This is by far the most common question that orthodontists receive and an important one that all patients want to know. It falls along the lines of “how much is a purse?” or “how much will it be to fix my car?” There are many factors to consider when it comes to the price of orthodontic treatment.
Braces aren’t just for kids anymore as they are very popular for adults, too. And while you may have never pictured yourself with a “metal mouth” as an adult, it is becoming more common for adults to get braces—and they’re not always the metal type either. Nearly 1 million Americans over 18 years of age visit an orthodontist and have orthodontic treatment, so you definitely won’t be alone.
Reasons Adults Get Braces
With so many American adults getting braces, you have to wonder why they didn’t get them as a kid. Why now? There are a couple of reasons why adults get braces (one of which may be why you’re considering them):
- Never treated problems as a kid. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to treat the problems when they’re young. Because of that, those problems have remained or have worsened. These problems could include:
- Crooked or crowded teeth
- Overbites, under-bites or cross-bites
- Incorrect jaw position or jaw joint disorder
Therefore, it becomes increasingly important to get braces to finally correct the problem. Not correcting it could lead to:
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- TMJ
- Headaches and earaches
- Problems speaking and chewing
- Parents couldn’t afford it. For some people, getting braces as an adult is primarily a financial one. Their parents couldn’t afford orthodontic treatment when they were young and now that they’re older and financially independent, braces may be affordable.
- More conscious of problems. It’s also highly common for adults to become more self-conscious of their smile as they age and more aware that they need the work done.
Is Treatment Any Different When You’re Older?
The most significant difference between getting braces when you’re older compared to getting braces when you’re young is time. Treatment can take a little longer for adults than it does for children. Children’s teeth are more easily moved during the braces treatment, whereas an adult may need to wear braces a little longer to receive the desired results.
Speak to Dr. Gina Lee about how long your treatment might take—everyone is different.
How Much Do Adult Braces Cost?
On average, orthodontic treatment at Duke University & North Durham Orthodontics may cost anywhere from $2,500 to $7,000 without dental insurance, depending on the type of braces you get. Here are the five types of braces and their corresponding prices:
- Invisalign: $2500 to $7000
- Traditional Metal Braces: $2500 to $6500
- Ceramic Braces: $2800 to $7000
- Gold Braces: $2800 to $7000
- Lingual Braces: $7000 to $11,000
How Can I Pay for Them?
So how can you pay for the smile that you have been dreaming about? Here are a few places to start:
- Dental Insurance. See if your dental insurance plan covers the cost of braces. Some dental plans will not pay for orthodontic treatment for people over 18 years old. You can visit Dr. Gina Lee and we will do a complimentary benefit analysis to determine your dental coverage.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA). If you have a Flexible Spending Account and/or Health Care Savings (HSA) account, use it to help you pay for your braces.
- Visit Different Orthodontists. Prices at the orthodontist may vary, depending on where you live and upon the orthodontist’s discretion, so visit a few different ones so you can find one that offers affordable prices and with the exceptional treatment that you deserve.
- Payment Plans. Dr. Gina Lee will work with you on a payment schedule so you don’t have to pay for the entire treatment in full and offer monthly financial arrangements to make it more manageable for you.
To find out more, request a complimentary Smile evaluation from Dr. Gina Lee to discuss your treatment options and we can give you an exact quote.
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