Braces

[Ephany]

We compared our local ortho and a school of orthodontics roughly 45 minutes away. The school ended up being $900 cheaper, but once we figured gas and time spread out over 3 years, we decided to go with the local guy. Our cost is roughly $5K spread out over 3 years and insurance will pay $1K of that. My DD really needed braces though; both consults told us almost exactly the same thing, which was reassuring.

 

[havaneselover]

We compared our local ortho and a school of orthodontics roughly 45 minutes away. The school ended up being $900 cheaper, but once we figured gas and time spread out over 3 years, we decided to go with the local guy. Our cost is roughly $5K spread out over 3 years and insurance will pay $1K of that. My DD really needed braces though; both consults told us almost exactly the same thing, which was reassuring.

I've been wondering about that. We have a dental school about 30 minutes from our house. Cost is very important but I really want to minimize missing work/school.

 

[NinaBella]

4 kids and all 4 had or need braces. When I was active duty military dental insurance coverage was $1500. Now that I am retired, I shopped around and narrowed dental insurance to two plans that were only about $1.00 difference in annual cost. One was $1500 in ortho the other $2500 so I went with the $2500 which is offered through my husband's company.

Keep in mind most ortho now do phase 1 and 2.

My oldest DS went through phase 1. Phase 2 was to fix a bottom tooth that is slanted forward that he said could eventually slant the rest. He did not want phase 2, so since he about 16 or 17 at this time I just didn't push for phase 2 and he has never complained.

Second DS had braces in one straight shot. Same ortho but he didn't need phases.

Daughter (currently 12) has had phase 1 and will need phase 2. She is ready for phase 2 now and ortho keeps calling but with new dental plan we have to have it for at least 1 year to use ortho benefits, so one year will be January. DD had phase 1 when she was in 2nd and 3rd grade.

Third DS (currently 13) we have known since DD phase 1 that he needs braces, but ortho says he will need one phase as well and is now in the time frame to get it, but again, waiting until January.

If i were you, take your child to an ortho for an evaluation. At the evaluation they go over the cost and payment plan. It is not uncommon to get two or three evaluations to find the ortho you like and that works for your needs. We LOVE our ortho. He is so nice. He will actually take the braces off and put them back on for a special occasion like prom. We haven't had him do this but know a few of his patients who have.

I guess it's sad that I have NO IDEA how much we paid out of pocket. I am sure I have the evaluation with prices filed away somewhere but for me.

 

[edk35]

You will pay anywhere from 4k-6k depending on how much needs to be done. My oldest son had 2 phases so his was more than our other two. Then he went into full braces again after having them off for a year. The ortho didn't charge us...so really he had 3 phases. His teeth started shifting even with retainers and the ortho said they see this in a small percentage of boys with RAPID GROWTH SPURTS. Our insurance also paid 1500 for each kid. We had monthly payments, no specific amt. of a down payment was required, but of course the more you put down the smaller your monthly payments will be. We had no interest or finance charges added eitiher. With three kids ...we made A LOT OF TRIPS TO THE ORTHO. Our youngest is 16 and he is in retainers now and is done.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Our plan also covers $1500 per person for ortho. Both DS's had two phases of braces, with each phase being around $3000 each. So it was around $6000 total for each boy, minus the $1500 insurance. I recently started Invisalign treatment. I had braces back in the 70s, but my teeth started moving and my bite was off. DH and my sister also had Invisalign in the last several years, so it was my turn! I was able to use my $1500 in ortho money. The entire treatment (before insurance) is costing $6300!

 

[McKelly]

My DD was $5800.00. My DS was Phase One $1800.00 and now Phase Two $4800.00. Ins covered $1000.00 per kid.

 

[Gena001]

I've been wondering about that. We have a dental school about 30 minutes from our house. Cost is very important but I really want to minimize missing work/school.

I considered a school, too. Saint Louis University isn't too far for me. My DBFF took all 3 of her kids there, but they had loooooong waits for appointments. I couldn't afford the time. Our braces, retainers seem to be a steal at $3200. (Or was it $3600?)

 

[havaneselover]

I considered a school, too. Saint Louis University isn't too far for me. My DBFF took all 3 of her kids there, but they had loooooong waits for appointments. I couldn't afford the time. Our braces, retainers seem to be a steal at $3200. (Or was it $3600?)

That's my fear. Money and time are scarce (single mom), but long waits would do me in.

 

[LisaRN97]

$1000 lifetime orthodontic coverage for each of us. Our oldest is starting "phase 2" and we have to pay $2800. The entire cost was $6500 - because we paid $3700 for phase 1 (cash plus the $1000 insurance) we only have to pay the $2800 for the next phase.....yuck.

 

[ktlm]

Around here, braces typically run $5,000 to $6,000. I would also warn you to be sure you are going to a good orthodontist- don't just grab one because he/she is significantly cheaper. I know someone who went with the cheaper orthodontist around town due to price- I think the braces ran $2,000 to $3,000, but then a couple of years after getting them off, her daughter had some jaw issues and it turned out the teeth/bite were not at all properly aligned, so they wound up doing a second set of braces for $6,000 to fix what the first orthodontist had done. If you find a cheaper ortho, it isn't necessarily bad- just be sure you check them out fully and know their reputation. Dental insurance is typically not very good. It doesn't cover much.

 

[scrapquitler]

My daughter will probably need braces. Just trying to figure out ballpark cost. I do know according to our dental plan we have a lifetime max of $1500? Is that good or low?

My daughters braces cost approx. $6500 (she got them off 5 years ago). I'm taking my son in a few weeks, and I expect the estimate to be about the same. We don't have any coverage for orthodontic work, but from what I've heard $1500 lifetime is pretty average.

 

[Disneychix]

My plan has $1500 lifetime max for ortho. 8yr old currently finishing up his mouth expander to the tune of $2500/flat fee. Will need actual braces when all adult teeth grow in.
I've already been told the 4yr old will be following the same route.

Why couldn't my kids have inherited my teeth??

 

[sara mom]

Thank you OP for this timely thread. Our dentist told me to get an ortho consult a few months ago. I guess the idea of a 2nd or third opinion newer crossed my mind, so i am glad I read this thread. Here is what I have discovered for my 11 year old with an overbite.
consult 1- put braces on now. $5800 minus our $1500 dental insurance. Monthly payments are interest free. 3% discount if we pay ahead by credit card. 5% if we pay ahead by cash/check.
consult 2- wait until more adult teeth come in. $5000 minus our $1500 dental insurance. Monthly payments are interest free.
consult 3- next week

I'm thinking if the kid has to go every 6 weeks, I'm going to pick a place close to his middle school. We do have Eastman Dental (dental school of the University of Rochester) about 20 minutes away, but with the frequent visits it may not be worth it to check them out.