OT- How much did you pay for your child's braces?

[blanq]

Our DS, age 13, is 9 months into braces. The total cost of treatment, including one retainer, was $5000. Our dental insurance paid for $1500 ($750 at banding and $750 six months later). Our Orthodontist offered a 5% discount if we paid in full at banding, which we did. We then are using my flex benefits through work to take advantage of the tax savings. I had to flex for the course of treatment (i.e., over two years) and was not allowed, per my flex benefits policy, to flex the whole out-of-pocket cost the first year.

 

[annakris1973]

In my situation the ortho won't put the braces on until I see a surgeon. DS needs 4 wisdom teeth and another tooth out. Then she wants the oral surgeon (her spouse) to surgically spread DS's palate. $3000 if done in his office. $5000 plus all hospital costs if done in the hospital. $500 for the oral surgeon consult before he'll tell me exactly what needs done.
There may be other costs involved, but I won't find out until I pay the $500 consult fee.

Then after having the surgery and healing (Dec 07 or Feb 08) he'd get braces.
A year after that the ortho wants her husband to break DS's jaw and have it aligned perfectly. This is definately surgical in-hospital.

We was told the total cost for braces is a minimum of $10,000 not including that last jaw breaking and realignment surgery.

We have no dental insurance. It stinks.

WOW! This sounds VERY FISHY!!!!!!!! I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting a 2nd opinion!!! You are talking about alot of very invasive PAINFUL surgery!!! I would definately make sure that it was absolutely necessary before you proceed!

 

[annakris1973]

Thanks for all of the replies, looks like we are in the same ballpark as everyone else.

 

[bkaz]

I would second the post that asked about being near a dental school. My dad was in private orthodontic practice for 30+ years, then retired. He then decided to go work with the residents at our local dental school's orthodontic clinic. My nephews are having their braces done there at a reduced price compared to a private practice and my dad is very happy with their care. The students are well supervised and the cost is good (don't know the specifics because my daughter is only 8...a few years away from her braces still).

 

[MICOL]

$4000 for DS two years ago, 24 months to pay

 

[disneyeveryyear]

My son was one month before his 12th birthday when his were done. We had been seeing the orthodontist once a year for the previous 2 years. The ortho told us to wait. He did say that he could put them on at 10, however, he felt that when all of the "baby" teeth fell out that we would be right back where we started and need them again. Ortho stated that he felt that too many orthos were "double dipping" by putting them on too soon and then re-doing them a second time.

We waited and DS is doing very well. Teeth have done better than expected. I asked if the braced came off at the 18 month point if the payments would stop also. Less time = less $. Guess not. (JK)

Sorry this doesn't address the original question, but has anyone experienced any difficulties waiting to start the whole process until your kids were say 12-15 yr. old or so? DS10 needs them especially for his upper teeth, not sure about the bite situation but there is no way we will be able to spend that kind of money unfortunately at this time. Hopefully things will turn around in the next couple of years. (just in time for oldest DS to start college but that's a whole other story!)

 

[kellia]

Dd is getting hers on next month. Our dental plan only covers $750, but if we go through their dentist, they can only charge us a max of $3500. We also are doing the Medical Expense account to pay for it. I will put it on my Disney Visa until we get reimbursed, so got a few bucks for Disney, too!

Definately wait until they are old enough. There are a lot of dentists who push parents way too early so they can make extra money! My dd has had all of her grown up teeth since she was 9, but the dentist told us to still wait a couple of years. Now she's 11.

 

[mom2my3kids]

My middle son who is 9 years old will need braces when all of his permanent teeth fall out. This is still a few years down the road, but we will have to fork the money up ourselves as our dental does not pay for it. Unless I get a new job with better dental by then.

 

[patsal]

$800 down and $100 per month for 20 months for phase 1 and $650 down with $100 per month for 10 months on phase 2 total $4450 times 2 kids.
Both of my children required rapid palate expanders, phase one braces for about two years, retainers, one more year of phase 2 braces and of course retainers and follow up visits.

It is expensive!

 

[armomof3lvsdisney]

DS's cost is $4300.00 insurance paid $1000.00, 2 more payments and there paid for

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I'm wondering how many of you would put your child in braces strictly for perfectly straight teeth? I know DH regrets not having braces for his bottom teeth (they are crowded, but no bite issues). We have insurance that would cover at least some of the cost.

If it were my kids, I would do everything to make sure a child has perfectly straight teeth and a great smile. But I talk from very biased personal experiences! I grew up with horribly crooked, "fanged" teeth. My parents knew my smile looked absolutely awful but decided early on that they would not fix my teeth for "cosmetic" reasons. They also believed that straightening teeth was not a parent's responsibility, as it was my problem, not theirs.

Well, imagine growing up as the only kid with crooked teeth when all your peers got braces then afterwards looked wonderful. In college, I fully realized how bad my teeth looked. And then when I went interviewing on jobs, well, not the greatest experience. Your smile is such a HUGE part of your overall appearance. I had a horrible time marketing and selling myself to potential employers when I had such a lousy smile. I don't care what people say - your appearance MATTERS!! If you have crooked teeth and an unattractive smile, it will limit you in so many ways. And what it does to self-esteem and self confidence ...

Happy to say, finally woke up (and bankrupted myself), and I did surgery and 3 plus years of braces as an adult, costing about $9000. Got my braces off in May and what an incredible difference. I feel like my "second class" status was removed. BEST thing I ever did. And even better, I finally landed a decent job and just recently got promoted!! I can smile now, and I am so thrilled with the results!!

Must say, I am very happy reading these braces threads, as so many parents (unlike mine) do whatever's necessary to ensure their kids have straight teeth and great smiles.

 

[MrsPete]

They also believed that straightening teeth was not a parent's responsibility, as it was my problem, not theirs.

This is a bit harsh, considering you were A KID at the time and unable to afford braces . . . also, braces are most effective at a young age -- braces cost more and aren't as effective on adults.

 

[hentob]

If it were my kids, I would do everything to make sure a child has perfectly straight teeth and a great smile. But I talk from very biased personal experiences! I grew up with horribly crooked, "fanged" teeth. My parents knew my smile looked absolutely awful but decided early on that they would not fix my teeth for "cosmetic" reasons. They also believed that straightening teeth was not a parent's responsibility, as it was my problem, not theirs.

Well, imagine growing up as the only kid with crooked teeth when all your peers got braces then afterwards looked wonderful. In college, I fully realized how bad my teeth looked. And then when I went interviewing on jobs, well, not the greatest experience. Your smile is such a HUGE part of your overall appearance. I had a horrible time marketing and selling myself to potential employers when I had such a lousy smile. I don't care what people say - your appearance MATTERS!! If you have crooked teeth and an unattractive smile, it will limit you in so many ways. And what it does to self-esteem and self confidence ...

Happy to say, finally woke up (and bankrupted myself), and I did surgery and 3 plus years of braces as an adult, costing about $9000. Got my braces off in May and what an incredible difference. I feel like my "second class" status was removed. BEST thing I ever did. And even better, I finally landed a decent job and just recently got promoted!! I can smile now, and I am so thrilled with the results!!

Must say, I am very happy reading these braces threads, as so many parents (unlike mine) do whatever's necessary to ensure their kids have straight teeth and great smiles.

I agree with everything you said.

I am sorry you had to go through those bad times I am soooo happy that you were able to get the smile you wanted

 

[hentob]

I'm wondering how many of you would put your child in braces strictly for perfectly straight teeth?

 

[twoeeyy]

It did not cost us anymore to start them early and do the two phase. It was going to be the same $, the advantage to starting early was not having to pull out a bunch of teeth.

She got them off today and she looks beautiful . Talk about a great Christmas gift.

 

[barbmouse]

This is a very timely post for me as my DD 13 just got braces TODAY!! We have teased her and told her it was her Christmas present! She had to have an extraction and in a few months an implant. About 4 years ago she had an appliance called a quadra helix ??. Total cost at the end...we begin monthly payments in Feb... will be over $7ooo. The ortho told us our ds still has another year before they will put his braces on. I just think braces are part of raising children these days. I had braces as a child and was so glad to get my teeth fixed!!