What to Expect at Your First Invisalign Appointment and Invisalign Cost

When researching the pros and cons of Invisalign versus traditional braces for my daughters, I didn’t know many people with Invisalign. As an adult, I didn’t want metal braces, so I opted for Invisalign. Here’s what you can expect at your first Invisalign appointment, and how much does Invisalign cost? I’ll tell you what the Invisalign vs. braces cost was for us.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

When I attended Family Forward at Universal Orlando, Invisalign was a sponsor and the grand prize was complimentary Invisalign! I had always wanted to try it, because even though I had braces when I was a teenager, my teeth were shifting. I had crowding in my bottom teeth, and I could feel my front teeth pushing forward. Needless to say, I was ecstatic to have won!!

Even though my personal Invisalign cost is nothing, I’m not required to write anything about my experience. I just thought it would be helpful to people thinking about Invisalign. Had I known how easy it was, I would have chosen it for my oldest daughter who is currently in braces (she’s 13). I do have 3 children in orthodontia treatment that I pay for.

When we first received a consultation, the cost of Invisalign was basically the same price as braces – approximately $5000-$5500 depending on payment plan and options. This was at two different orthodontists in the Northern Virginia area.

Expect a Tour at Your First Invisalign Visit

When I first arrived at Northern Virginia Orthodontics, I was given the VIP Treatment (like all patients). They showed me the adult waiting room, because I usually enter the kids side when I come with my girls.

One of the big perks of being a patient at NVO is there’s a mini Starbucks inside the office. You get complimentary drinks and they donate $1 to a charity for every drink poured. So when I arrived, I got my usual hot chocolate and waited for the next steps.

Wherever you go for Invisalign treatment, you should receive a tour of the office, so you’re comfortable and know how things operate. It will also give you a good feel whether this is the office for you.

Invisalign X-Rays and Treatment Plan

I already knew Northern Virginia Orthodontics, because like I said, my daughters are already patients here. So I had x-rays and photos taken (which happened on my daughters first visit, too), and then waited for Dr. Casagrande to talk to me about my treatment plan. It’s scary and cool to see your teeth out there.

Your doctor will also see if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. It works for big and small cases!

He also told me what to expect with Invisalign, my options, what I was concerned with, and then looked at my mouth so he could make notes of overbite, crossbite, etc. This is also where you discuss payment and Invisalign cost.

How Invisalign Works

Dr. Casagrande estimated about a 6- to 9-month treatment plan for me. Invisalign braces are not like traditional metal braces. Invisalign consists of clear aligners. The aligners are virtually invisible and fit snugly over your teeth.

Each aligner shifts your teeth slightly and are engineered to use the right amount of force in the right place at the right time. When you change to the next set of aligners (typically every week) your teeth gradually move into position. Each patient and plan is different. Genetics also play a role, so you may see more rapid or slower results than others.

Dr. Casagrande answered all my questions like when do I take my aligners out (to eat, brush and floss). Then it was time for my scans! It’s so cool how everything is digital. Northern Virginia Orthodontics really makes you feel comfortable and valued. The chair I was in was a massaging chair, plus they give you a menu of complimentary items to choose from for the NVO Experience. You guys, seriously? Eye masks and hot towels! I went for B12 and essential oils, because I was feeling very Zen.

Check out this video to see the process during my Invisalign scans!

The scans were super quick, and painless. It basically felt like a piece of plastic moving around my teeth. Now I wait for my aligners to come in. I also decided to do Propel to accelerate the movement of my teeth. Let me know if you have any questions, and I’m happy to answer them.

ETA: I’ve been wearing my aligners for about 4 months, I need to write an update with the pros and cons of Invisalign. So far, I would the cost of Invisalign is worth it, especially for adults and teens.