Invisalign or Braces Near Upland? Here's the Cost Side by Side
Upland parents who call us about Invisalign usually have one question underneath the others: what's the real difference in price, and what does that look like month to month? So this page is built around the numbers. The clinical side — which option fits your teeth — is what the free consultation with Dr. Lyndon Tran, a board-certified orthodontist, is for. The money side you can work out right here. Se habla español.
The Two Numbers That Matter
• Comprehensive braces: about $3,500 total, 24 months typical, $300 down then ~$133/month for 24 months, 0% interest
• Comprehensive Invisalign: about $4,000 total, 24 months typical, $500 down then ~$146/month for 24 months, 0% interest
Difference: about $500 total, or roughly $13 a month over two years. That's the whole gap. Some offices price Invisalign at nearly double braces; we don't, because the lab cost difference doesn't justify it.
For younger kids, the early-treatment versions are priced the same way:
• Phase One braces: about $3,000 total, 12–18 months typical, $300 down then ~$150/month for 18 months
• Invisalign First: about $3,500 total, 12–18 months typical, $500 down then ~$167/month for 18 months
Complex adult cases can run up to about $4,500 in Invisalign. Appliances that some cases need (expanders, for example) add $500–$1,500 depending on what's required — Dr. Tran will tell you at the consultation if your case needs one, before you commit.
Three Ways to Pay, and How They Stack
1. Zero-interest in-house financing. The monthly figures above. No third-party lender, no interest, no credit check for the in-house plan.
2. CareCredit. A healthcare credit line; approved patients can start with $0 down.
3. Pay in full in cash: 5% off.Paying in full in cash earns a 5% discount, which does not apply to CareCredit.
What Insurance Actually Does
PPO dental plans typically cover a portion of orthodontic treatment — often a lifetime maximum rather than a percentage — and rarely the whole amount. We verify your specific orthodontic benefit before your visit so the number you plan around is real.
Medi-Cal Dental covers braces for medically necessary cases (significant bite or alignment problems that meet the state's criteria). It does not cover Invisalign. If your child is on Medi-Cal and qualifies, braces may cost you very little; we'll help check.
For IEHP Medi-Cal members, dental benefits are provided through Medi-Cal Dental.
When the Cheaper Option Is Also the Better One
Braces aren't just $500 less. For large bite corrections, significant crowding, or a patient who won't reliably keep aligners in 22 hours a day, braces produce a more predictable result. Dr. Tran will tell you if that's your case. Paying more for Invisalign only makes sense when Invisalign will actually do the job as well.
The reverse is true too: a straightforward crowding case in a responsible teen or an adult is an excellent Invisalign case, and the extra $500 buys aligners that come out for eating, brushing, band, and sports.
Meet Dr. Lyndon Tran
Dr. Tran is a board-certified orthodontist, certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. He attended dental school at New York University, where he was recognized as a top student in the orthodontic honors program, and completed his orthodontic residency at NYU. Every braces and Invisalign case here — Upland Unified kids, teens, adults — is planned and managed by him directly.
Age 7, and Why It Doesn't Mean Braces at 7
The American Association of Orthodontists suggests a first orthodontic look around age 7, when there's a mix of baby and adult teeth. For most Upland kids that visit ends with "nothing yet, we'll watch." For a smaller number, an early Phase One makes a real difference — crossbites, severe crowding, a jaw-growth pattern that's easier to guide now. The consultation is free either way, so there's no cost to finding out which group your child is in.
Why a Board-Certified Orthodontist Instead of a Foothill Boulevard Dentist
Most of the Invisalign offices along Foothill and Euclid in Upland are general dental practices — good dentists, but not orthodontists. Invisalign certifies both. An orthodontist has completed two to three additional years of residency in tooth movement and jaw growth; a board-certified one has passed the American Board of Orthodontics' examination as well. It matters most when a case is more complicated than it looks, or when the patient is a teenager whose bite is still forming. Dr. Tran plans every case here, and if aligners aren't the right tool for yours, you'll be told — not sold.
Lost Aligners, Broken Brackets, and Other Mid-Treatment Realities
Invisalign: a lost aligner is replaced; wear the previous set in the meantime and treatment continues from where it was. Keep the last two sets.
Braces: a broken bracket is a short repair visit, usually within a day or two; wax over it until then. Neither is an emergency, and neither adds to the price.
Retainers: included in the treatment plan for both options — full-time wear for a set period, then nights, to hold the result.
Adults From Upland
No upper age limit. Healthy teeth and gums are the requirement. Adults are most of our Invisalign patients some months — parents who never had treatment, or whose teeth moved after braces decades ago. Same pricing, same payment plans.
Getting Here From Upland
Foothill Boulevard west through Claremont into Pomona, or the 10 west to Towne. The office is at 1532 San Bernardino Ave, Suite A1. Our pediatric dentistry team is in the same building, so younger siblings can get cleanings and checkups here while an older one is in treatment.
Kids Dental Castle & Orthodontics
1532 San Bernardino Ave #A1
Pomona, CA 91767
909-741-7052
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the monthly payment for Invisalign?
About $146/month for 24 months after a $500 down payment, at 0% interest, for comprehensive Invisalign. Invisalign First is about $167/month for 18 months after $500 down.
What's the monthly payment for braces?
About $133/month for 24 months after $300 down, at 0% interest, for comprehensive braces. Phase One is about $150/month for 18 months after $300 down.
Can I use CareCredit for braces or Invisalign?
Yes. CareCredit is accepted alongside our own 0% in-house plans. If you pay the full balance up front, including through CareCredit, the 5% pay-in-full discount still applies.
Will my PPO cover Invisalign?
Most PPO orthodontic benefits apply to Invisalign and braces alike, usually as a lifetime maximum that covers part of the cost. We check your specific plan before your visit.
Is there a price difference between Invisalign and braces for the same case?
About $500 — $4,000 vs. $3,500 for comprehensive treatment. That's the gap here, not double.
Is the consultation free?
Yes, including the exam and digital scan. You leave with a price and a timeline.
Does Medi-Cal cover Invisalign?
No. It can cover braces for medically necessary cases. We accept Medi-Cal Dental and can help check whether your child qualifies.
How long does Invisalign take?
Most comprehensive Invisalign cases take 12 to 24 months, depending on how much movement is needed and how consistently the aligners are worn: 20 to 22 hours a day. Minor cases can be shorter. Dr. Tran gives you an estimated timeline at the free consultation.
Is Invisalign from an orthodontist different from Invisalign from my dentist?
The aligners are the same product; the planning isn't. An orthodontist has two to three extra years of specialty training in tooth movement. Dr. Tran is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics.
Is Invisalign worth it?
For adults and teens who will wear the aligners, usually yes: it's nearly invisible, removable for meals and events, and at about $4,000 here it costs about $500 more than braces. It isn't worth it for someone who won't wear aligners 20 to 22 hours a day; braces will work better and cost less.
How much do retainers cost?
Your first set of retainers is included in the treatment price here, for braces and Invisalign alike. If you need replacements later, we quote them before making them.
Do you speak Spanish?
Sí. Se habla español en nuestra oficina.
