Your teeth are incredibly valuable, but are they worth the cost of braces? You cannot put a price on a smile. Plus, they enable you to enjoy all the delights of life, including food and speech. Keeping them healthy and looking good is of the utmost importance.
It is no secret that dentistry is expensive, with good reason. Dentists spend years in training and go through incredible measures to operate their practices to give you the standard of care that you deserve. For orthodontists, that is doubly so. That enormous effort may account for the considerable cost of braces, among other factors we’ll try to explain here.
What Is the Reason Behind the High Cost of Braces?
Braces – unfortunately – is one of the most expensive dental procedures available. Not only that, but it is seldom covered by insurance. However, such a high cost of braces is very justified. Among the reasons:
- The Practice Set Up Cost:
Setting up a dental or orthodontic practice is one of the most expensive investments there is. It takes a considerable chunk of money to get the place up and running, not to mention the huge bills for utilities, salaries, etc. That is why all dental procedures – including braces – are quite expensive. - The Cost of Knowledge:
All dentists have an extraordinary education. They go through years and years of studying and practicing to perfect their craft. Orthodontists go through even more training to attain their certification. It takes about eight years to become an orthodontic specialist. The cost you’re paying is for the long sleepless nights and endless examination just so your orthodontist could have the knowledge and skill to give you the most beautiful smile. - The Cost of Materials:
Besides the usual costs of running a practice, setting up an orthodontic practice could be even more costly. The specialized equipment is pricey, and the materials – meaning the braces, the wires, the elastics, etc. also come at a considerable price. - The Time Factor:
This is probably the reason that is unapparent to most people. Most dental procedures are complete in one or two visits. Braces, however, take at least between six months and one year to complete. Within that period, you would be visiting your orthodontist every few weeks, and the number of visits could end up being more than 20 visits overall. Now translate that into person-hours, utility bills, and other running costs, and you’ll understand that such a high cost of braces is explainable.
Does the Type of Braces I Choose Affect the Price?
Yes, of course. There are many types of braces, and each has its price range. For example:
- Metal braces: range from $3,000 to about $7,000.
- Clear Braces: range from $4,000 to $8,000, slightly higher due to its appearance advantage.
- Invisalign: starts at about $4,000 and could go up as high as $9,000. It may seem quite pricey, but it offers much more in return in terms of appearance, comfort, time, and accuracy.
- Lingual braces: these are relatively new inventions and are more challenging to bond to the teeth. Therefore they are also the most expensive option. Prices usually start at $8,000 and could exceed $15,000 for both jaws.
How Can I Reduce the Costs?
As we mentioned, unfortunately, braces are rarely covered by insurance. The insurance guys always claim it is a cosmetic procedure, but we definitely disagree as we think them necessary.
There are several areas where you may be able to cut a few costs. The initial scans and molds could be covered by insurance and the initial screening and diagnosis appointment. Additionally, you can buy a bigger insurance plan that covers braces, which could serve you well with more than one child or need braces as an adult.
A tax-exempt savings account could also be the answer you seek. You could deposit up to $7,000 and use them tax-free on various dental procedures, including braces, which would take a huge chunk out of the payment.
Finally, if all else fails, you could seek your treatment in any available dental schools or orthodontic programs. These offer a cut-price fee and are always done under the supervision of highly skilled professionals, giving you a cheaper yet reliable option.
Most practices would also follow a very comfortable payment plan to make life easier for you. You would need to pay an initial sum – sometimes as low as 10 or 15 percent – and the remaining sum is divided in to installments over the treatment period. Since that treatment period could last almost a year, you would pay as low as $500 a month. That – we think – is a bargain considering how much you would gain from your beautiful smile that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Is Such High Cost of Braces Worth It?
Is there a suitable price for your smile?
There is a reason why braces are in great demand nowadays, even considering their high cost. Braces can fix crowded teeth, crooked teeth, gapped teeth, and many other problems related to teeth arrangement. They can give you the smile you desire most.
We can argue for days about the value of a beautiful smile. Research has proved that people with great smiles have better job opportunities, better marriages, better relationships, and are overall happier in life. Not only that, but some other studies also proved that smiling could actually improve your physical health! People who smile often have lower stress, better immune systems, a higher pain threshold, and better moods.
Think about it! Wouldn’t you rather pay the high cost of braces to get a smile that makes you happier and healthier?
To learn more don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Anthony Farrow and the team at Farrow Orthodontics. We are happy to help you with questions about the cost of braces, including metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign, or Invisalign Teen.
We service Philadelphia, Mt. Airy, Center City, and the surrounding areas of Philadelphia County, PA. If you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Anthony Farrow, don’t hesitate to contact Farrow Orthodontics at Center City: 215-569-9060 | Mt. Airy: 215-247-9060.