How to Lower the Cost of Braces

When you’re looking to get that perfectly straight smile, you know that you’ll eventually have to consult an orthodontist. This will inevitably lead to an appointment in which they examine your teeth and recommend the type of braces you need. At the end of the visit, you will be faced with wanting to know the exact cost of braces and may not like the number. But if you really need them, what are you to do?

In this brief article, we’ll go over some tips on how to reduce the cost of braces down to a manageable level. Don’t worry, it doesn’t involve doing anything crazy. Many of these are simply solid financial tips that will enable you to pursue straight teeth without having to hand over your entire wallet. You may even find yourself using these tips for other industries in order to get the best deal possible. Let’s find out more!

Start Treatment Earlier Rather Than Later

As with many things in life, the earlier you start the easier it is to fix the problem. Since many dental problems are exacerbated by time, the earlier that you get in to see the orthodontist, the easier it will be to repair anything that is currently wreaking havoc in your mouth. Since most orthodontists offer free consultations, you literally have nothing to lose by going to get yourself looked at. Then, you can discuss how long and how much it will cost to give you the optimal treatment.

Always Comparison Shop

When you’re trying to find out how much braces cost, it can be tempting to go to one orthodontist and take their word at face value. Many people find visiting an orthodontist office to be intimidating at best and don’t eagerly try to visit others. But make no mistake, like any other profession, different orthodontists charge different rates. You may even have offices within the same block that offer varied services and prices. Therefore, it is always prudent to shop around and compare the exact same product to see if the price changes.

Consider Paying Upfront

If you have money in a savings account that you’re keeping for a rainy day, you may want to consider simply purchasing your braces upfront and being done with the cost. Many orthodontist offices will offer an immediate discount for upfront payment and you should inquire as to what that might be. When you cruise into your visits to get your paid-off braces worked on, the feeling of calm and relaxation of a bill already paid will be worth it.

Ask About Payment Plans

If you’re dead set on seeing a certain orthodontist, considering asking about a payment plan. Even if the office doesn’t normally set up fees on a schedule, they may make an exception for you in order to win your business and keep you as a customer. Depending on your status (veteran, disabled, etc) you may also qualify for a discount. Orthodontists want your business and if this means making braces cost what is affordable for you, then most will do just that.

Get Treatment at a Dental School or By Trainees

If you’re really strapped for cash and don’t have any of the above options available to you, you can always look for discount treatment at a dental school (with an orthodontics program) or from trainees. Because you’ll be getting the work done by people who are learning, you should get a rather large discount. The downside is that since these professionals are not very experienced yet, you may have to come back for appointments to correct their errors (or go to another orthodontist).

Finding the Right Way to Pay Starts with You

After viewing some of these tips, we think that you’ll agree that finding the right way to pay starts with you. At the end of the day, you are the person in total control of your wallet and how your money is spent. No one can cajole you or force you to make any other option than the one that you ultimately pick, so pick wisely. Orthodontists, insurance companies, and others are more than happy to help you with how much braces cost if you only care to ask.