Cost of Braces for Kids

What is the general cost of braces for kids? Many factors affect the cost of braces. For beginners, you should know that a service might be expensive where you live, while the same service may be affordable and cheap somewhere else.

Besides the location factor, there are other factors that affect the cost of braces for kids. As kids and adults both deserve the best dental care, the factors determining the cost of braces for both are similar. They include the level of teeth alignment and distance, types of braces, and the method of fee payment.

Cost of Braces for Kids
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A general annual survey of 2018 from the American Dental Association shows average braces costs range between $5,000 and $6,000.

Braces for Children- The Right Age and Cost Factor

According to the American Dental Association, children or adolescents get their first set of braces during the ages between 8 and 14. While most people think braces for kids are more expensive, adults’ braces cost more. This is because the children are in the development and growth stage. Therefore, they don’t have to wear the braces for as long as adults do.

Keep in mind, the longer the braces are in place (i.e., you wear them), the more expensive they get due to the frequent checkups and appointments with your orthodontist. The reason behind adults having to wear braces for long periods is that their jaws are fully developed.

Hence, the movement of teeth is painful, and it takes the braces longer to adjust your teeth and align them to fix your bite. A 2018 review suggests that the average treatment period with braces is closer to 20 months. In addition, did you know that most healthcare insurance providers are more likely to cover braces for children than adults?

Initial Cost

The initial costs of the braces include your child’s first appointment with an experienced orthodontist. Normally, experienced orthodontists charge more fees than the ones with less experience. However, in some cases, your child might get the best dental care and braces at affordable costs.

It is the cost of the equipment and the time that an orthodontist spends to examine your child’s dental condition and oral health. They may perform 3-D imaging, X-Ray scans, and impression molding.

The impressions help the orthodontist to determine the best course of action and treatment plan for your child, considering how crooked the teeth are.

Types of Braces Your Child Gets (Cost Factor)

What type of braces you choose for your child also influences the total cost of orthodontic care and treatment. For instance, below is a comprehensive list of the types of braces that children may receive during their orthodontic treatment.

Traditional Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces are the go-to option. However, they involve the application of metal brackets that the orthodontist bonds to the enamel of every tooth.

Further, they have an o-shaped elastic band that helps in readjusting the teeth’ position after fixing with the long flexible metal archwire. They may be the least expensive but are highly noticeable.

Ceramic Braces

Similar to metal braces, ceramic braces use the same technique. However, the slight difference is the latter is less noticeable. However, ceramic braces are more expensive than metal braces.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are an alternative to metal braces that are hardly noticeable. However, your child’s orthodontist applies them behind the teeth. They are invisible unless someone closely looks at you, and that’s why they are one of the most expensive braces in the market.

Invisible Braces

Invisible braces are transparent, constituting a mixture of medical plastics that go over your teeth. These are clear braces that your child’s orthodontist might easily craft after taking impressions and 3-D images.

Cost of Braces for Kids
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Keep in mind that they require frequent changes as the teeth change position and start to realign. Thus, your child might have to switch between different pairs of better aligners every few weeks.

Other Cost Factors

Some other factors may also influence the level of orthodontic treatment that your child receives and the cost it incurs. They include:

Age
Time-period for which the child needs to wear the braces
The Experience of your orthodontist
Management and care of your child’s braces