In the United States, 4 million people wear braces, about about 25% of that population are adults. If you’re one of those adults who need braces, you may be wondering, “How much are braces for adults?” Thankfully, we’ll break it all down for you here and also help you find affordable braces for adults!
Average Cost of Adult Braces
You may be limited in options depending on what your orthodontist has experience in. Sometimes you may not be able to get a certain type of braces if your teeth are too misaligned as well. The best way to get an accurate estimate for your teeth is to schedule a free consultation with an orthodontist. They’ll look at your teeth, ask you some questions, and then give you an estimate.
But in general, metal braces can cost anywhere between $3,000 and $6,000. These braces will use metal brackets and wire attached to your teeth, and you’ll have to go in for adjustments over the next two years (on average). Ceramic braces are more expensive, ranging from $4,000 to $8,000. These braces are similar to metal braces, but the brackets will be the color of your tooth to make them less noticeable than metal.
Invisalign could be cheaper, but in some cases it could also be expensive, ranging between $3,000 and $8,000. This is like a retainer of molded plastic that you put on over your teeth, and they will be completely invisible. However, you can also remove them to eat or brush your teeth.
Lingual braces are normally the most expensive option, costing anywhere between $8,000 and $10,000 for adults. These braces function like regular metal braces, but instead, these are attached behind your teeth. This makes them completely invisible, which is why they cost the most money.
Factors of the Price
There are also a few different things that could affect the average cost above. Some of these factors include where you live. For example, if you live in New York City, you’ll likely have to pay more for braces than someone who lives in Kansas. It will also depend on how bad your teeth are. If you have a case that will take longer than the average treatment time, you’ll likely have to pay more money as well. Plus, if your teeth are bad, your dentist will have to use more of their expertise to ensure that your teeth come out straight.
However, if you don’t take care of your teeth while you have your braces on, your treatment will take longer, which means that you’ll have to pay more as well.
For example, for adult braces, one year of traditional braces may cost $2,500. Most people have braces for only two years, but if you don’t take care of them and need them for four years, you could end up having to pay close to $10,000 for traditional metal braces!
How to Save Money
We know that braces can be expensive, but thankfully there are affordable braces for adults! There are also ways that you can try and save money to be able to cut down the cost.
Go to an Orthodontic School
Instead of getting your braces at an orthodontic’s office, you could always get them at a dental school as well. You’ll be able to find schools in most states that offer this service on certain days. This way the students get practice for when they actually become a doctor. But don’t worry, their treatments are all supervised by faculty members to ensure you’re getting good treatment.
And in general, these services are normally cheaper than getting it done by a professional who’s already graduated. To find one of these schools, check out the Commission on Dental Accreditation. They will have a list of schools that offer this service.
Ask About Payment Plans
Some orthodontist’s offices also offer different payment plans for patients who don’t have insurance that will cover it. They’ll let you put a down payment on the braces upfront and then schedule payment plans for the duration of your treatment.
These are often less money than normal credit financing as well! They may offer you a plan that lets you choose between having no interest and one plan that accrues interest over two years.
Find Insurance
While most insurances won’t cover braces because they consider it a cosmetic procedure, there are some insurances that do cover a portion of it. However, these plans are normally only economical plans. For example, you could try choosing DeltaCare USA Individual and Family Dental Program plan. This is offered in many areas with a cheap premium, and you’d only have to pay $2,500 in some places.
This insurance will also cover your consultation, the installation, and up to two years of your treatment. If you need an emergency visit, they will cover a portion of that as well.
However, if you can’t find insurance like this, you could always ask your dentist to write a note saying that your misalignment could cause you severe health problems. In that case, braces may qualify for coverage.
Learn More About: How Much Are Braces for Adults?
These are only a few things to know about: “How much are braces for adults?” However, to get the best quote, ask your local orthodontist! We know that getting braces can be scary for some, but we’re here to help you out. If you enjoyed this article, make sure that you explore our website to find more articles just like this one!
Also read: Adult Braces Dentist: 4 Tips to Aid You in Choosing an Excellent Orthodontist
