The average metal braces cost in Houston is about $3,000 over the course of the entire treatment, and much more if you want clear braces or Invisalign. The longer the braces are on your teeth, the more you’ll have to spend.
How Much Do Braces Cost?
In general, the average cost for braces can fall anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000. If you’re a patient on a budget, affordable braces are available. Some of the choices you make can help keep costs lower.
Why Do Braces Cost So Much?
Braces are very delicate dental instruments that cannot be bought from a store. They are customized for the individual, and must be maintained by a dental professional. Without help from an orthodontist, patients could not maintain their own braces.
Braces type is one of the most influential factors affecting how much braces cost. We’ll go over the different types in the section below. In addition to type of braces, other determining factors are:
- Years Worn. Braces are worn for a length of time, depending on the severity of the patient’s dental problems. The longer the braces are worn, the more they’ll cost. The average length of time that braces are worn is about 24 months, usually costing the patient around $5,000. Patients can expect to spend about $2,500 per year braces are worn.
- Age of Patient. Generally speaking, the younger the patient, the less money the braces will cost. That said, the difference in cost between a younger and older patient is relatively small. Often the difference in price between braces for a young person and braces for an adult is only a few hundred dollars.
- Dental Provider. Different dental practices may charge different amounts, depending on the practice’s location and the provider’s level of skill. Shopping around can help patients find an affordable provider, but the least expensive dental provider is not always the best provider. Patients who find a dental provider that costs much less than other dentists in the area should ask themselves why.
What’s the Average Cost of Braces by Type?
Generally speaking, braces come in four different types.
- Metal Braces
Cost: $3,000-$7,000
Metal braces have been used for decades and are often the least expensive option. The metal is shiny, so these braces are very visible compared to other types of braces. However, this is a tried and true product that is durable and effective. Metal braces are often sought by people on a budget. - Ceramic Braces
Cost: $4,000-$8,000
Ceramic braces are similar to metal braces, except the brackets are ceramic and tooth-colored, so they’re harder to spot. These braces are preferred by many people because they’re subtle, but if they become stained, they’ll stay that way permanently.
Ceramic braces are more visible than Invisalign and lingual style braces, because the wires are still made of metal. For a person who is hoping to wear braces no one can see, Invisalign and lingual style braces are better. - Invisalign
Cost: $4,300-$7,400
Invisalign braces form a plastic mold that covers the teeth. These Invisalign braces are preferred by many patients because they’re clear and hard to spot. Invisalign braces can cause a subtle lisp, but most people are able to adapt. - Lingual Braces
Cost: $8,000-$10,000
Lingual braces are braces that have been installed on the inner side of the teeth. They’re very difficult to spot, and most of the time, they’re impossible to see. Only if the patient opens their mouth just the right way and only if the person talking to them has their head at just the right angle are these braces visible. Lingual braces are the most expensive option, but many adults prefer lingual braces because they’re so subtle that they’re almost invisible.
How Much Braces Cost Without Insurance?
Without insurance, the patient is responsible for covering the entire cost of braces and maintenance. Fortunately, braces are considered medically necessary, which makes them tax-deductible. Patients who want to deduct braces from their taxes should keep all receipts and track all expenses.
Little costs can add up quickly, and patients must meet the minimum before they can take this deduction. If you’re thinking about deducting these costs from your taxes, talk to your accountant to find out which expenses are applicable and what you need to do to document these expenses.
Does Medicaid Cover Braces?
Medicaid may cover braces, depending on the specifics of the situation. First, the patient must qualify for Medicaid insurance. Medicaid must also consider the braces medically necessary. If you have Medicaid insurance and want to know whether Medicaid will cover the cost of your braces, check out the Medicaid website.
Little costs can add up quickly, and patients must meet the minimum before they can take this deduction. If you’re thinking about deducting these costs from your taxes, talk to your accountant to find out which expenses are applicable and what you need to do to document these expenses.
What Are the Benefits of Braces?
Braces aren’t just cosmetic. They’re important for oral health reasons. Crooked or misaligned teeth can affect the way a patient eats, how easy it is to clean their teeth and even how they digest food. Below are some of the most important benefits of braces. If you’re a parent of a child who needs braces, or if you’re an adult who has long suffered from misaligned teeth, here’s what you need to know.
- Improve Your Speech. Believe it or not, poorly aligned teeth can impede your ability to make certain sounds. If you have a speech impediment, braces could realign your teeth and make speech easier in the future.
- Improve Your Oral Hygiene. Crooked teeth can have nooks and crannies where bacteria can grow. Braces can eliminate these narrow places, making it easier to keep your teeth clean.
- Prevent Deterioration of Teeth and Jawbone. Clean teeth are less susceptible to deterioration over time. Since misaligned teeth are harder to keep clean, they’re more likely to deteriorate from poor dental hygiene.
- Promote Good Digestion. Digestion starts with chewing. If your teeth are not properly aligned, you may not be chewing your food properly, so your stomach will take longer to digest your food.
- Improved Confidence. Misaligned teeth can have a dramatic impact on the way your teeth look. Many people feel self-conscious about their appearance if they have crooked teeth. Getting braces can help make your teeth straight and beautiful.
Paying for Braces? How to Fit Them In Your Budget
If your dentist says you or your children need braces, there are ways to fit braces into your budget. Start by checking with your insurance provider to find out what they will cover. Typical insurance companies will cover half of the cost of an inexpensive pair of braces, with a lifetime maximum of about $1,500 for each person who needs braces.
You can make braces more affordable by working with your dental provider to keep costs to a minimum. Remember that you’ll have to pay if you want your braces to be invisible or hard to see. Standard metal braces, though they’re very visible, are the most affordable.
If your child needs braces, take care of the problem as early as possible. The longer your child goes without braces, the more severe their problem may become. Children have very moldable teeth when they’re younger. Your child’s dentist will help you determine the earliest appropriate age.
Is Financing Available?
Some patients have cash savings or the ability to pay as they go. Other patients use a credit card to cover the cost of their orthodontics. For those who do not have these options, some dental providers offer financing. At Zara Dental, we provide financing to qualifying patients. Patients have the option of getting their financing through one of our reputable financing providers, or for making in-house payments for their orthodontics. Ask us about our financing options if you’re not sure how to pay for the cost of your orthodontics in Houston, Texas.
