What's the Cost of Braces for Kids?

Did you know that children as young as seven can indicate alignment issues with their teeth? Not many know until their next appointment with their pediatric dentist. From there, you may be told your child might need to get braces to help fix their alignment problems.

If left unaddressed, it can make your child feel insecure about smiling because of their crooked teeth. And at worse, it can wreak havoc on your child's oral health. In which case, this is generally resolved by the common treatment method of having to wear braces.

Naturally, such dental work will require you to pay for it. It then begs the question for parents regarding the cost.

Understand the cost behind braces, so you can budget accordingly and give your child the proper, aligned smile they deserve!

What Impacts the Cost of Braces

Braces have changed since first being introduced into dentistry. The prices of braces vary nowadays since it all depends on the brand and types of braces you choose for your child. Based on what you choose, it wil be reflected in the overall price of your child's braces.

Here are a few of the most common types of braces...

Invisalign Clear Aligners

Invisalign has proven to be a popular means of correcting alignment issues. You can see why since the aligners are clear, making them discreet and unnoticeable to others. They help correct teeth alignment issues through a series of aligners by gradually having them move into position by exerting gentle pressure.

Typically, the price of Invisalign is about the same as traditional braces by today's standards. But, they are perhaps slightly more expensive since they require advanced technology to create.

Furthermore, understanding how Invisalign can save or cost you more money would be imperative towards knowing if it's worth the price. Since Invisalign can be removed, you want to ensure that your child can handle it responsibly. If they forget to put them on or misplace them constantly, you would have to pay to replace them. Even worse is having to pay more for dental work since they're not sticking to treatment.

However, if your child can handle it, Invisalign is great for saving your money on constant follow-up visits. With Invisalign, you're provided with the next series of aligners to switch to when needed, making regular appointments unnecessary.

Traditional Braces

These are the braces most people think of when talking about braces. They can come in classic metal brackets and wires, but ceramic ones are also available nowadays. Braces like these are typically recommended for more complex alignment issues and stay in place to ensure treatment. In this case, the price for them is worth it as it ensures success and is perhaps slightly less expensive than Invisalign.

However, like anything, it can have its drawbacks regarding cost.

As established, traditional braces and Invisalign are relatively the same in price. Yet, the cost can go up because of regular maintenance. With braces, it's required to go to several appointments since the brackets need tightening and can get costly to pay.

Furthermore, home maintenance isn't easy and can potentially create unexpected dental expenses. For instance, food gets stuck in the brackets. It can potentially damage the braces resulting in more visits to pay.

Lingual Braces

Think of lingual braces as a combination of traditional braces and Invisalign. Like traditional braces, lingual ones involve attaching the brackets on the inner sides of the teeth. Since they're hidden behind your teeth, they promise discretion like Invisalign does.

Lingual braces are notably used for more severe cases of alignment issues. As a result, the means of treatment are more costly than traditional braces and Invisalign.

Lingual braces, like traditional ones, need to adjust eating habits or lest your child ruins the brackets with something they ate. You would then need to pay to fix or replace it if it falls off. Also, like Invisalign, these are custom-fitted, which factors into the overall price of it.

Price Point Expectations for Braces

For the most part, you can expect the average price to be around $3,000 to $10,000. It is a significant range because the total cost is based on the complexity of tooth movement and how long it will take.

Based on the types of braces, this is the price range that each of them fall under:

• Traditional metal braces: $3,000 - $7,000
• Ceramic braces: $4,000 - $8,000
• Lingual braces: $8,000 - $10,000
• Invisalign: $4,000 - $7,400

Not everyone can fork out a couple of thousand dollars, so many pediatric clinics can provide affordable payment plans or have your insurance cover it if they accept it.

Nowadays, braces come in various types that affect their overall price. Plus, possible follow-up care can factor into it. Thankfully, there are affordable ways to pay for whatever braces your child gets!