Why is Invisalign So Expensive Considering the Cost of the Trays?

Question

The cost of Invisalign is as follows (Source: Align Technology as of June 2012): - Full: $1649 - Assist: $1699 with progress tracking / $1299 without progress tracking - Teen: $1649 - Express 10: $899 - Express 5: $549 If treatment lasts 12 months, and I will see an orthodontist once / 6 weeks that means I will see him/her 10 times maybe 15 if I have a lot of emergencies. I was quoted $6k for Invisalign = $4,351 ($6k-$1649) for 10-15 visits or $290-$435 each. Expensive! What am I missing?

Zev Kaufman, DDS · Answer

In order for a dentist to run his/her office properly, pay the staff, pay the state, local and federal taxes, administer the benefits, vacation pay, pay the rent/mortgage, buy equipment, pay all insurances (liability, disability, workers compensation, unemployment, overhead, health, etc.) Continuing education courses, not to mention that it costs way more than $250,000 to become a dentist... When you add all the expenses up, laboratory fees are typically only one seventh to one fifth of the price of the procedure to the patient. If you are paying only 6k for a full treatment, you are actually getting a bargain. Running any business is a very costly and risky proposition. If the price of the procedure is to low, business will not be able to make a profit, grow, and survive. If the price of the procedure is too high, the customers, in this case the patients will not come back for more. By the way... most dentists graduate dental school after the age of 26. At which time, most are over $250,000 in debt, and to set up a new dental office can cost up to a million dollars, depending on location and size. If dentistry did not promise a decent, steady income, why would anyone go through all this trouble? I hope that's my answer clarifies things a bit... Best of luck with your Invisalign treatment.

Russell Sutliff, DDS · Answer

Why do cell phones cost so much??  They are just plastic, some rare elements and glass.  Probably about $15-20 on the raw market.  Melt down a car....what do you have?  We love what we do and how it can improve our patients' life but it isn't a hobby.  It is a struggle to manage overhead, pay our bills, etc.  But the real question is ..... Do you find the value in having your teeth in the best positions for their long-term health?  Yes, you do!!  Otherwise you would not be looking into orthodontics.  But you may not value it enough to justify the expense.  Your choice.  If something does not offer adequate benefit....why invest in it?  Secondarily, invest wisely!  Do your homework and select your provider not only on cost of the treatment.  A couple hundred bucks spent to gain a superior result will be $$$ well spent in the end.

Jacqueline Demko, DDS, MSD · Answer

you have correct information on the lab  fees, and clearly in the above answers you have had the cost of running a practice fully explained to you.

I'd like to emphasize to you that anyone doing it for less is likely using you case to educate themselves. there are always ways to find things cheaper. it comes down to what risks you are willing to take. 

Invisalign is a paint brush, everyone that holds one does not get the same finish result.

Leonard Tau, DMD · Answer

I am actually a little taken aback by your question.  Do you know that office overhead for a dental office in most cases is 60-70%.  The cost of invisalign is actually quite high for a laboratory fee but in addition we have staff salaries, rent, utilities that need to be paid for as well.  I can assure you that the additional cost you pay is not the profit.  If you think it is too high, go elsewhere.  But cheaper does not normally mean better

Jay Neuhaus, DDS · Answer

The major portion of any dental fee is for labor and overhead. The largest portion is the salary of the dentist as well as his support staff: reception, chairside assistants, billing assistants, hygienists, etc. Then comes the rent and utilities. Then comes the training and education and licensure for all parties. Do you actually believe that everything above and beyond the cost of the trays is pure profit???

Why is Invisalign So Expensive Considering the Cost of the Trays?

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Answer: What goes into the fee for invisalign?

Answer: What goes into the fee for invisalign?

Answer: What goes into the fee for Invisalign

Answer: What goes into the fee for Invisalign

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Why is Invisalign So Expensive Considering the Cost of the Trays?

Answers (8)

Answer: What goes into the fee for invisalign?

Answer: What goes into the fee for invisalign?

Answer: What goes into the fee for Invisalign

Answer: What goes into the fee for Invisalign

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Everything you need to know about Invisalign

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.