Have you ever wondered why braces cost so much? Have you thought that the braces seem so small, so why does it cost so much to get them?
I have heard this thought many times online, and I’m here to explain why it seems braces cost so much and how you can actually afford them.
Let’s examine three reasons why braces cost as much as they do and compare the pricing to things you buy every day.
1. The material costs of braces is expensive
Braces are made from metal alloys or various crystal structures, depending on the type of braces you get.
Clear braces cost more to fabricate than metal braces because the material is harder to obtain, and the process is more labor-intensive.
Whenever a product costs more to make, the cost is passed on to the consumer, in this case, the patient.
High fabrication cost is the biggest reason why Invisalign costs more than braces. Invisalign costs more than braces not because they move teeth better or look better, it’s purely because it costs so much to fabricate them.
The very high lab costs of Invisalign get transferred to the patients, and that’s why, in most cases, the cost of Invisalign is higher than braces.
When fabricating braces or Invisalign gets less, the cost to the patients will also be less.
2. The amount of visits you need
When you go to the dentist for a filling, you will be there for one or two visits, and then that’s it. You don’t keep going back month after month for the same filling.
With orthodontic treatment, you will be taking up doctor time every month or so. You will likely come in every 4-8 weeks for the duration of your treatment.
If your orthodontic treatment is 24 months, you may come in over a dozen times for various lengths.
Every time you come in, you take up doctor time, staff time, front office team members time, etc. These people guide you through your treatment to ensure you get your desired smile.
All of these interactions add to the overall cost of treatment. The longer your treatment, the more expensive braces will be because you are taking more office time.
3. Once your braces are off, you aren’t done with treatment
Many people believe that once they remove their braces, they are done with treatment, but in reality, there are still many follow-up appointments.
After removing your Invisalign or braces, you will get retainers to maintain your teeth in the same position. We also take follow-up radiographs and pictures to ensure your teeth stay pretty forever.
You will likely come for a few more visits throughout the years to ensure your smile stays beautiful. And guess what? The cost of the follow-up visits is included in your original price!
When it is all said and done, you are paying for the physical product, office time, and the lifelong retention of your teeth.
How does the price of braces compare to your phone?
Now let’s compare the average braces cost to something you may be using right now. I have an iPhone and a phone plan to go with it.
Our phone plan with the cost of the phone is over one hundred dollars a month per person. The average price of braces is roughly $4500.
If you put $500 down and divide the rest of the payments over 24 months, you will pay $166 per month.
$166 per month is slightly higher than what I pay for my cell phone and the permission to use it on wireless networks.
If you have insurance, your payments will likely be less than a phone bill!
A phone is critical for communication, but so is your beautiful new smile. People are more successful and confident with a healthy, white, and straight smile.
There are multiple studies to show that people are viewed as more successful with a straight smile. Is the $100 – $200 a month worth a lifetime of success?
Conclusion
When asked why braces cost so much, I explained that the cost of the material, the number of visits, and all of the follow-up appointments needed to keep a smile beautiful for life are the main factors.
When you compare the cost of braces to the cost of your phone or other similar items, you can see that they are comparable.
Braces will give you more confidence, and if you wear your retainers properly, you will have that confidence for the rest of your life!
If you want to learn more about the price of braces at our office, book now!
I look forward to helping you on your orthodontic journey!
