How Much Do Braces Cost
Factors To Consider
Patients who need braces will first need to get a diagnosis for treatment from an orthodontist. The orthodontist’s office will collect vital health information and take x rays as well as pictures to assist the orthodontist in this process. During the orthodontic consult the orthodontist will discuss with you what kind of movement will be needed and highlight a few factors in the price. The first factor is how long the braces will need to worn and if there is other movement needed first with various appliances or if teeth need to be pulled prior to treatment beginning. Some cases are more complex than others and the consultation with the orthodontist will help clarify the severity of the misalignment.
The next factor is the type of braces. These days there are many different kinds of braces including the traditional metal braces, self-ligating braces, clear ceramic braces, lingual braces, and different kinds of clear aligners including Invisalign. Each option will have a different price and selection often depends on the preferences of the patient.
Dental Insurance Can Help
Even before making an appointment for an orthodontic consultation, the first step should be to call your dental insurance provider to find out if you have an orthodontic benefit and if there are any limitations on it. Typically a benefit will be paid out at a certain percentage of the total cost of treatment up to a lifetime maximum. Often there are also age limits so if your child is close to 18 it’s a good idea to make sure coverage extends beyond that age. You will be responsible for any amount over that lifetime maximum and will be responsible for the entire amount if your child is older than the age limit. Each plan is different so be sure to find out the specifics of your personal dental insurance plan.
Insurance companies will usually pay out the amount over time as treatment progresses versus a total amount upfront. This is important if you will be switching dental insurances while you or your child are in braces and can affect the total price in the middle of treatment. Some plans offer prorated benefits if you’ve already started treatment.
FSAs, HSAs, and Tax Deductions
Dental healthcare costs are tax deductible if they’re deemed medically necessary. Elective treatments are not included in this and braces fall somewhere in the gray area. Braces actually can be considered medically necessary if they are going to correct severe jaw or tooth misalignment or if several teeth are missing. This also covers trauma. The cost of braces will need to exceed a specific amount before they can be deducted so it’s important to keep track of every related expense.
Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts are another option to set aside pre-tax dollars to be used on dental healthcare and may be a good option for you. Discuss these with your employer or insurance company to see if they could help pay for orthodontic treatment.
Financing
The cost of orthodontic treatment will vary wildly depending on the individual patient and their personalized treatment plan as well as available insurance benefits. The good news is that our knowledgeable staff here at Abdoney Orthodontics can help discuss all of your options so that you can make the best decision for your family. We will work with you to create a payment plan that fits your budget and you’ll know exactly what to expect before treatment even begins.
It’s Worth It
Orthodontic treatment is an investment that will last a lifetime. Sticker shock is real, but consider that studies have shown a straight smile increases not only overall oral health, but self confidence too. It can also leads to greater success in personal relationships. Teeth that remain misaligned can contribute to worse dental problems over time as they care difficult to clean and care for. Misaligned jaws can cause abnormal wearing on teeth, difficulty with swallowing or chewing and stress on the surrounding bone or gum leading to greater medical issues in the future. You or your child’s quality of life is important and while health concerns are a part of that, the important of self-confidence cannot be understated, particularly for children and teenagers. Orthodontic treatment is worth what you will pay for it and then some when you consider the improved oral health, the increase in self-esteem, and the beautiful smile that you or your child will be proud to flash in every interaction! If you are looking for a Tampa Orthodontist give us ring to discuss your options.