The average cost of braces may shock you and your bank account. It’s not a cheap procedure. While there’s no flat rate, braces typically fall somewhere between $4,000 and $6,000 with some going beyond that range. The reason is each situation is unique and different oral situations are going to me more or less work for the professional getting your braces put together and in your mouth. Plus there’s the costs of keeping braces maintained over the years and dealing with any complications that pop up.
To get an idea of what goes into the cost of braces, where are some factors that will have an effect on the cost of braces
Your situation’s complexity means time for your orthodontist to spend working on your case, that costs money. This mean the correct supplies, the correct procedures, the correct number of procedures, and any specialty procedures that are necessary. A few metal brackets is going to cost a lot less than a full set of braces that require multiple office visits and supplemental material. Only your orthodontist can tell you how your condition will impact the cost of your treatment.
As with anything, the better a place you go to, the more it will cost. An orthodontist with several years or even decades of experience, multiple memberships to professional organizations, and awards is going to charge you more than a newer, less experienced orthodontist. So the same procedure may be two different costs between two different offices because one is more experienced and more in demand than another. So if you’re price shopping and see a discrepancy, check credentials and see if that explains it.
Unfortunately, braces are hardly ever a once and done procedure. Braces usually require annual or semi annual visits to make sure they’re doing their job. These visits may require some routine or not so routine maintenance that costs money. On top of that, after the braces come off there is still maintenance and visits for aftercare to make sure your teeth are doing well. And post-care retainers themselves can cost a few hundred dollars. You should factor this extra care into the cost.
Which state you’re in and where in that state you live also is a factor. While they don’t tend to go too far outside the mentioned range, some states have a low end cost of $6,500 while others have a base of $3,500 with high ends going up as high as $9,000. This is due to how difficult it is to get materials, the competitive experience of orthodontists in the area, and local fees. Braces in Los Angeles cost a lot more than braces in rural Illinois, for example. So factor that into your cost estimates as well.
Give us a call to get started on a quote and appointment if you believe you need braces.
