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I Want to Stop Invisalign Treatment After 2 Days. Can I Recoup Any of the Expense?

I was fitted with my first set of Invisalign trays 2 days ago, I want to stop the treatment. My dentist didn't inform me that I would have brackets on the front of my teeth, and she didn't show me the final 3D rendering of my teeth until after she ordered trays. I was billed in full up front - $2000 insurance, $3500 out of pocket. Can I recoup any of this expense? I know that the up-front costs for Invisalign are significant, but I won't be going to any more doctor visits or getting any more trays.

Doctor Answers 5

Stopping Invisalign treatment after two days

March 14th, 2012
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It is common for patients to think, "there is no way I can do this a year" a few days after getting their aligners (or braces for that matter).  It is usually a mistake to quit the treatment after so short a time.  There is a reason you wanted the treatment, and that reason still exists.  Most people who feel as you do after 2 days find that after 3 or 4 weeks they have adapted to the aligners and are comfortable with them.  So I would try to wear them for at least a month.  If, after that time, you are still sure you do not want them, ask your doctor about a refund.  Since you will not be using any more "chair time" he might provide a refund of some of the fee.  As an aside, I do not routinely show the patient the 3-D rendering of their teeth (Clincheck) before treatment unless they request this ... I regard Clincheck as a tool for diagnosis and planning like an x ray. 

Brian Povolny, DDS, PhD


Seattle Orthodontist
5.0 out of 5 stars 2 reviews

Refund for invisalign

March 13th, 2012
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Not sure why you are stopping treatment, attachments are placed on almost every patient as they help move the teeth in certain directions.  In my office you would not be receiving a refund once treatment has been started and the trays fabricated.  Another dentist may have a different office policy.

 

Leonard Tau, DMD

Leonard Tau, DMD
Philadelphia Dentist
5.0 out of 5 stars 3 reviews

Invisalign Refund

March 13th, 2012
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Invisalign has a large fee to the dentist.  The dentist is unable to recoup that once the trays are ordered to be made.  My suggestion is that you give it a few weeks and see if you don't like it better.

Lawrence Singer, DMD

Lawrence Singer, DMD
Washington Dentist
5.0 out of 5 stars 4 reviews

Financial policies are made at each office

March 13th, 2012
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Any refund would be up to the treating dentist and only the treating dentist.  Invisalign has a significant cost to making the aligners, so likely that fee would be kept (around $2000) plus any other costs to this point.

Having said that, it is POSSIBLE that a new plan can be created, possibly without the buttons.  If so, the case may not turn out as well, but may be better than losing out on a few thousand dollars.

I would discuss your concerns and see what options are before you before you decide to pull the plug.

Web reference: http://www.DrTimmerman.com

Lance Timmerman, DMD

Stopping treatment early

March 13th, 2012
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Slow down....you need to talk to your dentist and see if you can work through the problems....attachments may not be necessary and are usually not all that hard to get use to.  And if you are not happy with the final "result" shown on the tooth animation it is not too late to plan on a revision.

Robert Waxler, DMD, MS

Robert Waxler, DMD, MS
Saint Louis Orthodontist

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.