Invisalign treatment is priced as a package by the orthodontist or dentist, and the package depends on how many aligners the case needs: a short treatment for minor crowding costs much less than comprehensive treatment for bite problems. The provider’s experience, the city and what the fee includes (refinements, retainers) account for the rest of the difference between quotes. This page explains those factors and how Invisalign compares with braces. It is part of our directory of what things cost in Canada.
Treatment packages
| Package | Typical use | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Short or limited treatment (for example, Invisalign Lite or Express) | Minor crowding or spacing, a relapse after earlier braces | The lowest |
| Moderate | Moderate crowding and some bite correction | Higher |
| Comprehensive | Complex crowding and bite problems; unlimited aligners within a set period | The highest |
| Teen packages | Aligners designed for growing teeth, with replacements for lost trays | Similar to comprehensive |
What the fee usually includes
| Often included | Sometimes extra |
|---|---|
| The consultation, scans and treatment plan | Retainers after treatment |
| The aligners and check-up visits | Refinements beyond the number in the package |
| Attachments (small bonded bumps that help the aligners grip) | Whitening, or dental work needed first |
Asking for a written quote that lists the package, the number of refinements and the retainers makes offices comparable.
Invisalign vs braces
| Factor | Metal braces | Invisalign |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Visible metal | Nearly invisible |
| Best suited to | Any case, including complex bite and jaw problems | Mild to moderate cases, and many complex ones in experienced hands |
| Eating | Food restrictions | Trays come out to eat |
| Compliance | Works continuously | Trays must be worn most of the day |
| Visits | Regular adjustments | New trays every week or two, with periodic check-ups |
| Cost | Usually lower for the same case | Often similar to or higher than metal braces |
The types of fixed braces and what drives their cost are in the cost of braces.
Aligners ordered by mail
Some companies sell clear aligners directly, with an at-home impression kit or a scan and remote monitoring by a dentist, usually for less than in-office treatment. They are generally limited to mild cosmetic cases, don’t correct bite problems, and lack in-person checks, and some companies in this market have closed. An in-person exam first checks for gum disease or cavities that need treatment before teeth are moved.
Insurance coverage
If a dental plan includes orthodontics, clear aligners are normally treated the same way as braces, so the plan’s lifetime orthodontic limit applies, and many plans restrict orthodontic benefits to dependent children or treat adult cases as cosmetic. Sending the provider’s treatment plan to the insurer for a pre-treatment estimate shows what will be paid before you commit. Dental insurance in Canada explains how plans are structured, and the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan has no orthodontic services at present.
Ways to pay
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| The provider’s payment plan | Spreading the fee over the treatment |
| Coordinating two insurance plans | When both partners have coverage |
| A health spending account | Aligners are an eligible expense; see health spending accounts |
| University orthodontic clinics | Supervised treatment at reduced fees at some dental faculties |
| The medical expense tax credit | Orthodontic costs qualify above the threshold; see the medical expense tax credit guide |
Routine dental work before treatment is covered in the cost of dental work.