Are you tired of feeling self-conscious about your smile? Orthodontic treatment, such as braces, can help improve the appearance and functionality of your teeth and jaw. But with costs ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 or more in Los Angeles, it can be difficult to budget for this important investment in your dental health. Don’t let cost be a barrier to achieving the smile you deserve. Learn more about the factors that can impact the cost of braces and how to find affordable options in Los Angeles.
Causes for Braces and How They Affect Pricing
Dental braces are a great way to get straight teeth with better alignment, but they can do much more. The more involved a treatment plan is, the higher the cost. Additionally, your age can affect the pricing since braces for a child can be less expensive than adult braces.
Some common orthodontic issues that call for getting braces can include:
- Crooked or missing teeth
- Too much or too little spacing between teeth
- Overbite, underbite, or open bite of the jaw
- Speech impediments
- Mouth, jaw, and teeth injuries
One terrific thing about braces is how they are customizable to the individual, which can help with the orthodontics cost. Some patients only require braces on the upper or lower jaw, rather than both. In these instances, the total cost of braces will be significantly less than someone with a complete set.
It can also be cheaper to invest in braces before a small problem becomes large. This preventative measure can save money because less work is required to achieve the desired results and drastically improve oral hygiene. In some severe cases, individuals can face jaw misalignment, cavities, or infection if the teeth are left without orthodontic treatment for too long.
Typically, you will need braces for less than 24 months, although it can vary between 18 months to three years. Many factors can affect your individual timeline. For example, treatment schedules will depend on how much your teeth will have to move to become straight and if you need more than one type of orthodontic procedure.
Types of Dental Braces and Their Associated Costs
The type of dental braces you require for your treatment will directly affect the cost. While some braces are less expensive than others, they may not be the best solution in severe cases. Additionally, you could end up spending more for braces if your treatment plan includes additional procedures, such as jaw alignment surgery.
No matter which type your orthodontist recommends, braces will realign your teeth for better aesthetics and functionality.
There are four types of dental braces available to help correct most oral problems, including:
- Metal braces: the least expensive choice
- Ceramic braces: are pricier than metal ones but cheaper than other alternatives
- Lingual braces: the more expensive option
- Invisalign braces: a mid- to high-level expense, depending on the treatment plan
Metal Braces
Naturally, metal braces are the most popular and least expensive. These traditional braces are incredibly durable, and the metal brackets cost less. However, they are highly visible on the teeth and can be more painful to your cheeks. You can expect to pay between $2,000 and $5,000 for metal braces.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are more expensive than metal because they are clear. The bracket directly on the tooth that holds the wire in place uses transparent materials. As a result, only the connecting wire is noticeable when you smile. Ceramic braces can cost approximately $3,000 to $7,000 in total.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are becoming more common for individuals who want to hide the brackets during treatment. They sit behind the teeth, facing the inside of the mouth rather than outside, for optimal discretion. However, this method is more expensive than other alternatives, ranging between $5,000 and $13,000 for a complete lingual braces treatment.
Clear Braces
Our clear braces cost in Los Angeles depends on multiple factors related to individual characteristics and treatment goals. For example, patients who have bite irregularities of greater severity may need longer treatment time and more aligners, increasing total costs proportionally. Prices may also vary for specific types of clear braces that are designed for very minor correction or treatment during adolescence. When patients need additional orthodontics or restorative treatment beforehand, the cost can also be expected to increase.
Analysis of Value with Clear Braces
For many patients, our clear braces cost in Los Angeles offers excellent value compared to other options. Without any brackets, clear braces are unlikely to foster the development of tartar, which contributes to expensive cavities and gum disease. Abrasion to the cheeks is also practically eliminated by the absence of brackets. As a long-term investment, teeth corrected with clear braces give patients improved aesthetics, comfort and chewing ability for a lifetime and make tooth loss less likely to occur as patients grow older.
The market for affordable invisible braces to correct cosmetic issues has grown exponentially in recent years. Invisalign braces use clear trays to shift teeth instead of brackets directly on each tooth with adjustable wires. As a result, an individual may require an extended treatment plan with this method than other options. On average, patients can expect to pay between $4,000 and $9,000 for Invisalign braces.
Aftercare Costs
In some cases, teeth will shift even after completing a treatment plan. Therefore, many professional orthodontists recommend retainers after braces come off. These plastic molds are typically for evening wear to minimize any reversal of the work you went through. Luckily, retainers do not cost nearly as much as braces or clear aligners.
Sometimes the cost of retainers is included in the original price of orthodontic treatment, but any replacements you need from loss or damage will come out of your pocket. Retainers from your dentist can range between $150 to $500 for replacements. These additional costs depend on the complexity of your molds and if you require one or both upper and lower pieces.
Does Health Insurance Cover Your Braces Cost in Los Angeles?
If you are considering getting affordable braces in Los Angeles, you may want to use a health insurance plan to offset the cost. Some carry private health insurance plans that will cover a portion of the total price for dental braces. However, the patient will often be required to pay out of pocket for some of the final costs.
Children and teens under 18 years old may qualify for some or all costs to be covered. This situation will depend on their dental issues and the underlying reason for this treatment. However, adults typically pay the total cost or the remainder of what their private insurance does not cover when getting braces.
In some instances, adults with health insurance coverage that will finance this dental treatment process may choose more expensive braces, like Invisalign, which they would not have otherwise chosen. In other cases, a patient who uses their private insurance to help fund the more affordable metal braces may have a final cost of only $1,200 to $3,000.
Before beginning dental treatments, you should talk to your health insurance provider to determine if you have any coverage for dental braces. Each plan is unique, and you may have fewer or more insurance benefits to help offset your expense. Knowing your available limits can help determine your final orthodontics cost when getting braces.
Saving Money on Braces in Los Angeles
If the cost of your dental braces is too high for your budget, there may be ways to help reduce this major expense and get you more affordable braces.
Shop Around
Professional orthodontists in the Los Angeles area may offer braces at similar costs, but it is a business and you’ll find some price differences.
For example, a recently graduated orthodontist starting out in the industry may potentially charge less to build up their clientele. In contrast, an experienced professional LA dental office with a proven track record of successful dental treatments will expect more for their services.
In addition, your location may also directly impact your braces cost in Los Angeles. If you live in a neighborhood with several professional orthodontic offices, the prices for braces may be more competitive compared to an area where only one dentist serves the residents.
Use the Services of an Orthodontist Student
Many professional industries will offer discounted services for citizens willing to have a student complete their work. Technical universities around Los Angeles, CA, where individuals train for the orthodontic field include:
- University of Southern California
- University of California, Los Angeles
- Loma Linda University
Although some people may be reluctant to have someone in training complete their orthodontic treatment, these students are under the direction of licensed and registered professionals. This way, you can receive the care you need at a lower, more affordable cost.
Financing and Payment Plans
Unfortunately, not every patient who requires braces will have enough money to pay the total cost of braces in Los Angeles. Thankfully, there are alternative options that allow for all budgets.
For example, many professional orthodontists offer flexible payment plans to help make your dental treatment affordable. Patients can choose an affordable monthly payment that aligns with their finances and slowly pay for their braces over a long-term agreement.
The Takeaway
When exploring braces cost in Los Angeles, CA, you will see prices vary depending on why they want to improve your smile. Many things affect your total price, from the type of braces you choose to the duration of your treatment and more.
On average, you’ll pay anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000 for a professional orthodontist to put in kids or adult braces and provide care. Unfortunately, your private health insurance coverage may not help cover braces costs, making it necessary for alternative financing options.
Therefore, if you are in the market for affordable braces in Beverly Hills or West Hollywood, be sure to shop around and explore your options. There are many ways to complete a treatment plan at a reasonable cost and still get the results you want for your smile. The first step is to contact your nearest orthodontist office. A straighter smile awaits!