2023’s Best Affordable Dental Aligners in Your Area
Having straight teeth is often the foundation of a beautiful smile. The issue, though, is that orthodontic care is usually costly, even if you have insurance — and it can be outright expensive if you don’t have coverage. Fortunately, there are low-cost dental aligners out there, allowing you to get a fantastic smile for far less money. If you’re looking for the best affordable dental aligners in your area, here’s what you need to know.
What Are Dental Aligners?
Dental aligners — also known as invisible aligners — are an alternative to traditional metal braces. They’re removable orthodontic devices that fit over your teeth and straighten them gradually. You replace your current aligner every few weeks with a new one, allowing you to progress toward straight teeth over time.
How Do Dental Aligners Work?
Dental aligners work by slowly shifting your teeth into a new position. They put pressure on your teeth, causing them to move to fit the placement set by the aligner. Once the pressure shifts your teeth into the correct spot based on the current aligner, a new aligner is provided to continue moving your teeth toward the final position.
Pros and Cons of Dental Aligners
The primary benefit of dental aligners is that they’re discreet. Usually, the material is relatively slim and clear, so others won’t notice you’re wearing one. Aligners are also smooth, so they won’t catch on your mouth like metal brackets and wires.
Another positive is that dental aligners are removable. That allows you to take the aligner out when you eat and makes cleaning the aligner and brushing your teeth simpler when compared to metal braces. Usually, treatment timelines are shorter with dental aligners, though the exact time required varies depending on treatment complexity.
Regarding drawbacks, dental aligners may not work well for severe orthodontic issues. Because they’re removable, losing or misplacing them is possible.
Are Dental Aligners Affordable?
Some options for dental aligners aren’t overly expensive, while others’ costs are similar to traditional metal braces. Generally, the price range for treatment ranges from about $900 to $8,000, depending on treatment complexity.
If you need affordable dental aligners, at-home dental aligner systems are usually the least expensive. For example, Smile Direct Club’s monthly payment program costs $89/month for 26 months, which may feel reasonable. NewSmile has payment options ranging from $58 to $74 monthly for 36 months.
With insurance, the out-of-pocket costs can drop dramatically, too. If a person has orthodontic coverage, they’ll usually pay 50% of the cost, up to a maximum lifetime benefit limit, typically around $1,500. Still, the cost may be higher or lower with certain orthodontic plans.
Seniors can use Medicare for orthodontic care, including dental aligners, if treatment is medically necessary. For example, if malocclusion — the formal term for crooked teeth or a misaligned bite — contributes to sleep apnea or leads to issues with eating, Medicare may cover dental aligners. Similarly, orthodontic treatment is potentially available for temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) or might be necessary to reposition teeth after an accident or medical procedure alters tooth position.
Medicaid may have similar programs for orthodontic treatments that are deemed medical necessities. As a result, seniors on Medicare or anyone on Medicaid may get their orthodontic treatments almost entirely covered by the programs, barring any copays, co-insurance, or similar out-of-pocket expenses.
But other programs are potentially available, too. For example, you may be able to pay as little as $9 per month for dental coverage that includes orthodontic care.
If you’re looking for affordable dental aligners, check below to find offers in your area.
