How Much Does Invisalign Cost in Melbourne?

The initial consultation where the dentist/orthodontist examines your mouth and asks about your cosmetic dentistry goals. They will then tell you if Invisalign is right for you. It may not be suitable for some people, i.e. those with severely rotated teeth (more than 20 degrees) or teeth with short clinical crowns. If this is you, the dentist will suggest some alternatives. You can find out more about Invisalign alternatives later in the article.

The next step is taking impressions of your teeth to create the custom aligners, which may happen during the initial consultation. X-rays, dental impressions, photographs and a 3D digital scan are taken of your teeth. These are then sent to the Invisalign laboratory, where they’ll make your customised aligner trays with a state-of-the-art printing process.

It usually takes a few weeks to complete the trays, and once ready, they’ll be sent to your dentist for collection. The number of aligners you require will depend on your treatment plan. Before taking your aligners home, your dentist will show you how to put them on.

Note that your dentist may need to fit small attachments on your teeth to help the trays stay in place.

You wear the aligners as directed, typically changing them every two weeks.

There is no need to visit a dentist every time you change aligners, and you should start seeing results in a matter of weeks. However, during the course of your Invisalign treatment, you will need at least a couple of follow-up appointments to check everything is progressing as planned.

At the end of the treatment,the result should be a straighter, healthier smile. Depending on the complexity of the orthodontic issue, it is possible to finish treatment in six months, but on average, treatment takes around twelve months.

If you are looking for Invisalign treatment in Melbourne, you won’t have too far to travel. Simply go to Invisalign’s website and use the search tool on the right-hand side of the home page. Tap in your postcode or ‘Melbourne’ to find providers near where you’re based. You can then use the filter tool to refine your search by criteria such as the provider’s experience and proximity to you.

There is no one-size-fits-all cost for Invisalign treatment. It varies from one individual to another as every smile, mouth and orthodontic need is different. The Invisalign price in Melbourne can range from $3,000 – $8,000. While this is more expensive than many other clear aligners out there, it is worth pointing out that Invisalign is the oldest and most established name in the clear aligner field, with  a history that stretches back to 1997.

If you’re looking to improve your teeth and smile aesthetics and find this cost beyond your budget, keep in mind that your treatment could fall outside this range. Therefore, it’s a good idea to book an appointment with a dentist to see how much it would cost to treat your condition. If the price point is still too high, you might want to consider the numerous other clear aligner options available to Melbourne residents. Prices can be considerably cheaper and range from $1,499 (SmilePath) to between $3,000 and $6,500 (Clear Correct).

To get a better understanding of Invisalign costs, here are some of the key factors that will affect the price you pay:

The Complexity of Treatment: Unlike many at-home aligners, Invisalign can treat virtually the entire range of orthodontic issues. If you only need a few teeth straightened or your bite is slightly off, then the treatment will be relatively short and attract a lower cost. However, more complex problems take longer to correct and involve more visits, aligners and additions. Consequently, the bill will be higher.

Dentist’s/Orthodontist’s Experience: Dentists are no different from professionals in many other fields when it comes to charging for their services. The most experienced and qualified tend to charge more than those with less experience.

Top tip: When searching for Invisalign providers on Invisalign’s website – you can use the handy filter tool to return the most experienced dentists/orthodontists first.

Office Location: If your dental clinic is located in a high-cost neighbourhood with higher rents, you can expect to pay more than if the clinic is situated in a more affordable area. As a general rule of thumb, Invisalign treatments will be more expensive in the city centre than in the suburbs.

Aftercare Retainers: Even after you’ve completed your treatment and achieved your dream smile, you will need to wear aftercare retainers until teeth eventually stabilise. (Some providers include retainers in their Invisalign treatment packages). They’re designed to stop teeth’s natural tendency to shift. Retainers are required for all forms of orthodontic treatment. They’re not unique to Invisalign.

Refinements: While your personalised treatment plan is designed with great care, there could be hitches along the way, or you may decide to make small changes once you’ve seen the results. In these situations, your dentist can order refinements, i.e., more aligners to fine-tune your smile. This is one reason why regular dental visits are essential during treatment because it allows for a continuous evaluation of your progress. Adjustments can then be made as and when they’re necessary.

Patient Cooperation: Every Invisalign patient will receive guidance on how to wear their aligners and when to wear them. Typically, this will be for more than 20 hours per day. However, if patients don’t closely follow all instructions and don’t wear aligners as directed, they may find it takes longer for their teeth to straighten. This may mean more aligners will be needed, which will affect the overall price.

Earlier in this article, we briefly mentioned Invisalign alternatives, companies that provide more affordable clear aligner treatments. Here is a closer look at some of the other options available to you if you live in and around Melbourne.

If you are investigating custom-clear aligners to straighten teeth Invisalign provides a proven and tested solution – and one that is incredibly discreet. As demonstrated in this guide however, Invisalign doesn’t come cheap and various factors will affect Invisalign’s cost. Therefore if you are looking to straighten teeth and have a limited budget, it’s a good idea to shop around to find the most affordable treatment for you. Most dentists will offer financing plans to help patients spread the cost of their Invisalign treatment over several months or years.

Alternatively, if the brand of clear aligners is not too important to you, choose an Invisalign alternative. We have touched on a few of them in this guide.

Either way, there is no longer any need to wear metal in your mouth for a year or more to correct misaligned teeth. With a little bit of research, you’ll find the discreet aligner treatment that is right for you and your budget.