How to Find the Best Deal When Getting Dental Braces

Orthodontic work is expensive. If you are facing the fact that you or your child needs braces, you may be concerned about your own financial means. Even if you have dental insurance, it likely does not cover much in the way of orthodontic work. For most standard dental insurance, the coverage hovers around $1000 of coverage per calendar year. That barely covers the exam and appointments necessary for braces. Thus, you may need to be creative and find the best deal when paying for dental braces.

Instructions

• 1

  Talk to your family dentist about the potential costs and get a referral to an orthodontist. Your standard dentist will not have all of the details, but he can provide a breakdown of costs and an estimate. Obtain a copy of your X-rays. Even though your dentist will likely be able to refer you to an orthodontist, it's best to shop around to get a good deal when getting dental braces.

• 2

  Call around to different orthodontist offices, including the one that the dentist referred you to. Ask each one if there is a fee for the consultation and if you can save money if you have already had X-rays.

• 3

  Ask about special discounts for paying cash or for family discounts. If you have two children that will need braces, you could end up saving a substantial amount of money. If you have the cash on hand and pay a lump sum, you may get 10 percent off of the total cost of dental braces.

• 4

  Sign up for a dental savings plan. This is not insurance. Instead, it can provide discounts to specific services with specific dental providers. You may be able to find a great deal on braces.