If you’re looking to straighten your teeth but don’t want braces, Invisalign is a great option. Invisalign allows patients to get the smile they’ve always desired, but how much does it cost?
In this article, we’ll discuss Invisalign, various factors that can impact treatment costs, and more.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign clear teeth aligners are customised plastic braces that gradually straighten your teeth without wire or metal. They’re barely visible when worn, removable, and won’t get in the way of eating, brushing, or flossing your teeth! Invisalign is not only for teeth straightening; it can also help with common bite problems, such as crossbites, underbites, or overbites.
What is the Invisalign treatment process?
Below is the step-by-step process of Invisalign treatment.
1. Custom treatment plan
The first step to getting Invisalign is partnering with a dentist to come up with a personalised treatment plan. An advantage of invisible aligners is that they are bespoke and created specifically for the patient’s mouth, requirements and desires. To get a comprehensive view of your mouth, your dentist will take moulded impressions, X-rays, and digital images.
After that, Invisalign’s dental laboratory creates the aligners. They use designated software to estimate how the patient’s teeth will move over time, permitting them to make a complete set of Invisalign. The laboratory will take a few weeks to design the custom-fitted aligners for the patient.
2. Wearing Invisalign
After the Invisalign braces have been created, the patient returns to their dentist for further instruction. The dentist will go over how to wear Invisalign properly each day and address recommendations and expectations. This is so that the patient has a clear understanding of how it works before treatment begins. Dentists recommend that patients wear Invisalign for at least 23 hours out of the day to maintain optimal treatment effectiveness. Aligners should only be removed during dental hygiene or meals and put back in as soon as possible afterwards.
3. Adjustments
The next phase of Invisalign is adjustments. Much like normal braces, Invisalign needs regular adjustments with the dentist. Adjusting Invisalign trays is easier than adjusting braces. The next set of aligners will be administered by the dentist, instead of having brackets and wires tightened. Your dentist will throw away the old aligners and put the next set in their place.
4. Retainers
Dentists highly recommend that patients wear a retainer after Invisalign treatment to keep teeth from reverting to their original position. Retainers are often only worn at night when the patient is asleep. In some cases, they can be permanently cemented into place.
So how much does Invisalign cost?
In Australia, on average, the cost of Invisalign starts from $6000. The cost of your treatment will depend on the specific plan needed to achieve your desired results.
Factors that affect the Invisalign cost
Invisalign has many price-affecting factors, so the final cost can fluctuate significantly.
1. Condition complexity
Invisalign can address almost all jaw and dental misalignment concerns. Because with Invisalign, you regularly visit your dentist, who can adjust your treatment plan as required and supplement your aligners with attachments to help facilitate more complex teeth movements. More intense dental problems usually take more time and resources to fix, costing your dentist -and subsequently you- more money.
2. Dentist’s expertise
More experienced and in-demand dentists can charge higher prices. Although dental practices with wider reputations may charge higher fees, you can take solace in the knowledge that your smile is being entrusted to a reliable dental practitioner.
3. Aftercare retainers
Even after your smile is transformed with aligners, you will need to wear retainers for preventive care. This is because teeth have a tendency to shift back into place even after they have been removed. Because of this, your dentist will probably suggest wearing aftercare retainers for the remainder of the day and even while you sleep. This way, you can stop your teeth from naturally shifting.
4. Refinements
Although Invisalign treatments offer the expected results most of the time, some issues may arise. These could include teeth moving slower than planned or not looking as they should on the original plan. In these instances, your dentist can provide you with new aligners that are customised to help refine your smile. This is why it’s essential to see your dentist regularly so they can keep track of your progress and make any necessary adjustments along the way.
Is the Invisalign cost worth it?
If you’re looking to straighten your teeth but don’t want traditional braces, Invisalign is a great alternative that is definitely worth the cost.
With removable aligners, you can eat your favourite foods and not worry about how long it will take to cleanse your teeth after. Also, if you have an event coming up and don’t want to wear your aligner for a few hours, that’s perfectly okay!
While wearing metal braces, you must be careful with your diet and avoid sticky and chewy foods like gum, taffy, and corn on the cob. Because metal braces need to be regularly tightened, this can be painful and leave your mouth sore for a few days.
Invisalign aligners are generally much more comfortable than conventional braces because the force used to move your teeth is gentle.
With Invisalign, you don’t have to worry about how clean they are–they’re quick and easy to clean. Also, since you get a new aligner every other week, Invisalign is very sanitary.
With Invisalign, you won’t have to worry about your aligners being uncomfortable and fitting poorly. That’s because every Invisalign aligner is made with highly advanced 3D computer-imaging technology that creates a perfect custom fit for your mouth.
Who is Invisalign suitable for?
Patients who want to boost their smile or arrange their teeth in a more orderly fashion can do so with Invisalign.
- Adults: More and more adults are opting for corrective dental work, allowing them to control their health. Invisalign is ideal for those who want a flexible alignment procedure that helps to achieve an enhanced smile without using highly-visible traditional metal braces.
- Teens: Invisalign is an effective way to fix common dental issues teenagers frequently experience. Instead of using conventional braces’ metal wires and brackets, Invisalign braces utilise clear aligners to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing smile while maintaining improved oral health. This is particularly useful for teenage patients as their self-consciousness levels are often heightened during these years. Invisalign is ideal for teenagers who want to straighten their teeth easily and quickly.
If you require corrective dental work on the back teeth, Invisalign may not be the best option. For a professional evaluation of your suitability for Invisalign treatment, kindly contact My Local Dentists.
Does private health insurance cover Invisalign?
If you have orthodontic coverage in your insurance policy, Invisalign is likely to be covered to the same extent as traditional braces. Although Invisalign is typically used for a complete orthodontic treatment, each patient’s health insurance policy may cover a different amount. Consequently, patients need to check with their health insurance provider before beginning treatment.
Get affordable Invisalign treatment at My Local Dentists
The first step to getting Invisalign and learning its budget is booking a consultation with My Local Dentists. We will provide you with a detailed cost breakdown of how much Invisalign would cost, and we will also let you know if the treatment is right for you during your appointment.
Don’t wait any longer; contact us today!
References
Invisalign
https://www.smile.com.au/dental-treatments/invisalign-cost
What to Know About Invisalign and Its Effectiveness
https://www.healthline.com/health/does-invisalign-work