Ortho quoted a flat rate of $6200 dollars for treatment!!!

[Future]

This was a bit of a shock to me. I knew NJ was generally an expensive place but, I think this may be a bit excessive. Now, don't get me wrong. My case is quite complicated. I have mild crowding on the top and moderate spacing on the bottom, but during both consultations, the orthos didn't seem to be too concerned with fixing this. My MAIN issue is my Class III Malocclusion, which also involves several other complications. It is certain that surgery along with ortho treatment is my only option to achieving a great smile. I understand this. However, I'm kind of not sure what to do.

My consultation was great today. The Ortho was very attentive and his office was very appealing. He has many accolades in his field and did a comprehensive examination and evaluation of my mouth. He was very patient despite the consultation being free. I felt very comfortable with him and his staff.



The consultation I went to the day before was just a good, however, I didn't get a ballpark figure of the total cost but, I did schedule my x-rays before I left, so I kind of feel obligated to this ortho. I have no reason not to go with him, either.


The only difference is that the "expensive" ortho does regularly treat adults, while I'm uncertain if the other ortho does.


Any suggestions?


Thanks.

[cally]

That doesn't really sound excessive to me. Last spring, my quote was $5500 in Texas. I'm sure it's more now as they constantly raise their prices. You can save money, as I did, by paying for the whole thing up front.

[Mesha]

Mine are costing $7,975...... so it doesn't sound excessive to me at all Definitely go with the one you feel most comfortable with, I can't imagine a worse feeling than not being confident in the person who is kind of in charge of your smile!

[badbite]

I live in PA and I have a class III. Including all appliances (expander, retainers, etc) My total treatment will be $3,900. I guess I am getting a good deal!

[NotBob1]

That's a bargain. Take it! Cheaper is rarely better.....

[iBorg]

My quote was for almost $6200. My case is also difficult and now includes surgery. Expensive yes....are you worth it?

I'd ignore price and ask myself where I felt most comfortable and who's treatment plan seemed to make the most sense. Try to get a feel for how flexible the ortho was for emergencies and working within your schedule.

Are they realistic and communicate well with you?

Do you know anyone who has been treated by either one?

If all else fails, ask your regular dentist which one they'd recommend.

Mike

[SueFromNJ]

Actually, it sounds just right to me. I also live in NJ, where every kid gets braces, so no shortage of business for orthodontists around here so they can charge plenty! My orthodontist has a 2 million dollar estate here in town, no kidding. My braces were $6000, plus $2000 for surgery (no insurance), so $8000 grand right off the bat.

$6200 sounds like a bargin, really! The price of braces is only going to go up and up and up, since everyone needs the asset of straight teeth, so orthos can charge accordingly.

[Gennel]

My daughter got braces over a year ago and hers were $4,500 because we paid in full so we got a $1,000 credit(the original quote was $5,500)
So I assumed that mine would be around around the same...NOT lol
I was quoted $6,500,however I could not pay it in full but since I just paid for my daughter's in full , I was able to get them for $5,500.
My case did not require any surgery but I did have lots and lots of crowding!!!

Gennel

[Lala7603]

before going into braces the first time, i went to two consults. i was i THINK 14...and i went to a colsult at Dr. B's office(lol...to keep them straight) my brother and i went, and we were told i needed braces and my brother was going to have to have all sorts of stuff to fix his palate. at that consult i got x-rays, moulds, and all of the other stuff. my mom paid for this and we went home....but she never scheduled an appointment. we really didnt like the office, and the ortho wasnt too...well...personable. Mainly, my mom didnt like his thinking on how we were going to fix my little brother's mouth. so we waited a lottle over a year and went to Dr. V's office for a consult. OMG what a world of difference. the office was very bright and friendly. and Dr.V was sooo nice, explained things very well......and gave options for treating my brother. we were all so comfortable that we decided right then and there to go with this ortho. i cant tell you how glad i am that we decided to go with DR.V. he is such a great ortho and i seriously love him and his staff. they are amazing. even being in braces the second time....hes so willing to help and answer any questions.(Dr. V stands for Dr. Vakani BTW...lol....so i wasnt randomly chosing B and V....lol)

so the moral of my REALLY long story.....records dont really mean a whole lot. and i really dont think the ortho's care too much....unfortunatly they probably will forget after a little while.

GO WITH YOU GUT! you will be better off in the long run!

SMiles
LALA

[Future]

You guys/gals are absolutely great. Cost should never compromise one's health. Thank you all for your input and hopefully I can shake the money tree a little harder.

[acd]

My initial estimate, though not as high as yours, was a lot more than what I had expected but I ended up going with him because I felt comfortable with him, his office and his plan. I even ended up spending a few hundred more when I chose upper ceramics instead of all metal brackets but in the end I decided that after waiting for 25+ years to go ahead with this that being comfortable with everything was more important than trying to save a few dollars. After 13 months my instincts have proven correct so far.

Your first obligation should be to go with who you think is right for you, and not to feel obligated because some doctor took some complimentary x-rays. Good luck with you decision and future treatment.

[Future]

Thanks, acd. You make a lot if sense. Hopefully all things will come together very soon. We'll see....

[wired after 50]

I am paying around 6,200.00 without surgery and I am in North Carolina. I really like my ortho and he is considered one of the best in the area. I could have found someone to do them cheaper but with the results I am seeing I am not sorry that I went with him. His staff is friendly and his patients are a mix of adults and children.

[jennielee81]

Not excessive at all. Mine was quoted at $6000 but I got a discount for paying entirely up front. I put it on my VISA and then paid that off with our tax return and some savings I had put aside for this purpose.

I'd go with the more expensive ortho, he sounds like a winner!

[jumbie]

I can't believe treatment is so expensive in the U.S . I live in a third world country and my full treatment is about $3000 USD and thats only because I have ceramic uppers. Plus I will get another $500 off from insurance. And there is 0% financing. Almost all these orthodontist have been trained overseas and I had numerous options of whom to select. If you were to see my orthos' office you would be amazed. Completely up to date equipment, computerised patient monitoring where you check in yourself...When I see how much stress ppl in the U.K have with NHS government funded programmes I am amazed that I have such easy and affordable access to treatment.