Kids Orthodontics

[endorphin_junkie]

Hey All! My 10 year old DD's teeth have come in pretty willy nilly and its obvious that she needs braces up and down, I just about choked when the orthodontist told me it would cost close to $6 000.00 (Canadian) to style her out with braces and I have no insurance. I've talked to a few people from different parts of the world and am stunned at the varying prices although people in my community tell me $6K is the going rate (what the market will bear I supposex( ). She's getting braces top and bottom and what they refer to as 'head gear'. I'm still on the learning curve and wondered how much the investment was for any of you out there who have kids or have had orthodonture themselves in the past few years. I also wondered if there is any room for negotiating with an orthodontist. TIA

Take Care
Laurie

 

[Tamster]

Hi Laurie,

All three of my boys have worn braces. We have paid on average about $4,000. per kid. Our orthodontist set up a payment plan with no interest. We made monthly payments on each kid for about 20 - 24 months. It wasn't as painful that way. Good Luck!

Tammy

 

[bella2005]

Yep, same...we paid about 3200 per kid (American dollars) but the orthodontist let us do it in 24 monthly payments.

I think it makes a huge difference in a person's life to have nice straight teeth, it really does affect how others see you and treat you.

 

[smoogy]

Laurie, I'm with you. I remember paying $1500 out of pocket for mine & the insurance paid the other $1000-$1500. Can't remember. They told me DD's braces would cost $3500 after insurance. What?!!! Her teeth are no where near as crooked as mine were.x(

Marla

 

[ducky]

I have 2 kids and both will need braces. We are looking at about $5,000 each (USD) and our insurance sees orthodontics as cosmetic and won't pay a dime. I aslo think it makes a big difference. A few of my adult friends have gotten braces... wishing big time they could have gotten it over with as kids. We will do what ever it takes but we arent' happy about it!

 

[endorphin_junkie]

Thanks everyone. Tammy I'll go the payment schedule as well. I got a 5% discount by paying up front for my other daughter's braces but she just got them on top with a medievel looking apparatus to expand her jaw, that only (I can't believe I said ONLY!!) cost $2 100.

Bella2005, you are so right it does make a difference in how we are preceived, right or wrong it is a fact.

Marla, I'm not great at math but those numbers don't quite make sense. That must have been frustrating. I'll bet you're thrilled with your teeth, I've always wished mine were straighter and less crowded, they're so hard to floss.

Wow Ducky, that's steep. It sucks that I don't have insurance but I'd be pi$$ed if the insurance company refused. I'm with you though, I'll do what it takes to give them the best adavantage. Thank God my 16 year old has beautiful straight teeth.

Thanks again
Take Care
Laurie:7 (now there's some nice straight teeth )

 

[P Marie]

Laurie,

We are 3 for 3 with our kids for braces and they do make a great difference. Be sure to protect your investment by looking into a permanent retainer afterwards, so that your DD doesn't have her teeth "migrate" back when she's in her 20s.

Most important, find a good orthodontist with a great staff, because you will be relying on them form scheduling, billing, and (for the orthodontist's assitants) actual work on her teeth. Our orthondist has a staff I love! You are building a relationship of trust here and will be doing a TON of scheduling and billing work with them. We checked out 3 before settling on the doctor and staff we liked best. We're not super fussy, we just knew we were in for the long haul and (yes, it's true) lots of $$$.

Good luck!