5 Invisalign Cost Factors You Should Know About
The Cosmetic Dentistry Institute, located in Troy, MI, takes great pride in providing exceptional dental care. With award-winning cosmetic care in a spa-like atmosphere, it’s no wonder why patients from the Birmingham and Bloomfield areas come to our clinic in search of quality orthodontics, like Invisalign®.
It’s natural for patients to ask how much Invisalign costs, but the answer isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. That’s why our knowledgeable team is here to discuss five factors that can dramatically impact your total Invisalign cost.
Average Cost of Invisalign
On average, patients can expect to pay between $3,000 and $7,000 for Invisalign treatment. However, this figure is subject to change based on several factors, including:
- Your age
- The complexity of your case
- Treatment compliance
- Doctor expertise and location
- Oral hygiene and maintenance
Age
It’s common for dental professionals to encourage smile-correcting treatments for kids and teens. This is because children are still growing, which generally makes Invisalign treatment faster and more efficient for kids, adolescents, and teenagers when compared to full-grown adults.
As we get older, it takes more time to move teeth into proper alignment. And, when it comes to Invisalign treatment, more time means more money out of your pocket.
Case Complexity
In general, most mild to moderate misalignments can take 6-12 months to fix. More severe cases, however, can take two years to correct, sometimes longer.
The additional time and materials that our Troy dentists need to facilitate complex misalignments only add to patients’ total Invisalign costs. In some cases, we may recommend an alternative treatment if it means faster results at less expense to you.
Treatment Compliance
Patients must wear their Invisalign clear aligners for 20-22 hours a day. Failure to wear aligners for the recommended amount of time may add considerable length to your treatment plan.
Furthermore, patients must replace their clear aligners every week or two according to their specific treatment plan. Neglecting the natural progression of your treatment plan will effectively halt your progress and delay your anticipated results.
Doctor Expertise and Location
Your geographic location is a little-known Invisalign cost factor. Generally, dentists in suburban areas charge the most for Invisalign treatment, followed by rural and urban dentists, respectively.
However, Invisalign incentivizes dentists to provide clear aligners by using a point system. The more Invisalign cases a dentist has, the more points they receive. These points lead to discounted materials and lab fees, which can help counteract geo-financial cost factors.
Oral Hygiene and Maintenance
Patients with Invisalign must continue to brush and floss daily. Otherwise, plaque and bacteria get trapped between the clear aligners and teeth, leading to cavities, infections, and gum disease. These conditions may preclude you from wearing your aligners for the prescribed amount of time, which adds to your total treatment timeline.
Additionally, a newly-corrected smile requires maintenance. Retainers help keep your new smile straight, but it is an added cost that many patients fail to account for or budget.
Schedule Your Invisalign Consultation Today
Understanding the financial and time commitments involved with Invisalign is key to a successful treatment. If you’re ready to explore your candidacy, then contact the Cosmetic Dentistry Institute today. New and existing patients can request a consultation online here, or they may call our Troy dental office at (248) 519-1919.
