Cost of braces

[Mslewis1999]

I recently had a consultation with an orthodontist after putting it off for many years. I am so excited but the problem is the cost. They quoated me at $6800 and I thought I was going to fall out the chair. He joked and said it's like buying a used car. I am not trying to buy a car!!! Does this sound about right or should I seek a second and third opinion? Also, will they give me x-rays?

[mikeg]

That is just a bit high in my opinion, but maybe not for your area and maybe you found a great orthodontist...

I personally would not put price as first priorty when shopping for braces... Go with who you feel comfortable with and who comes highly recommended in your area... If you are going in blindly, than you can use price as a factor more and use your gut to tell you who you will feel most comfortable seeing each month for the next couple years!

Good luck and I recommend you start a blog here..

[Mslewis1999]

I am willing to pay a little over $100 a month. When you have kids, daycare and mortgage you have to consider the price. I checked with a couple of friends who recently had theirs removed and they paid $3000. So I am now wondering if they are just trying to rip me off.

[mikeg]

good call.. if you are not in a high price area like areas of california and Ny, than $3000 to $3500 should be average for metal braces treatment...

[Sunny]

Mslewis I doubt any ortho would try and rip you off, as they have everything to loose by doing this ... their reputation. You would be wise to seek out some more ortho's and find out what their treatment plans and costs are. Some areas charge more, some ortho's charge more for the skills they have.

Please don't choose the cheapest, instead choose the person you feel most comfortable with. If the cost is a little high for you, talk to them about this and maybe they'll have ways you can pay for your treatment. I paid a deposit and then paid my account off over two years, at no extra cost to the original amount ... which I considered was an excellent option.

You can ask for your x-rays, they don't have to give them to you ... but hopefully they will.

I think paying to have orthodontic treatment is way above paying for a used car, due to the plan that your teeth/bite should be with you for life if you look after it. A used car on the other hand, is usually something that is sold for an improvement.

Good luck with your additional consults!

[bobo]

mine is 5800.. you have to ask if that's the price that cover "A to Z", I met some orthos that ask for 7000, just for the treatment (there is reteiner fee, brace material fee) .... also I think if you have teeth extraction the cost will be higher (as in my case).

I think it does no harm to go for few more opinions

[Zoso]

Bobo offers goood advice. Do ensure that you understand what is covered under any quotation you are given. My personal opinion is that it is preferable if there is a flat fee that covers all aspects of the orthodontic treatment, including:

• All initial records (such as X-rays, photographs, and impressions)
• All necessary hardware - brackets, wires, auxilliaryt hardware (if needed), and consumables that might be needed (such as ligs or elastics if either are needed, and preferably also including wax, especially if this is not easy to find in the shops where you live)
• Any extra records that may be needed during the course of treatment
• All necessary appointments during active treatment
• Your first set of retainers
• Some period of follow-up appointments once in retainers

However, it is not uncommon for the retainers, or any retainer checks to be at additional cost. Or, if the orthodontist does not have X-ray equipment of his own, you may find yourself running up additional fees should any extra X-rays be required. So do be clear up front about what you will be getting included in the fee.

It's worth understanding too what sort of limitations there may be in your contract. For example, how many times would a broken or debonded bracket be reapplied before you'd find yourself paying extra fees for this?

Also bear in mind that the cost of treatment depends on the complexity of the case. If extractions, or surgery are involved, or if there is periodontal disease to be managed, then fees may be higher to cover the extra professional hours spent coordinating with the surgeon or the periodontist.

Lastly, if you do require extractions, or surgical procedures, or if you are having treatment that involves the use of miniscrew implants, you are likely to find that you will have to pay separate fees to the specialist who performs these procedures, over and above what you pay the orthodontist. (Though, that said, some orthodontists do now insert miniscrew implants themselves).

[Mslewis1999]

I appreciate all the advice. I guess my conern was that the coordinator was laughing when he told me this and said I may be wrong. I don't think that was very funny and if your not sure why give a quote. I go for my final cleaning on the 23rd and I will ask for an exact amount and if it isn't in my price range then I am moving on.

Thanks

[Zoso]

Doesn't sound very professional to me ... I'd always say to bear in mind that whichever orthodontist you choose, you'll be seeing him (or her) and his (her) staff for a couple of years or more (especially if you do get retainer checks included) so you want to be going to a practice where everyone makes you feel at ease.

[mikeg]

good point.. mine did not include retainers.. i think that was an addtional $400 at end of treatment...

[Denise]

Mine are $6,000. I do not know if this includes retainers. The ortho said I would need them full time for 3-4 months after my braces come off, and then every night. But there was no discussion about any kind of additional costs at the time of my initial consultation. My monthly payment is $160. This includes anything I need. Supplies, office visits, emergency visits (broken bracket, wire needing clipped, etc). There is only one orthodontist for a 35 mile radius in my area, so he could easily overcharge, but I know of people who drive to a city 80 miles away to go to the orthodontist and from what I've heard, their service isn't any cheaper or better.

By the way, was the quote for special brackets, such as clear ceramic or white ceramic, or anything like that? Also, how intense will your treatment be? My sister needed spacers, a jaw expander, all kinds of crazy things that I didn't need and she is paying more for her treatment than I am for mine, even though she has metal brackets and I have ceramic.

[Zoso]

The cost of brackets should not make more than about $500 or so difference between the lowest cost traditionally tied metal brackets, and the latest and greatest. (For context, when they were pretty much new on the market, Inovation C cost about $25 per bracket).

[Mslewis1999]

After the ortho examined my mouth, she informed me I could wear the ceramic. I was given a price for the bottom($2000+) and the top $4000+. I didn't know they separated the price like that. The retainer I believe was $300. I don't recall the other fees because I was in shock after hearing that. Does this sound right?

[Zoso]

It really all depends on where you are, and on the complexity of your case, as mentioned above. If others in your area are getting much lower prices, it would certainly be worth having at least another couple of consultations so you can better understand if the higher price you have been quoted is due to your particular case, or if it is that this particular orthodontist is more expensive than others in the area.

[Mslewis1999]

I live in Houston, TX and there seems to be a dentist on every corner. LOL I picked this particular dentist because they were on the list with my insurance and also did ortho and oral surgery.

[Candymomof3]

I spent so many years wondering how we could possibly afford to pay for braces, it felt like an impossible dream...we too have a mortgage, 3 kids and we both work so we had major daycare and after school care fees. It just never seemed feasible.
Last year I said to my husband, "I just really need to do this and I don't want to wait any longer!" I wanted straight teeth by 30, but I was 31 last year when I went for my consult. I missed it by a little, but I am getting there.
I managed it like this: I scheduled my consultation in October 08 during my husbands annual insurance re-enrollment at work. I needed to know exactly how much to set aside for our flexible spending account. I got my quote, around $5700 I think for ceramic uppers and metal lowers, including everything, xrays, records fees, treatment, appointments, retainers at the end. I also had a family discount (my daughter was a patient), taking it to about $5000. Then, if I paid in full within 30 daysI would get a discount again, making my final price $4750.
So, I went January 2nd to get them on (as the flex account started over with my new elections). I paid them $2000 that day with my flex spending card, and on Feb 2nd (right at 30 days!) I came in with my credit card and paid the remaining $2750. 10 days later, my tax refund came in and I paid my credit card that same amount before the bill came. I am completely paid up now ..I do not have to worry about payments. The extra flex money coming out of my husbands check is not really noticable...I elected $2500 so $48 comes out every week, pre tax....I don't even notice it anymore!
I did the same thing for my oldest daughter and will do the same for my son next year. Our insurance covers up to $1500 of their treatment so it's a little easier, they don't cover my treatment at all so it was all out of pocket.
Anyway...sorry it's long...just wanted to share...I didn't think it would ever happen for me. I have had my braces on for 6 months and I am loving the progress...BEST THING I EVER DID FOR MYSELF and so worth the $$$
Good luck!!!

[pwill]

I picked an ortho in my insurance network with my employer. This is the best way to go because they have a set limit that they can charge you and the insurance will not cover anything over that. My braces came to about 3500? Can't remember or they are a little above that. My insurance pays 1500 and right now my balance is 1600. I pay 110 a month on my braces. So I would suggest if you have insurance through your employer checking out some of the providers in your network. This is a lifetime investment while money may be an issue if you seek a cheaper price now but end up with poor results you may end up spending what you would have originally if you had gone with the expensive provider, to correct the mistakes. Also be sure to ask to see pictures of previous work done by the provider.

[Mslewis1999]

I actually found another ortho that my friend went to. My appointment is Aug. 5th at 9:00. I will post what they tell me.

Thanks everyone

[Mslewis1999]

I had my second Ortho consultation today. She was really nice and I felt very comfortable. I was also referred by a friend.

The total for full metal is $4200 and if I were to get clear top and metal bottom it would cost $473 more. That isn't bad. Also, she said I would only have to get four extractions instead of eight and the treatment is 24 months.

I would like to know if I were to take the treatment plan back to the other dentist I am currently under, will they match that price? I would like to go back to them because they work with this insurance company that covers a certain percentage for braces. My insurance doesn't cover anything.

[Sunny]

You can always take that quote and see what they say. Something you need to think about though, are you better to pay more and be treated by people you feel good about, or save some money and go for treatment with people you don't totally trust.

Good luck!

[Mslewis1999]

I trust this ortho more than the first plus I know several people who went there. The first didn't say anything while examing me and never asked if I had any questions. The second one was examing me and also explaining step by step what she wanted to do. I guess I am just looking at the price because with the second I will be paying close to $200 a month but if they can go lower and I can get the insurance company to help out some then it will definitley help.

[Zoso]

Please don't make your choice based on cost. If you like and trust the one doctor more, then try to figure out a way to make it work there. Don't go to an orthodontist whom you do not fully trust, or with whom you feel there is a poor line of communication.

[Mslewis1999]

Ok and I am getting scared to death of wearing that TPA appliance. After reading the reviews about it, I am getting discouraged. The first ortho didn't mention me having to wear that. I am going back on Tuesday, so I will see what they say.

Thanks

[Sunny]

Why are you frightened by the TPA. Mslewis? The patients I see who get them, have a few days of adjusting ... but it doesn't seem to cause any major issues.

It's best to not get worried about appliances, but to ask your ortho about them and to stay positive about why you're choosing to have treatment. Remind yourself that you don't need to do this, so you're choosing to do for you ... therefore be proud of your decision and look forward to it.

Good luck!

[Mslewis1999]

I got scared after reading what people that wear it posted. It's just sounds very painful and worse than wearing the braces. I am hoping the previous dentist that I am going back to see on Tuesday doesn't require it. If I can't get around it then so be it but it's not going to keeping me from getting that pretty smile I am seeking.

[Sunny]

If you need one, then it's to help your bite and it will be the best thing for you.

It's great that you're getting a positive attitude and please don't let yourself be affected by what other's write, instead do the best you can to make this a positive experience. Remember it's your decision to have treatment ... you don't have to, so be proud of your decision.

Good luck!

[Zoso]

Please don't make your choice solely on whether or not a TPA is planned. Please do pick the ortho whom you like and trust more. I've seen so many people make their choice based around trying to find an orthodontist who does not want to do some particular thing as part of treatment, and then end up with sub-par results because compromises were made to achieve that.

Trust to what Sunny says here - the vast majority of people do get used to TPAs (and appliances that might seem like they'd be even worse, too!)

[Mslewis1999]

I had another set back. I went to see the peridontist today to see how I progressed. She just did some measurements but not anymore x-rays. She also said I need to have gum surgery. My skin was crawling after explaing the procedure. I am wondering should I seek a second opinion on that. Is there a blog on here where this procedure is mentioned?

[Sunny]

If you're concerned about whether you need the treatment, then definitely seek out the advice of another professional.

I've not had gum surgery, but I've had work done due to gum disease and it was painful, but only for a short time.

Good luck with finding out more about what is best for your gums.

[Mslewis1999]

I had the deep cleaning and that was no walk in the park. I called my insurance company and they told me they do second opinions and will review my x-rays to see if they feel it's necessary and if they will cover the cost of the procedure. They are also seeing the old x-rays and not any after the deep cleaning so of course it will seem like I need major work done. I was also told by them I could go and get a second opinion from another dentist which I plan to do. I still have to get a cleaning every three months for the rest of my life. I have crowding on four of my top front teeth and it makes it very difficult to floss so that is why I wanting to hurry and get the braces on. Will this set me back from getting them on?