Do you find yourself feeling self-conscious when smiling for family pictures? Covering your mouth while you speak? Avoiding your own reflection in the mirror while getting ready for a night out? If this is the case, you are most likely aware that you need orthodontic treatment to fix your teeth and achieve a perfectly straight and healthy smile.
In fact, maybe you have already looked into the options available to you, such as traditional metal braces and Invisalign clear aligners but every time you think about starting your adult braces treatment in El Cerrito, you come to the same conclusion, the cost is too high, and you aren’t sure if orthodontic treatment is worth the monetary sacrifice.
At Estes Orthodontics, Dr. Estes and her team are committed to ensuring that each patient and their families receive excellent care using state-of-the-art treatment options. We are all dedicated to creating beautiful lifelong smiles, but we also want you to feel comfortable and informed all the way through your orthodontic journey. So, it is important that you keep in mind that orthodontic treatment should not be done merely for aesthetic reasons. A perfect, straight smile is also associated with overall good health.
The benefits that orthodontic treatment with dental braces in El Cerrito can provide to your mouth and overall health can make your treatment worth the investment.
How Much Do Adult Dental Braces in El Cerrito Cost?
Many factors can affect how expensive your orthodontic treatment will be, so it pays to know what those things are before deciding how much you want or can afford to spend. For information regarding how much are braces, here’s an overview of the factors that commonly affect the cost of braces.
The Cost of the Initial Consultation
When trying to determine how much braces will cost, the first step is the initial consultation with the orthodontist of your choice. At Estes Orthodontics, your first appointment is always a FREE initial consultation that includes a detailed evaluation of your dental issues and an overview of the recommended custom-made plan to correct them.
The Type of Braces You Choose
At Estes Orthodontics, we offer many types of braces available, so it’s important to know how each type works, but also how much you’ll pay for teeth correction with each different type. The two main types of braces are traditional metal brackets and Invisalign aligners. However, we offer many other options for you to choose from.
The severity of the Issue to Be Fixed
Each patient’s needs are as unique as the smile of a lifetime they will end up with at the end of treatment. For this reason, every orthodontic treatment is different. There is a big difference between minor smile imperfections that will only take a couple of months versus more complicated orthodontic issues that will require a year of treatment or longer. However, don’t let this discourage you. Remember that the more complex orthodontic issues you have now, the more serious problems they can give you down the road if left untreated.
Location and Availability of Discounts
How much you pay for a particular procedure or service oftentimes has a correlation with where you live. Making location one of those factors that can impact the total cost of your orthodontic treatment. In Addition, it’s always a good idea to check with the orthodontic practice of your choice as they could offer monthly or family discounts. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
Insurance Coverage and Your Orthodontic Plan
Finally, how much your adult braces or Invisalign costs will depend on your insurance coverage. Some dental policies cover most or even all of the expenses, while others might not include orthodontic treatment or certain types. Make sure to check with your orthodontist’s office to see what insurance plans they work with, or get all of the details regarding your treatment plan from your orthodontist and contact your insurance provider.
Dental coverage is usually available in two ways
- Health plans that include dental coverage. Dental coverage is included in some health care plans.
If a health plan includes dental, the premium covers both health and dental coverage.
- Stand-alone dental plans. In some cases, separate, stand-alone plans are not offered as part of your regular health insurance.
If you have a stand-alone dental plan, you’ll pay a separate, additional premium than that of your health insurance.
Dental Coverage Providers
The dental coverage provider you choose is as important as the orthodontist you choose to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Some of the providers you can choose from are:
Humana
Cigna
Cigna has dental plans starting from less than $1 per day, with access to 92,700+ dentists in 309,000+ convenient locations across a nationwide network. With their preventive care plans starting at an average of $19 a month, Cigna can help you with the perfect plan to fit your budget and dental needs.
Delta Dental
A dental plan from Delta Dental can help you and your family achieve better overall health. With a focus on prevention, dental insurance typically covers professional services like routine check-ups, cleanings, and exams at 100%. There are many plans to choose from, so visit their website for more information.
Is Orthodontic Treatment Worth It?
Misalignment Causes Serious Health Issues
While you may think that crooked teeth only cause aesthetic problems, that is far from the truth. In reality, misaligned teeth can lead to much more serious issues, such as
Plaque Buildup
If your teeth overlap and are jammed together, there are more small spaces for bacteria to grow and cause plaque buildup. Plaque buildup causes cavities, but that bacteria can travel from your mouth to the rest of your body, and as a result, you can be at a higher risk for certain chronic diseases that will require medical treatment.
Enamel Wear
Overcrowded teeth will rub against each other in your mouth, and the enamel surrounding those teeth can begin to wear down. Once enamel erosion has occurred, you can experience sensitive teeth, which will require specific oral care products to manage the discomfort. You may also be more at risk of fractures and other damage to your teeth.
Gum Disease
If your teeth aren’t in the proper position inside your mouth, your gums may not fit securely around them. Unfortunately, bacteria can grow in the leftover spaces within those misalignments. When plaque grows around your gum line, you are at a higher risk for periodontal disease.
If you get periodontal disease, you will need more extensive periodontic treatments, such as scaling, grafting, or even surgery, to repair the damage.
Does Orthodontic Treatment Affect Your Mental Health?
Absolutely! Adult treatment with dental braces in El Cerrito significantly improves mental health and body image. Having a straight smile can increase self-esteem and boost confidence levels. As well as improved physical health, decreased anxiety and depression, and increased social activity.
Now, you might be more excited than ever to get your orthodontic treatment started, and that’s great! In fact, we are ready to get you started as well, but first, let’s take a look at the factors that can vary the cost of your treatment.
Ask the Team at Estes Orthodontics
As you can see, there are many ways to get the dental care you n. At Estes Orthodontics, we never want finances to get in the way of that. Our financial coordinators will work with you to find the payment option that is right for your needs, So schedule an appointment, and let us help you get started with your adult braces treatment today
