How much do braces cost?

[SaraJayne]

DS has braces, top and bottom, plus a palate expander and retainer when he's finished.

His was $5200, all out of pocket for us. Though we did get a $500 discount for paying in full, up front in cash.

 

[turkeymama]

DD 10 just went into hers several months ago. She should have them just under 2 years and the cost was approximately $5000, with our share being $2500. We are paying close to $200 a month. She should be done just in time for DS to begin some sort of treatment. Oh, and the cost includes her retainer once the braces come off.

Now, our ortho has *fine print*. If the patient breaks a bracket more than 4 or 5 times, it will start costing us $50 each additional instance. However, if they make it through treatment without having any brackets broken, they get $50 at the end. If they break one or two, they get $25. Of course, all this is just an incentive for the kids to actually take care of their braces.

 

[Tim Riordan]

We are going thru the same thing!!! We have estimates from $4,500-$5,900!!! You will not find an ortho who tells you your son or daughter does not need some form of treatment either!!

 

[Swalphin]

You really need to shop around, I know an adult who had to get braces. The teeth looked great but were causing neck and head pain. I went along for the visits, 4 different doctors total. Kept the images and molds from the first Dr. One place was low at $3500 but, was a chain and really not the nicest. Another place served cappuccino in the waiting are, they were way to $$$$.
Went middle of the road for $6,000 the orthodontist was a former olympic swimmer, a real perfectionist. I would recommend him to anyone. Shop arounf and take your images and molds, you paid for them.

 

[TeresaBelle]

My DD12 is having her braces put on tomorrow! The total cost is $5530 and my insurance pays $1000.

 

[mjkacmom]

Just finished paying off dd14's - $6200. Good thing, because once ds12 loses his last few baby teeth, he's next. Then, 3 more to go! Our dental insurace does cover $1500 per child.

 

[mjkacmom]

We are going thru the same thing!!! We have estimates from $4,500-$5,900!!! You will not find an ortho who tells you your son or daughter does not need some form of treatment either!!

Not true - our orthodontist checked out ds12 a couple of years ago for the first time, and said if his bite didn't change with the adult teeth, braces would be purely cosmetic, and it was up to me (he has a slight gap). Unfortunately, the last time he went to the dentist, we were told his bite is now off (dentist agreed with ortho that the bite was good at first).

 

[mjkacmom]

this thread is coming at a perfect time. My sister just found out that her youngest 2 kids (15 and 11) need braces She hasn't had the consults yet to see how much they will be, but she is scared. She doesn't know if her ex-husband's insurance will pay for any of it but hopefully it will! that's pretty expensive!!!! Her oldest had the Invisalign but kept losing it. So the younger 2 won't be getting that.

Wow, just finding out at 15?! Most kids are done by then. It's VERY rare for dental insurance to cover braces - most cap at $1000 - $1500, if they pay at all.

 

[piperdown]

$5400 including palate expander and forces to correct overbite. Insurance paid $1500 and we are paying the rest in monthly payments.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

dd13 just got hers off. 2 years, $4500, included palate expander and regular braces. Invisilign would have cost more and results not as certain.

 

[Meriweather]

15 years ago.....DD's, top and bottom were about $3500.

 

[Luv'sTink]

Phase one $4,800 top teeth, included W arch, lip bumper, head gear, braces and retainer...18+ months.
Phase two $4,500 top and bottom, included Herbst, braces, bands and retainer. There could be more because he is not done with this phase....18+ months

Insurance paid between $1,500 and $1,800 for phase one.

His mouth was really bad, terrible over bite, cross bite, narrow palate, short jaw (no chin), you name it he had it. I often wondered if they split into phases so I wouldn't faint....I will die if there is a phase 3.

 

[amyren]

I just paid $1425 for Invisalign and a retainer for myself. Quote was $2500 insurance paid $1000 and they gave me a $75 discount to pay everything up front. My treatment plan calls for 10 sets of invisalign trays and 1 metal retainer.
I have some minor shifting that I want to take care of before I become snaggletooth. This is actually my 3rd try at braces.
My teeth are incredibly stubborn. I had metal braces at about 14 but my 12 year molars came in about 5 years late and caused some crowding. I tried invisalign at 20(ish) which worked well but 9 years later they are shifting again Anyway I'm pretty sure my orthodontist gave me a discount this time around.

 

[luvsJack]

DD just got her braces on the top only (for now anyway).

Now, our ortho expects payment and then I am reimbursed by the insurance company.

Intial visit was $100

X-rays, pictures, etc-$250

Braces, retainer, etc. plus any x-rays, corrections, adjustments, etc. that will done for up to a year after the braces come off--$3200.

If we end up having to put braces on the bottom that amount goes to $4500

Our insurance will pay 1/2 of the $3200--I paid $1000 down and will make payments each month for less than 16 months (target date for removal of the braces). They reimbursed me $64 of the intial $100 and $86 of the $250.

Everyone says dd's were a bit higher than what they have paid, but the dr. she saw is one of two ladies in practice together and they are considered the best in this area. They were recommended by several dentists and her doctor.

 

[mjkacmom]

DD just got her braces on the top only (for now anyway).

Now, our ortho expects payment and then I am reimbursed by the insurance company.

Intial visit was $100

X-rays, pictures, etc-$250

Braces, retainer, etc. plus any x-rays, corrections, adjustments, etc. that will done for up to a year after the braces come off--$3200.

If we end up having to put braces on the bottom that amount goes to $4500

Our insurance will pay 1/2 of the $3200--I paid $1000 down and will make payments each month for less than 16 months (target date for removal of the braces). They reimbursed me $64 of the intial $100 and $86 of the $250.

Everyone says dd's were a bit higher than what they have paid, but the dr. she saw is one of two ladies in practice together and they are considered the best in this area. They were recommended by several dentists and her doctor.

Wow, you must live in a very low COL area! $6000 is the average here, some a little higher, some a little lower.

 

[bigbabyblues]

My DS7 has his one right now for Phase 1, and it's $1200--top and bottom for 12 months. Assuming he needs them again later, it will be another $4000 or so.

DS10 had a consult, and he doesn't need them yet but may eventually due to an overbite. He would be around $4000 also, unless they raise their rates before then.

ETA: our ortho doesn't charge for the consult or xrays. First set of retainers are included, but if retainers are lost/broken/etc., I'll have to pay to replace them.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Prices sure are all over the place aren't they? My daughter doesn't have anything unusual happening. She probably would have had perfect teeth if she didn't suck her fingers and now that habit I used to think was cute is costing me a small fortune.... sigh, what can ya do. I put out calls to 2 other local orthodontists that lots of people here like.

 

[crjack]

Prices sure are all over the place aren't they? My daughter doesn't have anything unusual happening. She probably would have had perfect teeth if she didn't suck her fingers and now that habit I used to think was cute is costing me a small fortune.... sigh, what can ya do. I put out calls to 2 other local orthodontists that lots of people here like.

My DS & DD had them at the same time a few years ago and it was $11K total for both. That included a sibling discount. They got them off around 2 years ago and had them on for 2 years.

This covered all visits, retainers, etc. DH's dental insurance had ortho coverage that covered some of it.

 

[SpecialK]

I've got two in braces right now. The total for both was $11000 and insurance paid $500 each. With the cash and sibling discounts, our total out-of-pocket is $9800.

 

[eliza61]

OK so $6300 is high, add on the $300 I just spent to have images taken and we are up at $6600. I thought it was a bit much

It's not out of the ballpark but it's on the high sign. I was at 5K for Jrs. every time I see him smile at a girl I think "that's my trip to NZ he's sweet talking you with"