 How
much will your braces cost?
The short answer is: in 2004, in
most parts of the US, two years of full traditional braces costs (on
average) about $5,000. Ceramic brackets are about $500
extra. These costs do not include x-rays, extractions, or
special appliances. Invisalign treatment (in most cases) costs
about the same as traditional braces.
But that varies. Let me
explain.
If you have a health
insurance plan that covers orthodontics, you might pay less,
especially if you go to a provider that is in your insurance
network. But be careful. Just as you wouldn't choose a medical
specialist only because he is on your plan, don't
choose an orthodontist soley based on this criteria. Get a
consultation (usually free or minimal cost) and see how
comfortable you are with that person. No amount of money saved
can make up for two years with an orthodontist you don't like
or don't have confidence in. Also, remember that most dental
plans cover braces only before treatment begins. So if
you've already started treatment, you may be out of luck.
OK, that said, let's move
on. If you live in Europe or other parts of the world, there
may be government health plan that covers your braces. Again,
remember to scope out the other professionals in your area.
You may pay more for an independent dentist, but it may be
worth the extra cost.
If dental insurance isn't
an option and you don't want to pay full price, you may
consider going to a nearby dental school. Usually orthodontic
treatment is done under the watchful eye of an instructor who
has many years of professional orthodontic experience. Call
your local dental school and ask how much they charge.
The following information
has been provided by ArchWired readers over the past few
months. In some cases, the cost has been averaged.
United States
US residents can use this
handy dental
cost calculator, which will give you a general starting
point.
| NorthWest |
|
|
| Idaho |
N.
Idaho |
$5,184
(Damon brackets) |
| Oregon |
Portland
suburbs |
$5,500 |
| Washington |
Seattle |
$5,700 |
| Wyoming |
Casper |
$4,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SouthWest
& California |
|
| Texas |
unknown |
$4,500 |
| Texas |
Austin |
$5,500 |
| Texas |
Houston |
$4,800 |
| California |
San
Jose area |
$5,620 |
| California |
SF
East Bay area |
$4,500 |
| California |
Los
Angeles |
$4,000 |
| California |
SF
Peninsula area |
$5,000 |
| Arizona |
Phoenix |
$4,200 |
| Arizona |
Phoenix
suburbs |
$3,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Central
States |
|
|
| Illinois |
Chicago
suburbs |
$5,500 |
| Illinois |
Chicago
city |
$3,975 |
| South
Dakota |
Sioux
Falls |
$5,225 |
| Wisconsin |
SE
area |
$4,600 |
| Indiana |
Logansport |
$4,500 |
| Ohio |
Cleveland |
$2,500 |
| Ohio |
Cincinnati |
$5,000 |
| Michigan |
Ann
Arbor |
$5,000 |
| Iowa |
Central
area |
$3,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| NorthEast |
|
|
| Washington
D.C. |
Washington
suburbs |
$3,600
(speed braces) |
| Connecticut |
New
Haven |
$5,200 |
| New
Hampshire |
Manchester
suburbs |
$5,980 |
| Virginia |
Fishersville |
$4,650 |
| Maryland |
Annapolis |
$4,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SouthEast |
|
|
| Georgia |
Atlanta |
$4,700 |
| North
Carolina |
Raleigh |
$5,985
(with expanders) |
| North
Carloina |
Charlotte |
$4,600 |
| North
Carolina |
Ashville |
$4,245 |
| Florida |
Orlando |
$5,000 |
| Tennessee |
Nashville |
$2,850
(six months) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Island
Territories and Alaska |
|
| No
data available yet |
|
Canada
| Vancouver |
C
$5,557, $5400 |
| Montreal |
C
$4,800 |
| Newfoundland
(Grand Falls) |
C
$1,200 (top treatment only) |
| Edmonton |
C
$5,500 |
| Ontario |
C
$5,200 |
| Ottawa |
C
$6,900 |
|
|
Mexico, and Central and
South America
Europe and the UK
| Poland |
Warsaw |
PLN 5,200 |
| France |
|
3,500 Euro |
| Scotland |
|
2,200
Pounds |
| Ireland |
Galway |
3,500 Euro |
| Ireland |
Dublin |
5,500 Euro |
| Great
Britain |
Somerset |
2,100
Pounds (Damon Brackets) |
| Germany |
|
3,660 Euro |
| Finland |
Helsinki |
3,000 Euro |
|
|
|
Asia and SouthEast
Asia
Africa and South
Africa
| South
Africa |
Capetown |
R17,000 |
|
|
|
New Zealand
| unknown
city |
NZ $4,500 |
| unknown
city |
NZ $3,800 |
|
|
Austrialia
| Melbourne
suburbs |
AU $4,400 |
| Melbourne
city |
AU $5,500+ |
| Sydney
(New South Wales) |
AU $5,770 |
|
|
|