Orthodontics (Thanks all for the replies)

[Yzma and Kronk]

DD's are about $2800

I've also successfully convinced her that she should become an orthodontist when she grows up!

And she likes the idea.......so far

 

[AZKathy]

DD's are $4500; insurance only covers $1500.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I just got my braces off in January, at the terribly old age of 27. I know it's not old, but believe me, it felt old every time I went to that office full of teenagers!

My treatment, total cost including the first set of retainers was $3950. I also had to have wisdom teeth out first, that was about $1500 more. I can say it was well worth it, I feel much better about myself now. I had to do it as an adult because my grandparents raised me and they just couldn't afford it. I had to pay for it all, because our insurance wouldn't pay a dime since I was over 21 when I got them on.

One thing of caution (don't want to start a debate, it's just something I think is not good), one of the orthodontists in my town (not the one I went to) is starting to put braces on children at the age of 7 or 8, leave them on a couple years, then when all their permanent teeth come in, he puts braces on them again when they're 14 or 15. I don't know much about orthodontics, but I wouldn't want to pay for it twice (and he does charge the same fee twice, around $4000 each time), I'd just wait until they were 14-15 to do it.

My SIL got hers on when she was 15, and she went to a general dentist for it, and only had to pay $2000; you might try that route, although I'm not sure how severe of cases they can do.

Good luck, it's expensive, but it's worth it!

Steph

 

[tar heel]

My ds's were right at $5,000 for everything -- a W arch, a palete extender, then braces. We paid monthly for years, but now we're finished paying even though he still has braces. Our insurance paid $1,000.

He also had wisdom teeth taken out by an oral surgeon. Insurance covered most of it, but our part was still like $600.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Yikes -- I think we must be in about Phase "Infinity" by now. Our DD is 11 and has been receiving orthodontic treatments for five years now. We've had it all and I just found out today that they want to re-band everything again now that all of her permanent teeth have finally come in. To the tune of $3250, in addition to the over $4000 that has already been paid between us and our insurance company (which has been maxed out). After the paramedics left (just kidding) I decided I really should get another opinion as I feel our Orthodontist is overcharging us. When we first went to him, he was a preferred provider with our insurance company. That is no longer the case so he doesn't have to charge us the contracted amount for his services. We're even considering changing to a new dental insurance so we will have coverage for ortho. again. And the worst part about all this is my DS's mouth is identical to his sister's. There goes another $7000. Oh dear, I think I might faint again!!!

 

[SDAngel101]

WOW I had no idea they were that much.

All 5 of the kids in my family have been going to the orthodontist for YEARS (now our teeth look great though). My mom was really not kidding when she tells us our mouths are worth thousands of dollars.

 

[TammyNC]

Funny you ask that question, we just had an appointment yesterday to discuss the financial end of braces for DD-11. We do not have dental insurance. The total cost is $4200 and they want $600 down when they fit her for head gear and then $110 a month for 32 months. I almost fainted. When you think you are going to be able to get ahead, something else happens. I guess that is just a fact of life.

 

[loisg1]

DD13 just had braces placed in February. The cost was about $3200 and our insurance pays about $1500. Also, don't forget to look into a flexible spending account which allows you a tax break on the amount - in our case it can only be up to $2990 per year - that you, not your insurance pays towards the braces. We didn't realize this was available when DD15 had braces placed. Also, DD13 had about 12 teeth pulled before the braces were placed and that was an additional cost.

Good luck
Lois

 

[ScarlettO]

I don't understand all of you who have put braces on young kids! I've always heard you wait until the permanebt teeth come in...that's what I did when I was younger(and i had really horrible teeth) and what we did for our kids. They are expensive.

 

[Christine]

We just had DD's (age 12) put on yesterday. For records, expander, braces, and retainer my total cost is $3500. I went to two other orthodonists in my area and one wanted $5000 and one wanted $5300. This guy I chose is very nice, has a huge practice, is well recommended and is MUCH cheaper. All I can say is "shop around."

ScarletO-

I agree with you about the phased dentistry. I've had quite a few dentists (and parents) say that this is a rip off. It doesn't hurt, of course, but totally unneccessary in most cases (there are *some* reasons for it). But they do/can put them on younger. For my family, we are "dentally delayed." My DD is almost 13 and still has several baby teeth, yet she has already started her period. They now like to get braces on before the big puberty growth spurt because it supposedly works better. So what happened to your kids is fine and dandy if they lost their teeth at a normal time. I didn't lose all my teeth until I was almost 14 and so I didn't get braced until then. I was in them almost 3 years because the teeth get harder to move as you get older.

 

[diznee25]

I didn't lose all my teeth until I was almost 14 and so I didn't get braced until then. I was in them almost 3 years because the teeth get harder to move as you get older.

I'm surprised at the age of 14 your teeth were hard to move. I got braces at the age of 21, and my orthodontist thought I'd be in braces for 3.5 years, but my teeth moved quickly and I had the braces removed after 2.5 years. Guess I was just lucky!

Diznee25

 

[stitch79]

True, I don't understand why some orthos/dentists want to put braces on before adult teeth are in. I'm 24 and my teeth are moving just fine.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks everyone.... Just got back to the boards here and I was surprized by all the great replies!

DS is young, and I do not think he should get braces yet... But, at least I will have the Sticker-Shock over with!!!

There must be a LOT of orthodontist out there with speed-boats to take them to their private islands in the Caribbean!!! Too bad I didn't marry one!!!!

 

[suzannen]

My DDs orthodontist is charging $6,000. He's a tad (only a tad) more expensive than the others I got estimates from, but then I learned that he's the one everyone goes to when their FIRST orthodontist screwed up their kids' mouth. That did it for me!

As far as the age - according to this orthodontist, it really depends upon what the problem is as to what age to start. My DDs problem is spacing and that her incoming permanent teeth due to space problems were actually coming in above the gum line and really making crooked her existing permanent teeth. For them to wait until all her adult teeth are in would result in so many more crooked teeth and more years of dental work. Now she will be completely finished by age 12. Another classmate who just went for her evaluation with this same orthodontist was told for her condition, he preferred to wait 2 years.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I am an old lady here on this thread - I am 34 and have full braces, and will wear them for about 3 years. My braces cost $6000, and I also needed 8 adult teeth extracted, which cost $2100. And retainers and some more cosmetic filing will cost even more, so my total will be over $9000. Used up most of my savings to pay for it.

As for starting treatment younger and younger, that is VERY true where I live. If you are a teen in braces, you are OLD when I live - braces are for elementary kids now. I know a few 7 year olds in braces. These kids have braces/expanders from ages 7 to 9, then retainers for awhile, then more braces from 11 to 13 years old. This early treatment can be better for some conditions, but I also been told this early treatment many times comes from the parents not liking the "look" of their kids's just-emerging adult teeth, and are not willing to wait - they want them fixed ASAP! But I can see their reasoning, as appearances are so important, and a beautiful smile really is absolutely necessary in today's world.

And orthodontics will only get more and more expensive, since every kid (and many adults) has to have it, and demand is sky-high.

Interesting thread!

 

[Lorix2]

Monarchsfan - Dr. Mehan?

My DD12 needs them. The cost is $4785.00 w/ $1500.00 down or if paid in full totally, than a 5% discount.

Our dental has no orthodontic rider

She'll get them in the fall. She has an extreme overbite.

 

[my3kids]

Yep, about $4000 seems to be the going rate in my area, regardless of how major or minor the work will be.

 

[pjlla]

WOW..... what an eye opener! My DD and I have our first orthodontic "evaluations" this coming Tuesday. DD is almost 9 and dentist is hoping that if they can "corral" her two eye teeth into place with a retainer of some sort, she may be able to avoid braces in the future. Her teeth are not crowded, but these two came in at an odd angle. Insurance will cover her up to a lifetime coverage of about $1000.

Myself, on the other hand, soon to turn 40..... looking for just braces on the bottom. Two front bottom teeth started crossing in my very late teens, early 20's. Orthodontist at that time insisted that if I got my wisdom teeth removed and wore a retainer it would correct. So four PAINFUL extractions (and dry sockets) and one expensive retainer later..... no change. I have lived with it for years but I figure why not change what I can.... can't change turning 40, can't change the wrinkles (not easily anyhow), not willing to color my hair yet, so can't change the gray, and I am working on changing the weight, but that is slow. No insurance coverage for me.

ANYHOW..... thanks for the heads up on the $$.... maybe now I won't faint in the orthodontists office!! .......................P

 

[Christine]

Originally posted by pjlla

Myself, on the other hand, soon to turn 40..... looking for just braces on the bottom. Two front bottom teeth started crossing in my very late teens, early 20's. Orthodontist at that time insisted that if I got my wisdom teeth removed and wore a retainer it would correct. So four PAINFUL extractions (and dry sockets) and one expensive retainer later..... no change. I have lived with it for years but I figure why not change what I can.... can't change turning 40, can't change the wrinkles (not easily anyhow), not willing to color my hair yet, so can't change the gray, and I am working on changing the weight, but that is slow. No insurance coverage for me.

P

I guess I'm going to be an armchair orthodontist here but I just wanted to let you know that it really never prudent to put braces on just the top or bottom. If you move the entire row of bottom teeth and straighten them, your bite will not be correct. This can cause serious problems down the road in terms of wear and tear on your teeth and the health of your gums. Not sure exactly what they are going to do to you--if it is just fixing those two teeth it will probably work. But be very cautious if adjustments are going to be made to the entire bottom of the mouth without compensating on the top.

 

[pjlla]

Don't worry, they already told me that unless they can do it without messing up the whole bite, they won't do just the bottom. And I am not willing to do the whole mouth, so it is either the bottom or nothing. My DBIL is a dentist. He just did his bottom teeth only a few years ago. So I rely on him for lots of advise!..................P