Do Orthodontist Offer Payment Plans

Millions of Americans wear braces to correct various orthodontic problems, straighten their teeth, improve their bite, and get a beautiful, healthy smile. But, you’re probably wondering how much do braces cost and how you’ll be able to pay for them. According to the American Dental Association, adult braces can cost up to $6,000 on average, which can be a hefty price for many people with orthodontic problems.

Fortunately, there are various ways you can get braces and get the flawless smile you’ve always wished to have without breaking the bank. In this article, we’ll look at how the different payment plans and financing options can help you pay for your braces and correct your orthodontic problem in a cost-friendly way:

 

How Much Do Braces Cost?

While the cost of getting braces depends on the severity of your case, the type of braces you need, and where you live, the average cost of braces in the US typically ranges between $3,000 and $10,000. Also, it’s important to note that the cost for adult braces is consistently higher than for children’s braces, no matter your location.

Like any other product out there, orthodontic costs increase along with the cost of living and population density of where you live. So, if you live in an urban area, the more you should expect to pay for braces compared to when you’re living in a rural area. The total cost of your braces typically includes the treatment and orthodontic care, comprising imaging and x-rays, pre-treatment care, ongoing appointments for adjustments, and emergency appointments.  If you’re unsure how much your braces cost, consider talking to an orthodontic to understand your specific case and how much your treatment will cost.

What are some options for paying for braces?

Braces is a highly rewarding investment. Not only does wearing braces help straighten and align your teeth, but it also boosts your self-confidence and improves your overall health. However, paying for braces can be a burden for many due to their high prices.    Below are some common ways to pay for your braces:

• Monthly payment plans

If you can’t pay for braces upfront or put a downpayment, your best option is working with an orthodontist that offers monthly payments.  The good thing about a braces payment plan is that it helps spread the treatment cost into manageable monthly installments over a specific duration. This option allows you to start the treatment immediately and get billed only for the installments each month. This can help reduce the immediate financial burden when you need braces. So, be sure to work with an orthodontist who offers monthly payment plans to make paying for braces manageable for you.

• Healthcare credit cards

Credit cards like Wells Fargo Health Advantage or CareCredit are specially designed to cover healthcare costs including, medical procedures, dental, vision, and more. That means you can use a CareCredit card to pay for braces. Healthcare credit cards can come in handy, especially if you’re looking to pay the total treatment costs upfront. Find an orthodontist who accepts CareCredit credit card payments for braces. If your CareCredit credit card doesn’t have enough credit to pay the total cost of your braces upfront, you still can use it to make a down-payment for the braces. Your orthodontist can then offer a monthly payment plan to spread out the balance in manageable installments.

• Medicaid or CHIP

While Medicaid coverage differs from state to state, the federal government requires each state to provide coverage to children with qualifying orthodontic diagnosis. This means Medicaid fully covers braces costs for children under 21 with medically necessary orthodontic cases. However, Medicaid may not cover braces costs for your child if their treatment is considered cosmetic.

• Insurance and HSA/FSA Plans

Another convenient way to pay for braces is using your dental insurance. Most dental insurance plans cover a part of the cost of orthodontic treatments, including Invisalign and braces, if the treatment is considered medically necessary. Be sure to talk with your dental insurance provider to determine whether your plan covers orthodontic treatment costs.

You can also take advantage of employer-based health savings accounts such as tax-free Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to cover your braces costs. You can use your HSA or FSA to pay for the remaining part of your orthodontic treatment not paid by your dental insurance plan, helping you save money. Contact your orthodontist and HSA or FSA provider to understand how to use the coverage to pay for braces.

 

Do orthodontists offer payment plans?

Many orthodontists offer flexible braces payment plans as part of their services. That allows you to pay the cost of your braces in regular installments, so you can immediately get started with your braces and cover the bill a bit later on. Choosing a braces payment plan mostly depends on your orthodontist and your financial situation.  Be sure to check how much interest your orthodontist’s payment plan will end up costing you to see if it’s a worthwhile option. However, a braces monthly payment is a superb way to manage your cash flow while still getting the orthodontic treatment and care you need to get that flawless smile. 

How Much Is A Downpayment for Braces?

If you’re unable to pay your braces costs in full upfront, many orthodontists offer a flexible payment plan comprising an upfront payment and ongoing monthly installments.  Most practitioners request a down payment upfront to align their cash flow since most of their expenses often happen at the beginning of the treatment. 

Without insurance, the average downpayment for traditional metal braces is approximately 20 percent of the total treatment cost.  But, the downpayment could increase with in-house programs. The best part is that your monthly installments will be much lower, so you can easily pay for your braces. If you have the money to cover the entire costs of treatment upfront, your orthodontist may offer you a prepayment discount, helping you save money on the cost of braces.

Conclusion

While figuring out how to pay for braces is a major concern for many, payment plans can make the costs fit seamlessly into your monthly budget, especially if you don’t have insurance. Breaking down the total costs into monthly installments can make paying for braces manageable for you and allow you to get started with your treatment immediately.

Dr. Nebblett provides quality orthodontics from her orthodontic office in Freehold, NJ, and serves Freehold NJ and the surrounding areas.  Want to discuss what your orthodontic payment options are? At Freehold Orthodontics, we’ll work with you to create a payment plan that best fits your budget to make paying for braces as easy as possible. Contact us today at (732) 795-5548, or use our appointment request form and schedule a complimentary consultation with us to see how we can help you get a beautiful, healthy smile.