How much are you paying for your child's braces?

[RitaZ.]

It's that time for older DS, his dentist gave us the go ahead to see the orthodontist. Our dental plan covers $2K for braces, but I'm sure it will cost way more than that.

What amount can I expect to pay? I know that prices vary from area to area, but I want to have a general idea. Thanks!

 

[jimmiej]

We paid a little over 3K.

 

[charabby]

For *my* braces (I'm 32), it is $3700. That's basically just for the upper teeth. For upper and lower, it would be about $5100. That's pretty standard for our area (Metro Detroit) judging from what other parents say.

 

[rockyndavid]

I just shelled out almost $4800 insurance covered about $1600.

 

[amid chaos]

3800 each.

 

[Allie322]

$4,000 which includes both top and bottom.

 

[janette]

Estimate for my 12yo DD is about $4500. She has a pretty bad overbite. Insurance covers $1500.

 

[kimber79]

Mine were like $3600 for a full set! My orthodontist suggested for the best results I should have surgery. So.........I had my lower jaw broke and moved forward after about 2 years in braces for about $10,000! NO dental insurance, but medical covered the surgery!! Most orthodontists will offer you a payment plan ~ mine did, and it was only like $130 or so per month!

 

[CRB#33]

Around 3,500 here. Overbite and crossbite. We have no dental!

 

[LisaTx]

$4275 less $1000 insurance. Plus more $$$ to have the wisdom teeth removed.

 

[Snowysmom]

My older DS braces were $3500 and younger DS $4400. Our insurance covered $1000 for older DS and went up to $1500 for younger DS. It is expensive but the results are worth it. We used a monthly payment plan (interest free) so we paid about $125 a month.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Yikes!

We don't have dental insurance and I'm pretty sure our DD (7) will end up needing braces, looks like I should start saving up now!

We have a Disney coin jar, maybe I'll start a *dental savings jar*.

 

[geetey]

Our insurance pays $1000 per child lifetime. Without insurance, dd's cost $2200, ds's cost $2400.

 

[FTWFAN]

and right now only Oddball has braces!!!Thank goodness, because her's were $4500. We paid $500 down and financed the rest through the orthodontist for the 20 months she has to wear them. Payment is $207/month. It does look like Oddball's little brother will probably have to have them also. He is only 7, so I dread seeing what braces will cost in a few years when he needs them. Her younger sister hasn't lost any of her baby teeth yet! Good luck with your venture!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Kirby]

$4500 for upper and lower. No insurance but on payment plan with dentist. After all the dental work my family (especially me) has had to have over the last couple of years, we are real tight with our dentist!

 

[RitaZ.]

Wow, some of these prices are !!! It's definitely an investment.

I called my friend to find out how much she is paying for her sons. She is paying $4800 for one and $4400 for the other (got discount on 2nd child).

I'm going to shop around...

 

[parrothead365]

DS10 is on his set now and including the herbst device and palate expander the grand total so far is about 7k.

 

[AspiringCindy]

Our dentist does it in phases because she was young! She wore braces for 1 year, now she has a permanant retainer until July. Then they will decide if she needs an additional year of braces again. The reason for this is her age and the fact that many of her teeth hadn't fallen out yet. Now that she is losing many, he can see how they are coming in. Each phase cost $2000. But, between DH and my insurances...phase 1 was free of charge! Her bite was off, but her top front teeth was horrid(practically faces each other). Her smile is gorgeous now!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>Both of my rascals have braces, and they cost about $4k each. Insurance covers half at a one-time payment. I'm paying monthly for the other half, which is $73 per child.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

The price for DD#1 is $4800. 3 payment plans were offered. 1) I could finance the whole thing at $159 a month (which would end up about $1000 in interest), 2) pay $2400 now and $100 a month interest free for 2 years, or 3) pay it all now and get $350 off. Luckily I can do either option 2 or 3 by borrowing $$ from my mom and paying her instead. I have $350 cash set aside, and will get $1000 for insurance, plus I have set aside $900 in pre-tax monies from my check this year for this.
She needed a palate expander a couple of years ago and that cost $750. I paid monthly for that, knowing I would need the $1000 lifetime orthodontic $$ for the braces. I turned her expander for ONE month.
DD#2 will need work soon--I hear another ortho. in town is less expensive, but since I'm already with one now we may as well stay! She has an underbite so I'm afraid this might cost a little more. It remains to be seen if DS will need work.
Robin M.