Can You Afford Invisalign?

Invisalign Intro

You’re probably familiar with the old-fashioned braces people have used for ages to straighten their teeth, but Invisalign may be a bit of a foreign concept. As its name suggests, Invisalign is a form of clear braces that align your teeth. To get a quick mental picture, think of a mouthguard football players wear, only Invisalign is completely clear and molded to fit your mouth.

Like braces, Invisalign’s clear aligners put pressure on your teeth. Over time, this slowly moves them into the desired position, so you not only have straight teeth and a beautiful smile, but you can also enjoy better dental health via easier cleaning.

Invisalign doesn’t stay stuck to your teeth 24/7 like braces. Instead, you can remove the aligner when you’re brushing or flossing, or you need to eat. To get the best results, expect to have the aligner on your teeth for around 20 to 22 hours per day. There will be multiple aligners as well that you’ll change out every week or so. Each will be shaped slightly differently to keep your teeth moving in the desired direction.

The Cost of Invisalign

The average Invisalign treatment can run from $3,000 to $9,000. Why such the wide spread? Because there are several factors to consider that can vary the cost, such as:

• Where you live.
• The type of doctor you use – either dentist or orthodontist.
• Your doctor’s experience level.
• Your overall oral health.
• The severity of the problem that needs correcting.
• The length of treatment.

In short, the bigger the problem, the higher the cost. To get a better idea of what your treatment would cost, consult a local dentist.

How To Pay for Invisalign

Even on the low end, Invisalign isn’t cheap. As such, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of fixing your teeth versus letting them be, especially if you’re short on cash.

Here are some options to pay for your Invisalign treatment:

• Dental school – You may be able to get a significant discount by getting the work done at a dental school by a student. Don’t worry about the safety aspect, as they’ll be under the supervision of a professional.
• Payment plan – Since most people don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on their teeth, it’s great to know that many dentists offer payment plans for Invisalign.
• Zero-interest credit card – If payment plans aren’t an option, you could make your own with a no-interest credit card. Be sure to pay off the entire amount before that introductory rate ends so you can avoid interest. As always, read the fine print.
• HSA (Health Savings Accounts) – These take out a portion of your salary and set it aside for healthcare.
• FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts) – Like HSAs, these set aside some of your salary for healthcare costs.
• CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) – You could get help from the government to pay for your child’s Invisalign if it’s negatively impacting their health.