Benefits and Costs And Overview of Orthodontic Braces & Appliances

Braces have been accompanying us for several decades. However, at times we underestimate the main advantages of an aligned denture. Straight and aligned teeth and jaws bring more than aesthetic reasons to opt for using braces. It is also worth knowing that a straight smile makes a difference in your overall oral health. Among many health-related reasons for using braces, we included that: 

• Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss, which means they are less prone to develop cavities or tooth decay.  
• Improper bite generates unneeded pressure on specific teeth. Inadequate and prolonged stress might result in jaw soring, gum disease, chipped and broken teeth, and eventually losing one or more pieces.   
• Having straight teeth improves digestion and helps sleep easier.

Along with these significant advantages of having aligned teeth, wearing braces might sometimes have minor disadvantages. For instance, some of the cons about braces include that they are noticeable, making patients feel self-conscious. Braces make it difficult to eat hard or chewy food. Also, patients must revise oral hygiene habits to avoid plaque accumulation and tartar formation that might end up in tooth decay.  

Wearing braces bring along benefits that considerably outweigh its disadvantages. Parallel to the health and aesthetic benefits of using braces, long-term rewards also come along with its usage. Investing in braces produces a positive impact that will benefit you and your family for the rest of their lives.

The results of jaw and teeth alignment will accompany you forever. Also, the costs associated with teeth straightening are smaller than those of repairing any previously mentioned problems related to teeth misalignment. This article has introduced some of the most important health reasons for using braces and their long-term benefits. We have divided this article into three parts: information about braces’ costs for teens and adults and insight into insurance coverage.

How Much Are Dental Braces for Teens?

The most suitable age for treating teeth misalignments is during the teenage years, a time of change and rapid growth. Some of the body changes will remain permanent in adulthood. Therefore, it is easier to shape a teen’s bite and smile.

With this in mind, several factors determine the final cost of braces for teens, including the severity of each case, the number of programmed visits, and the type of braces or alignment devices. Altogether, they conform to the technical factors that define the final cost of alignment systems. 

There are also external factors such as specialization in specific services and board certifications. The latest provides further confidence to patients about the level of competency of the orthodontics professional. To summarize, with regards to costs, financial figures are approximate. Evaluations can only be determined case-by-case. However, we bring you some rounded numbers to have a better idea of different treatment costs.  

Traditional Metal Braces

The average cost of conventional metal braces is $3.500 with insurance coverage. However, as previously mentioned, some factors might help alleviate the cost of treatments. For instance, low complexity cases with a duration period of less than a year, treated with conventional metal braces, with insurance coverage, might start as low as $1.500.

However, basing the complexity level on the duration time, a treatment of three years carried out in a full-service orthodontics facility without insurance might end up at $5.500 approximately. 

Depending on your budget, there are also more sophisticated options for teens, including ceramic or tooth-colored and lingual braces. Non-permanent devices such as Invisalign are also one of the favorite options nowadays. They consist of clear, invisible trays that overcome the problems of self-consciousness derived from exposed metal and wires, allow patients to eat and chew any type of food, and ease hygiene habits. 

Tooth-Colored or Ceramic Braces

Ceramic or Tooth-colored braces consist of appliances that mimic tooth color, making them less evident at sight. Even though they are similar in shape and size, they outperform metal braces as they work faster—the average cost of this type of treatment is $6.000.

Lingual Braces

Lingual Braces are similar to traditional metal and ceramic braces, with the sole difference of being glued at the back of the teeth. Lingual braces face the tongue, making them invisible while smiling. However, there are specific disadvantages due to its placement, making it harder to practice proper oral hygiene and needing more adjustments each month. An average lingual braces orthodontic treatment rounds $8.000.

Invisalign Clear Aligners

Invisalign is the most cutting-edge orthodontic treatment available. They combine several technology developments in 3D imaging and durable clear and almost invisible materials. The result is a straightforward set of appliances that prove successful results in lowering the time of treatment, invisibility, improved oral hygiene, and comfort. 

However, despite these many advantages, Invisalign is removable, making the devices prone to be lost or forgotten, which might delay the treatment duration. Regardless of this fact, Invisalign is a system with a high growth rate in the US and globally. Invisalign’s average cost rounds $5.700.     

How Much Are Teeth Braces for Adults?

It is never too late to correct misalignments. Lately, adults concerned with their smiles and the health factors associated with improper bite and teeth misalignment have increased. In some cases, adults have lived with jaw strains and experienced problems associated with broken teeth due to unbalanced pressure over their teeth. Consequently, some adults have preferred to correct such problems to avoid further damage. Also, orthodontic treatment Yulee is vital to enhance a patient’s self-esteem, even in adulthood.  

It is also true that a healthier and more beautiful smile positively impacts an adult’s confidence, especially with a professional career and social events. Today, people have greater visibility on social media and are exposed to smiling more often. It is also essential to notice that, along with the aesthetic factor related to self-confidence, deciding to engage in orthodontic treatment will undoubtedly improve an individual’s oral health. 

For instance, smoking habits or grinding teeth damage the dental structure. Proper teeth alignment will help to avoid further damage to the teeth and jaws and extend an adult patient’s oral health for the future. Although treatment might take longer, as bones are less dense, the overall results on their health and confidence will indeed surpass the waiting time.

As we previously outlined, the cost of braces is directly associated with the severity of each case. As in most adult cases, treatments might be longer; the average cost of traditional metal braces rounds $5.500 approximately and $6.000 for ceramic braces. 

What Dental Insurance Covers Braces?

At Onshore Orthodontics, we strive to make orthodontic treatment affordable for everyone. We make sure that you maximize the allowable benefits of your insurance and fully understand your coverage options.

For your convenience, we accept all major PPO insurance plans, including

• United Concordia/Tricare
• MetLife
• BlueCross/BlueShield
• Cigna
• Delta Dental
• And more.

The first step toward achieving a beautiful, healthy smile is to schedule an appointment. You can visit our Onshore Orthodontics website and complete a request an appointment form, and we will gladly assist you.