Invisalign® Clear Braces - Costa Mesa, CA

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

As mentioned above, Invisalign isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment. During your initial consultation, our Invisalign dentist in Costa Mesa will consider the below factors:

• Whether you need to straighten one or both of your arches.
• The complexity of your dental needs (a minor gap vs. severe overcrowding).
• Treatment length.

From there, they can put together a detailed treatment plan and provide you with an accurate price estimate.

Invisalign vs. DIY Aligners: Which Costs More?

Since DIY Aligners markets itself as a cost-effective teeth-straightening option, it’s not too surprising that many patients ask us about it. While the upfront cost is usually less, the DIY approach to orthodontics often leads to costly mistakes, resulting in time and money spent on further restorative and cosmetic care. Therefore, cheaper isn’t always better, especially when it comes to your smile. On the other hand, Invisalign typically costs anywhere from $3,500 to $4,500 and includes the cost of x-rays, routine maintenance appointments, case refinements, retainers, and any necessary follow-ups. You’ll have peace of mind knowing a skilled dental professional is overseeing your treatment every step of the way without worrying about any additional hidden fees.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

More often than not, the answer is no. With that being said, it is possible your benefits will cover a portion of your treatment, so it doesn’t hurt to double-check! If you need help understanding the fine print on your dental plan, our knowledgeable team is here to lend a helping hand. We’d be more than happy to handle the paperwork, explain your benefits, and help you understand the cost every step of the way.

Options for Making Invisalign Affordable

Dental insurance isn’t the only way to make your dental care affordable! At Advanced Dental Care, we offer our patients two other ways to save: Be Smile Smart Plans and flexible financing through CareCredit or our in-house financing. Be Smile Smart Plans works similarly to insurance, providing you with valuable savings (but without the annual red tape, like annual maximums and deductibles). Financing through Care Credit or our in-house financing, on the other hand, allows you to break up the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly chunks with payments as low as $299 a month. Don’t worry – we will cover all of these options in-depth during your initial consultation. That way, you can make an informed decision on which payment option is best for you.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

Once our team learns more about the severity of your misalignment, your smile goals, and other important factors that will impact your treatment, we’ll provide you with a general timeline. On average, it takes between 12 and 18 months to complete. However, it could be significantly shorter if you want to address minor crowding or spacing issues – as little as six months, in fact!

It’s important to note that whether or not you follow all of your orthodontist’s instructions will also play a role in your treatment timeline. If you don’t wear your trays for 22 hours a day, you consistently lose your aligners, or you don’t prioritize your follow-up visits, there is a good chance you will need to prolong your treatment.

Does Invisalign Hurt?

Fortunately, Invisalign is significantly more comfortable than traditional braces. With no metal brackets or wires, the custom-made aligners are designed to NOT irritate your gums and tongue. Of course, you may experience some slight soreness in the hours following your transition to each new set of trays, but don’t let that discourage you. It’s a reminder that your treatment is working! Plus, any discomfort that you feel can be alleviated with a cold compress, over-the-counter pain medication, or a mixture of the two.

What Happens After Invisalign?

Once you’ve worked through your entire series of aligners, you’ll be given a retainer. Remember, braces can certainly straighten your teeth, but they won’t keep them in their properly aligned positions forever. That’s why wearing your retainer is so important – it’s one of the best ways to prevent orthodontic relapse. With this in mind, your dentist will let you know how often you need to wear yours. Typically, full-time for the first six months or so and then gradually transitioning to wearing it solely at night.

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

One of the biggest perks of Invisalign is that there are no dietary restrictions. In other words, you can eat whatever you’d like! Of course, you will need to remove your trays beforehand to ensure they don’t get damaged. While they aren’t in use, place them in their designated storage case and then put them back in as soon as you’re done enjoying your meal.

How Do I Clean My Invisalign?

Fortunately, cleaning your aligners isn’t a cumbersome task. On a daily basis, you should rinse them each time you take them out of your mouth and clean them with a soft-bristled toothbrush after each meal. For a deeper clean, you can use the cleaning crystals, which can remove food particles, debris, and the like. Note: do NOT use hot water to clean your trays since this can warp their shape. It’s also a good idea to avoid using household cleaners, like bleach.