Invisalign is a popular and effective alternative to metal braces. The Invisalign system utilizes clear aligners to shift teeth and create a straighter smile, and boasts the additional benefits of being removable and more comfortable than traditional braces . While braces are still a great option, Invisalign is something that is worth looking into if you are planning on getting orthodontic treatment. The cost of Invisalign does tend to be slightly higher on average compared to traditional braces, but read on to find out more about ways that you can reduce this price difference, whether Invisalign is really worth it, and how you can you can make Invisalign treatment work for you!
How much does Invisalign cost in Hawaii?
In general, Invisalign does cost more than metal braces- this applies in Hawaii as well.
Average Invisalign cost Hawaii
On average, the cost of Invisalign in Hawaii falls between $5,000 and $8,000, which is also higher than the average cost of Invisalign in other areas of the country. This correlates with the overall higher cost of living in Hawaii, as it is one of the more expensive places to live in the United States.
Is Invisalign Hawaii worth the investment?
Is it worth putting your money into Invisalign in Hawaii? There is no clear cut answer to this question, as there are multiple factors that can play a role, and each individual Invisalign patient will have a slightly different experience with his or her treatment,
Factors affecting cost
One of the most significant factors affecting Invisalign cost is the location of the patient. Prices for Invisalign tend to be higher in urban areas compared to less densely populated urban and suburban areas, as the cost of living in general is typically higher in cities. Additionally, areas where houses are more expensive and taxes are higher are areas where you expect the cost of Invisalign and other services to be higher on average as well.
Three of the most expensive areas to live in Hawaii, which correlates with some of the most expensive areas for Invisalign treatment, are Kaneohe Station, Wailea, and Kailua CDP (Honolulu County).
Some of the more affordable locations to live in Hawaii include Kaneohe, Kahului, and Kailua. In these locations, you can expect to spend at least a little below average on Invisalign treatment compared to the rest of the state of Hawaii.
Another factor that plays a major role in the cost of Invisalign treatment is the complexity of the orthodontic correction that is needed. Simpler cases of crooked or gap teeth are easier to fix and usually do not take as long to treat compared to more complicated cases. Longer treatment times correlate with more expensive treatment, meaning that the more work that needs to be done on your teeth, the more expensive your treatment will likely be. Furthermore, complex orthodontic cases usually require a greater number of aligners, which can also drive up the cost of Invisalign treatment (learn more in our Invisalign review).
Your current financial and insurance situation might also have an influence on the final cost of Invisalign treatment, as this could impact how much you are able to pay upfront versus how much of the cost of the treatment could end up rising due to interest rates. Furthermore, not every insurance company will cover orthodontic treatment, and even if your plan does cover orthodontic treatment it is important to check to see if Invisalign is included as a covered form of orthodontic treatment. Oftentimes it is not, given that metal braces tend to be cheaper and just as effective as Invisalign treatment.
How to make Invisalign in Hawaii affordable?
Although Invisalign is usually more expensive than traditional metal braces, there are several ways to reduce the cost and make it more affordable.
One of the primary ways that the cost of Invisalign can be reduced is via insurance coverage. This is one of the first things a patient should look into when investigating ways to lower the cost of Invisalign treatment, but whether or not Invisalign is covered will depend on the specific insurance plan.
Medicaid dental services in Hawaii are covered through the Hawaii Dental Service (HDS) and are coordinated by Community Case Management Corp (CCMC). For children under 20 years old, benefits include routine dental exams and cleanings two times per year while adults (21 and over) receive only emergency dental benefits. Orthodontic care, including Invisalign, is unfortunately not covered by Hawaii’s Medicaid program in either of these age groups.
The Hawaii Dental Service also provides information about discounted or free dental services that are available in the state of Hawaii, including Aloha Medical Mission, Dental Network Lifeline Hawaii, and Kalihi-Palama Health Center amongst others. However, like Medicaid, these discounted clinics will likely only be able to provide basic dental services, and not orthodontic care like Invisalign.
The payment options differ from clinic to clinic, with many offering special payment plans to make Invisalign a more affordable option.
A common financing option is CareCredit, which allows patients up to 12 months of interest-free payments on their treatment. Some offices, like Hawaii Smile Designs, even offer a financial calculator on their website to provide patients with easy access to figuring out the most convenient way to pay for their treatment.
Two additional common payment options available in Hawaii are using Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs). A HSA is managed by an individual to save money for healthcare-related expenses such as Invisalign treatment, whereas a FSA is typically managed by your employer but can be used for similar purposes.
Invisalign Alternatives in Hawaii
If you enjoy the discreet look that Invisalign provides, you might also be interested in lingual braces or Damon braces. Lingual braces are structurally the same as regular metal braces, but they are placed on the inside surface of your teeth rather than the outside, which makes them essentially invisible. Damon braces are also structurally similar to traditional braces, but they are self-ligating. Damon braces are also offered in a clear option, which is great for those who would like their orthodontic treatment to remain as low-profile as possible.
Aside from lingual braces and Damon braces, there are teledentistry companies that offer clear aligner systems like Invisalign. Since these teledentistry companies are based mostly or entirely online, choosing this option can save patients from having to make trips back and forth to an orthodontist’s office. It doesn’t matter whether you are looking for “Invisalign Honolulu” or looking for Invisalign in a different location, teledentistry companies will have you covered.
Best Invisalign Hawaii Providers
If you are interested in beginning Invisalign treatment in Hawaii, there is no shortage of high-quality providers available. To easily find top Invisalign providers in your area, you can use the search engine on Invisalign’s website. To take advantage of this helpful feature, all you need to do is type your zip code into the box in the upper righthand corner of the home page, and the search function will generate a comprehensive list of all the Invisalign providers nearby.
One of the top Invisalign providers in Hawaii is Hawaii Family Dental, which has 11 different locations. An advantage of choosing Hawaii Family Dental for your Invisalign treatment is their great financing options- this company truly tries to make Invisalign as affordable as possible for everyone. They offer 24 months of 0% financing, as well as several different monthly payment plans that vary based on your credit score.
Hawaii Family Dental boasts a high number of five-star reviews from satisfied customers on their website, and they are definitely a company worth checking out if you are in the market for Invisalign treatment. One recent Invisalign review for Hawaii Family Dental from 2021 states just how pleased the patient was with her experience at the Kona location, and that she would recommend the location to others.
If you are looking for an Invisalign provider in a location that Hawaii Family Dental doesn’t offer, such as an “orthodontist Maui”, be sure to take advantage of the Invisalign search engine discussed above. With this, answering the question of how to find an Invisalign doctor becomes simple. Maui orthodontists, and orthodontists in other locations, will pop up in the search results.
Invisalign is a fantastic option for those who are looking for a more discreet look for their orthodontic treatment. Although the sticker price for Invisalign is higher than more common forms of orthodontic treatments (like regular metal braces), this does not mean that Invisalign in Hawaii is not affordable- depending on the location you choose to go to, there are a variety of financing plans available to make the treatment an affordable option.
