A Dentist Tells You: True Cost of Invisalign (2024)
Two of the most common questions I am asked by patients are: What is the cost of Invisalign? and Why is Invisalign so expensive?
Invisalign can indeed be costly. I joke with my patients that they will most likely have to hold off purchasing their Dior or Chanel handbags if they want to proceed with Invisalign treatment.
As cost can be a big deterrent to treatment, I have written this article to help answer all cost-related enquiries about Invisalign.
Key Takeaways
- Invisalign can cost up to 5-figures in Singapore, but most Invisalign treatment cases cost about $3,800 – $6,800.
- The cost of your Invisalign treatment is highly dependent on how complex your orthodontic movement is.
- Invisalign usually costs more than other clear aligner brands because of their lab fees as well as the rigorousness of their dentist-directed treatment plans. However, they are usually cheaper than other alternatives to braces like dental veneers and dental crowns.
What is the true cost of Invisalign in Singapore?
Invisalign can cost up to 5-figures in Singapore.
However, before you panic at how outrageous that figure may seem, getting charged 5-figures for Invisalign is rare.
Most patients that I see require only moderate alignment work, which falls under the $3,800 – $6,800 price range.
Book an Invisalign consultation with me.
Is Invisalign a fixed price?
Invisalign is not a fixed price. The cost of your Invisalign treatment will vary based on the complexity of orthodontic alignment required.
Why is there such a big range in the cost of Invisalign in Singapore?
The final cost of Invisalign for each patient is entirely reliant on the complexity of their orthodontic alignment, which correlates to the number of retainers you have as well as the duration of your treatment.
This means that if you require more orthodontic alignment work done, the number of aligner sets issued to you will tangentially increase. This also increases the length of your treatment as well as the cost of your treatment.
Some patients that I see require tooth extractions to create the required space to facilitate tooth movement. When you require a tooth extraction, it typically requires a longer treatment time and thus, a more comprehensive aligner option.
Some dental clinics in Singapore are able to promote lower than average costs (about $1,888 to $5,800 because they do not include the cost of consultation, X-rays, 3-D scans, treatment planning, mid-treatment procedural costs and post-Invisalign treatment costs. These post-Invisalign treatment costs can include tooth extractions (if needed), further dental X-rays, as well as retainers.
When you come for a consultation with me, the upfront and long-term cost is made clear to you from the start. There are no surprise bill shocks.
While the ballpark figure might seem to be more costly than what other dental clinics offer, it includes everything that is needed to start, proceed and complete your treatment based on the outcomes you are looking for.
Types of Invisalign plans available in Singapore
Go! Express
Invisalign Go! Express has a shorter treatment duration of less than 3 months, and was created to treat mild crowding and space problems. The entire treatment usually consists of 5 to 7 sets of Invisalign trays that are used for relapse orthodontic cases or mild esthetic treatments.
Lite
Invisalign Lite has a treatment duration of about 3 – 6 months and is usually used for mild crowding and spacing problems that do not require tooth extractions. The treatment program contains up to 14 sets of Invisalign trays.
Moderate
Invisalign Moderate is the most common Invisalign program. It has a treatment duration of about 9 – 15 months and is usually used for moderate dental alignment cases. The treatment program contains up to 26 sets of Invisalign trays.
Comprehensive
Invisalign Comprehensive works with severe dental alignment issues. It has a treatment duration of more than 15 months. The treatment program includes an unlimited set of Invisalign trays.
Should I go for the Go! Express, Lite, Moderate or Comprehensive Invisalign package?
When you opt for clear aligner treatment like Invisalign, it is not possible to self-select the package that you have to take up. Clear aligner treatment is not like a Netflix or Disney Plus subscription.
The reason for this is simple – each clear aligner set shifts your tooth by 0.25mm. Based on your requirements, your preferred Invisalign dentist will be able to determine how many sets of aligners you need to achieve your planned outcomes. Most of this treatment planning will occur with the help of a 3D visualisation tool.
However, a word of caution! Virtual planning or simulations are not 100% accurate. Achieving the actual outcome is a result of careful treatment and skill from the dentist or orthodontist as well as discipline on your part. The computer simply reflects the ideal outcomes and stages that can be achieved with time.
When a virtual treatment plan is shown to you, it is a prediction of your teeth movement. Your teeth, however, might move slightly differently from what the virtual treatment plan shows. In this case, it might be required to use refinements (more Invisalign aligners) to achieve the final result.
Because of this, most dentists like myself prefer to select a treatment plan that allows for a larger degree of error. Doing so provides patients like you the room to refine on your aligners without paying for additional aligners at a later stage.
Cost of Invisalign with Dr Amanda Koh – The Invisalign Dentist
I am frequently asked about the cost of Invisalign in Singapore and why there is such a huge price range.
Here are a few cost-related questions that I have encountered:
Price of treatment
What is the cheapest Invisalign can be?
The average cost of Invisalign in Singapore ranges from $3,800 – $9,800. At my practice, you can expect the lowest cost for Invisalign to be $3,800.
Do keep in mind that this is usually only applicable for patients who require slight or mild orthodontic adjustments or have lapsed in their previous Invisalign treatment and wish to do mild alignments.
The cost is also exclusive of other dental related fees such as:
| Treatment | Treatment Costs |
|---|---|
| Dental Fillings (Biomimetic Fillings) | $200 – $350 per tooth |
| Root Canal Treatment | $600 – $1,200 per tooth |
| Tooth Extraction | $150 – $350 per tooth |
| Gum Disease Treatment | $150 – $250 per quadrant |
The best way for you to determine how much your Invisalign treatment is, is to head to your preferred Invisalign provider for a consultation.
Book an appointment with me to have a more accurate Invisalign cost estimate.
Can the cost of Invisalign treatment be cheaper if the condition of my teeth is not that bad?
Yes! The cost of Invisalign treatment is pegged to how complex your alignment issues are. If your current orthodontic alignment is not as complex, your cost of Invisalign treatment will usually be lower.
Invisalign also tiers their clear aligner products based on how complex your teeth movement needs to be. You can view a full list of how much it would cost to align your teeth with Invisalign based on the severity of your case:
| Anterior | Lite | Moderate | Comprehensive | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $3,800 | $3,800 – $5,800 | $5,800 – $6,800 | $6,800 – $9,800 |
| Treatment Duration | 6 – 9 months | 6 – 9 months | 9 to 15 months | 15 to 36 months |
| Number of Aligner Sets | Up to 14 sets | Up to 14 sets | Up to 26 sets | An unlimited number of sets to achieve your desired outcome |
| Cost of Additional Refinement Aligner Sets | $216 for the 1st set and $486 from the 2nd set onwards. | 1 additional set is included | 1 additional set is included | 1 additional set is included |
Can you just get Invisalign on the top/bottom row of teeth?
It is possible to get Invisalign on a single arch. Single arch treatment involves wearing Invisalign trays only on the bottom or top teeth. However, single arch treatment is only suitable for certain cases. Not everyone will qualify for it.
The simple reason for this is because at the end of the day, teeth need to be able to bite well together. The main function of teeth is to help you bite and chew your food, and not just to be pretty. Moving just a particular section of teeth or a single tooth might interfere with your current bite.
This means that if you move just 1 or a few teeth in a section, you might not be able to bite together well at the end of treatment. This is why most cases still involve dual-arch treatment.
It is also important to note that single-arch treatment does not mean half the cost. You would still have to pay for consultation, X-rays and lab fees. The lab fees for a single-arch is not half the cost of the dual-arch.
Find out whether you are suitable for single-arch Invisalign treatment.
Can I choose the duration of my Invisalign treatment to reduce the cost of treatment?
It is not possible to choose the duration of your Invisalign treatment. Your Invisalign treatment duration is highly dependent on the complexity of your orthodontic condition. The more complex your orthodontic condition, the more the number of Invisalign trays you require. The more Invisalign trays you have, the longer your treatment duration is.
However, you can reduce the cost of treatment by taking the following steps:
- Ensure that you stay disciplined during your Invisalign treatment. This reduces the number of refinements you might require.
- If you have not started Invisalign treatment but are considering clear aligners treatment, you might want to have a quick dental assessment to ensure that your oral hygiene and health is optimal. This reduces the number of pre-treatments you might require before Invisalign treatment.
- If you are in the stage of getting ready for Invisalign treatment, consider investing in an ethical Invisalign dentist who cares for your treatment outcomes and treatment satisfaction. An Invisalign dentist that cares for you will be able to recommend the right treatment solutions for you with your preferences and budget in mind.
What does your Invisalign package include?
Should you choose to take up Invisalign treatment with me, the cost of treatment fees are listed as below:
| Treatment | Treatment Cost |
|---|---|
| Invisalign Express | $3,800 – $4,800 |
| Invisalign Lite | $4,800 – $5,800 |
| Invisalign Moderate | $5,800 – $6,800 |
| Invisalign Comprehensive | $6,800 – $9,800 |
Besides the treatment fees, here are some additional costs you might want to be aware about:
| Treatment | Treatment Costs |
|---|---|
| Consultation | $19.60 |
| X-rays (Lat-ceph) | $68 |
| ClinCheck Treatment Planning | $350 |
| Dental Cleaning (Guided Biofilm Therapy) | $230 – $300 |
Should you choose to take up Invisalign treatment with me, you can choose to either pay in full or in instalments. The following is a good estimate of what you will be paying per session based on a Moderate case of $5,800.
| Total Cost: $5,800 – $6,800 | |
|---|---|
| 1st Downpayment: Upon approval of treatment plan | $2,000 |
| Instalments: Upon receiving Invisalign clear aligners | Varies depending on the length of your treatment |
Need further information about the cost of Invisalign, check out my treatment fees.
Does the cost of Invisalign include retainers?
No, the cost of Invisalign does not typically include retainers, even though some dental clinics might ball up the cost of Invisalign with one set of free retainers.
The good thing is that should you lose, damage your retainers, or require additional retainers, it is possible to get a personalised set of retainers made:
| Retainers | Cost of Retainers |
|---|---|
| Clear Plastic Retainers | $400 for 1 set |
| Metal Wire Retainers | $500 for 1 set |
| Fixed Retainers | $250 per arch |
| Vivera Retainers | $980 for 3 sets |
What factors affect the cost of Invisalign?
The cost of Invisalign is largely affected by the following:
- Complexity of treatment,
- Duration of treatment,
- Experience of the Invisalign dentist,
- The number of dental visits you have to do based on your current oral health,
- The number of refinements you require.
The more complex your orthodontic issue is, the higher the cost of your Invisalign case.
Cost of Invisalign vs cost of braces
Is Invisalign cheaper than braces?
Invisalign treatment is usually more expensive than braces. Braces are generally cheaper than Invisalign as the lab fees for Invisalign are higher, whereas braces do not require any external lab fees. Braces also require less personalisation than Invisalign.
The higher cost of Invisalign is largely attributable to the lab fees that Invisalign charges dental clinics for each aligner case.
When you choose to take up Invisalign treatment with an Invisalign provider, Invisalign customises sets of clear aligners that are based on your needs and requirements. Invisalign then charges the production costs of these clear aligners to the dental clinic you visit.
Cost of Invisalign vs cost of other clear aligner brands
| Invisalign | Angel Aligner | Zenyum | ClearCorrect | Aurora | Wondersmile | Candid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,800 – $9,800 | $4,500 – $8,175 | $2900 – $4,900 | $2,500 – $3,500 | $2,400 – $4,900 | $2,500 | $2,300 – $3,500 |
| Treatment Effectiveness | Able to treat all types of malocclusions | Able to treat all types of malocclusions | Only able to treat mild to moderate alignment issues. Might not be suitable for cases that require extraction before treatment or have severe crowding. | Able to treat all types of malocclusions | Able to treat all types of malocclusions | Able to treat protrusions, spacing and crowding between teeth. | Some types of malocclusions. |
| Type | In-clinic | In-clinic | Direct-to-Consumer | In-Clinic | In-Clinic | Direct-to-Consumer | Direct-to-Consumer |
Why is Invisalign so expensive?
Invisalign seems more expensive than other clear aligner brands because of their lab fees, experience in developing clear aligners and the research and development that has gone into developing better Invisalign aligners for the last 30 years. Convenience and effectiveness comes at a premium.
Find out more about the benefits of Invisalign.
What are cheaper Invisalign alternatives?
There are many cheaper Invisalign alternatives. Zenyum is one such cheaper clear aligner brand. However, these brands may fall short of the consistency and predictability of Invisalign treatment outcomes.
While brands like Zenyum have improved throughout the years and will get better, Invisalign has had almost 30 years of experience working on clear aligner technology.
Should you wish to proceed with a cheaper but comparable Invisalign alternative, you can consider Angel Aligner. The aligner brand has a long history working with Asian teeth and producing consistent treatment outcomes.
Read more about why Angel Aligner is the better Invisalign alternative.
Cost of Invisalign: Financing Invisalign treatment
If you are ready to take the next step to obtain Invisalign treatment, the following questions can help you prepare to finance your Invisalign treatment.
How much should I budget for Invisalign treatment?
Based on most of the patients I see for Invisalign treatment, you should budget about $5,800 – $6,800 for Invisalign treatment. The final cost of your treatment will hinge on how complicated your dental alignment case is and how much time your dentist will need to work with you on it.
Is Invisalign covered by insurance in Singapore?
Invisalign is usually not covered by insurances in Singapore as they are considered an elective and cosmetic dental procedure. However, there are some expatriate or corporate insurances that do cover clear aligner treatment.
It would be best if you check with your insurance provider if they do indeed cover Invisalign treatment.
Not sure whether your insurance covers Invisalign? Drop us a message.
Can Medisave cover Invisalign treatment?
Medisave covers surgical and non-elective treatments. Invisalign is considered a cosmetic dental treatment and is thus not covered by Medisave.
If you are looking to finance Invisalign treatment, here are a few dental financing solutions you can consider:
- Check with your insurance provider whether they cover Invisalign or clear aligner treatment,
- Check with your company to see whether they have a corporate dental benefit to partially subsidise the cost of your Invisalign treatment,
- Ask your preferred Invisalign provider whether they accept instalment payments to split your Invisalign payments into monthly instalments,
- Check with your dental clinic whether they accept Buy Now Pay Later financing like Atome,
- Choose a similar but cheaper alternative to Invisalign like Angel Aligner or Zenyum
Is Invisalign really worth the cost?
This is a good question but one that you will have to answer based on your personal needs, circumstances and values on what is truly worth your dollars and cents.
For many adults who come to me looking for a discreet, comfortable and convenient way to straighten their teeth, the answer for whether Invisalign is really worth the cost is often a yes.
Invisalign has a good track record for delivering successful outcomes for patients who are looking to transform their smile.
When it comes to Invisalign treatment, I often tell patients that you are paying a premium for predictability. It is the most tried and tested solution on the market because of their long history working on smile transformations.
Do cheaper clear aligners work as well as Invisalign?
Certain clear aligners produce transparent braces that work as well as Invisalign. One such example is Angel Aligner.
However, most clear aligners in the market are able to produce results up to a certain extent. The best way is to reach out to a dentist to find out more about the effectiveness of a particular clear aligner brand.
Read an honest patient review about a similar but cheaper alternative to Invisalign.
Invisalign can be more costly than traditional braces or other clear aligner brands but it has a track record of predictability and creating successful outcomes.
Taking up Invisalign treatment can be a huge investment but it is worth it if you are looking for a clear aligner solution that has produced consistent results. A huge bulk of the costs comes from external lab fees that a dental clinic pays to Invisalign.
Should you wish to consider other more affordable clear aligner solutions, there are brands like Zenyum, ClearCorrect and Angel Aligner.
Dr Amanda Koh
https://dramandakoh.comDr Amanda Koh is a cosmetic dentist with a focus on teeth straightening and smile makeover treatments. She works primarily with Invisalign clear aligners, Angel Aligners and braces to help patients achieve the smiles that they desire. Outside of her clinical work, you can find Dr Amanda Koh at a Barry's Bootcamp, playing tennis, or doing long-distance running.