Teeth straightening is aligning your teeth in the proper position according to your bite using external pressure over time. If you struggle with teeth that look crooked or misaligned, they can be corrected using proper teeth straightening techniques.
The main intention of teeth straightening is to improve your dental health by repairing and aligning crooked teeth and any other flaws accompanying your teeth and jaws.
An effective way to straighten your teeth is using braces. However, this treatment has been considered overly expensive for many years. This post helps debunk this notion by presenting all you need to know about cheap braces and how to get affordable teeth straightening.
What Affects the Cost of Braces?
When it comes to the process of correcting your misaligned teeth, braces are the most sought-after solution. But, we can agree that orthodontic treatment can be pretty expensive. The entire cost of teeth alignment makes accessing cheap braces challenging.
Below are five essential factors that affect the cost of braces.
The Initial Consultation Cost
If you’ve had braces before or this is your first time visiting an orthodontist; the consultation price is the same. You must first schedule the appointment, so you can have a slot booked for you.
Some practices will offer the consultation free of charge, while others will require you to deposit before getting some help.
At the appointment, the orthodontist will conduct an oral exam, share some treatment options, and provide a breakdown of the cost, which are essential.
The Complexity of Your Case
Braces treats various dental flaws ranging from mild to moderate to severe cases. The more severe your case is, the more you will eventually have to pay for your orthodontic treatment.
The Type of Braces You Choose
Braces come in different types and forms. But, which type of braces are the best?
The most popular braces are the traditional metal braces, lingual braces, ceramic, self-ligating, and clear aligners. All these braces are used for different people with different needs, budgets, and cases. Your choice will determine how much you will end up paying, the treatment time and convenience.
The Average Cost of Braces
The average cost of braces ranges between $3,000 and $10,000. That’s quite a steep price to pay for teeth straightening. Even when looking for inexpensive braces you go for, you may still have to dig a little deeper.
Here are a few factors that determine the average cost of braces;
- Where you live
- How much aligning your teeth needs
- The type of braces. Single arch braces cost a little lower than full set braces, so depending on your needs, you should prepare differently.
Cheap Braces Without Insurance
Dental insurance is one way to make your teeth straightening process more affordable.
However, there are other ways you can get cheap braces without insurance, including flexible financing, where the clinic welcomes a payment plan you can manage when not able to pay the full braces and treatment cost in totality.
The day of your appointment could also be a lucky day for you if the clinic has special offers, such as giving affordable braces without insurance. If you are a person who frequents the clinic, look out for their offer days.
Being curious about how much you will pay for your braces is normal. However, you can save on the time you spend on the internet searching for things like; how to get affordable braces for adults. Schedule an appointment with an orthodontist and get all your questions answered.
How to Get Affordable Braces for Adults?
While braces are costly, there are a few things you can do to have their overall price come lower and get Cheap braces for adults. There are a handful of best braces for adults, all coming with varied price tags.
Here are a few tips and tricks you can use to get affordable braces for adults:
Get to Know Your Insurance
Most insurance providers will only cover orthodontic treatment if classified as medically necessary. However, if you’re doing so for aesthetic purposes, you may be forced to pay for everything out of pocket.
Before settling on any dental insurance provider, check their coverage policies.
Find a Dental School Clinic
Visiting an orthodontist is already expensive at consultation without treatment. ‘How can I find affordable braces near me?’ might be the question you’re left with. The alternative is to visit a dental school clinic near you.
Students attend to you while supervised, which lowers the cost. What you incur is the cost of materials and equipment.
Request a Payment Plan
Many orthodontic clinics offer a payment plan if you’re looking for affordable braces. The clinics will partner with financial organizations and develop a payment plan that works for you.
These payment plans are the best when looking for cheap braces for teens.
Use Your Flexible Spending Accounts
Your dental plan may not cover your orthodontist, but your employer may offer a flexible spending account.
You are not taxed on this account which will help your dollars go further. It is the cheapest way to get braces if you contribute maximally to it.
Finance Your Braces
Personal loans or credit cards are a great way to finance your braces. You can talk with your bank about how long you can spread your payments.
Exploring all the above options answers your main question; ‘how do I get cheap braces near me?’ Once you settle on an option, make sure that your finances allow you to make timely payments.
How To Get Cheap Braces for Kids
Not all children qualify for fully covered braces; there are other ways to reduce the cost of your child’s braces. Here is how to get cheap braces for teens and children:
State-Sponsored Insurance or Medicaid CHIP
Your insurance covers your child’s braces, depending on your income. Low-income families qualify for the Children’s Health Insurance Plan. You can get the cheapest braces and be advised on how to get kids’ braces.
Private Dental Insurance
Getting your braces fully covered as an adult is not always available. However, if you qualify for Medicaid or have an underlying teething condition treatable by braces, it may qualify you for fully covered braces.
Before then, your orthodontist must confirm the type of cheap braces for kids that are medically fit for your child.
Family Discounts
If a time comes and you have multiple children needing the assistance of braces to help straighten their teeth, some offices will offer a flexible payment plan that makes it manageable to pay for all their braces.
Are You Eligible for Free Braces?
If you are from a low-income family, it is prudent to ask at the consultation stage with your orthodontist if you qualify for free braces. There are some proven ways to get braces for free.
Some tips to make braces more affordable can be taking the chance to hop on promotions that your orthodontist clinics may have. They may include huge discounts on the braces cost or free braces for your children.
Are Clear Aligners a More Affordable Option?
There are many factors to consider when it comes to treatment options, and the cost is essential. One question that keeps coming up at orthodontist visits is whether clear aligners are cheaper than traditional braces.
Costs are comparable when you weigh the advantages and disadvantages, but clear aligners are slightly pricier than traditional braces.
Summary of Getting Affordable Teeth Straightening Options
| Tips to make braces affordable | PROS | CONS |
|---|---|---|
| Choose a low-cost option | Few appointments and reduction of braces cost | Low-quality braces |
| Find a dental school clinic | Lowers consultation and equipment cost | Challenge finding a dental clinic near you |
| Request a payment plan | Flexibility in making payments | Low-quality braces |
| Finance your braces | Ability to make timely payments | Not all financial institutions and orthodontist clinics have this plan |
Final Thoughts
Orthodontic treatment is hands-down one of the most expensive dental treatments available. However, getting braces shouldn’t cost you a fortune as there are various ways to make them more affordable. Check out our options and see whichever works best for you, depending on your needs and location.
FAQ
Low-income families with Medicaid or a Children’s Health Insurance Plan may qualify for free braces for their children.
Cheap fake braces are not certified by an orthodontist and may seriously harm your teeth. Braces for cheap use may cause misalignment of your teeth and harm your gums.
If you qualify for Medicaid or a Children’s Health Insurance Plan, the government may offer to help you pay for affordable braces from a certified orthodontist clinic. You can also watch out for offers and flexible payment plans from a dentist near you that provide the cheapest braces options.
Home Kits are a bit more affordable than braces. You can expect to pay anything between $1000 and $2000. Composite bonding is another affordable alternative.
Standard metal braces use metal brackets and wire to realign your teeth for months or years and are a less expensive alternative than regular braces.
Sources
- How to Get Braces for Free or an Affordable Price. (2022). Retrieved 27 July 2022, from https://diamondbraces.com/braces/free-braces/
- How Much Do Braces Cost?. (2022). Retrieved 27 July 2022, from https://health.costhelper.com/braces.html
- WHY choose the UM School of Dentistry?. (2022). Retrieved 27 July 2022, from https://dent.umich.edu/patient-care#fees
- Dental Practice Fees: Is Social Couponing an Asset or a Liability?. (2022). Retrieved 27 July 2022, from https://dentalpracticetransitions.henryschein.com/dental-practice-fees-is-social-couponing-an-asset-or-a-liability/
- Visit the dentist. (2022). Retrieved 27 July 2022, from https://www1.deltadentalins.com/members/visit-the-dentist.html
- 6 Ways to Get Affordable Braces. (2022). Retrieved 27 July 2022, from https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/adult-orthodontics/six-options-to-get-affordable-braces-for-adults#
