While a perfectly straight smile is the ideal, there are very few people in the world who have one. Almost everyone has at least a minor tooth misalignment. For many years, the primary treatment was traditional metal braces. While effective, traditional braces could be painful, and treatment could last for up to 3 years.
In the late 1990s, a new treatment received approval from the FDA: Invisalign clear aligners. This treatment soared in popularity because it was more comfortable and discreet than traditional methods.
The team at Calm Dental in Los Angeles, CA strives to stay up-to-date with the latest in dental technology, including Invisalign clear aligners. In this article, we’ll discuss the average cost of Invisalign treatment, as well as the factors that influence the cost.
Invisalign treatment consists of a series of clear aligners designed to put even pressure across the entire arch to push teeth into their appropriate position. Treatment starts with a consultation, during which digital images will be taken of your teeth. These images will be used to fabricate your custom-fitted aligners.
Typically, treatment consists of 5 or more aligners. Each should be worn for approximately 1 to 3 weeks, depending on your treatment plan. Your progress will be evaluated every few weeks to determine if your teeth are moving as expected or if an alteration in your plan needs to be made. At the conclusion of your treatment, you will be given a retainer to wear, which will keep your teeth in their new position.
The effectiveness of Invisalign depends a lot on compliance. The aligners should be worn for at least 20 hours a day, preferably more. They should only be removed when eating or when brushing/flossing teeth. They should be rinsed when being taken out and prior to being put back in and make sure to rinse your mouth well before putting aligners back in, as food debris can stain or damage them.
The average cost of Invisalign treatment ranges from around $1,200 to $8,000. This depends on several factors including:
The primary influencing factor on the cost of your Invisalign treatment is the type and severity of your misalignment. This is because these are the factors that determine how many aligners you need and how long treatment will take.
Patients who have very mild malocclusion will only need a few aligners, so treatment will take less materials and time. On the other hand, patients with severe malocclusion will need a lot of aligners, which requires more materials and time.
Another factor that influences the cost of Invisalign treatment is the experience and expertise of the dentist. Some dentists are named Diamond Providers for Invisalign due to their experience and how many cases they have completed. These dentists will often charge higher fees for their services than one that is just starting out.
There are several different package types available based on the type and severity of your malocclusion.
Invisalign Full, also known as Invisalign Comprehensive, is reserved for the most severe cases. This package offers unlimited aligners for $4,500 to $8,000. Invisalign Lite, on the other hand, is for mild to moderate cases. This package offers up to 14 aligners for $3,000 to $4,500.
Invisalign Express is reserved for very mild to mild cases and features two options: up to 5 aligners and up to 7 aligners. The price range for this package is $1,200 to $2,000.
Invisalign Teen offers the same basic options as standard treatment. The primary difference between Teen and Standard is the inclusion of little blue dots, which are designed to fade over time when the aligners are being worn. While not a fail-safe, this does give parents/caregivers peace of mind that the aligners are being worn.
If you have dental insurance, our office staff will work with your provider to determine your coverage options. Many companies now acknowledge the benefits of Invisalign over other methods, so they will often cover a portion of treatment.
However, if you do not have insurance or if your provider does not recognize Invisalign as a viable treatment option, we offer financing through CareCredit. This will allow you to divide the fee into smaller, more manageable payments. Some patients qualify for low- or no-interest plans.
If your teeth are not as straight as you’d like, schedule your Invisalign consultation with the team at Calm Dental today. We would love to work with you to create your perfect smile. We will take the time to get to know you and help you understand how treatment should progress.
We are located on South Olive Street in Los Angeles. Our office hours are Monday – Friday from 8:40 AM to 6:00 PM.
The team at Calm Dental believes in the importance of understanding recommended procedures. Therefore, we are here to address your questions/concerns at any time. We look forward to helping you create the smile you’ve always dreamed of with our orthodontic treatments. Below are a few of the questions that we are asked about Invisalign treatment.
In most cases, Invisalign treatment is comparable to traditional braces. However, if you have a very mild to mild misalignment, your treatment could be on the lower end of the cost spectrum.
Invisalign aligners are designed to push the teeth from their current position, so some discomfort can be expected. However, treatment should never be painful. If you are experiencing extreme pain, alert your dental team- there could be an issue.
Yes, Invisalign aligners are designed to be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day. The only time they should be removed is to eat and to brush/floss your teeth.
