When calculating the cost of a new smile, our experts will take into account factors like as:
Each of these elements will influence the overall cost of therapy. Take, for example, classic metal braces. These are, on average, one of the more affordable treatment alternatives, albeit transparent braces or Invisalign aligners may cost a little more. Similarly, orthodontic treatment for children is frequently less expensive than adult treatment, however this varies by situation. If a patient has complex orthodontic concerns, treatment timeframes may be longer than for patients with minor issues, implying more work for the orthodontist and more follow-up sessions. The entire cost of treatment reflects this.
Every orthodontist will have a different cost structure depending on their location. Some dental insurance policies will cover orthodontic treatment, so this could be a factor. The amount of coverage offered is usually determined by the particular patient and the treatment plan advised.
What does the total cost of braces treatment include?
Despite the fact that there are numerous aspects to consider, there will never be any hidden expenses with us. During your free consultation, we’ll go over everything in your personalized treatment plan with you and make sure you understand it before you start your orthodontic journey. These treatment plans include everything you’ll need to get stunning, long-lasting results, such as:
Our treatment fees reflect our team’s expertise and experience, as well as the world-class service we deliver and the cutting-edge technology we employ to create incredible outcomes. We understand that braces are an expensive investment for most families, therefore we work hard to ensure that our patients have a healthy, confident smile.
What is the average cost for braces?
We can’t give a general answer for how much treatment will cost because there are so many variables in specialized orthodontic care. However, a child’s therapy can cost anywhere from $3 to $7,500, while adult braces or aligners can cost anywhere from $5 to $8,000. Just bear in mind that the overall cost will be determined by the individual needs of each patient, as well as the considerations listed above.
Will dental insurance cover orthodontic treatment?
While some dental insurance policies include orthodontic treatment, the coverage rules are frequently ambiguous, complex, or time-consuming to decipher. Our staff will be pleased to assist you in determining whether or not your insurance supports orthodontic treatment and how to get the most out of your coverage.
Our specialists tailor each treatment plan to the patient’s specific health needs and professional experience. We will not propose treatment based on whether or not certain treatment options are covered by insurance, but rather will present patients with the best plan for their needs, lifestyle, and goals.
We’ll analyze your insurance to assist you decide on the best course of action for your treatment plan, as each policy is different. We can file your insurance claims for you and accept any payment assignment from your insurance provider once therapy begins.
If dental insurance doesn’t cover treatment, are any costs tax-deductible?
The costs of oral health care linked with braces may be tax-deductible if they are deemed medically essential. However, before any deductions are applied, the price must reach a particular threshold. If you want to deduct the cost of treatment, keep note of all your expenses, including co-pays and follow-up appointments.
Will Medicaid cover the cost of braces?
Medicaid may cover the cost of braces if they are deemed medically essential for you or your child. Before beginning treatment, it is critical to inquire about the percentage of coverage and the lifetime maximum.
Your smile is worth the investment with Foothill Orthodontics
Braces are used for more than just improving your appearance. Your oral health has a significant impact on your overall well-being. Tooth decay and cavities, as well as pain in the head, neck, and shoulders, can all be exacerbated by misaligned teeth. Correcting these problems can make you look and feel better than you’ve ever looked or felt before!
What is the average cost of braces in Utah?
We recognize that braces for adults and children can be costly. In Utah, the average cost of braces is $4,937. We are always honest with our patients about how much braces cost in our office, and we make sure that our pricing are among the most affordable available. Our service is less expensive than the majority of orthodontists in the state while still providing excellent results. Most insurances and flex-spending plans are also accepted. Braces that are clear or invisible are also available.
Why are braces so expensive?
For many people, investing in straighter teeth is worthwhile, especially if it prevents future difficulties.
Because tooth mobility is a gradual and slow procedure. It’s a time-consuming procedure that necessitates numerous follow-up consultations spanning months or years.
Most people visit their doctor every few weeks for adjustments and to ensure that everything is running smoothly.
How do you get clear braces?
Clear braces are comprised of tooth-colored ceramic material that blends in with your smile and provides a discreet but effective orthodontic treatment. Clear braces are a terrific alternative to typical metal brackets for adults, but they are also available for teenagers.
Clear braces straighten your teeth in the same way that traditional metal braces do. Your orthodontist will insert ceramic tooth-colored brackets on your teeth, then run a wire through them and bind them with transparent elastics. Your orthodontist will use a succession of wires, rubber bands, and other ways to progressively straighten your teeth with consistent pressure during visits to the clinic every 4-6 weeks.
How much would braces cost for 6 months?
First and foremost, what exactly is Six Month Smiles? The method advertises itself as a cost-effective alternative for adults aged 16 and up to straighten their teeth using clear braces in roughly six months. In most cases, a regular dentist rather than an orthodontist performs the treatment. Your dentist takes impressions of your teeth, sends them to Six Month Smiles, and they receive a “patient tray kit” in the mail. The kit includes brackets that have been pre-positioned by a technician and are ready to go to the dentist in bonding trays. It also includes all other necessary items, such as cables and ligatures. The benefits are as follows:
- Six Month Smiles normally costs between $3,000 and $4,500, which is less expensive than some other solutions (we’ll go over this in the cons section).
- It could be a viable solution for those with minor conditions who only require a cosmetic update.
- The scanning and impressions are processed quickly, and the dentist receives the kit within five days of sending it off.
The Cons of Six Month Smiles
Although the 6 Month Smiles before and after photos on the company’s website are impressive, you’ll notice that none of the folks included in the success stories had serious dental issues previous to treatment. Is Six Month Smiles effective? It may be possible in a small number of circumstances, such as when a patient has a perfect bite in the back and only minor space or crowding in the front teeth. The program is unlikely to be a feasible alternative for the majority of people. Let’s take a closer look at the Six Month Smiles issues:
- Despite the company’s claims, the braces they employ are standard clear braces, and an orthodontist will have access to newer, more cutting-edge materials, technology, and treatment alternatives.
- The six-month average treatment time is due to the fact that it mainly addresses cosmetic issues. When you smile, the braces only move the teeth that are visible, which are your top front teeth. This is even stated in the fine print.
- Your bite (the way your upper and lower teeth fit together) and jaw alignment are not fixed with Six Month Smiles. Only repositioning a few teeth can exacerbate your bite, causing difficulty with chewing and speaking as well as lasting, unwelcome changes in your facial shape. If this occurs, more intensive therapy will be required in the future.
- The price of 6 Month Smiles is comparable to the cost of standard orthodontic treatment. Because you’ll just be wearing braces for six months and will only be straightening your front teeth, the price may be slightly lower.
- We must emphasize that Invisalign is substantially less apparent than Six Month Smiles since the aligners are composed of smooth, flexible plastic that is designed to suit your mouth perfectly. When you grin, lingual braces are barely visible, and ordinary clear braces will be the same. Six Months Smiles isn’t the place to go if you’re looking for the most inconspicuous orthodontic treatment.
- Individuals aged 16 and over are eligible to participate in the program. This excludes a large number of patients.
- Yes, Dr. Sturgill may be biased as a board-certified orthodontist, but becoming a Six Month Smiles provider is as simple as paying a fee and attending a two-day course. The dentist then receives a box containing brackets that have already been placed in their precise locations by Six Month Smiles professionals. These technicians, who aren’t dentists or orthodontists, never see your mouth in person and are only educated in “short term ortho” bracket implantation, never see your mouth in person. Considering how important your smile is, going to someone who will treat you with a kit put together by a random person is not in your best interests.
- We adore dentists and have no intention of criticizing them. Orthodontists are, after all, dentists. General dentists, on the other hand, are experts in all aspects of your oral health. Orthodontists are experts at detecting and correcting malocclusion, or a bad bite. It’s the equivalent of seeing a podiatrist for a heart ailment. Although both a cardiologist and a podiatrist attended medical school, their specializations are vastly different. The key to successful therapy is receiving the accurate diagnosis and finding the underlying cause of your malocclusion, and braces, whether six months or not, are only as effective as the clinician who uses them.
The Bottom Line
After graduating from dentistry school, a certified specialist in orthodontics completes two or three years of specialty training in an orthodontic residency program. Before going out on their own, they learn about the subtleties of tooth straightening and bite alignment, as well as gaining considerable experience dealing with patients. Dr. Sturgill went one step further by obtaining board certification. He put in hundreds of extra hours to prove he was capable of providing the finest degree of treatment and acquired the title of Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. He now instructs future orthodontists. These stringent educational and experience requirements would not exist if teeth straightening could be learned in two days!
Can you negotiate cost of braces?
However, the good news is that orthodontists provide a range of payment options. Many orthodontists enable customers to pay in monthly installments with no interest, and some even let you negotiate the amount. When Lisa Madsen, 39, wanted to correct her bite last spring, she sought the advice of two orthodontists. She felt more at ease with the first doctor’s diagnosis, despite the fact that his treatment was more expensive. Madsen, a stay-at-home mom in East Windsor, Conn., says she took the lower quotation to the (first) orthodontist and said, “Can you work with me?” As a result, he was able to lower his pricing by $300.
If you pay in cash or with a credit card at the start of treatment, certain orthodontists may give you a discount, usually 5 to 10%. After the first patient was treated, one woman said her orthodontist offered a family discount of $300 per patient.
What is the best age for braces?
When is the best time to get braces? Early adolescence, or between the ages of 10 and 14, is typically regarded as the best period to have braces installed. Because preteens and younger adolescents have all (or nearly all) of their adult teeth in place, and their softer jawbone tissue is still quite susceptible to repositioning, they are a good candidate for orthodontic treatment.
Are braces worth it?
Although braces may appear to be costly, the benefits of wearing them greatly surpass the cost. Braces may soon prove to be one of the most worthwhile investments you can make for your oral health and self-esteem. So, are braces worth the investment? Yes, it is correct.
What happens if you lose insurance during braces?
-Nearly all insurance companies will pay a lump sum when the appliances are installed, then make payments over the course of treatment. Because the adjustments aren’t done all at once, they do it this way. This implies that if your insurance is lost or cancelled before your treatment is completed, you may lose a portion of your benefit. Before terminating your insurance, make sure to check with your provider.
Is Invisalign cheaper than braces?
Invisalign is slightly more expensive than traditional metal braces. While more insurance companies are covering the cost of Invisalign, you’re still more likely to have a little more coverage for metal braces. When it comes to cost, metal braces are the clear winner. We can give you with estimates that take into account what your dental insurance will cover in order to determine the actual cost difference.