How did you pay/finance for your Invisalign treatment?

[IHIC]

Hi all,

I was just wondering how you Invisalign people paid for your treatment, if you don't mind me asking... of course, don't answer if you feel it's too personal.

Did you pay up front? (pay all the fee at once), if so, did you pay by cash you had saved up? or did you take out a loan, or maybe even used a credit card?

Or did you pay a deposit then make monthly payments for the rest of the balance? (I believe alot of places offer this 0% interest...). How much was your deposit?

I'm just curious to see how other people financed for this treatment. I know different places can vary greatly in price... so that can obviously have an affect on how you pay for your treatment.

I first started researching about Invisalign and contacting places in October-ish last year. I then found someone I wanted to go with, who was cheaper than ALOT of places and offered alot in the overall package... also was so helpful and friendly. I wanted to have my first consultation in January this year, but I never got round to it because I needed to have a £1400 deposit. I didn't have any savings and I just haven't been able to save because pretty much all my earnings are paid out on other debts/bills. Any money I do have left over I could save, but would take soooo long to make up £1400 hehe. Money is tight right now, like it is for alot of people.

I REALLY, really want to have Invisalign, so I just thought I'd see if other people got into 'debt' to fund their treatment.

I'm seriously considering taking out a top up on my current £6000 loan eeek! or maybe even doing it on a 0% interest credit card. Obviously I wouldn't do this if I couldn't afford the repayments... but in an ideal world I would have really have liked to saved that money up and paid for the deposit outright, rather than on a credit card/loan, which would then mean I would be paying for that monthly, then also making monthly payments for the remaining cost of the treatment.

[anijh]

I'm starting Invisalign really soon and the total cost for my treatment is $4800. Last month (June), I paid $2000 up front as a "down payment" leaving a balance of $2800. Starting this month I will pay $200 each month for 14 months at 0% interest to pay off what remains.

I did not borrow any money for this. I already had the money for the down payment saved up in a savings account. The $200 monthly payment will continue to come out of savings or from money I earn once I start working full-time. I also have dental insurance but haven't been able to check to see if it will cover Invisalign. I will be giving them a ring soon so that will probably be sorted in a matter of weeks for which I'll update this post if anything changes.

[kezzakattami]

Im in the UK, total cost is £2950 including clincheck. I had to pay £1950 up front, for the remaining £1000 I took 0% credit over 6 months (last payment this month, yippeeeee!) It worked out about £160 per month. This was done through my dentist

[lemon tree]

hi! It seems really expensive initially but to me the investment is a lifetime one. I paid for the full cost of my treatment in installments of 1/3 over the first the three months. My insurance is covering 60% of the cost but will be reimbursing it over the course of 12 months which is a bit goofy to me but I'm just happy it's being covered.

[mommamorin]

I know you are in the UK but may be of help someone here in the US, we have a medical charge card that can be applied for called Care Credit. I financed mine, 24 months with zero % interest. Personally I prefer to finance as it gives you some protection against services not provided properly and there is recourse to persue this issue.

[Punkin]

What insurance didn't cover, I paid for with an upfront fee, and then 2 years of payments - 0% interest.

[myhollywoodsmile]

I paid about half up front I think, and now pay the balance monthly- about $220 a month. Grand total $6300 AUD. I think that my insurance company will reimburse me approximately half.

[girl on the bus]

My whole treatment cost just under $7000... treatment time estimated at about 1.5 years. I had to pay $2100 in the first 3 months ($700/month). Then $290 until the rest of the balance is paid. I paid the $2100 from my savings and then they take the $290 from my credit card everymonth..

I started shortly after christmas, so was kinda broke.

[Adam]

In the UK here too - I paid a total of £3,500 which was an initial payment of £1,100 which I had left from my annual bonus (work) and then financed the rest over 12 months at 0% for £200 a month, only a couple of payments to go now

[IHIC]

Thank you all for your replies, much appreciated. It's interesting knowing how each of you paid or are still paying for your Invisalign treatment

Im in the UK, total cost is £2950 including clincheck. I had to pay £1950 up front, for the remaining £1000 I took 0% credit over 6 months (last payment this month, yippeeeee!) It worked out about £160 per month. This was done through my dentist

Hi, I hope you wont mind me asking... but did you have the £1950 saved? or did you have to borrow money to pay that up front.

hi! It seems really expensive initially but to me the investment is a lifetime one.

I couldn't agree more. Money is tight for me right now and that's is the only reason why I haven't gone ahead with Invisalign. But like you say, it is a lifetime investment. I hate my teeth the way they are and would absolutely LOVE to make them look better, they really knock my confidence.

Personally I prefer to finance as it gives you some protection against services not provided properly and there is recourse to persue this issue.

I agree, even if I had the full amount saved I think I'd still go down the pay monthly route for treatment.

[Punkin]

I would go and talk to a few orthodontists; talk about payment plans and down payments and what not. I'm sure they would be willing to work with you.

With my braces, I could specify how much the down payments was, working with them to get payments that were reasonable; the same thing with my sons. They gave me a minimum downpayment, but I was able to up that to get the payments to a reasonable amount.

[IHIC]

I would go and talk to a few orthodontists; talk about payment plans and down payments and what not. I'm sure they would be willing to work with you.

With my braces, I could specify how much the down payments was, working with them to get payments that were reasonable; the same thing with my sons. They gave me a minimum downpayment, but I was able to up that to get the payments to a reasonable amount.

Last year I contaced about 10 orthodontists who did Invisalign, out of them 10 one caught my eye. The rest weren't very helpful and I just sensed they were after the money, of course I understand they are running a business, but alot of businesses do like to spend time discussing things with their customers.

So I'm glad I already know who I am going to go with if I do get Invisalign, and when I was in contact with them late last year they required a £1400 deposit and then 14 montly repayments for the outstanding balance at £100 per month interest free. I am really happy with the price and service they offer within the price... but having to pay up half of the balance up front did stop me from going ahead with it because I just didn't have the cash. At least finding an orthodontist is out of the way! lol

I suppose one can't have it all their own way. I could go with one of the other places and pay a much smaller deposit, have longer to repay the rest... but I might be unhappy with their service and what is/isn't included in the overall price. I did alot of asking around, got quotes etc etc. It's not only that some were too expensive or I wasn't happy with how they responded to me they were also too far to travel.

I have some money saved, not alot though and it's really a safe stash incase my car needs repairs at any time... I also have a few things I need to sell, so I might manage to get at least half of the £1400 together in cash, then I could take the rest out in a loan or on a 0% credit card - doing that would be good.

I was in contact with this orthodontist in email, chatted and I asked so many questions and they were so happy to help. I don't want to make that initial appointment/consultation (even though it's free) unless I 100% know I can get that £1400 together.

[StephieAZ]

My treatment is going to be $3500. I had to do $1000 down and for the remaining $2500 I will be financing. 12 months 0% sounds like a good deal that I can totally do. - s

[kezzakattami]

IHIC - I paid my deposit from savings

[havingitdoneintheuk]

IHIC I took a loan out but banked it and only give 250 each time I go in. I'm at refinement stage now and have only paid half. I only had to pay 250 deposit.