Dental Insurance - How Much Braces CostBy Susan Braden 
As families throughout the U.S. are dealing with higher healthcare costs and increasingly tighter budgets, dentist bills can take a big hit to the family bank account. If the parents have children, many will require braces at some point to straighten or realign permanent teeth. Because orthodontic work is very costly, parents typically look to dental insurance or discount plans as means to bring down their overall expenses. How much do they cost?Braces vary in cost depending on the region of the U.S. in which the patient resides. While dental insurance may assist with a portion of the price, the average price of traditional braces is between $4,000-$6,000. What kinds are available?Today’s braces are much less noticeable than in years past. Metal brackets are still the most common, but braces can be made clear or “invisible,” in the same color as a patient’s teeth, or placed behind a patient’s teeth. The more natural-looking they are, the more expensive they will be. How can I pay?Due to the high cost of orthodontic treatment, there are a limited number of ways to pay for it.
Does dental insurance help much?Policies can vary considerably in terms of the amount they cover on a yearly basis. When a policy is offered through an employer, orthodontic coverage is often elective. This kind of insurance tends to differ from medical coverage in that the entire cost for a procedure like braces is rarely covered. How much will my insurance cover?While some insurance companies may state 50% coverage for braces, that does not necessarily mean half of the fees will be covered – many traditional plans also state a lifetime orthodontic maximum of $1,000 to $1,500. This means that if your treatment costs $5,000 overall, you may still be responsible for paying the remaining $3,500 to $4,000. In light of these seemingly conflicting insurance clauses, it is often simpler to seek out a dental discount plan to gain a flat discount off orthodontic work. Too many families are unaware of the high cost of braces prior to their initial consultation with an orthodontist. When they see that the cost can range from $4,000-$6,000, they typically begin looking for some form of coverage prior to starting the actual treatment. People that purchase insurance to help with the cost of braces need to realize that, while it can be helpful, it can only cover a limited amount of the treatment. These families need to assume that they will still have to pay for a large portion of the overall cost, and may want to seek out a discount plan as an affordable alternative to dental insurance. |
