My 12 yr. old needs braces, or so the dentist says. His teeth really don't seem that bad to me. When I was a kid, maybe one or possibly 2 kids wore braces, and we teased the heck out of them. Nowadays, every kid wears them. How can 9 out of 10 kids teeth need braces? Is it a necessity, or is it cosmetic? Our insurance covers 25% of the $5,100. That leaves us with a huge payment each month, which we don't think we're going to be able to afford at this time. I don't know what to do. I want him to have that movie star smile, but the price of the whole procedure... uuuggghhhh.

Braces are actually more than cosmetic. Proper positioning of teeth not only look great but also allows for better hygiene. Typically people with crowding have a more difficult time getting tooth surfaces thoroughly clean through brushing and flossing.

Misaligned teeth can cause many problems later on. What you see (untrained eye) is a lot different than what a dental professional sees. Misaligned teeth can cause headaches, TMJ/jaw problems and speech difficulties. Cosmetically speaking, it will give your child a great boost for his self-esteem in the long-run.

If you can swing it, I'd go for the braces. Plus, the treatment will be a little easier on him while he's still young and his mouth is growing.

Nikosmom is absolutely right!

Why don't you go for a consultation with a couple of other orthodontists? Often there is a bit of a fee discrepancy and some are willing to stretch out the payments a little longer. You shouldn't need a referral.

I already have another appt. to compare prices... thank you both for the input

Easy just to move to england... freeeee...

Wow... that would be nice!!

And at the end of the day, you do what you can afford, a small gap or one out of line slightly may be just what he lives with.

If you live near Illinois, Maybe I can help. We found an orthodontist that does great work. People come from all over. Wisconsin and Indiana and even Tennessee. My son didn't need work done but I brought him in to be checked anyway. Another orthodontist quoted me $5,000. But everyone started telling me about this less expensive Dr. So a few years go by. I wanted my son to have the movie star smile. I went to the new Dr. He quoted me $1,200. Including the retainer. Not only that they asked what we could afford each month and actually told me one month if I had it I could pay or wait! Their office is full. They have about 20 girls that do the work and the Drs. Go around to examine and do what they need to do.
A lot of people in my area car pool. Since for me its 45 min away. They don't turn anyone away for their inability to pay. My younger boy will be going in about a year. He will be needing work on widening his palate. They schedule people I think in April, but don't quote me on that. Since they get so many people. My son had his braces for 9 months. They are worth it!

Thanks for the info... but we live in Arizona. I wish I did live closer, it almost sounds too good to be true. I'm still wondering how we can pay for these braces!

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Originally Posted by tonysgrlaz

Thanks for the info...but we live in Arizona. I wish I did live closer, it almost sounds too good to be true. I'm still wondering how we can pay for these braces!

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Just go in for the consultation and talk with the Dr. Most offer payment plans to fit your budget. They can check to see how much your insurance would cover and how much would be left for you to pay. Then you'll have an idea what your responsibility is. Plus, like anything else, you don't have to go with the first place you check out. You can check with a couple other doctors. Not only may the fees vary, the treatment plan could also be shorter (possibly).

If you have a dental office that services many types of issues, they may offer orthodontic treatments at lower costs than a specialist. Here we have DentalWorks but there may be something similar in AZ worth checking into.

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Originally Posted by tonysgrlaz

Thanks for the info...but we live in Arizona. I wish I did live closer, it almost sounds too good to be true. I'm still wondering how we can pay for these braces!

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There are Drs. Out there that put people before money. They are few and far between but their there. I wish I could have helped. Good luck.

I ended up going to a dental school to see how much it would cost there and it's less then half the price of a "regular" ortho. So instead of $5,800 it's going to be $2,100.

Wow, That's great to hear! Did they mention anything about working out a payment plan?

Yep... I have to pay $565.00 up front, then It's $96 a month for 18 months. They are already dentists.. their doing their 2 year residency to become orthodontists... they have a professor that watches every step they make.

Yes, that's usually the case with dental schools. They are technically dentists so you should basically be getting the same level of treatment at a lower cost while they fulfill their graduation requirements.

Sounds like you got a great deal and $96/month doesn't sound too bad!

Good luck!

My son needs them too and i live near chicago where is that place for $1200

I'm taking him to a dental school here in Arizona... but it's $2490, not $1,200. Still better then $6,000!!

[QUOTE=Shanni4;1835049]If you live near Illinois, Maybe I can help. We found an orthodontist that does great work. People come from all over. Wisconsin and Indiana and even Tennessee. My son didn't need work done but I brought him in to be checked anyway. Another orthodontist quoted me $5,000. But everyone started telling me about this less expensive Dr. So a few years go by. I wanted my son to have the movie star smile. I went to the new Dr. He quoted me $1,200. Including the retainer. Not only that they asked what we could afford each month and actually told me one month if I had it I could pay or wait! Their office is full. They have about 20 girls that do the work and the Drs. Go around to examine and do what they need to do.
A lot of people in my area car pool. Since for me its 45 min away. They don't turn anyone away for their inability to pay. My younger boy will be going in about a year. He will be needing work on widening his palate. They schedule people I think in April, but don't quote me on that. Since they get so many people. My son had his braces for 9 months. They are worth it! [/QUOT


Can you please give me the info for the dentist. My daughter really needs braces and I cannot afford the $5000 quotes that I have received.

Can you please give me the info for the dentist in Illinois. My daughter really needs braces and I cannot afford the $5000 quotes that I have received.[/QUOTE]

I went onto this site, that the Othodontist Metioned if I coulnt afford braces. I'm only 17, living on my own, my parents don't want to help me what so ever. I now have braces and am on my way to the movie star smile . Hpoe this helps =)
http://www.smileschangelives.org/

Smiles Change Lives : Smiles Change Lives
I Applied for them from this site, told them I couldn't afford them as I'm 17 years old and living on my own, and my parents didn't want to help what so ever. I now have braces and am only the way to the movie star smile.
Hope this helps .

Great info! Thanks for sharing!