For many individuals who are considering the different options that they have for corrective orthodontics, by far the most common questions that they ask will often revolve around the price. What is the cost of Invisalign? Is the Invisalign price significantly different than the cost of braces? What is the average cost of Invisalign and are there things that you can do to help mitigate it? How much do Invisalign cost when compared to the average cost of braces? Is the Invisalign cost in time the same as the braces cost? And how much are Invisalign braces both at the high and low end of an estimate?
These are all fantastic questions and have many varied answers. One thing to bear in mind before even starting is to know that any of the numbers in here should not be taken as the solid answer for everywhere as orthodontics is a very individualized medicine. Your costs may be significantly cheaper or they may be significantly more expensive than average. Only by talking with your orthodontic office will you be able to know for certain which of these would be most affordable for you, both time-wise and monetarily. However, let’s look at this subject with a broad brush.
Invisalign vs braces cost
The first type of Invisalign braces cost that we will be looking at here is of course how much is Invisalign, as this is the one that people most often associate with the cost of braces versus the cost of Invisalign.
Despite the fact that Invisalign does give significantly better aesthetics since it is clear and can actually be removed compared to traditional braces which are mounted to the teeth, the Invisalign braces cost difference on the low end is not significantly more.
On the low end of the scale, Invisalign can potentially cost as little as around $3,000. That may not sound like a little but remember also that metal braces on the low end will also cost about $3,000. So, on the low end of the scale both of them are equally compatible. This can be great for an individual for whom extensive work is not required and so they can easily choose whichever one will best suit their particular needs.
This can be especially true if you find issues early and it is a major reason why individuals should get checkups from their dentist regularly. Meaning regularly with your dentist or orthodontic office can help make sure that any issues that might arise are found quickly. They will always be cheaper to fix on the front end when issues are first identified than after they have been left to get progressively worse. Preventative medicine is the cheapest medicine and that is especially true if it comes to anything like orthodontic work. This low end estimate for braces assumes you are going with traditional metal braces as other types of braces even on their lowest end are more expensive.
Cost of Invisalign vs. Cost of braces Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels
On the higher end of the scale is where things begin to get a little bit different and that is because braces fall into various categories, with the most expensive being lingual braces. These attach to the back of the teeth and they can cost upwards of $10,000, give or take a few thousand. However, traditional metal braces even at their most expensive end usually top out around $5,000.
So depending on the type of braces you get, there could be extreme price differences between the two. Of course there are pros and cons to each of these types of braces which is why people still purchase them. However, the question is how does the high-end estimate of Invisalign stack up against the high-end estimate for these other braces? Invisalign usually on the high-end will run upwards of $7,000. That means that it can on its high estimate be significantly more expensive than traditional metal braces but they would still be more affordable than lingual braces.
Time cost
Not all costs are monetary and some costs do involve the cost of the time involved. Would you rather have your orthodontic treatment be done sooner? Or are you okay with it taking longer? Just like with the monetary question, these are things that you have to ask yourself.
It is important to know that all types of braces whether they are traditional braces, ceramic braces, or lingual braces will almost always be faster than Invisalign. The reason for this is simple and actually goes back to one of the key features of Invisalign itself. Unlike Invisalign, traditional braces mount to the teeth and cannot be removed by the user. This means that you’ll be getting your orthodontic treatment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without interruption or pause, and with no regression.
It allows for a very carefree approach to your orthodontics as you do not need to concern yourself with always remembering to wear them as you always are wearing them. However, this is not the same when it comes to Invisalign which since they can be removed means Invisalign treatments can take longer. This length of treatment can sometimes end up causing longer treatment times simply because individuals do not either wear their Invisalign retainers for the necessary 22 hours per day or potentially damage or lose them when they are out of their mouth.
This of course can cause delays or even a move backwards in treatment. Needless to say, if an individual loses retainers or is not good at wearing them regularly, they will have more expensive and longer treatment times than individuals who went with more traditional braces that did not require as much active oversight.
Furthermore, according to research, braces generally treat malocclusions better than Invisalign (Djeu G et al., 2005). However, Invisalign has its strengths as well, which are important to consider when making your decision.Studies show that Invisalign works great for closing spaces and fixing anterior rotations and marginal ridge heights (Djeu G et al.,2005) Your orthodontist will be able to inform you of which of the two styles will suit your dental needs after an assessment of your mouth.
Regardless of whether you choose to go with the traditional metal braces, lingual braces, ceramic brackets, or Invisalign it’s important to make sure that you consider the cost of time and the monetary costs when it comes to how much is Invisalign.
Talking with your orthodontic office can help you work through these difficult questions and figure out which will be best for you and help you to get that beautiful smile that you deserve.
Once your orthodontist accurately assesses and diagnoses your dental problems, they will be able to prescribe the appropriate management tools (Djeu G et al.,2005).
Summary:
Deciding whether to go with braces or Invisalign for your orthodontic treatment is an important decision and one that you should take seriously. It is important to speak to your orthodontist regarding this decision as he or she will be able to guide you and direct you on what would suit your needs.
It is important that your treatment be comfortable for you, suit your budget, and match your lifestyle as you will be wearing these for the next few months and at least 22 hours per day. The cost is one of the most important considerations when deciding between Invisalign or braces.
In general,Invisalign may cost anywhere from $4,000 to about $8,000. Furthermore, depending on the type of braces you get, these may cost anywhere from $3,000 to about $10,000.There are three main types of braces – traditional metal braces are the most popular and the cheapest and they cost from about $3,000 to about $5,000.
The second type of braces is the ceramic braces which can cost from about $4,000 to $8,000. Finally there are lingual braces which are more expensive and may cost you up to $10,000. It is important to bear in mind that these prices will vary depending on the location of your orthodontic treatment as different states and different offices may charge slightly different prices.
In most cases, you get what you pay for and each of these types of braces and Invisalign have their advantages and disadvantages. It is important for you to do your research and speak to your orthodontist near me to choose the treatment that is most suitable for you – and your budget.
Reference:
Djeu, G., Shelton, C., & Maganzini, A. L. (2005). Outcome assessment of Invisalign and traditional orthodontic treatment compared with the American Board of Orthodontic objective grading system. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 128(3), 292-298. Retrieved April 23, 2021, from 10.1016/j.ajodo.2005.06.002
