Cost is one of the first questions people ask about clear aligner treatment. This article explains what makes up the fee for orthodontic treatment with clear aligners, what published figures do and do not tell you, and what else to consider before deciding.
Understanding Invisalign costs
Invisalign cost varies with the complexity of the case, the length of treatment and the practice providing it.
Published price guides commonly quote a range of about $5,000 to $10,000 for a full course of treatment in Australia. These are indicative figures drawn from published sources, not quotes, and the fee for any individual is set only after examination and treatment planning.
What affects the fee
- Complexity of the case. The amount of tooth movement required affects how many aligners are needed and how long treatment takes.
- Treatment length. Longer treatment generally involves more aligners and more review appointments.
- Location and practice. Fees differ between practices and between areas.
- Additional items. Records and scans, attachments, interproximal reduction, refinement aligners and retainers may be included in a quoted fee or charged separately. Ask which applies before you commit.
Only a consultation with a registered dental practitioner can give you a figure for your own case.
Invisalign at North Sydney Dentistry
We provide clear aligner treatment and publish our fees so that costs are clear before treatment begins.
Payment plans
We offer an interest-free payment plan from $25 per week. This is a repayment amount, not the total cost of treatment.
Approval is subject to that provider’s eligibility criteria.
Health fund benefits
Some private health insurance extras policies include an orthodontic benefit, usually with waiting periods, annual limits and a lifetime limit that may cover only part of the fee. Benefits vary between funds and policies, so check with your fund directly.
About our practice
- Registered practitioners. Our dentists provide clear aligner treatment and are registered with the Dental Board of Australia. You can check any practitioner’s registration on the Ahpra public register.
- Digital planning. We use intra-oral scanning and 3D treatment planning software to prepare and monitor treatment plans.
- Ongoing review. You attend review appointments through the course of treatment so progress can be checked and the plan adjusted where needed.
What Clear Aligners involve
Invisalign Sydney is one option among several for straightening teeth. Whether it suits you depends on your clinical assessment.
- Appearance
Clear aligners are less noticeable than fixed metal appliances. They are not invisible, and the attachments bonded to the teeth during treatment can be seen at close range.
- Comfort and convenience
The aligners are smooth plastic without brackets or wires. Pressure, tenderness and tooth sensitivity for a few days after each aligner change are common, as is temporary irritation of the lips, tongue or gums. Because the aligners are removable, there are fewer restrictions on food and drink, though teeth should be cleaned before reinserting them.
- Suitability and treatment time
Clear aligners can treat a range of orthodontic problems, from mild crowding through to some more involved cases. They are not suitable for everyone, and some tooth movements are more predictably achieved with fixed appliances. Treatment commonly runs 12 to 18 months, but the actual duration depends on the case and may be longer. Some cases require additional refinement aligners.
The Treatment Process
- Initial consultation. Your teeth and gums are examined and your options discussed. This appointment establishes whether clear aligners are appropriate for you. You receive a written quote for your own case.
- Treatment plan. A series of aligners is designed from digital scans. Each aligner is generally worn for one to two weeks. Any digital simulation shown to you is a projection based on the plan rather than a guaranteed result.
- Review appointments. You attend regular reviews so progress can be monitored and the plan adjusted if teeth are not tracking as expected.
- Retainers are provided at the end of treatment and generally need to be worn long term. Teeth tend to move back toward their original positions if retainers are not worn as directed.
Invisalign Provider Status
North Sydney Dentistry holds Invisalign Platinum Elite Provider status. This is a tier assigned by Align Technology, the manufacturer, based on the number of cases a practice treats. It is a commercial classification rather than an award, an accreditation or an assessment of clinical quality by a regulator or professional body.
Getting the most from treatment
- Wear your aligners as directed
Aligners generally need to be worn 20 to 22 hours a day. Where they are not worn as directed, teeth may not move as planned and treatment can take longer or require a revised plan.
- Maintain oral hygiene
Brush and floss regularly and clean your aligners as instructed. Poor oral hygiene during aligner treatment increases the risk of decay and gum problems. See the general information on oral hygiene.
- Follow your dentist’s instructions
Attend your scheduled appointments and follow the advice you are given.
Risks and Considerations
Orthodontic treatment carries risks, including discomfort and tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, decalcification or decay where hygiene is not maintained, shortening of tooth roots, gum recession, temporary changes to speech, and relapse if retainers are not worn. Aligners can be lost or damaged and replacements are charged. Results vary between individuals.
To find out whether clear aligners are suitable for you and what they would cost in your case, arrange an assessment with a registered dental practitioner. The risks will be explained and you will receive a written quote before treatment begins.