How to Save Money on Braces?
We all know that braces are expensive. Many of us believe that they are necessary. Unfortunately, not all insurance companies agree. They have gotten better in recent years. Even when you have dental insurance, it may not cover braces. If it does cover them, the insurance may not cover a large percentage of the cost. Braces is a word that we have begun to use generically as an umbrella term covering any type of orthodontic equipment that straightens teeth. It can include retainers, spacers, expanders, etc.
If you or your children are facing the need for braces, it will be helpful if you know some ways that you can save money on braces. Continue reading to find out more.
Average Cost of Braces
Before we can really start the conversation about how to save money on braces, it is critical to understand just how much they cost. You are not going to find one standard price on braces because there are a number of factors that dictate the cost. For example, the provider, location, and type of braces are major drivers of the cost of braces.
There are ranges that you can expect to find for each type of braces. This can help you have some awareness of the cost before you have your first visit with the orthodontist. Another point of which you should be aware is that there is no standard amount of time you need to wear braces. Each patient has a different set of needs, and that dictates the length of time it takes to achieve the desired result. Therefore, the amount of time you or your child needs to wear braces will also play a role in the cost.
- You can expect traditional or metal braces to run between $3,000 to $7,000.
- Ceramic braces will cost between $4,000 to $8,500.
- You can expect lingual braces to run $8,000 to $13,000.
- Invisalign cost from $1,800 to $9,500 per treatment.
When you see that initial price, it may give you a bit of sticker shock. It can be surprising to learn how much it costs to straighten teeth. However, there are some things to consider when thinking about how to save money on braces.
1. Pay In Full Upfront
When you are thinking about how to save money on braces, you should consider paying for the entire bill at one time upfront. There are many dental offices that will give you a discount if you pay on your first visit, or perhaps at the consultation. You may be able to get up to 5 percent off the total cost if you pay at once.
Before you plan to pay the entire bill upfront, you want to make sure you are getting a discount to do so
getting a discount
You can even ask the office if there is a discount for siblings. If you have multiple children and you know they are going to need braces, you may be able to get a significant discount by bringing multiple children there.
You should also ask if you get a discount or money back if you refer anyone to their office. If you can combine several of these together, you could save quite a bit of money.
2. Start Treatment Early
As with everything, the sooner you can catch the need for medical care, the better off you will be. The same is true with braces and the need for teeth straightening. Early intervention is ideal. For example, if your child can use an expander at an earlier age, the need for straightening their teeth may be reduced when they are older.
Not only can you potentially reduce the amount of time your child needs to wear braces, but you may also be able to start saving money for them. For example, if you know your child is going to need braces in two years and have a rough idea of the cost, you can begin to save money for them now. Then you can pay the entire bill up front and save some cash.
3. Get a Second Opinion / Dental School
It should not be a surprise to learn that not all orthodontists charge the same amount for braces. You may find that the cost varies greatly, especially if you are willing to drive to another area for braces. Perhaps driving 30 minutes puts you in a different city or county where costs are lower. It might be worth it to you. It is a good idea to do some research about the orthodontist available to you before you make your final decision. You want to make sure you are comparing the same types of treatment plans. It is also important to make sure you trust the orthodontist and feel comfortable with that person.
Another great consideration is a dental school. If you are fortunate enough to live in an area with a dental school, you should consider them for braces. The students have to learn somehow, and the braces could be half the price. The students are working with a professional orthodontist, so it is not like they are by themselves doing the work.
Most of the time the students are already working dentists that want to expand to braces. You can have faith it will be done the right way. The negative to choosing a dental school is the appointments may take longer, and the number of appointments are limited. You will need to decide if the discount is worth the time you may spend.
4. Free Braces / Financial Assistance
Depending on your financial status, you may qualify for free braces. There are many programs available to low income families without insurance. There are also programs for those that may not qualify for other programs within their state.
They are many nonprofit programs, including Smiles Change Lives and Smile for a Lifetime. They offer free or discounted braces to those in need. Smiles Change Lives offers programs in all 50 states.
There could be other programs or organizations that are available to help. Your orthodontist may be able to offer other suggestions. If the braces are considered medically necessary, and you receive Medicaid, some or all costs may be covered.
5. Care For Your Braces
The longer you or your children have to wear braces, the more they will cost. If you can shorten the amount of time you wear them, the cost will be lower. While you cannot do much to move your teeth faster, you can take steps to care for your braces properly.
This means following all the directions given to you by your orthodontist
You should wear the rubber bands as you are directed and avoid the foods you are not supposed to eat.
You also want to make sure you care for your teeth properly while wearing braces.
If you follow these directions, you are less likely to break or damage your braces, which can add time to your treatment plan. The more careful you are with your braces and the better care you take of your teeth means you can make a substantial amount of progress.
6. Flexible Spending Account
A flexible spending account (FSA) is something that is offered to you by your employer. Not all employers offer a FSA. You are able to put as much as $2,675 per year aside pre-tax to pay for orthodontics. If you extend the treatment for two years, you have up to $5,000+ to spend. This could cover a significant amount of the costs.
Using this type of plan is not going to save you any money on your bill. However, it will be tax free money, so there are some savings when it comes to filing your taxes. This money must be used within a year, or you lose it.
This is a great way to help cover some of the costs of braces. This account can be spent on other items, too, if you or your children do not need braces.
7. Payment Plan
Many orthodontists offices offer payment plans. They understand that braces are expensive, and not everyone can afford to make that kind of payment. As a result, they offer installment payment plans that are flexible.
This allows you to break up the total bill into monthly payments. You typically have to have the entire bill paid before the treatment plan timeline has ended.
Most offices do not charge you interest on the payment plan. For this reason, this is usually a better option than paying with a credit card or taking out a loan. This option is not going to save you any money off your bill, but it does make paying for braces more manageable.
Third party payment plan
There are often third parties that offer payment plans. It is not your dentist offering this plan, but another party that offers to provide you with a payment plan. A third party may offer you lower monthly payments because they stretch the amount of the payments beyond when the braces are off. They may charge you interest which means you will end up paying more money. These third parties may offer a better interest rate than a loan or credit card. You would have to check that before you sign the paperwork.
Additional Assistance
When thinking about facing a large bill like the one that comes with braces, it can be a scary time. You may know that your child needs braces in advance of them actually needing them. Their dentist may warn you that braces are in their future. This allows you to begin to come up with a savings plan for your child’s braces. It is not always easy to save a large amount of money, especially when you have children. The Goalry Mall is here to help.
We have a wealth of resources about how to save money and budget for the things you need or want. We provide you resources that help you find smart ways to save money. The Goalry Mall is your one stop shop for savings and budgeting information. You will be surprised at how easy budgeting can be once you know the proper way to do that is in alignment with your financial goals. So do not get frustrated; come on over and check out all that we have to offer.
Explore Possibilities To Save Your Money. Welcome To the Billry Store!
Conclusion
Braces can be painful for the person wearing them and the person paying for them. While they are most often a necessity, paying for them does not have to feel like a burden. If you consider all of your options and research orthodontists, you can save some money by finding one that offers discounts or is willing to work with you on a payment plan. Before you go to that consultation for braces, consider all of the ways to save money on braces covered in this article. They will empower you to make the best decision for you and your family.