What Do Braces For Kids’ Teeth Cost?

Wondering if your insurance covers braces for teeth? Worried about how you might pay for braces without dental insurance, and you how will handle out-of-pocket costs? For many children, braces are a necessity for healthy, happy smiles, which can leave parents wondering how much braces for teeth cost.

Traditional dental braces range from $3,000 to $7,000, depending on the type of braces your child gets and how long they have to wear them.

At Kool Smiles, we offer no-cost braces consultations to figure out which braces treatment is right for your child, as well as how you might cover the cost — whether or not you have dental insurance.

Call Kool Smiles today at 254-781-0553 to schedule your consultation and find affordable, quality dental care for your children.

Types of Braces for Teeth and Their Costs

There are multiple types of dental braces available for children and teens, including:

Traditional Metal Braces

Although traditional metal braces are the most noticeable type, they are the least expensive orthodontic treatment option. Traditional braces can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000, depending on whether or not you have insurance coverage. Traditional braces also require frequent visits to the orthodontist, which can drive up the cost.

Damon Braces

This type of braces has no steel tie to hold the wires between the brackets, instead the brackets clamp onto the wires to hold them in place. Damon braces don't require as many orthodontist visits, but they can be more expensive—ranging anywhere from $3,800–$8,000.

Invisible Aligners

Clear aligners look similar to a mouthguard but work like traditional braces to shift teeth. They are almost invisible and your child will be able to eat or drink normally while wearing them. Invisible aligners are one of the more expensive braces options for kids teeth, ranging from $3,500 to $7,400 without insurance. These are a popular option among teens and children who may be self-conscious about the look of traditional metal wire braces.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are similar to traditional metal braces except the brackets are made from clear or tooth-colored ceramic. Ceramic braces are less noticeable than traditional braces but can stain easily if not cleaned properly. Ceramic braces usually move teeth faster than other options, like clear plastic aligners, but this type of braces can cost more than other orthodontic treatment options—with the average cost ranging from $4,000 to $8,000.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces, or braces that are placed on the backside of teeth, are similar to traditional braces, but instead of being fixed to the front of your teeth, they are placed behind them. Lingual braces are invisible but can be more difficult to clean and are expensive, as this type of braces for teeth cost anywhere from $8,000 to $10,000.

Paying for Your Kid’s Braces With or Without Insurance

Whether or not you have insurance, the best way to find out the cost of braces is to call Kool Smiles. If your family does not have dental insurance and an orthodontist determines that your child's braces are medically necessary, the cost is usually tax deductible.

If your child's braces are medically necessary and you are covered by Medicaid, the cost of braces for teeth may be at least partially covered. Kool Smiles is a dental practice for children that offers orthodontics in several locations. We accept most forms of insurance, including state-specific plans, like Medicaid and SCHIP.

If your family does not have dental insurance, you still have options. Kool Smiles offers payment plans and accepts CareCredit, which helps you fit dental care into your budget. We can also work with you to determine what type of braces is right for your child.

What Is the Cost of Braces for Adults?

If you’re an adult with an overbite, underbite, crooked or crowded teeth, then you may want to consider visiting an orthodontist. One in five patients receiving braces is above the age of 18, according to the American Association of Orthodontics. However, adults may run into more complications when seeking treatment for smile realignment, for reasons such as:

• Once you reach adulthood, your bones stop growing, and teeth will not be as easily moved as those that are still developing in teens and children.
• Bones typically reach their peak strength in adults between the ages of 20 and 30, which makes it more difficult to reposition teeth.
• It may take longer to see results from orthodontic treatments since adult teeth are less susceptible to change.

In terms of price, insurance usually does not cover the cost of braces for patients over the age of 18 in most cases. Unless the orthodontic treatment is medically necessary, out-of-pocket costs are typically higher for adults who need braces. For more detailed information on adult braces, speak with your orthodontist or dentist.

What Will Affect the Cost of Braces?

While braces for teeth may cost differently depending on the patient and the orthodontist, you can expect that certain factors will increase the price of your braces treatment, such as:

• How long the braces will need to stay on—Typically, a patient will have braces anywhere from 1–3 years. However, the longer you have braces, the more orthodontist appointments you’ll need to attend, which will cost more.
• Tooth extractions—Any remaining baby teeth will likely need to be removed before any braces can be applied. This will open up space for permanent teeth that are stuck above the gumline to move right into place.
• If any surgery is necessary before applying braces—Occasionally, teeth will need to be surgically attached to chains that will allow the teeth to penetrate the gumline. Wisdom teeth may also need to be removed if they are embedded within the gums. These medical procedures will add on to the baseline cost for any orthodontic services.

Why Braces Are Worth the Cost

When you have a bad bite, otherwise known as a malocclusion, you’re at a greater risk for developing oral health issues, including:

• Problems chewing or swallowing
• Cavities
• Chipped teeth
• Weakened tooth enamel
• Tooth decay
• Gingivitis
• Periodontal disease

Teeth that crowd areas of your mouth make it difficult to maintain proper oral hygiene on a regular basis. Even when you brush and floss your teeth daily, it can be difficult to reach every crevice if your teeth are not properly aligned.

Tooth enamel can also breakdown if any of your teeth are overlapping, because each tooth will be constantly exerting pressure on the other. Over time, these issues can lead to more serious dental health concerns. Braces can correct your smile to help prevent these problems from occurring in the first place.

Benefits of Having Braces

Whether you’re looking at the cost of braces for your child, or the possibility of adult braces, any orthodontic patient that comes to Kool Smiles will benefit from the advantages of a properly aligned smile, including:

• Improved bite and speaking ability
• More effective cleaning results
• Healthier teeth and gums
• More confidence with your straighter smile

How to Maintain Your Braces

In order to get the most out of an orthodontic experience, it’s important to know how to take proper care of teeth while wearing braces. Although braces align your teeth and make oral health care easier in the long run, braces typically require more attention to cleaning while you have them.

Here are some helpful tips that will keep your teeth, gums and braces in good condition:

• Get ready to brush frequently, as you’ll need to clean your teeth, as well as the braces themselves.
• We recommend using a vibrating toothbrush, which helps remove more plaque than manual toothbrushes.
• Remove any elastics from your braces before cleaning them.
• Brush from the top down at a 45 degree angle, while using circular motions when cleaning teeth individually.
• You’ll need to floss at least once a day. The orthodontists at Kool Smiles can show you how to use special products, like a floss threader, to get in between teeth and braces.
• Always double check after brushing to ensure that your smile is clear of any lingering debris.
• Try to avoid whitening products, unless administered by your dentist or orthodontist.
• To help keep teeth clean in between brushings, you’ll need interdental brushes, which help remove anything trapped underneath your braces.
• Expect to visit your orthodontist every 6–8 weeks for braces adjustments and routine checkups.

Call Kool Smiles to See How Much Braces Will Cost

If you’re considering dental work services for your child, Kool Smiles can give your child the care they need. With over 120 locations nationwide, it’s likely you’ll be able to find affordable dental care near you. We will work with you to find an affordable option to pay for your braces for teeth cost—with or without insurance coverage.

• During the consultation, we answer any questions you have about the cost of braces, with or without insurance.
• Every Kool Smiles location accepts many payment options including cash, credit card or CareCredit.
• Our orthodontists accept most insurance providers, including Medicaid and TRICARE for general dental care.
• Even if you don’t have a dental insurance plan, we can work with you to find the most affordable options for braces, like payment plans and more.

Call 254-781-0553 to set up your child's no-cost braces consultation today.

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Sources:

Oral B: https://oralb.com/en-us/oral-health/life-stages/braces/how-much-do-braces-cost

Damon Smile: https://damonbraces.com/products/damon-clear/cost/

Colgate: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/adult-orthodontics/what-do-invisalign-braces-cost-are-they-worth-it-0113

American Association of Orthodontists: https://www.aaoinfo.org/news/2015/07/aao-leads-effort-establish-consistency-medically-necessary-orthodontic-care

Harvard Health: https://www.health.harvard.edu/oral-health/are-you-too-old-for-braces

American Association of Orthodontics: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/healthy-bones-at-every-age/

Colgate: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/adult-orthodontics/ada-10-straighter-teeth-can-improve-oral-health

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/periodontal_disease/index.htm

Invisalign: https://www.invisalign.ca/why-invisalign/dental-hygiene

Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/electric-toothbrush-vs-manual#electric-pros

Oral B: https://oralb.com/en-us/oral-health/life-stages/braces/how-to-take-care-of-braces