What did you pay for braces, and how much of a time suck are they?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get 3 consults. I've finished getting opinions for my 16yo. 2 plans were similar and one plan involved pulling 2 adult teeth (nope!). After insurance, the range is $3,200-$4,600 for metal braces 24-30 months and retainers for 2 years.

Definitely plan on getting three.

Agree with three estimates. We heard between 5K and 7K (before insurance's half) for plans that were all very similar. One had some time for an expander the other 2 did not. Estimate range of 18 mo.-2 years not including retainers. Went with one of the 5K plans from an orthodontist our friends liked and have been happy. After the first appointment they take about 20 minutes every 6 weeks.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the recommendation to get more than one consult. We ended up with the office farthest from our house because the first consult wanted DD to have extra stuff, but couldn't tell me why it was necessary since they also said it didn't make the braces more effective or work faster. They were focused on "but it's no extra cost" instead of a treatment plan that was necessary. It felt like they were just adding things so I'd be impressed at how complicated it was.

[Anonymous]

Metal braces for general straightening, were on about 13 months, cost 6k. Insurance maybe covered 1500 of that. Appoitments every 6 weeks and yes they are a big PIA. Since pretty much all their patients are school-aged kids appointments outside of school hours are pretty much non existent. I want to say they are reserved for initial consultations, putting on/taking off. So…you have to be picking kid up in the middle of day and running to orthodontist every 6 weeks

[Anonymous]

Pick a place close to your home. DS had so many complications, brackets break, wires poking, we were in the office every other week and i was so thankful the office was close by. Also if you have a choice to pick a placw with evening or weekend hours that would be nice. I think my son was an anomaly though, most people didnt seem to have that much trouble.

[Anonymous]

If they get you before age 10, then they do another $7K round when the kid turns 12, after you've used up your insurance lifetime cap.

[Anonymous]

We got it down to $4500 using no insurance and paying in full upfront. This included expander, metal braces, 4 months in-house Invisalign at the end for final tweaking and lifetime retainer replacement.

[Anonymous]

2 years ago we finished, and it was $4400 total for each kid through Aetna. We got 3 recommended orthodontists, all were $4400 (what Aetna allowed), and surprisingly, all 3 were more or less the same suggestion.

Since all were convenient, recommended by a friend, and same price, we let the first kid who got the braces to choose - it was her mouth the guys hands would always be in, and at 13, we thought that was right/fair

[Anonymous]

I’m scared what I’ll pay. So far $4500 just for phase 1 of an expander and retainer. Started in 3rd grade, and going for check ins in 6th. No braces yet, but I’m sure it’s coming.

[Anonymous]

If you don't have the budget for braces and your daughter's teeth are reasonably straight, no rule says you are obligated to get them.

[Anonymous]

Don’t go then if it takes up too much of your time.
Now there’s a parent who puts themselves first. Geez. Grow up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Invisalign for my DD, took about a year and was $7500. Now they’re trying to hit us up for another couple thousand for extra sets of her retainers which she’s apparently supposed to wear at night forever, so it seems.

They predicted 18 months so we are happy with the 12 month timeframe. Appointments weren’t bad at all. Maybe only 5-6 total.

We're in flyover country. Similar protocol. $6K. 50% covered by insurance. Kid did well with Invisalign. Additional refinements didn't cost much. Replacement retainers for life are a bit of a rip-off. We didn't buy the $800 unlimited replacements for 3 years policy.

The same child had $1500 of corrective