Health insurance for Invisalign
Expert tips on choosing health insurance
Our health insurance expert, Steven Spicer, is here to offer some tips on comparing health insurance.
Steven Spicer
Executive General Manager – Health, Life & Energy
Understand the difference between inclusions
Your extras policy will have different inclusions, and you’ll need to understand what each of these cover to get the most out of your insurance. For example, dental treatments are usually separated into four groups: general, major, orthodontic and endodontic. If you’re looking to get Invisalign treatment, it’s important to know which of these groups your health fund classifies the procedure under.
Know your limits
When you take out an extras policy, you’ll have limits on how much you can claim. Your policy will have an annual limit but may also have sub-limits and group limits. Knowing a policy’s limits will help when it comes to comparing options and making an informed decision. Once you’ve chosen a policy, knowing how much you can claim will help you plan for any out-of-pocket costs.
Adapt your cover
Your health needs will change throughout your life, therefore, it’s a good idea to review your health insurance regularly. If it’s been a while, you might be surprised at what inclusions you’re paying for that you no longer need. You might also discover some inclusions you need that aren’t included in your current policy. Checking your policy inclusions is a good opportunity to check whether the policy still suits your needs or it’s time for a change.
What is Invisalign treatment?
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear tooth aligners for teeth straightening.1 Invisalign treatment uses a series of clear, custom-made tooth aligners to gently shift your teeth into the desired position.2 Like braces, clear aligners are designed to be worn on your teeth for long periods of time.
Unlike braces, aligners can be removed for eating, drinking, flossing and cleaning.1 Clear aligners are designed to be less visibly noticeable than traditional braces, however, they’re not completely invisible.
Aligners need to be custom-made to suit each individual.3 Clear aligners are usually made from a smooth plastic material. Once you have your aligner, you’ll need to wear it all the time, except when you’re eating, drinking, flossing or cleaning your teeth.
Invisalign (or similar clear aligner treatments) can help with the following dental issues:2
- Overcrowding of teeth
- Teeth misalignment
- Spaces and gaps
- Overbites, underbites and crossbites
- Early orthodontic issues in younger patients.
Alternative treatment options
There are other options to help move or realign teeth into the desired position and many of these treatments can be covered by health insurance.1 Some other options include:
- Traditional metal braces: Made with metal brackets connected by a wire, these are the most common braces.1 They have a lower overall cost than clear aligners.
- Ceramic braces (modern braces): Similar to traditional braces but made from ceramic and less visible.1
- Retainers: A retainer is usually used after braces to help keep your teeth in alignment.1 However, if your teeth are only slightly crooked, a retainer may be able to straighten them.
Are clear aligners better than traditional metal braces?
Some advantages Invisalign and clear aligners have over traditional braces include: 2
- Less visible (although they’re not entirely invisible)
- Removable, meaning less restrictions on what you can eat
- Can provide quicker treatment in some cases.
There are some potential cons to Invisalign aligners including:3
- More expensive
- Requires multiple aligners/replacements
- Traditional braces can be more effective in some cases.
Whether a set of aligners is the correct dental treatment for you will depend on how much correction your teeth require and the specifics of your condition.
How long does Invisalign take?
Typically, Invisalign treatment time will be around 6-18 months.1 However, if your case is more complicated, the length of treatment could increase to two years or more.2 Your orthodontist or dentist can make an estimate based on an examination and diagnosis.
Does Invisalign hurt?
Invisalign and similar treatments can cause temporary discomfort and pain in your teeth and jaw for a couple of days after being fitted or adjusted.1 This is usually mild and should go away after a few days once your mouth adjusts. Any severe pain should be discussed with your dentist or orthodontist.
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How much does Invisalign cost in Australia?
In Australia, Invisalign treatment can cost anywhere between $2,800 to over $9,000.4 Costs can easily exceed this in more complex cases. This price doesn’t include additional costs like the initial consultation, check-ups or other dental procedures performed. As every mouth is different, the only way to get an accurate idea of how much your treatment will cost is to speak to your dentist.
Factors that will influence the cost of Invisalign or other clear braces include:3
- How much alignment your teeth need
- Complexity of your condition
- The length of your treatment plan (longer treatments will cost more)
- Number of aligners you need
- Any additional dental work you may need
- Your choice of dentistry professional/dental practice.
Your Invisalign provider/dental clinic may offer a payment plan option for your treatment.
Is Invisalign covered by health insurance?
Private health insurance can cover some of the cost of Invisalign treatment, providing you have the right inclusions as part of your extras cover. For clear braces (including Invisalign), most policies require you to have the ‘orthodontics’ inclusion for you to make a claim. How much you can claim will depend on your policy limits. Information regarding your health insurance for Invisalign and your limits will be included in your policy documents.
There may be a waiting period before you’re able to make a claim. For orthodontics, this waiting period can be a year or longer. Insurance providers that offer no-waiting policies usually only make this offer for general dental, not major dental or orthodontics.
Does Medicare cover Invisalign cost?
Medicare typically doesn’t cover dental procedures, including products such as Invisalign. This means that if you undergo the procedure and don’t have private health insurance, you’ll have to cover the total costs out-of-pocket. While public dental services are available for eligible people, Invisalign treatment isn’t available through the public health system.
Meet our health insurance expert, Steven Spicer
As the Executive General Manager of Health, Life and Energy, Steven Spicer is a strong believer in the benefits of private cover and knows just how valuable the peace of mind that comes with cover can be. He is passionate about demystifying the health insurance industry and advocates for the benefits of comparison when it comes to saving money on your premiums.
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1Health Direct – Dental braces and aligners. Accessed February 2025.
2Invisalign – How Invisalign works. Accessed February 2025.
3Teeth.org – Teeth straightening and braces. Accessed February 2025
4Average costs of Invisalign taken from ten randomly selected Australian dental clinics. Accessed February 2025.