Setting a fee for clear aligner therapy can be challenging, but it's crucial to set a fair fee for the service you provide.
In this article, I will provide you with some tips on how to come up with a reasonable fee for clear aligner therapy.
Start by considering all the factors that affect your costs:
Consider the cost of materials and equipment
To set a fair fee for clear aligner therapy, it's essential to consider the cost of materials and equipment used in the process: digital scanner, impression material, radiographs, aligner lab fee, staffing, and general practice overhead. Then determine the length of time it will take you to complete the case:
1/2 hour for the workup
1/2 to 1 hour for the treatment presentation
1 hour for Insertion: attachments, IPR, and home care instructions
15-30 minutes for each check-in: 1 visit for every 5 to 10 trays
and perhaps an hour for the final case completion. Multiply that number by an estimate of hourly G&A overhead for your practice.
Factor in the complexity of the case
Some cases require more aligners than others, and some cases are more challenging to treat than others. Cases under 10 steps or only treating the social 6 are considered simple and should be on the lower end of your treatment scale. Cases that involve full occlusal correction, arch expansion, space closures, extrusions or intrusions, are considered complex and should be on the higher end of your scale. Everything in between is considered moderate which might involve some occlusal correction and be roughly between 10 to 20 aligner steps.Consider the time and expertise invested in your training
Clear aligner therapy requires a certain level of expertise and time commitment. It's essential to consider the amount of time and expertise required to complete the treatment when setting your fee. The more expertise and corresponding commitment to your craft, the higher the fee should be. If you're just starting out with clear aligner therapy, take on easy cases, and set your prices on the lower end of the spectrum to attract new patients. Once you've established yourself, built a reputation, and know how to treat more complex cases, you can increase your fee to be in line with what is average in your geographic.
Understand Your Local Market
Researching your local market can help get a reasonable feel for what is a normal price for clear aligner therapy. Check out what other dentists and orthodontists in your area are charging for the same service. You don't want to charge too much and drive away potential patients, but you also don't want to undercharge and undervalue your services.
The range of pricing for orthodontic therapy can be anywhere from $3000 for short and simple cases in a more cost-conscious geographic setting to up to $7000 for full comprehensive orthodontic care in a more affluent area.
Consider offering financing options
Sound expensive? It certainly is for most patients but offering financing options, such as payment plans or third-party financing, helps make the service more accessible to your patients and works well with Orthodontic care which happens over the course of months or years.
By considering the cost of materials and equipment, your chairtime, the complexity of the case, the time and expertise required, researching your competition, and offering financing options, you can set a fair and reasonable fee for your services. Always remember to provide excellent service and quality care to your patients, and they will be happy to pay a fair fee for services delivered by a professional they trust.