Receiving and paying for orthodontic treatment may sound like a daunting experience, but don’t fret! Here at Rio Grande Orthodontics, we understand navigating financial confusion and will help you get the answers to your questions like, do you need dental insurance to get orthodontic treatment? In addition to what treatments we offer, the basics of dental insurance, and providing average costs, our team can answer any additional common inquiries you may have.
What Can Orthodontic Treatment Offer Me?
The scope of orthodontists’ work
Orthodontists, like our very own Dr. Vest, Dr. Klinger, and Dr. Gardiner, go through years of specialized training to become experts in how to realign teeth and prevent relevant complications. By diagnosing, preventing, and treating these issues, they are able to help patients with problems such as bite issues, jaw pain, and malocclusion (misaligned or crooked teeth).
Historically, braces have been a common orthodontic treatment for children leading up to their teenage years. However, adult patient numbers continue to grow each day! Our orthodontists extend a warm welcome to patients of all ages to come to our offices for treatment. We are committed to helping as many patients as we can through orthodontic treatment!
Area of expertise
Specializing in shifting teeth back to their ideal position, orthodontists typically treat their patients with teeth straightening appliances such as clear braces, Invisalign, and metal braces. Rio Grande Orthodontics is happy to offer a variety of treatment options that can meet both aesthetic and practical needs.
How Much Do Appliances and Treatment Cost?
Average costs without dental insurance
Clear braces
Made of ceramic, clear braces offer tooth-colored brackets that allow for a transparent look and are as equally effective as their metal counterpart. This is a popular choice among older teens and adults, with treatment lasting around 1 to 3 years.
The average cost of this appliance is between $4,000 to $8,000 prior to insurance.
Invisalign aligners
A great option for those looking to straighten their teeth without the customary look of braces, Invisalign involves switching out clear aligner trays every week to slowly shift teeth to the correct position. Depending on the severity of the case, the aligners take around 12 to 18 months to complete treatment.
The average cost of this appliance is between $3,500 to $8,000 prior to insurance.
Metal braces
Traditional metal braces have been offered in orthodontist offices for years and are known as a reliable choice with ideal effectiveness. They are able to fix even the most complex issues and are typically worn for 18-24 months.
The average cost of this appliance is between $3,000 to $7,000 prior to insurance.
Average costs with dental insurance
Each dental insurance plan is different and covers varying procedures across your dental needs. Some plans do not cover any of the upfront costs, while others cover up to 80% of treatment. This makes it quite difficult to offer an accurate and average range of the costs you may be looking at when you encounter treatment yourself.
At Rio Grande Orthodontics, we offer free consultations with Dr. Vest, Dr. Klinger, and Dr. Gardiner to help you determine what work needs to be done and thereafter, what the estimated cost of treatment will be. Our team will be happy to offer you a list of the costs afterward so you can have a better idea of what your insurance will cover.
The Basics of Dental Insurance
In its essence, dental insurance is a form of coverage that covers annual checkups, common dental complications, imaging, preventative care services, and more. By paying a monthly premium, insurance customers are able to enjoy the benefits of prioritizing their oral health and covering part of dental-related costs.
Is dental insurance necessary to get treatment from our office?
Luckily, the answer is no! We do not require our patients to have dental insurance in order to undergo treatment with us. Our team is able to offer high-quality care to everyone through payment plans and discounts for various cases. Rio Grande Orthodontics wants every potential patient who is seeking out orthodontic treatment to know we will walk them through the whole process of what they can expect from us from the start of treatment to their last day in braces.
Each plan offers different coverage.
Unfortunately, dental insurance plans do not universally cover orthodontic procedures for children and adults. While some cover partial amounts, others consider them aesthetic procedures as the reason for not offsetting the total. We understand that navigating through insurance details and conversations can be stressful, but our team is full of experts up-to-date on everything you need to know.
Financing Your Orthodontic Treatment
We are proud to offer our patients various discounts for those who pay in full upfront before treatment begins, for returning families and siblings, and for those who rely on state funding. Our Rio Grande Orthodontics team additionally accepts more insurance plans than most surrounding orthodontic offices in order to do our part in providing the affordable smiles our patients deserve.
Financing can be inquired about during your free consultation. The payment plans we offer allow you to easily find something within your budget. Our team is happy to help you navigate through your dental insurance plan before you even get a chance to come in.
Your Smile Journey Starts Today!
Our knowledgeable and friendly team is always ready to help patients work their way through insurance inquiries so that your time seeking treatment at Rio Grande Orthodontics is a smooth, stress-free experience. With nine locations in the Albuquerque area, our practice is proud to serve the community and would love to see you during a free consultation to discuss how we can make your smile journey fun and affordable!