Getting braces is not something you do just for fun. It is a long-term commitment that needs maintenance to get the desired results. Dental braces got invented to help straighten crooked teeth. It also sometimes helps align the upper and lower jaws of a person to improve the aesthetics of not only their smiles but also their faces. Teeth can be moved through braces at any age, and if you need to get one, you should still check out the breakdown of the costs. With this breakdown, you make an informed decision.
The straight answer to the average cost of braces is $5,000 to $6,000. However, sometimes, a person could pay as little as $3,000 or even as much as $10,000. It depends on why you need braces. The factors that affect the cost also include your dentist’s fee. Sometimes, dentists who are established or those who have been in practice for many years ask for more professional fees.
Another factor is your age. Usually, it takes two years for the alignment treatment to be complete. Younger patients, who do not need to undergo many processes, could finish the treatment in as early as 12 months. Older patients, who require more time to achieve the desired position for the teeth, could complete the treatment after three years or more. Generally, the longer you have your braces on, the more money you will have to pay. You have to go to a monthly appointment and adjustment, and this is a separate payment from the one you already paid your dentist upfront.
The type of braces you will use also affects the costs. If you go for metal, the cost would be between $3,000 and $6,000. For your information, metal braces are the most common types of orthodontic treatment, and they are also the oldest form. They are available almost anywhere, but it is obvious because of the metal brackets.
Another type is ceramic braces. It would cost around $4,000 to $8,000, and it remedies the problem in metal brackets. With ceramic, it could blend with the color of your teeth.
Lingual braces are also more expensive because it could cost you as much as $10,000. They are installed behind the teeth because they are difficult to install and adjust monthly.
A photo of a person wearing braces.
One more type is Invisalign. Brackets are no longer used for this kind of braces as a clear plastic mold is in place. Patients have to wear the mold for a specific time and later use another. However, the teeth alignment through this type is slower than those that use brackets. Invisalign costs from $3,000 to $8,000, but patients with severe misalignment cannot use it.
To help cut down on the costs of having braces, you have to do your part for the treatment to be faster. You have to ensure you do not eat foods that could shatter or stick to your braces. You also have to be responsible for going to your monthly appointments. Sometimes, if you miss an appointment, you could go back to square one. This means you will be paying more money because you will spend more time having braces on.
