Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that involves wearing a series of clear, plastic, removable aligners over your teeth to shift them into their proper positions gradually. The patient wears each set of aligners for a few weeks, as instructed by their dentist, then moves to the next pair until treatment is complete.

What is dental insurance?

Dental insurance is a supplemental insurance plan that helps patients pay for their dental visits and procedures. You can pay a monthly premium to maintain coverage. Dental insurance policies like Aflac’s cover preventative, basic, and major services.

Is Invisalign covered by dental insurance?

Dental insurance plans often cover orthodontic devices like Invisalign for children under age 18. Some plans may offer orthodontic coverage for adults, but many do not.

How much does Invisalign cost?

Invisalign can generally cost anywhere from $1,200 to $8,000. Given the wide range, many factors can impact the cost of Invisalign treatment.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign® Clear Aligners and Similar Products?

Clear aligners can help correct crooked or misaligned teeth without the need for traditional braces. If you’re considering this orthodontic treatment, you may wonder whether dental insurance cover clear aligners. While Aflac network dental insurance plans don't cover orthodontics, they can help cover many other dental procedures. Read on to learn how Invisalign® Clear Aligners work and how much this treatment costs with and without insurance.

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Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Clear aligners are clear, removable trays that gradually straighten teeth, making them a more discreet alternative to traditional braces.
The average cost of Invisalign® Clear Aligners treatment is $3,000, though costs can range from $1,800 to $9,500 depending on the treatment complexity, dentist's location and patient compliance.¹
While Aflac's network dental insurance plans for individuals and families don't cover orthodontics, they do cover a wide variety of preventative, basic and major services.

What are clear aligners?

Clear aligners are an orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear, plastic aligners to gradually shift your teeth into their proper position. Your dentist will create several sets of aligners to move your teeth in small increments.

Typically, each set of clear aligners is worn about 22 hours a day for a week.²

Clear aligners vs. braces

Clear aligners and braces differ in the following ways:

Appearance: Since Invisalign® Clear Aligners are made of clear plastic and fit snugly over the teeth, they’re nearly invisible. Meanwhile, traditional braces are more noticeable because of their metal brackets and wires.

Removability: You can remove clear aligners at any time. Patients often take them out to eat, drink, and brush their teeth.² In contrast, you can't remove braces on your own. Only an orthodontist can remove them once your treatment is complete.

Care and maintenance: You can remove your clear aligners and clean them with a special cleaning solution. Keeping braces clean requires more work, since you must carefully brush and floss around the brackets and wires.

Comfort: Both forms of orthodontic treatment can create discomfort, but clear aligners tend to cause less irritation due to its lack of brackets and wires.³

Treatment time: Clear aligners take an average of 18 months, though some people straighten their teeth in as few as six months.³ Braces, on the other hand, take an average of two years.⁴

How much does Invisalign® Clear Aligners cost?

Invisalign® Clear Aligners can cost anywhere from $1,800 to $9,500.¹ Some factors that can impact the cost of clear aligners treatment include:⁵

Treatment time: The longer you need clear aligners, the more it will cost.
Treatment complexity: Mild tooth corrections typically require less complex clear aligners treatment than severely crooked teeth, resulting in lower costs.
Dentist: More experienced dental professionals may charge more for Invisalign® Clear Aligners.
Location: The cost of living in your dentist’s practice area can influence their clear aligners pricing. For example, dentists in major cities may charge more than dentists in rural areas.
Patient compliance: Patients who follow their dentist’s instructions closely often see faster results, which can reduce costs.

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Does dental insurance cover Invisalign® Clear Aligners for adults?

Some dental insurance plans cover a portion of orthodontic treatments like clear aligners for patients under 18.⁶ However, finding a dental insurance plan with orthodontic coverage for adults can be more difficult.

If you're wondering, "Does my dental insurance cover Invisalign® Clear Aligners?", you can find out by reviewing your policy details or contacting a representative from your insurance provider.

While Aflac network dental insurance doesn't cover clear aligners, it can help lower your out-of-pocket costs for many other procedures, including:

Preventive care, including routine dental cleanings, exams and X-rays.
Basic services, such as fillings, simple extractions and basic oral surgery.
Major procedures, such as crowns, bridges, dentures and anesthesia.

Should I get a dental insurance plan?

Dental insurance can help you manage the cost of essential dental care, even if your plan doesn’t cover orthodontic treatments like clear aligners.

For example, Aflac’s network dental insurance can cover up to 100% of the cost of routine dental cleanings, exams and X-rays with no waiting period. These preventive visits can help your dentist detect potential issues early and keep your teeth clean and healthy throughout your clear aligners treatment.

Additionally, dental insurance can help cover many other services you may need over time, such as fillings, root canals and oral surgery. Having this type of coverage can make it easier to afford unexpected dental treatments and maintain your oral health long term.

Get Aflac dental insurance today.

Dental insurance can help you afford crucial dental care, from preventative to major services. While Invisalign® Clear Aligners isn’t covered by most dental insurance policies for adults, having a dental plan can help lower your overall dental costs and protect the teeth you straighten with clear aligners.

Want to learn more about Aflac’s network dental insurance plans for individuals and families? Discuss your dental coverage options with an Aflac agent and get a quote today.

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