Our team is highly trained and motivated to provide the very best in orthodontic care to each of our patients. We provide the most advanced orthodontic treatments found anywhere. Still, we know many families have to run some numbers before making this decision. What is the average price for braces? Are there ways to make the treatment more affordable? This blog post will help you explore the average price of braces to help you decide if treatment is for you or not. This is part of our ongoing series on why you should say yes to dental braces.
Getting a healthier and more beautiful smile is the reason most patients turn to specialized dental services such as orthodontic care. If you are self-conscious about your smile, orthodontic treatment with braces in Richmond may be right for you. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know before choosing to undergo orthodontic treatment.
Here at Estes Orthodontics, we believe that everyone
deserves the opportunity to have a happy, perfect, and healthy smile, so we work hard to continue our education to ensure our office is always on the cutting edge of the orthodontic world.
What Are Braces?
According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) website, dental braces are devices used in orthodontics that align and straighten teeth. These appliances help relocate your teeth with regard to your bite while also improving dental health. Braces also fix gaps in teeth.
There are several orthodontic appliances that could help with your dental structures’ alignment. Braces are one of these tools.
What Is the Average Price for Braces in Richmond?
It’s normal to be worried initially about the cost of braces. Although the investment needed to get braces might seem high, rest assured that orthodontic treatment is always worth it. It may be hard to believe, but braces may actually save you money in the long run.
Crooked teeth, missing teeth, or an irregular bite can result in tooth decay, missing teeth, or other health issues if left untreated. There are many different types of braces; the cost depends on which type of braces you choose. Costs depending on braces type can be as follows.
Conventional Metal Braces
This is the most prevalent option in the US for specialized orthodontic care. Brackets and wires manufactured with stainless steel are the most affordable option available to patients of all ages. The national average price for this procedure is somewhere between $3,000 and $7,500
Ceramic Braces
Next up, we have the innovative solution that appeared in the late 80s as a result of a collaboration with NASA. This discreet option may require a bit more care from users as the material is not as resistant as stainless steel, but it’s well worth it if you want to leverage the reliable design of conventional braces and the discreetness of the ceramic materials used. Treatment costs range from $2,000 to $8,500
Lingual Braces
Yet another design innovation that considers discretion first and foremost. These braces won’t be visible because they go on the lingual surface of your teeth. Your orthodontist will bond the metal brackets in the back of your teeth and the wire goes attached to each bracket. You’ll get a little bit of a lisp at first, but this treatment option has the potential of being significantly faster than traditional alternatives making it all worth it. Lingual braces treatment plans could cost you from $5,000 to $13,000.
Is Invisalign the Same Price as Braces?
The short answer is no. Invisalign uses an entirely different design than that of the braces options we’ve mentioned before. This procedure can be significantly faster than braces when the patient complies with professional indications such as not taking off their trays whenever they wish.
Keep in mind that the official Invisalign FAQ recommends you use your aligners between 20 to 22 hours every day.
If you are compliant with our recommendations, the cost of treatment should range only from $3,000 to $7,000. This is comparable to traditional treatment options for your misaligned teeth, and the added advantages of your clear aligners might make this highly attractive to you.
What Affects The Average Price Of Braces in El Cerrito?
Depending on your specific orthodontic issues, you’ll probably be able limited to certain options. The cost for braces can vary depending on whether your insurance provides coverage and the actual severity of your malocclusion.
For most patients, the key choice is between Invisalign clear aligners, ceramic braces, and traditional metal braces. Invisalign is preferable from a cosmetic point of view since it is the most discreet treatment option currently available.
Because Invisalign is virtually invisible and removable, these clear aligners are a more expensive option! On the other hand, traditional metal braces are made out of medical-grade steel.
Even though braces used today are much more comfortable than years ago, they are still the least comfortable and most noticeable of treatment options.
Ceramic braces fall somewhere in the middle. They work very much like the traditional braces we are all familiar with, and are less noticeable. Yet, they still come short compared to the ever-so-popular Invisalign and its advantages of going unnoticed while working towards a perfect smile.
What Is the Average Price of Braces for Adults?
Adult braces are usually a bit more expensive because of three things. First, their dental structures are no longer developing, limiting the options available to orthodontists and, sometimes, requiring surgical interventions.
Second, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease. These additional complications make treatment more complex and lengthy.
Finally, dental insurance companies may not provide dental coverage for an older patient, increasing your expenses.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces?
Orthodontia has always been pricey, and up until recently, it was nearly impossible to find dental insurance to cover adult orthodontic treatment. Today there are many options available.
Employer-Sponsored Dental Insurance
Dental insurance is often a part of an employee’s health care package, allowing your employer to decide on the plan and level of coverage. But not all dental plans include orthodontic treatment.
Individual Dental Insurance
Insurance companies are now offering individual dental plans. And if you enroll in a medical plan through the Affordable Care Act, you may enroll in a dental plan.
At Estes Orthodontics, our goal is to provide beautiful, healthy smiles that last a lifetime, and 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.
How Does Dental Insurance in Richmond Work?
According to the Humana website, dental insurance works a lot like health insurance. Each month you pay a premium or put in simple terms, a set dollar amount, and when you visit your orthodontist, you may be responsible for paying a copay if your plan includes copays.
The orthodontist practice will bill the insurance company directly for your care. However, we suggest that you always check with your orthodontist’s office and make sure that they accept dental insurance and which insurance plans they work with.
Many insurance providers will only include dental coverage as an add-on to your regular health plan and, even then, might only cover you when braces are medically required for your well-being.
The more likely scenario is that your insurance provider covers part of your treatment, lowering your out-of-pocket expenses. This, in and of itself, helps a lot. When you go for your initial consultation, ask the practice’s financial & insurance coordinator about an available discount or payment plan.
Braces vs Invisalign: Price and Advantages
As you now know, the prices of treatment with braces can vary depending on many factors—everything from device material to malocclusion severity and even your compliance with instructions.
However, below, we will look at the main differences in price and advantages between traditional braces and Invisalign.
Prices
- Traditional Metal braces: Can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $7,500
- Invisalign braces: Cost varies between $3,000 to $7,000
Braces Pros and Cons
The biggest advantage of traditional braces is that they can help fix very severe cases, which other treatment types may not be able to fix. Another good thing about traditional braces is that you don’t have to keep up with them. They remain bonded to your teeth, so there is no chance you’ll lose them.
However, with all great things, there have to be some downsides. First of all, having a mouth full of noticeable metal brackets and wires may make some patients feel self-conscious about their appearance. Lastly, keeping an excellent oral hygiene routine with braces may be more challenging than with Invisalign.
Invisalign Pros and Cons
Most people turn to Invisalign because they are the most attractive of all orthodontic treatment options. Since the clear aligners are almost invisible to the untrained eye, no one will notice you are undergoing braces treatment in Richmond.
The second major pro to Invisalign is them being removable. This is a big deal because this advantage helps patients keep proper oral hygiene throughout their treatment time without the hassle of regular braces.
As if this wasn’t enough, with Invisalign, you can say goodbye to diet restrictions. Since you will remove your aligners to eat, you can enjoy your favorite foods without damaging your braces.
Now let’s take a look at the disadvantages of Invisalign.
The fact that they are removable also increases your chances of misplacing your aligning tray. If you are out on a special occasion at a restaurant, removing or putting your aligner back in might be uncomfortable without excusing yourself from the table.
Last but not least, it’s important to consider that in order to get satisfactory results, Invisalign aligners must stay anywhere between 20-22 hours a day. If not, this will alter your final results.
Talk to the Experts
No matter your specific smile needs, Estes Orthodontics has the treatment option that is right for you. From standard metal braces to Invisalign, we can do it all! Remember not to be afraid to ask about an available discount or the resources available to make your service rates as affordable as possible.
A customized treatment plan will always be a bit more expensive, but we’ll work with your insurance provider to provide you with affordable options for beautiful and healthier smiles. Reach out to our office so we can help you determine if you enjoy dental insurance coverage and what resources are available for your treatment.
We use the latest treatment options and orthodontic technologies to bring our patients the very best in orthodontic care. To learn more about our dental services, call us or give us a visit.
