What Really Affects The Price For Braces or Invisalign?
How much do braces cost? How much does Invisalign cost? These are usually the first questions patients ask when they come in for a consultation at our Kelowna orthodontics practice. While we’d love to be able to be able to give you a set Invisalign or braces price, the number varies by patient. In this post, we’ll be covering the factors that influence how much braces and Invisalign cost in BC, Canada at our practice, as well as in general.
The Complexity of Your Case
The biggest factor in determining your Invisalign or braces price is the complexity of your case. Every patient is unique, but the most common orthodontic concerns Dr. James Scramstad, a general dentist practicing orthodontics only, sees are spacing, crowding, underbite, overbite (deep bite), crossbite and overjet teeth. Each of these types of malocclusion (improper bite) can range from very mild to severe.
If you have mild spacing or crowding, your braces or Invisalign cost will be on the lower end of the scale, because you’ll require fewer visits and we may only have to use braces or Invisalign on their own. If, on the other hand, you have a moderate underbite, your braces or Invisalign price will likely be higher, as you may need other appliances or auxiliary components like rubber bands or Invisalign attachments in addition to your braces or aligners.
When You Start Treatment (In Some Cases)
In growing patients, Dr. Scramstad can intercept issues while the jaws are still developing and use certain appliances to guide jaw growth when needed. This can prevent the issue from becoming a full-blown problem. This type of treatment is usually completed in two phases.
It may seem like two-phase orthodontic treatment would be a lot more expensive than a single phase of treatment, but this isn’t always true. With some types of severe malocclusion, if Dr. Scramstad is able to guide jaw growth during childhood, he can help a patient avoid corrective jaw surgery, extractions or lengthy treatment down the road, ultimately, saving them money (and time!).
The Type of Appliance You Choose
At Straight Smiles, we offer several different types of braces, including metal and clear braces, as well as aligners such as Invisalign and Invisalign Teen. The fees can vary slightly depending on which treatment option you go with. The average cost of aligner therapy with Invisalign does tend to be higher than the average cost of traditional metal braces.
Your Location
You might be surprised to learn that where you live will influence your Invisalign or braces price. For example, the Invisalign cost in BC, Canada may be a little bit different than it is in Nova Scotia. Prices are also usually higher in cities and in line with the cost of living. So a patient in a rural area will likely have a lower Invisalign or braces cost than a patient in Vancouver.
Your Orthodontic Insurance Coverage
Are braces covered under dental insurance? Is Invisalign covered by dental insurance? While it depends on your specific insurance and benefits, both are covered by insurance as long as your specific benefit plan has coverage for orthodontic treatment. If you have coverage, this can dramatically decrease your out-of-pocket cost for orthodontic treatment.
At Straight Smiles, we accept assignment/insurance if your plan provides coverage. At your consultation, our insurance coordinator will help you determine your coverage and explain the process. We work with PBC (Pacific Blue Cross), Great West Life, Sun Life, Manulife and Green Shield, as well as others.
Braces and Invisalign Financing Options
While financing plans won’t change your bottom line braces or Invisalign price, they are a way to make Invisalign and braces affordable. Third-party financing is available, but it’s important to look closely at the terms and conditions and interest rates, because, sometimes, these plans begin tacking on interest at a certain point, which can mean your braces or Invisalign costs more in the long run.
We have a variety of financing options at Straight Smiles, including in-office, interest-free financing with low down payments and monthly payments. You won’t have to worry about accruing interest and you can break up the cost of orthodontic treatment into installments and pay over time. Are you ready to get your dream smile in a way that works for your wallet and needs? Schedule a consultation at Straight Smiles to learn more about your options, as well as the braces and Invisalign cost in BC, Canada at our practice. We don’t think finances should hold you back from getting the care you need, so we’ll work with you to decide on a payment plan that fits your budget.
