Invisalign is a clear aligner system used to move teeth. It works on the same principle as fixed teeth braces, applying gentle continuous pressure, but the aligners are removable rather than bonded to the teeth.
Clear aligner treatment has been available since the early 2000s. Aligners are custom-made from digital scans and worn in sequence, with each aligner typically worn for one to two weeks before moving to the next.
Aligners are used for crowding, spacing and some bite corrections. They are less noticeable than metal appliances, which is one reason adults often prefer them, though they are not invisible and the small attachments bonded to the teeth can be seen at close range.
The aligners are removed for eating and drinking, but they only apply force while they are being worn. They generally need to be worn 20 to 22 hours a day, and treatment can be delayed or compromised if they are not.
Cost is worth understanding before you decide. The information below is general, and a fee for your own case can only be given after examination.
Invisalign cost in Sydney
Published price guides put clear aligner treatment in Sydney at roughly $7,000 to $9,000, varying with the extent of tooth movement required. These are indicative figures drawn from published sources, not quotes.
Clear aligner treatment may be provided by a general dentist working within their scope of practice or by a registered specialist orthodontist. You are entitled to ask which applies, and you can check any practitioner’s registration on the Ahpra public register.
Fees at North Sydney Dentistry
Invisalign Sydney is available with a payment plan from $25 per week. This is a repayment amount, not the total cost of treatment.
You will receive a written quote setting out the full cost after your assessment.
Rebates
Some private health insurance extras policies include an orthodontic benefit. These typically carry waiting periods, annual limits and a lifetime limit that may cover only part of the fee, and cover differs considerably between funds and policies. Check with your fund directly before starting.
Orthodontic treatment is generally not covered by Medicare except in limited circumstances.
Deciding whether to proceed
Whether orthodontic treatment is appropriate for you, and which appliance suits your case, is a clinical judgement made after examination rather than a matter of preference or budget alone. Clear aligners are not suitable for every case, and some tooth movements are more predictably achieved with fixed appliances.
Risks
Orthodontic treatment carries risks. These can include discomfort and tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, decalcification or decay where oral hygiene is not maintained around attachments, shortening of tooth roots, gum recession, temporary changes to speech, and relapse if retainers are not worn as directed after treatment. Retainers are needed at the end of treatment, generally long term. Aligners can be lost or damaged and replacements are charged. Treatment may take longer than initially estimated.
Results vary between individuals and no outcome can be guaranteed. These risks should be explained to you in full before you agree to treatment.
To find out whether clear aligners are suitable for you and what they would cost in your case, contact North Sydney Dentistry to arrange an assessment.