Costs of dental braces vary greatly from one person to the next, and there are several things that can affect the price.
First, the cost will vary based on what type of dental braces you need. For example, a person with a lower jaw and upper teeth who will be receiving braces should expect to pay more than someone who needs only upper teeth. Also, any kind of additional procedures involved will raise the price. For example, if you need to have porcelain veneers, this will raise the price. A good rule of thumb is to expect to pay twice as much for any kind of cosmetic procedures that will be done simultaneously with your braces.
A second factor that can affect the price is whether you have Invisalign or traditional braces. Traditional braces and Invisalign are equally effective, but there are some tradeoffs when choosing between the two. Traditional braces require a longer period because you can’t adjust them at home and can cause a “molar gap” between upper and lower teeth. Invisalign requires a more frequent adjustment to your teeth than traditional braces, but no molar gap (thus less wear on your teeth). Also, while you don’t need Invisalign for permanent (bone-anchored) dental braces, you will have to have them for removable braces. The cost of Invisalign will be like traditional braces.
The third factor that can affect the price is how many visits we need to get your braces on. The more visits you need, the more expensive your braces will be.
The fourth factor that can affect the price is how fast you need your braces. If you don’t want to wear them for long, then it will cost more. When considering cost, consider how long it will take for you to complete treatment with the braces and ask any potential providers about their delivery times.
The fifth factor that can affect the price is if you have missing teeth. If you are missing two, three, or four teeth in the middle of your smile line, then it will cost more to get your new teeth in place. Your dentist may recommend implants, bridges, or partial dentures as a solution to this problem.
The sixth factor that can affect the price is how many specialists are involved in your treatment.
Even if you have no financial need for dental braces, it’s a good idea to have them. The dentist may offer you an exam and cleaning (or perhaps a more extensive checkup) before your treatment, and they will often give you some temporary fake braces at no charge while you are waiting for your permanent ones. The cost of these is usually minimal compared to what the dentist would charge out-of-pocket, anyway. With both exams and fake braces, the cost will vary depending on whether you opt for a complete exam or just a cleaning.
Finally, you can expect to pay more for dental braces if you live in a city or other geographic area that has higher costs of living.