Invisalign vs Braces Cost Comparison - Which Is More Affordable?

Cost Comparison: Invisalign vs Braces

When considering options to straighten your teeth, two of the most popular methods are Invisalign and traditional braces. Both can effectively align and straighten teeth when performed by a skilled orthodontist, but they differ significantly in approach, cost, and lifestyle impact.

Upfront Costs

In general, Invisalign costs more upfront compared to braces. The average nationwide cost of Invisalign treatment ranges from $3,000 to $8,000, while braces cost between $3,000 and $7,000 on average. However, costs vary significantly depending on your specific orthodontic needs and treatment plan complexity designed by your orthodontist.

Types of Braces

With braces, the specific type you get determines the cost. Traditional metal braces made of stainless steel tend to be the most affordable option, costing between $3,000-$5,000. Ceramic and lingual braces, which are less visible, cost more - from $4,000-$8,000 on average.

Treatment Length

Treatment time also impacts overall cost for both braces and Invisalign. The average braces treatment takes 24 months. Invisalign treatment is usually shorter, averaging between 12-18 months. Fewer months of treatment means fewer adjustment appointments to pay for and lower overall costs. However, treatment length can vary considerably between patients.

Breaking Down Invisalign Costs

When looking at Invisalign vs braces cost, it's important to understand exactly what makes up those costs. An Invisalign treatment plan includes more than just the clear aligners.

Initial Orthodontic Work

Before receiving your custom aligners, most patients need preliminary orthodontic work like spacers or teeth extractions. These initial costs may add between $100-$500 to your total treatment cost depending on your specific needs.

Impression and Scan

During your first appointment, your orthodontist will take x-rays of your teeth and detailed digital scans or impressions. These are used to create your unique 3D-printed Invisalign aligners. This process costs between $100-$500.

Aligners

The aligners themselves make up the bulk of Invisalign costs. Each set costs approximately $125-$225 or more. Most treatment plans require between 20-30 sets throughout the full treatment. So at $150 per set, 30 sets of aligners would cost $4,500.

Appointments & Adjustments

Throughout treatment, youll need regular appointments (usually every 4-8 weeks) to check progress and ensure the aligners are fitting and working properly. Each visit costs around $100. With treatment lasting 12-18 months on average, youll likely have 10-15 adjustment visits adding $1,000-$1,500 to your total Invisalign investment.

Retainers

After your aligners, you'll need retainers to keep your teeth in position. Invisalign retainers cost around $500. You may need several sets if you lose or break them over the years after treatment.

What Impacts Braces Pricing?

Similar factors determine the overall investment for traditional braces. However, adjustability throughout the process means costs are slightly less predictable.

Consultation & Records

The initial orthodontic examination, scans, x-rays and treatment plan detail likely cost $200-$500, similar to Invisalign. However, because braces are adjusted over time, you may need updated records periodically at added cost.

Braces Application

Getting the braces applied costs approximately $1,000 including the brackets, bands and initial wires. Ceramic or lingual braces have more customized brackets and specialty materials, increasing the upfront cost.

Ongoing Adjustments

Throughout treatment, brackets may need replacement or additional wires added to achieve the desired adjustment. Each visit ranges from $100-$250. Treatment length impacts overall cost, but adjustments are less predictable than with Invisalign.

Other Dental Work

Some patients need preliminary or concurrent dental work like tooth extractions, fillings or spacers when getting braces. These additional costs may add a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on extent.

Retention

After braces come off, retainers help keep teeth in proper position. Traditional wire or plastic retainers cost $100-$400 on average. As with Invisalign, replacing lost or broken retainers adds cost over time.

Key Factors Affecting Overall Cost

For both Invisalign and traditional braces, several factors impact overall cost:

Extent of Correction Needed

How much adjustment your teeth require directly impacts treatment length and number of aligners or adjustments needed. Slight alignment may cost as little as $3,000, while reshapeing bites or closing gaps costs closer to $8,000 for either treatment type.

Type of Dental Professional

An orthodontist specializes in repositioning teeth and other orthodontic work. This expertise comes at a cost. Seeing an orthodontist for Invisalign or braces costs 20-30% more on average than seeing a general dentist.

Geographic Location

Considerable price variation exists across different areas of the country. Larger metro areas like New York and San Francisco have the highest costs for either braces or Invisalign. More rural areas offer significant savings - but may have fewer specialist options.

Payment Options

Helping alleviate some sticker shock, many dental offices offer flexible financing or payment plans to better fit orthodontic treatment into your budget.

Dental Insurance

Many dental insurance plans provide some orthodontic coverage - usually a maximum benefit of $1,500-$3,000. This helps offset both Invisalign and braces costs. Just be sure to verify details of your plans orthodontic coverage beforehand.

Special Financing

Whether providing braces or Invisalign treatment, many orthodontic practices offer their own financing options. These typically have 0% intro APR periods allowing you to pay over 6-12 months or even longer without racking up interest initially.

Medical Credit Cards

Cards like CareCredit provide medical financing with deferred or promotional interest rates. However, you need to ensure on-time minimum payments to avoid eventually owing back-interest.

FSA & HSA Accounts

If you have a flexible savings account through your employer, you can set aside pre-tax money to pay for medical expenses like orthodontic treatment with pre-tax money.

Is Invisalign or Braces More Cost Effective?

With both providing similar, but not identical, corrections - is Invisalign or braces ultimately more cost efficient? Each has pros and cons.

Benefits of Invisalign

• Higher initial cost, but shorter average treatment time can balance out overall investment
• More predictable pricing with set number of aligner trays from start to finish
• Covered by some dental insurance and FSA/HSA accounts
• Can initially defer some costs through payment plans

Benefits of Braces

• Adjustability means only pay for necessary adjustments visit-to-visit
• Covered by more dental insurance plans
• Typically lower initial cost to get started
• Can access same payment deferrals as Invisalign through practice financing

When considering your options, have an open discussion with your orthodontist about both treatment approaches, expected timelines and costs. Get a detailed treatment plan and pricing estimate before committing. This allows you to make the most informed decision between braces vs. Invisalign for your situation.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.