Questions regarding braces cost and orthodontic treatment are in the minds of many parents who are deciding whether to move ahead with treatment. So I thought it would be a good idea to provide some clarity and information regarding this often-asked question.
Generally, cost of braces can depend on types of treatment that a child might need:
Phase I Orthodontic Treatment:
Phase I typically starts at age 7, while your child still has his/her baby teeth. During this phase, we may want to correct some preliminary issues related with their bite such as extreme crowding.  In some cases, it is much better to catch the problem early than finding it at age 12 where we may have fewer options.  Plus, the exams are no charge so you have nothing to lose.
So in phase I, even if your child doesn’t need full orthodontic treatment, a consultation will allow you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with what types of treatments may be necessary should your child need treatment in the future.
In some cases, braces or other types of Orthodontic appliances may be used during phase I treatment, so the costs of this phase can range from $500 to $3,000.
Phase II Orthodontic Treatment:
Phase II treatment involves placing braces on your child’s permanent teeth so we can begin moving them into their final positions. This phase is referred to as normal or full orthodontic treatment.
The most common time for starting phase II treatment is when your child is between ages 11 and 15. At this age, most, if not all permanent teeth have erupted and we have a clear idea of the problems that need to be corrected. Â This phase takes approximately 18 to 24 months and the associated costs range from $4,500 to $6,900.
Cost of Braces vs Invisalign
Some practices may charge a higher fee for Invisalign (clear braces), especially upfront, however we charge the same amount for either braces or Invisalign.
Flexible payment options
By spacing out your payments over the entire treatment period, Orthodontic treatment becomes a very affordable option for most families. At our practice we use an innovative financing option called Orthofi. This system provides you with the ability to budget the cost of treatment with maximum flexibility. In fact, your initial payment can start as low as $250.
Plus, we provide generous discounts to second family members and/or siblings of current patients, or if phase I was needed.
So there you have it…lots of options to make your child’s orthodontic treatment a reality. Plus don’t forget that the initial consultation and exam as well as follow up visits leading up to treatment are always free! Heck, there’s not even a charge for X-rays if we need them!