Investing in Orthodontic treatment

Orthodontic treatment should be considered an investment for the future.  The benefits of orthodontic treatment surpass the esthetic changes with a better future for dental health.  

Did you know that most people keep their automobiles for only 30 months?  And the depreciation on a new automobile is tremendous, in fact new cars are worth much less than the purchase price the second they are driven off the car lot.

Let’s take an average of $20,000 for a new car.  If you keep that car for 30 months, you might be able to sell it for $10,000 if it’s in excellent shape at that 30 month mark.  And what do you have for the future?  Nothing, nada, zilch.  Just another chance to do it again.  In fact, some people owe additional money on that car because of the type of financing they chose.  You’ve heard the commercials, “we’ll make you a deal even if you owe money on your car!!”

Orthodontic treatment has lagged behind in the explosion of fee increases.  In the early 1970’s an orthodontic treatment might have cost you $1500.  While a brand new sports car would have cost about $5,000.00.  Today, that $5000.00 car is at least $50,000 (and probably much more), which means at least a 10-fold increase in cost.  If orthodontic fees had kept pace, the cost for a typical orthodontic treatment would be at least $15,000.  I’ll tell you right now, a typical adolescent orthodontic treatment is less than ½ of that amount.

Why is orthodontic treatment such a great deal today?  Advances in technology and bracket placement and design, new space-age composite orthodontic wires, new treatment planning technology have all made it less time consuming for the orthodontist to treat the typical orthodontic patient.  What used to take 4-6 hours in placing braces, now takes less than one hour.  Yes, an orthodontist can place all the brackets on your teeth in less than one hour.  Amazing!  

And the wires we use today are significantly different in the way they move teeth.  With composite archwires, the teeth move faster and with less discomfort than before.  Now all of this new technology is more expensive, but the most costly, time, the orthodontists time, has been reduced.  And thus the investment you’ll be making for orthodontic treatment is less in comparison to other costs we all have.

Paying for that investment

There are many ways that orthodontic offices have provided to allow patients and parents to pay for orthodontic treatment without “breaking the bank,” so to speak.

Orthodontic offices will offer several different methods of paying for the treatment.

Payment in full

When a treatment is paid in full prior to starting the orthodontic treatment, a bookkeeping courtesy will be given.  Since billing and accounting costs are reduced – monthly bills don’t need to be sent and the accountant doesn’t need to apply the payments and adjust the account – the total fee can be reduced.  Typical fee reductions are 5% of the total fee.  Just think what you could do with that extra few hundred dollars.

3rd party financing

Several companies have teamed up with your orthodontist to provide financing for your orthodontic investment.  Interest-free payment plans up to 24 months are available, and other payment plans can be extended up to 60 months.  Can you imagine having the smile of your dreams for about the cost of a cup of coffee per day?

In-office payment plan

Orthodontic offices will offer a no-interest payment plan to pay for your orthodontic treatment.  A 25 – 30% initial investment is required prior to the start of your orthodontic treatment, with the rest of the investment being paid over about 80% of the total expected treatment time.  You will receive a monthly statement so you can be sure to keep your account current.

Automatic debit/credit card charges

For your convenience, your orthodontic office will set up with a payment plan and have either your checking account debited or credit card charged on a regular basis.  You can determine the date of this debit or charge being on the 5th or 12th of each month.

Payment on-line    

Visiting your orthodontist’s website 24 hours/day, 7 days per week will allow you to make a payment at your convenience.  You can use your credit card to make this payment through a secure and trusted company that specializes in orthodontic payments.

So there you have it.  Orthodontic investing made easy.  Orthodontists know how valuable this service is and want to help as many people possible to benefit from that service.  And they will work with you to help you fit that investment into your current budget.

**Author Credit**

Brian H. Bergh, DDS, MS, APC
1111 N. Brand Blvd, Ste 201
Glendale, CA 91202
(818) 242-1173
www.bracesbybergh.com