If you ask three orthodontists how much braces cost, one might give you a range from $2,500 to $7,000, another between $5,000 and $6,000, and the third from $1,800 up to $8,000. How do you know who is right?
Another seemingly frustrating answer to the question can be, “It depends.” However, every child’s dental condition and need for orthodontic treatment is unique, making this the most honest answer.
At Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry, we understand how challenging it can be to budget for braces. That is why we carefully evaluate your child’s oral health before discussing prices. A clear picture of your child’s dental health is key to providing an accurate estimate. From there, you can make the best decision with no surprises later.
To receive an honest estimate of how much braces treatment may cost for your child, call us at (480) 422-4544 to schedule an evaluation appointment. You can also contact us online to ask questions and schedule an appointment.
What Factors Influence the Cost of Braces?
A thorough analysis of your child’s orthodontic treatment in Scottsdale takes into account six important factors:
- What kind of orthodontic treatment is necessary, given your child’s unique needs?
- How old is your child?
- How long will the treatment likely take to complete?
- What kinds of orthodontic device options are available?
- Will your dental insurance plan handle part of the treatment cost?
- What is the experience and quality of the orthodontist?
These factors should each be considered before an accurate estimate can be determined.
The Kind of Orthodontic Treatment Your Child Needs
The issue with giving “guesstimates” for braces is that without knowing your child’s specific oral health concerns, it’s more guessing than estimating.
Not all underlying dental problems are the same. Some are comparatively minor and can be treated more quickly with easy-to-use devices like Invisalign clear plastic aligners and retainers.
Other dental health issues are more complex and may require braces or oral surgery.
Our evaluation will also determine if simple alignment issues, like crooked teeth or closing gaps between teeth, are the problem or if more significant bite correction treatment is needed. Significant bite issues include overbite, underbite, crossbite, deep bite, impacted teeth, or overcrowding.
If more serious issues are not dealt with properly, they can reduce the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment in the short term and develop more severe problems later in life. These issues may even undo the short-term benefits of inadequate treatment.
How Old is Your Child?
Correcting alignment and bite issues in children is easier while their teeth and jaws are still growing.
Left unaddressed, childhood dental problems like misaligned teeth and bite problems often worsen over time. They may also contribute to possible complications like tooth decay and even tooth loss, which can be expensive to treat as adults.
We recommend having your children participate in regular dental check-ups as early as possible. One of our experienced child dentists at Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry can recognize orthodontic challenges your child faces early on and in time to take proactive steps before they become more complicated—and more expensive—to treat later.
How Long Will Treatment Take to Complete?
The duration of your child’s braces wear depends mainly on the complexity of the underlying problems to be corrected. The simplest straight teeth and gap-closing treatments might take as little as six months to complete. More involved bite correction treatment will require more time, sometimes up to three years. This also includes the time they will use a retainer after removing the braces.
In most cases, your child will wear braces for two or three years. As a general rule, the less time treatment requires, the less expensive it will be.
What Kinds of Orthodontic Options Are Available?
The type of braces treatment that will work best for your child will depend on whether their condition requires braces or a more flexible option, such as Invisalign. We provide a range of conventional braces and aligners to serve your child’s unique needs.
Traditional Braces
Conventional braces include fixed braces, functional braces, braces in combination with elastics, and headgear.
Traditional metal braces are effective in almost all orthodontic treatment plans and tend to be the least expensive treatment option. They are the most recognizable braces, which have silver-colored bands, brackets, wires, and rubber bands.
However, lingual braces are also an option in some cases. These braces have the advantage of having the wires placed on the inside surfaces of the teeth instead of being visible on the outside.
The average price of metal braces in Scottsdale ranges between $3,000 and $7,000, depending on the issues the treatment plan must address.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are less visible than metal braces but may cost more. Unlike transparent Invisalign aligners, they are colored to match the teeth closely.
Ceramic braces are also less robust than metal braces, meaning they are more likely to break and need replacements.
Ceramic braces in Scottsdale can average between $4,000 and $9,000, depending on the complexity of the treatment and the length of time they have to be worn.
Invisalign
Invisalign aligners are made of patented clear plastic. Unlike traditional braces, Invisaligners are removable, making it easier for your child to eat, maintain good hygiene, and participate in activities like school sports.
An Invisalign treatment plan consists of multiple sets of aligners. Each set must be worn for about 22 hours a day for about two weeks before the next set arrives. Invisalign treatment also tends to have a shorter treatment duration than other orthodontic treatments.
Some Invisalign treatments require tiny, nearly invisible devices called “SmartForce” attachments to be attached to a patient’s teeth to provide extra “grip” to the aligners. This allows for more targeted treatments and complex tooth movements.
Invisalign may not be practical for complex cases, and the aligners must be cleaned regularly to prevent staining, tooth decay, and gum disease caused by bacteria buildup.
Invisalign aligners can also be less effective if they are not worn for 22 hours a day, requiring a certain level of discipline. Also, since each new set of trays is designed in advance to pick up where the last trays left off, not wearing each set for the time needed could slow the realignment progress. It may even require an adjustment to the treatment plan.
Invisalign aligners are also effective for simple treatment situations, especially cosmetic improvements like tooth realignment. However, they can cost a little more than braces. After evaluating your child’s orthodontic treatment needs, we will discuss what braces options are available and whether Invisalign is a suitable option.
How Much Will Insurance Pay for Braces?
Although health and dental insurance plans may cover some of the cost of braces, they may not cover all of the costs. Depending on what kind of dental insurance provider you may have, it could also restrict who is eligible for braces coverage, including whether they cover adult braces.
Private Dental Insurance Coverage
Some dental insurance plans can have premiums that typically cost about as much as their overall coverage amounts, often around $1,000 to $1,500. Most dental health plans will have an overall cap on braces costs of $1,000 to $3,000.
Coverage through AHCCCS
If you qualify for insurance coverage through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, or AHCCCS, the Medicaid program can pay all the costs for braces for children under the age of 21.
Other Financing Options
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can also help pay for braces.
Lastly, if your insurance does not cover the total cost of braces, our practice offers a wide range of payment options, including financing with no initial payment and a monthly installment plan. Our treatment coordinator will work out a plan suited to your individual needs.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. We deliver the finest care at the most reasonable cost to our patients. If you have questions regarding your account, please contact us.
Click to view our full financial policy.
The Experience of Your Orthodontist
Not all orthodontic treatment options are identical, and neither are all orthodontists. For example, some orthodontists may offer what seem to be “bargain” prices but may do so by hiring orthodontists who have less experience and expertise.
Additionally, some dental schools provide orthodontist services to enable their students to gain hands-on experience working with patients while under the supervision of a regular orthodontist. These can be the least expensive option, but they also have the least experienced caregivers providing your child’s treatment.
At Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry, our orthodontists are licensed in the state of Arizona. We are subject to the strict requirements for orthodontists established by the Arizona Board of Dental Examiners, including:
- Graduating from dental school
- Completing at least four years of orthodontic training
- Passing written and clinical examinations
- Maintaining their professional qualifications in the state of Arizona
Our orthodontists are also certified through the American Board of Orthodontics, which also includes the following requirements:
- Provide patients with a written treatment plan (including the cost of treatment)
- Obtain written consent before beginning treatment on a child
- Establish a complaint process in place for patients
Scottsdale Orthodontist Free Braces Consultation
If your child may need orthodontic work, we offer free consultations!
If you have any questions before you visit, please feel free to call us at (480) 422-4544 or visit us at our office at the following address: 10213 N. 92nd Street, Suite H-102, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.
