There are a few considerations to make before your final decision to spend money and time to have your teeth straightened with adult braces. You will also need to figure out how to pay for your braces. Keep in mind that traditional dental insurance rarely, if ever pays for braces.
If you have not already visited an orthodontist, it is best to obtain recommendations from your dentist or family, or friends.
You should get opinions from at least two specialists, if at all possible. Orthodontists often vary in their treatment procedures. If you are unhappy about the opinion of one orthodontist, you should obtain another until you feel comfortable with the recommended treatment, particularly if jaw surgery or extractions are involved. The consultations should be free of charge.
Costs
Braces could cost you about $5,000 – $7,000 if you require them on both upper and lower teeth, for a period of two years. This cost may vary and depends on several factors, such as the area you reside in and the orthodontist.
If you are unable to bear the cost from a private orthodontist, you should search for dental schools within your area. They often offer cheaper orthodontic care. The reason for this is that it is used as a training school, under guidance from experienced professors, who often work in private practice themselves.
You can also get GREAT discounts on braces if you’re a member of Ameriplan Dental. How much of a discount? Up to 65% discount on braces. And that’s per household, with no coverage limits and no waiting period. All for a measly $19.95/month. Why not sign up now HERE?
There are dental chains that offer lower costs for orthodontic work, but you will have to opt for one of the dentists affiliated to them.
You may be able to obtain a discount dental plan with lower costs, but the work that you require needs to be new, rather than in progress. One plan that you should consider is DentalPlans.com. You can find their link on the right side of this page. You will have to use one of their affiliate dentists.
Check your current health plan or that of your spouse, to determine if any of the treatment you require is covered. You should bear in mind that once you have started orthodontic treatment, you will not be able to obtain coverage eslewhere. Many plans only cover new treatment. This means you should ensure that you have insurance prior to starting any treatment whatsoever. If there is the need for jaw surgery, it will be covered under medical, not dental, insurance.
One note: the Ameriplan Dental Plan does not cover orthodontic treatments in progress.
An important consideration to make is to be realistic about your expectations and the effect of braces on your everyday life. You need to be sure that you are prepared to have the braces in your mouth every day, 24 hours a day, for a very long time.
Questions for your Orthodontist
There are a range of questions you need to ask the orthodontist, such as:
- Can I make use of Invisalign or other types of ‘invisible’ braces? If not, you need to know the reasons why not
- Do you make use of Damon brackets? These are often a good option if extractions are required, but extractions may be avoided if Damon brackets are used.
- Do you make use of lingual brackets (iBraces)? This question is necessary if you are interested in having braces placed behind your teeth.
- Will I require metal braces? Will they be placed on the upper, lower or both jaws?
- Will it be necessary to use rubber band for bite correction?
- Will headgear be necessary? If so, how long will I be required to wear it, and for how many hours each day? At what stage of the treatment process will the headgear be implemented?
- Is it necessary to have tooth extractions?
- Will my facial profile change in any way? How?
- Will I require jaw surgery? If yes, will it be done before or after? Where will the surgery be done?
- Will my bite improve or will it only straighten my teeth?
- How long will the overall treatment last?
- How often are adjustments required, and what is involved?
- Is it necessary to make an appointment if I suffer with a poking wire, or can I simply call into the office?
- What is the overall cost? Is insurance acceptable? Can I obtain a breakdown of the costs? What payment plans do you offer?
- How much discomfort and pain will I have to endure?
- Are retainers after treatment included in the cost and what type of retainers do you offer – bonded, Essix or Hawley?
Dental Coverage: Affordable Care Act Or Ameriplan?
Only you can decide if dental insurance or a dental discount plan will service you better. Of course, in some cases, you might be better off by getting both. The thing that is certain is that good dental care is a very important part of health care, and you should do everything possible to make that care as affordable as possible.
Many people say that dental insurance is a big hole in your monthly budget that doesn’t bring you too much in return. A dental discount service like AmeriPlan Dental Plus is something totally different. You pay a little and the return is huge, thinking that you are going to have all your dental treatment needs covered in proportion of 50% or more. Even those who already have a dental insurance plan can take advantage of AmeriPlan to lower their monthly expenses after their account limits have been met.
AmeriPlan discount health and dental plans are designed to save you money while providing the health and dental care you and your family needs. Get started now and you’ll be amazed at the level of medical and dental services and the low cost.
Ameriplan Discount Dental plans and Discount Health Plans are not insurance.
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