funds from your paycheck.
How Can I Pay for Invisalign?
If you have decided that Invisalign is right for you and can help you straighten your smile, there are a variety of ways that you can make this dream a reality. As previously discussed, your dental insurance may cover a portion of this cost. In addition, you should also check and see if your individual dentist can help with financing options!
Other options to finance Invisalign include:
- Health Savings Account (HSA Account): An HSA or health savings account is an account in which individuals contribute money (tax-free) that can be used on qualified medical expenses. Typically, these accounts need to be utilized within a certain time frame.
- Health Credit Cards: Some medical offices will offer deals with credit cards that are approved for medical expenses. A huge benefit to this type of credit card is there is usually no interest (or a very low interest amount) if they are paid within a certain time frame. While you have the option to keep making timely payments over a longer period, the interest rate typically increases by a significant amount over a period of time.
- Personal or Title Loans: Taking a personal loan or a title loan is another way to finance personal expenses. Personal loans from a bank or credit union typically require a higher credit score, but online car title loans can be a lot more flexible.
- Personal Credit Cards: If you have a personal credit card, you also have the option to utilize that for this type of expense. Make sure that you are aware of your credit card’s credit limit and interest rate before placing any large expense on your credit card.
Another good tip is to search for any special or promotional offers! Stay up to date with communication from your dental office or inquire with the office if there are any times of the year that they run sales or promotions.
Selecting the best option for you and your dental health requires careful research and planning. Once you determine your dental needs, goals and budget, you can start taking steps towards the smile of your dreams!
