Over the last few decades, the choices available to improve dental health have drastically shifted. Before, the only option most people had was shiny, sharp metal braces that were bonded to their teeth and left them self-conscious due to their appearance. Nowadays, those seeking assistance fixing issues with their teeth can use clear aligners that are much more comfortable and can generally remain hidden from the naked eye.
But what exactly does this type of teeth therapy do, and how much do clear aligners cost? The answer to that question will vary depending on what you need done. Let’s look closer at the cost of clear aligners and their accompanying materials.
Unveiling the Cost of Clear Aligners: A Breakdown
Clear aligner’s price ranges vary dramatically, from as low as $2,050 to as high as $7,400. According to the Consumer Guide for Dentistry, the national average is $3,000–5,000. What exactly causes the variation? The cost reflects factors like how severe the problem you need fixed is and where you live. Other factors affecting the price include how many aligners you get, the type, brand, practice operating costs, dentist’s expertise, and aftercare.
Treatment complexity
Only some people will be good candidates for clear aligner treatments, as they’re meant to fix minor dental issues. More significant issues like malocclusion (crooked teeth), eroded teeth, or severe overbites will most likely not benefit from using clear aligners. This is partly because more severe problems take longer to complete the transformation process, and clear aligners are not meant to be worn long-term. In contrast, more minor issues like closing a gap may benefit greatly as the timeline is shorter.
Number of aligners
This could also be understood as how long you’ll require treatment. The more complex your case is, the more aligners you’ll need and the longer it will take to complete the straightening process. Naturally, the longer it takes, the more you can expect to pay. Some companies will require extra fees if you need more trays than expected.
Brand
Some brands may charge more for their product than others, even though they practically provide the same thing. Each brand has a different cost and may only accept some payment types. Popular at-home clear aligners include NewSmile, Byte, ClearCorrect, Candid, Alignerco, Invisalign, SureSmile, and Impress.
Aligner type
Some teeth straightening aligner companies may use more expensive polymers or equipment in their products, which increases prices. The three most common types of aligners are Invisalign, 3M Clarity aligners, and Clear Correct (the last two are only available through a dentist or orthodontist). Additionally, one type of clear aligner may be thinner than another, which also affects the price, as less material is used.
Geographic location
The question, “How much are clear aligners?” can partially be answered by examining your geographic location. Factors like the cost of living (CoL) and the availability of dental insurance in your area will impact the cost of clear aligners. The higher your CoL, the more you can expect to pay for aligners.
Aftercare
Once you’ve used all of the trays in the series, you’ve completed the process. However, you still have to keep up with your dental care. If you don’t do so properly, your teeth may shift back to their original position, which you don’t want. To prevent this, you’ll have to wear an all-day aligner and, eventually, just a nighttime aligner. Retainers typically cost a few hundred dollars, depending on the provider.
Dentist expertise
If you have fewer options for your dentistry needs, the cost of aligners will be higher. Likewise, your provider’s skill and experience will influence pricing. More experienced providers typically charge higher prices, while less experienced providers may lower their fees to attract patients.
Operating costs
How much it costs to operate the dental office may also affect the price. It costs the practice to purchase the supplies and materials for clear aligners, so they may recuperate some of the costs when charging you for their service.
When asking your dentist, “How much are clear aligners for teeth?” remember the answer changes on a case-by-case basis. There is no singular price.
Clear Aligners and Insurance
An essential factor to consider when thinking about addressing your dental concerns is how much clear aligners cost with insurance. Depending on the amount and type of coverage you have, you could save a bundle when going through your insurance.
There are two different kinds of insurance relating to oral care: dental insurance and orthodontic coverage. The former covers routine procedures to keep your teeth healthy and functional, while orthodontic coverage is for structural and physical issues that require a more in-depth look. Orthodontic coverage may also be called full coverage dental insurance, including braces or aligners, while standard dental plans may not.
Clear aligners with dental insurance
Dental care plans have complete, partial, or no coverage for orthodontic needs, which is what clear aligners are considered. Some dental insurance plans offer full coverage for treatments for people under 18 for clear aligners. Others may leave you responsible for paying a partial amount. If your plan has a high deductible but doesn’t cover orthodontic treatment, you can use a health savings account (HSA) or flex spending account (FSA) to pay for it. Generally, most adult orthodontic treatments won’t be covered.
Clear aligners with orthodontic coverage
If orthodontic coverage is not already included in your insurance plan, you can pay for it separately, and even then, you’ll want to verify that it includes clear aligners. Be sure to specifically ask, “Are clear aligners covered by insurance?” Coverage like this can save you money, but it’ll also cost you more monthly than regular dental insurance. Orthodontic coverage plans may have longer waiting periods and coverage limits (i.e., 50% of the total cost). This kind of plan covers procedures related to teeth and jaw alignments and is generally called an “add-on.”
When selecting an oral care plan, you must ensure it includes the services you need and has the maximum benefit required to complete your orthodontic treatment. Call your dentist to set up a consultation to determine whether your clear aligners are covered by insurance. Remember that the cost of clear aligners with insurance will vary depending on your chosen brand and your dentist or orthodontist’s expertise.
Beyond the Price: The Value of Clear Aligners
If you want to improve your oral health, clear aligners are a great option. They offer many advantages compared to regular braces, even though those are still a good choice. The value of clear aligners goes far beyond their pricing. Benefits of clear aligners include:
- Aesthetics
One of the best features of this type of aligners is that they’re practically invisible. Clear aligners are usually made of translucent BPA-free plastic, making them less noticeable than other methods. This is a massive benefit for those who are self-conscious about traditional braces’ look. - Comfort
Clear aligners are specially designed for each person to fit their mouth and minimize discomfort. Traditional braces are uncomfortable due to their sharp metal materials, which can rip up the mouth’s interior. Clear aligners have no metal wires or brackets, making wearing them a more pleasant experience. Instead, these aligners are made of transparent plastic trays that gradually apply pressure to shift teeth into the correct place over time. - Improved oral hygiene
A huge benefit of clear aligners is that they are removable, allowing for better oral hygiene than other teeth straightening methods. Fixed braces make brushing and flossing difficult and can get food particles stuck in them. You can maintain a more effective oral hygiene routine by removing clear aligners before you eat or drink. You’ll take out the aligners to clean them each day. You will only wear each set for two weeks before switching them out, minimizing the amount of bacteria growth. - Freedom to eat what you want
Because they’re removable, you don’t have any food restrictions. You can eat whatever you want without worrying about breaking wires or particles lodged in your braces brackets. Just brush and floss thoroughly before putting the aligners back in. - Treatment time and flexibility
This therapy has an accelerated timeline compared to other teeth straightening methods. Traditional braces require users to wear them for years, while aligners, depending on how severe your dental problems are, only need about a year of wear. Clear aligners push teeth into precise positions to reduce treatment time and don’t require as frequent visits to the dentist or orthodontist. Aligners are an excellent option for those who do not want to spend years fixing their teeth or have a busy lifestyle.
Tips for Wearing Clear Aligners
Getting used to wearing clear aligners will take some time, but it will be well worth it. On your journey to a straighter smile and improved self-confidence, consider talking with people who have worn or do wear clear aligners, as they may be able to offer you valuable tips. Until then, review our tips for wearing clear aligners.
- Only drink water with your aligners in. Other liquids may stain your aligners and cause cavities to develop.
- Once removed, be sure to put your clear aligners in their case. Don’t put them in napkins, a pocket, or a purse.
- Clean your aligners each day. NEVER wash them with hot water as it could warp them.
- Always brush your teeth after eating or drinking. Don’t reinsert your aligners until you do.
- Keep them out of the reach of pets and children.
- Wear your aligners for at least 20 hours daily for optimal results to ensure your teeth move according to schedule.
- Practice speaking with your aligners to become more comfortable wearing them around others and reduce potential impediments.
- Wash your hands before handling your aligners to prevent transferring germs to your mouth.
Clear Aligners Are The Clear Choice for Improving Your Smile
Dental technologies have improved by leaps and bounds. However, most people still consider traditional metal braces as mainstream dental care. When it comes to improving your smile, you deserve the best treatment, and that’s clear aligners.
Clear aligners offer users a way to address their dental insecurities without announcing them to the world. They are designed using transparent plastic materials and fitted to each person individually, making them the ideal way to straighten teeth. When considering how to improve your smile, consider how much clear aligners cost with insurance.
When you’re ready to discuss the options available for your teeth straightening needs, call Smiley Dental– your home for dental care.
FAQs
Does insurance cover clear aligners?
It depends on the type of coverage that you have (dental insurance versus orthodontic coverage). It will also depend on how much your benefit is and if it will cover the entire orthodontic treatment. Many dental instance plans cover clear aligners like braces, which may be fully or partially covered. Always check with your provider to find out what’s covered.
What can I expect to pay for clear aligners?
The cost will vary depending on factors such as the severity of your orthodontic issues, the duration of the treatment, and more. The average cost of clear aligners usually falls between $3,500 and $8,000.
How long will I wear clear aligners?
The length of treatment depends on multiple factors, like how complex your case is and how often you wear your aligners. On average, you’ll be in them for 10 to 18 months.
