How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Invisalign Costs
Your smile is priceless and at Thomas Orthodontics we are committed to removing cost as an obstacle for getting the smile you’ve always wanted.
Free Orthodontic Consultation
There is no charge, ever, for the initial consultation with the doctor which includes a panoramic x-ray. A copy of the x-ray is yours to keep for free whether or not you decide to have treatment at Thomas Orthodontics. With our technology, you can actually book your free orthodontic exam online and chose the time and date you want.
What is the Cost of Invisalign?
Just like you are unique, so are your teeth. That is why we offer the free orthodontic exam so the doctor can perform an in-person exam and let you know what the best treatment options are. Many times Dr. Thomas will give you more than one option for treatment so you can decide what level of treatment you desire.
Does Insurance cover Invisalign?
Many dental insurance plans cover the costs of Invisalign treatment just as they would any other orthodontic treatments like conventional braces. Typically they will cover 50% of the fees up to a certain limit. Many dental insurance plans cover the costs of braces, typically up to 50% of the fees up to a lifetime limit. The most common lifetime benefit is for up to $1500 of the cost of orthodontic treatment. Some insurance companies may cover between 25% and 50% of the total fee. A few insurance plans may cover up to $3,000 of the cost of braces. Since we take all major PPO insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Metlife, Guardian, AETNA, Humana, Assurant, United Healthcare, United Concordia, etc., we are an in-network provider so your fees will be lower than out-of-network.
Does MY Insurance Cover Invisalign?
While most dental insurance questions can be answered easily and quickly, the question about your plan takes more time to get an accurate answer. You can try to call or login to your dental insurance plans website to find the benefits yourself, or....
You can call our office and we can do the hard work for you. The best way to learn more about your Orthodontic policy is to have our insurance expert Kathy call and speak with your dental insurance company directly. This way we can help you determine the estimated out-of-pocket and assist you with a payment plan if you so wish.
Do I Have to file the Insurance Forms Myself?
At Thomas Orthodontics, we work to make your life easy. We submit claims to the insurance company on your behalf and provide you with a breakdown of Invisalign benefits.
Braces $275 Down and $195/mo
Invisalign Teen
Made Just for Teens
Let’s face it. You've got school, sports, hanging out with friends. So getting metal braces is not at the top of your list of favorite things to do. You want the confidence of a great smile - let Invisalign Teen get you there, with the virtually invisibility of clear aligners.
With Invisalign Teen, you could be straightening your teeth without most of your friends even noticing. You don't have to worry about sharp metal wires and brackets irritating your cheeks and gums - especially handy if you play sports. And if you like popcorn or candy, go for it! With its removable aligners, Invisalign Teen lets you pretty much eat whatever you want. Try doing that with braces!
While Invisalign Teen works the same way as Invisalign for adults, we've made it even easier for you to track your progress. Each aligner has a Blue Dot Wear Indicator in an inconspicuous location that is designed to fade over a two-week period, letting you know when a new aligner tray needs to be used.
Invisalign Teen
Getting Started With Invisalign
Straight Teeth no Braces
We are a Certified Preferred Invisalign provider for the cities of Tampa, Lutz, Land O Lakes, New Port Richey, Odessa, Trinity and Wesley Chapel. The most obvious advantage of Invisalign treatment is cosmetic. The aligners are transparent, therefore far more difficult to detect than traditional wire and bracket braces. This makes Invisalign popular among adults who want to straighten their teeth without the look of traditional metal braces.
In addition, the aligners are more comfortable than braces. Due to the removable nature of the aligners, food can be consumed without the discomfort of metallic braces. Clinically, Invisalign avoids many of the side effects of traditional braces.
How to get started with Invisalign:
Step 1: Initial Invisalign® Visit
During the initial visit, Dr.Thomas will evaluate, assess and discuss the course of treatment with you. If you are an Invisalign candidate, we will take a quick iTero scan of your teeth and photos of your teeth.
Step 2: Invisalign® makes your aligners
Invisalign takes two to six weeks to make your aligners using an advanced 3-D computer imaging technology to transform your bite impressions into a custom-made series of clear and removable aligners.
Step 3: You receive your Invisalign Trays
During your next visit to the office, you will receive your first set of clear aligners. Dr. Thomas will most likely give you a few additional sets to wear before your next visit.
Step 4: You wear your aligners.
You'll wear each set of clear aligners day and night for 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. Patients at our office, on average, complete treatment in approximately 15-18 months. You'll visit the office at regular intervals to check your progress.
Step 5: You've finished treatment!
Congratulations! When you're finished wearing each clear aligner in the series, your treatment will be complete and you will be required wear an upper and lower retainer of your choice.
Invisalign
The Clear Alternative to Braces
Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners that are custom-molded to fit you. The virtually invisible aligners gradually reposition your teeth into a smile you'll be proud of.
- Remove your aligners to eat, brush and floss
- Change aligners every two weeks
- Your teeth move little by little
- Regular progress checks with your dentist or orthodontist
- Results often in 6 months to 1 year
Is Invisalign for me?
Invisalign can be used to treat the vast majority of common problems for adults and teens.
Whether your smile needs minor specialized improvements or more extensive adjustments, our preferred Invisalign dentist can certainly help. It's successful in treating overly crowded or widely spaced teeth. It can also relieve some dental issues, including overbites, underbites, and even crossbites. In fact, an Invisalign Certified Orthodontist can use Invisalign clear aligners in all or part of just about any treatment plan.
Made to fit your lifestyle, not change it.
Because Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners to position and straightens teeth, you can keep your active lifestyle during treatment. Unlike braces, Invisalign aligners have no metal bands or wires to irritate your mouth. So go ahead and be as active as you like. Since Invisalign is removable, just take the clear aligners out for special events or if you're going to indulge in a sticky, gooey snack.
Look your best during and after treatment.
Of course, you want to look great, at work, at school, with friends. Maybe you speak to groups or conduct meetings. You still can. Because Invisalign is clear and nearly invisible, most people will never know you're straightening your teeth - unless you tell them. And when your course of treatment has ended, you can feel more confident, whether in front of people or not. You're going to have a stunning smile.
If you are considering tooth straightening, you may be nervous about the possibility of getting metal braces with wires and anchors and ligatures. Many adults had braces as a teen but were so embarrassed that they did not wear their retainers and ended up having their teeth migrate back into poor position. These people are generally good candidates for Invisalign, as are most people who are looking to correct a number of common dental conditions.
This page gives some information about you may be a possible candidate, but it cannot tell you whether Invisalign will work for you. The only way to determine whether you are a candidate for Invisalign is by scheduling a consultation with a Certified Invisalign Orthodontist like Dr. Thomas.
An Invisalign Certified Orthodontist
The best way to learn is to visit an Invisalign Certified Orthodontist like Dr. Thomas. He can evaluate your specific needs and determine the best treatment plan for you. We offer free consultations! So call today to learn more!
Invisalign Digital Impressions
While the many dentists and orthodontists take a traditional dental impression mold to capture the teeth, we specialize in digital Invisalign impressions to expedite treatment, lower cost and increase patient comfort.
The most comfortable, easiest and fastest ways to getting started with Invisalign is with digital impressions using iTero orthodontic scanner.
iTero intraoral scanning is a great fit for precise and fast Invisalign records taking. This teeth scanner has been designed to give patients the best record taken experience. Invisalign cases that start with an iTero teeth scan have seven times fewer fit issues than those started with impression molds. Invisalign cases submitted using iTero teeth scans are 50% faster than regular dental impressions. There are ten times fewer rejections of iTero scans due to the lack of inaccuracies when compared to impression molds.
Great Invisalign patient comfort from iTero scanners also eliminate the mess and trouble associated with regular dental impressions. When patients are getting started with Invisalign, they are more likely to gag.
Who doesn't qualify for Invisalign
Fortunately, many people qualify for Invisalign. This new computerized technique makes use of a series of custom-made aligners. However, not everyone can use Invisalign due to a number of different factors. If you’re wondering if Invisalign will work for you, the following information provides you with information to give you an idea of whether or not you’d be a good candidate for Invisalign.
Invisalign is great for those with more common issues, but it doesn’t always work with cases of extreme severe crowding, large overbites, open bites, underbites and crossbites. However, Invisalign has no trouble correcting common minor problems like a small overbites, underbites, crossbites or crowded teeth. Unfortunately, if any of these issues are relatively severe, Invisalign may not be able to correct them and braces may still be the best option.
What Age Can I use Invisalign?
Those with all their adult teeth, age of 13 or older, can make use of Invisalign, but some people’s teeth continue to grow for a few years beyond that. For adults, there’s no age limit. You can start using Invisalign in your 60's or beyond!
Why Do Patients Like Invisalign Better?
You cannot remove traditional braces—once they’re on, they’re on until they are removed. However, with the Invisalign aligners, you can pop them out whenever you want. You have to take them out when you’re eating or drinking. Other than that, you need to wear the aligners for a good portion of the day, every day until you’ve completed the entire series of aligners. If you cannot commit to that, you are not a candidate.
Invisalign can be used to treat the vast majority of common problems for adults and teens.
Whether your smile needs minor specialized improvements or more extensive adjustments Invisalign can certainly help. It's successful in treating crowded or spaced teeth. It can also relieve more dental issues, including minor overbites, underbites, and even crossbites. In fact, certified Orthodontist can use the clear aligners in all or part of just about any treatment plan.
Made to fit your lifestyle, not change it.
Because Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners to position and straightens teeth, you can keep your active lifestyle during treatment. Unlike braces, Invisalign aligners have no metal bands or wires to irritate your mouth. So go ahead and be as active as you like. Since it is removable, just take the clear aligners out for special events or if you're going to indulge in a sticky, gooey snack.
Look your best during and after treatment.
Of course, you want to look great, at work, at school, with friends. Maybe you speak to groups or conduct meetings. You still can. Because Invisalign is clear and nearly invisible, most people will never know you're straightening your teeth - unless you tell them. And when your course of treatment has ended, you can feel more confident, whether in front of people or not. You're going to have a stunning smile.
If you are considering tooth straightening, you may be nervous about the possibility of getting metal braces with wires and anchors and ligatures. Many people considering Invisalign as adults had braces as a teen but were so embarrassed that they did not wear their retainers and ended up having their teeth migrate back into poor position. These people are generally good candidates for Invisalign, as are most people who are looking to correct a number of common dental conditions.
Invisalign Simulator
Seeing the “end result” before you decide can take the guesswork out of your decision and put you on the path to the smile you’ve always wanted. On the first date, or on your consultation appointment, we can instantly show you and visualize how your teeth may look after Invisalign treatment. This is only possible with the "Invisalign Outcome Simulator" software and full digital impressions with the revolutionary iTero® Element™ Scanner. This 3D impression model available is used to begin planning your Invisalign treatment.
This technology can also be used for Invisalign treatment modifications and adjustments at different points during the treatment. iTero intraoral scanning is a natural fit for Invisalign clear aligner therapy. This scanner has been designed to give Invisalign doctors the best workflow with the Invisalign system and the exclusive Invisalign Outcome Simulator.
Invisible Braces
The convenience and ease of use of the Invisalign system have made it the choice of over four million people. In fact, Invisalign has been effective in giving millions of people amazing new smiles.
- Most people won't notice you're in treatment
- Won't disrupt your lifestyle
- Free initial consultation with participating doctors
Invisalign known as invisible braces has no metal wires or bands to irritate your mouth, and best of all, most people won't notice you're in treatment. Invisalign®, the clear alternative to braces, has been chosen by over 4,000,000 people who want amazing smiles.
Invisalign Clear Aligner
How does Invisalign Compare to DIY Aligners?
It seems too good to be true – straighter teeth for a fraction of the price and without ever needing to hop into the orthodontist's chair. Dentists say it is. Dentists and Orthodontists are urging the public to steer clear of online, do-it-yourself orthodontic services, such as Candid and Smile Direct Club, saying they may exacerbate dental problems and lead to costly remedial treatment.
What can go wrong with clear aligners from Smile Direct Club and candid Co?
Because there is no dental exam before treatment, people run the rink of making existing problems worse. Before treatment, the orthodontist identifies and treats any dental health problems before offering patients orthodontic treatment. This is done through comprehensive exam, x-rays, photos and digital models before orthodontic treatment. Pre-existing problems, like gum disease or cavities, can be overlooked with home kits that can be made worse with DIY clear aligners. An orthodontist typically has many years of post college education to learn to identify oral health problems and best manage them. To do any sort of tooth movement without the supervision of a dentist or orthodontist is risky.
Another danger of mail order aligners is the lack of supervision during treatment. When you are treated with clear aligner therapy in an orthodontist’s office, they require routine appointments to make sure your teeth are moving at the safest, most efficient rate. An orthodontist will adjust your treatment plan as needed along the way, but you won’t get this when you go with DIY, home aligners. With mail order aligners, you may develop problems during treatment, but there is no doctor to help you know if something is going wrong. I would suggest anyone interested in mail order aligners do some Google searches for “Smile Direct Club Problems” and “Canidico Aligner Problems”.
What is being done to protect the public?
Americans deserve safe and effective dental treatment regardless of whether the treating dentist is in person with the patient or provides services through teledentistry. With the emergence of new business models offering various dental services that can be ordered without an in-person clinical examination, like direct-to-consumer orthodontics, it is imperative that dental treatment, no matter how it is accessed, continues to meet the standard of care. Because dentistry is regulated state by state, it is up to each state to pass rules that protect the residents.
California recently (October 13, 2019) passed bill AB 1519 which requires that dentists providing orthodontics to patients must disclose their license number and dental board contact information and review radiographs prior to the movement of teeth. This uniform standard of care applies regardless of whether the treating dentist is in person with the patient or provides services through teledentistry.
An orthodontist and the New Jersey Dental Association have filed a civil complaint in the Superior Court of New Jersey alleging that clear aligner company Smile Direct Club is "engaged in the unlawful practice of dentistry in this state," according to the Jan. 28 complaint.
Georgia won a lawsuit against Smile Direct Club on May 8, 2019, when a federal court dismissed most of the claims that Smile Direct Club filed, which arose out of a state rule requiring digital scans for the fabrication of orthodontic appliances to be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. The court rejected Smile Direct Club’s claim that digital scanning of patients’ teeth does not constitute the practice of dentistry. The court called this argument incorrect, stating that “taking digital scans of a patient’s mouth for the purpose of having a dentist or orthodontist approve of a treatment plan for correcting a malposition of the patient's teeth falls squarely within the definition of the practice of dentistry as set forth” in state regulations.
In Tennessee Smile Direct Club faces a class action lawsuit filed by orthodontists and a consumer. On September 25, 2019 a class-action lawsuit was filed Wednesday against Nashville-based Smile Direct Club accusing the company of false advertising and violation of federal law. The lawsuit, filed in Middle Tennessee U.S. District Court by a group of orthodontists and a consumer, alleges that Smile Direct Club is engaging in the illegal practice dentistry. The complaint also alleges that the Nashville-based company misled consumers about its product’s effectiveness and level of customer satisfaction. The suit on behalf of consumers is seeking monetary damages stemming from Smile Direct Club’s “fraudulent and deceptive practices related to the sale and marketing” of the company’s aligners.
Why are DIY Clear Aligners a bad choice?
It’s risky! There are a number of Smile Direct Club and Candid Co customers who are happy with their results. However, there are a number of customers who have had disastrous results. Again, I recommend you do your own research on Google and Facebook and you will see the horror stories for yourself. In my opinion, it’s just not worth taking a risk with your health to save a few dollars.
What are better options?
I would suggest getting 2 or 3 estimates from orthodontist or dentists in your area. Most doctors offer a complimentary exam. At least with this, they can warn you of any potential problems you would have if you starting orthodontic treatment. Don’t be afraid to ask the doctor what his/her thoughts are about DIY clear aligners. Most doctors already have experience with having to fix some of the “mess ups” from DIY aligner treatment. If you are in the Tampa area (Lutz, Land O Lakes, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey, Trinity) Dr. Thomas can help you evaluate what options will be suited best to your needs and goals. Contact Thomas Orthodontics for your orthodontic needs and start smiling with confidence today!