How much are you paying for braces?

[5 for WDW]

Our 12 year old son just got his braces on at the end of August. Initial vist with impressions was $325. Braces are costing us $5300. We paid $1100 at the time the braces were put on, $875 last month and we are paying $175 a month until they are paid up. Insurance reimburses us $1380 over the course of treatment.

We get 3 bracket fixes for free. $50 a visit for anymore then that. He will have them on for at least 2 years. Retainers are also included in cost.

Our Orthodontist is a little more expensive then others around here. But, she is great. My son (who is not a fan of the Dentist) loves her and her office staff and hours are great.

 

[klynn]

My son just got his braces off and my daughter just got her braces on. They both went through Phase 1 as well. Altogether for both it was about $13K. Insurance paid $1,500 for each one. So only $10K out of pocket for us. Take advantage of your flex spending account if you can. We can put in $5K per year.

 

[McKelly]

Well, I am glad I found this thread. What is Phase 1, 2, 3,...........

I just took my DD10 last night to her first ortho consult, but he said, she still needs to lose 12 baby teeth, come back in a year. I asked about an expander (I had one) and he said No, but she might need tooth extraction, but we won't know anything until her baby teeth fall out.

Is this weird? It seems like there are SO MANY kids in braces her age already, she will be 11 in two months. Maybe I should get another consult, but yet, everybody I know goes to this doctor and is very happy and he seems average in price. At this rate, she will be in braces into high school, which I guess isn't the end of the world..........

 

[etraible]

Just when I got my daughters off, I took my son in for an estimate. The orthodontist just smiled and said, "I LOVE genetics." I thought it was pretty funny.

 

[gymboqueenkaylee]

For the braces I had I paid nothing (professional courtesy since I worked for the doctor) but my sisters braces were 5000 (with a small professional discount for families). I think the base prices is around 5000 these days. I am sooo not looking forward to that when my kids get older.

 

[My3kiddos]

WOW now I don't feel so bad about what I paid for my son's braces. He is just in the first phase (has to wear headgear for an underbite and 2 weeks ago just got the top braces put on) and my total before insurance is $3500. Insurance will pay $1500 so seeing how much some of you are paying $2000 sounds like a walk in the park.

 

[FINFAN]

WOW now I don't feel so bad about what I paid for my son's braces. He is just in the first phase (has to wear headgear for an underbite and 2 weeks ago just got the top braces put on) and my total before insurance is $3500. Insurance will pay $1500 so seeing how much some of you are paying $2000 sounds like a walk in the park.

yep, that's how I felt about DD as she was 3300 and then 1200 from insurance...paid 100 a month for her and like I said, now 125 for DS but put a lot more down on him, 1500 more. Plus, when DD had hers we were only faced with saving for college, NOW we are up against saving again due to losing so much of hers in the recession, car payment and loss of my salary..it feels 500 times worse! Sure didn't know how easy I had it 4 years ago.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

DS14 is in them now. We get to pay monthly, thank goodness. It's 173.00 per month for 24 months. I was also told he could have them longer if he doesn't do what he's supposed to, like keep the bands in.

I also had to pay 350.00 up front for the consultation and getting the first molds done.

so that makes a total of 4,502.00. Not too bad. I hadn't actually multiplied it out until now.
About the time he gets them out, DD will be getting ready to get hers. Oh joy.

 

[sillysmom]

OMG, I didn't realize how many peoples insurance doesn't cover orthodontics or alot of it! My husband works for a school district and is a member of CSEA. My daughters braces which were put on January of 07, were $5800, the insurance covered everything except $500 for the retainer. We have been back to the office many times with a broken or loose bracket, wire breaks, and that is all included. I am thrilled!

 

[drinkme]

Reading this makes me cringe about the way we are in the UK. We in the UK moan so much about our NHS and we take it all for granted. I couldnt imagine being in the position where i had to raise that kind of money. We do crazy taxes on some things but at least its all spread out.
It really makes you think about what you've got when you hear the other side of the story.

One question though...how do you all do it? How do you fund medical/dental bills? I couldn't afford to pay that kind of money

Hope you dont mind me asking

Jude x

OP here. We pay for it by both dh & I working full time. We have about 6.5 more months left to pay off other medical bills. Now we'll have the dental bills to worry about.

 

[familyfirsttimer]

Does anyone have experience with Damon braces? We went for our 2nd consult and found out about these, this ortho doe not charge more for them. Apparently it is a newer technology where the wires "float" and the kids have less discomfort after adjustments because the teeth are moving more but they also need adjustments only every 8-10 weeks (as opposed to 6) and supposedly it takes less time to achieve the results. They sound great but i am wondering if anyone has had this experience versus regular braces. This ortho was higher than our first consult by @$1000 but their total was still @$5400 so it is in the normal ballpark around here.

TIA for any info you have. I an NOT looking forward to starting this!!!!!

 

[drinkme]

My son's lower jaw was also small and we started with expanders. The whole thing took more than 5 years but his smile is absolutely beautiful. When you say you have to pay up front, do you mean all of it? We paid $112 per month for nearly 5 years. There are only 2 orthos in this small area but both offer payment plans. I think they recognize most people can't afford to shell out $5000 in one pop!

Yes, we have to pay the whole $5500 before they start. They do have a credit plan we can use. But we can only do it for 12 months. It is interest free, but it's $375 a month. YIKES! We will get any money from the insurance sent directly to us.

Now, this $5500 is just the "regular" fee. We haven't had the consultation yet to figure out exactly what dd needs. The dentist just said it will probably be about 2 years for her wear the braces, top & bottom. The woman in the office said the $5500 is about an estimate. Let's hope it will be less...but somehow I think it will be more.

 

[drinkme]

Well, I am glad I found this thread. What is Phase 1, 2, 3,...........

I just took my DD10 last night to her first ortho consult, but he said, she still needs to lose 12 baby teeth, come back in a year. I asked about an expander (I had one) and he said No, but she might need tooth extraction, but we won't know anything until her baby teeth fall out.

Is this weird? It seems like there are SO MANY kids in braces her age already, she will be 11 in two months. Maybe I should get another consult, but yet, everybody I know goes to this doctor and is very happy and he seems average in price. At this rate, she will be in braces into high school, which I guess isn't the end of the world..........

My dd10 is just early with her teeth. She got her first tooth at 4 months, and her first baby tooth fell out at 4 years old. She just lost her last baby tooth molar last week, and her 12 year molars are already in. Then her dental appt was this week. The dentist told us last year she would need braces this year. He anticipated the last of her baby teeth to be gone this year. He said she would be young for her full braces because she lost her teeth so early. But, he said that it would be good for her because she would be done with braces before she graduates from 8th grade.

 

[squirrlygirl]

My dd10 is just early with her teeth. She got her first tooth at 4 months, and her first baby tooth fell out at 4 years old. She just lost her last baby tooth molar last week, and her 12 year molars are already in. Then her dental appt was this week. The dentist told us last year she would need braces this year. He anticipated the last of her baby teeth to be gone this year. He said she would be young for her full braces because she lost her teeth so early. But, he said that it would be good for her because she would be done with braces before she graduates from 8th grade.

DS started braces at 10, and we were told it was quite early for a full set. He only had one baby tooth left at the time, though. I think it was $5500 before insurance. He got his braces off a couple of days before Christmas last year, and just had his final appt. last month. His x-rays show that his wisdom teeth are already coming down but no roots formed into the nerves yet so he'll be seeing an oral surgeon to get those removed. He can't wait-once those are out he only needs to wear his retainers at night.

DD (just turned 7) has some wicked crooked front teeth, but the dentist said not to send her in for at least a year since she has so many baby teeth yet.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

We were just at the Ortho this morning and were quoted 4775.00. Our ins covers 1000.00 and we will be getting a 10 percent discount if we pay upfront. So out of pocket is about 3300.00

 

[eeyorethegreat]

OMG, I didn't realize how many peoples insurance doesn't cover orthodontics or alot of it! My husband works for a school district and is a member of CSEA. My daughters braces which were put on January of 07, were $5800, the insurance covered everything except $500 for the retainer. We have been back to the office many times with a broken or loose bracket, wire breaks, and that is all included. I am thrilled!

Wow that is some really great dental insurance! We have to pay 100% of the dental premiums and like I mentioned earlier it pays $1500 for orthodontia. DH is a teacher in a local school district as well.

 

[ceecee]

Does anyone have experience with Damon braces? We went for our 2nd consult and found out about these, this ortho doe not charge more for them. Apparently it is a newer technology where the wires "float" and the kids have less discomfort after adjustments because the teeth are moving more but they also need adjustments only every 8-10 weeks (as opposed to 6) and supposedly it takes less time to achieve the results. They sound great but i am wondering if anyone has had this experience versus regular braces. This ortho was higher than our first consult by @$1000 but their total was still @$5400 so it is in the normal ballpark around here.

TIA for any info you have. I an NOT looking forward to starting this!!!!!

DD had Damon wires, it's what her orthodontist mainly uses. They have a website so you can read more about them. She had some pain, there's still going to be some discomfort! It took 18 mos for her treatment, then retainers at night.
As for Phase I and II, some orthodontists routinely do this, others wait until baby teeth are out or almost out. The dentists I have worked for think that Phase I (palatial expanders usually) are necessary about 20% of the time. There was an orthodontist in our area who did it on everyone starting really young, obviously she stopped getting referrals because she moved to another state!!!