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Aligners, often referred to as "invisible braces", are transparent plastic splints that are individually adjusted to the shape of the patient's bite. Their main goal is to move the teeth into the desired position and thus correct misaligned teeth.
Unlike conventional braces, aligners are inconspicuous, comfortable and in most cases removable. This makes them especially popular with adults and teenagers who are looking for a less noticeable way to straighten their teeth. The principle of the aligners is to move the teeth gradually, with the patient receiving a new set every few weeks to match the progress of treatment.
The price of the splints starts from as little as 65€*/month. However, when considering the cost structure of such treatment, there are various aspects that influence the overall price.
One of the most important factors is the material. Aligners are made of special, medically optimized plastics. These plastics are designed to be both strong enough to effectively realign teeth and flexible enough to ensure comfort. The quality and properties of these materials can affect fees, as high quality acrylics tend to be more expensive to manufacture.
Another important consideration is the length of treatment. Generally, the longer the treatment, the higher the overall cost. This is because longer treatments often require more splints. Each of these splints must be made individually, which causes additional expense. Finally, the severity of the misalignment also plays a role in pricing. Simple malocclusions can often be corrected more quickly and with fewer splints, which reduces costs. More complex cases, on the other hand, require more intensive planning, several splints and a longer treatment period, which has a corresponding effect on the price.
The severity of a malocclusion is often a decisive criterion for the assumption of costs for therapy. But what are the views of health insurers and private insurers?
Statutoryhealth insurers: Statutory health insurers are often reluctant to cover the cost of aligners. One major reason for this is the severity of the malocclusion. If a tooth correction is only desired for aesthetic reasons, it is unlikely that the costs will be covered by the statutory health insurers. They are primarily guided by medical necessity. For example, cases that are classified as serious and where health problems are expected without treatment are more likely to be supported.
Privateinsurance: Private health insurance companies, on the other hand, are often more flexible in their decision-making. Depending on the individual contract terms, they may even cover the amounts for aligner therapy in full or in part. Here, not only medical but also aesthetic reasons often play a role.
There are clear criteria according to which cost coverage is assessed.
Two of these criteria are:
Age: Children and adolescents often have a better chance of being covered by health insurance. This is less frequently approved for adults, as the therapy is often considered less urgent.
Medicalnecessity: This criterion comes first. Treatments performed solely for aesthetic reasons have a harder time. It must be proven that the therapy is necessary to prevent health problems.
In summary, the severity of the malocclusion is a central factor in the question of cost coverage. However, it is also important to consider the individual conditions and criteria of the respective health insurance company or private insurance.
A radiant smile and healthy teeth are not only an aesthetic concern, but also influence your self-confidence and quality of life. In order to provide you with the best possible overview of possible therapy options and the associated expenses, we offer you a detailed and personal consultation in our practice in Munich.
Our competent team takes sufficient time to explain all details of aligner therapy to you. We place particular emphasis on providing you with individualized care and working with you to create the best treatment plan. Of course, this also includes a cost estimate tailored to you, in which all items that may be incurred during your treatment are listed transparently.
