Monthly breakdown of braces costs: is it worth it?

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Table of Contents
- Cost of Braces
- What Is Included?
- References
How much should you set aside every month to pay for a better smile? The question seems straightforward, but unfortunately, it's not always easy to answer.
Braces pricing varies dramatically from one mouth to another, and some professionals tack on fees that add to your overall cost. Families that don't read the fine print could end up with unexpected bills that they struggle to pay.
Innovations in dental treatment mean you could emerge with a better smile with a monthly fee that's both reasonable and easy to understand.
How much do braces cost?
Here is a basic cost breakdown of different types of braces:
- Metal braces: $3,000–$7,000
- Ceramic braces: $4,000–$8,000
- Lingual braces: $8,000–$10,000
Monthly Payment Options
Most dental professionals discuss total pricing. Rather than quoting you a per-month fee, they'll explain the size of your total bill. A little math can help you break that big fee down into a monthly price.
Expect to pay about $6,000 for metal braces, experts say. Most people wear the devices for 24 months.
$6,000 / 24 months = $250 per month
Will insurance cut the cost? The level of financial help will vary by plan, but it's common for dental insurance policies to include:
Exclusions
Deductibles
Copayments
Maximums
Imagine that your dental plan came with:
- Coverage for metal braces.
- $500 in deductibles.
- 50 percent copayments.
- A $2,000 maximum amount of coverage.
If your total braces cost is $6,000, you'll get about $2,000 of help. That cuts your remaining bill by quite a bit, but you will still have fees to cover.
$4,000 / 24 months = $167 per month
Comparing cost to teeth aligners
Aligner companies like Byte are different. These organizations use innovative technology to move teeth while eliminating pesky appointments and hidden costs. Everything is bundled into one monthly fee:
- A treatment plan that is designed and monitored by professionals.
- A series of aligners that will move your teeth to optimize your smile.
- HyperByte® that gently vibrates your teeth to shorten treatment times.
- A sample of BrightByte™ for whiter teeth.
- Medical-grade retainers to protect your smile after treatment.
- A lifetime guarantee.
With BytePay™, you'll have a bill of $83 per month for 25 months. You’ll pay an initial $249 deposit, and the payment plan comes with no hidden costs or tricky fees you didn't expect. The financing comes with a 100 percent approval rating, and your credit can be checked without impacting your credit score.
If monthly payments aren't right for you, you may choose to cover the total cost of $1,895 in one single payment. That's still remarkably less than the competition.
References.
The Average Cost of Braces. (December 2019). Value Penguin.
Your Guide to Adult Braces. (October 2019). Delta Dental.
The Average Cost of Braces and How to Save. (June 2021). U.S. News & World Report.
How to Pay Less for Kids' Braces and Orthodontics. (June 2018). Fatherly.
Pricing. Byte.
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