Do your kids need braces in Carson? Or maybe you’re an adult who would like to finally straighten your smile? Getting braces is often a rite of passage for children, and for adults it can be a great way to finally get that even smile you’ve wanted for years.
Braces do have costs, and while those costs may seem intimidating at first, never fear. At Orthodontist of Carson, we provide a number of ways to pay for you or your child’s braces. We offer convenient payment plans and financing, and we also accept almost all kinds of PPO dental insurance.
In this FAQ, we will go over some common questions about braces and dental insurance coverage. Braces are an important part of oral health, so making them a priority is wise.
Are Braces and/or Invisalign Clear Aligners Covered by Dental Insurance?
The short answer to this question is that it depends on your specific dental insurance. Many dental insurance plans offer a partial orthodontic benefit, some none at all, and some might offer an orthodontic coverage add-on to an existing dental insurance plan. Call your dental insurance provider to find out exactly what your plan covers.
Does Dental Insurance Usually Cover Braces?
Whether or not your family dental insurance covers braces or Invisalign clear aligners often depends on whether the orthodontic treatment is considered cosmetic or not. Many standard dental insurance plans don’t cover cosmetic procedures. Braces for kids are more likely to be covered by insurance dental plans, but not always. For adults, it can sometimes be more difficult to get braces covered because it’s often considered more of a cosmetic procedure when adults get braces.
What About Orthodontic Insurance for Children?
Dental insurance plans are more likely to cover braces if they are for children under the age of 18 and the braces are considered to be a medical treatment. For example, if the braces are being used to correct a child’s bite, which could impact their ability to chew or speak, then it is much more likely that the insurance plan will cover the orthodontic treatment. Ask your dental insurance provider exactly what their policies are and feel free to talk to our helpful front desk staff at Orthodontist of Carson for more information.
What Does a Dental Insurance Maximum Mean?
Dental insurance plans often have a yearly maximum or lifetime maximum in terms of costs they are willing to cover. This means that once the dental insurance company has paid out a certain amount, they won’t pay any more that year and you will have to cover any costs in excess of that amount. For example, if the maximum is $500, you will have to pay any costs over $500.
A yearly maximum simply applies to the current year and will reset in the following year. A lifetime maximum is how much of a benefit you can get over your entire lifetime.
How Does Dental Insurance Pay for Braces?
Each dental policy may also pay differently. Some may pay a percentage of the costs of orthodontic treatments. The other option is a flat rate payment to help with the cost of braces.
What Is Supplemental Orthodontic Insurance?
Because many dental insurance plans do not cover the cost of braces, especially for adults, supplemental orthodontic insurance policies are available. These are add-on policies that provide benefits in terms of covering the cost of braces and possibly Invisalign clear aligners. They can be well worth it, as they help to bring down the cost of braces treatment. They can make it easier for you to take care of your oral health and that of your family.
Orthodontic insurance is usually something that you must buy as an add-on or a supplement to an existing dental insurance policy. Therefore, it’s not something you can usually buy or purchase as a standalone policy.
What Does Supplemental Orthodontic Insurance Cover?
Supplemental or orthodontic insurance covers many common problems with misalignment of the teeth. And it often covers the most commonly used appliances such as braces, headgear, and retainers. Insurance coverage for Invisalign clear aligners may be less common, but that could be changing. Some of the issues these orthodontic insurance plans cover may include:
- Straightening teeth
- Closing gaps between teeth
- Alleviating the crowding between teeth
- Fixing alignment problems with the bite, teeth, and lips
Be sure to find out if your orthodontic dental insurance plan covers other aspects of getting braces, such as X-rays, follow up appointments, and other potential costs.
What Is a Dental Savings or Discount Plan?
A dental savings or discount plan is not quite the same thing as a dental insurance plan. It’s kind of like a discount club. You pay a yearly fee and in exchange you will get a discount on your dental or orthodontic services.
One of the benefits of a dental savings or discount plan is that it typically does not have the maximums or limits that dental insurance plans have. There’s often no waiting period, and these plans can sometimes be used in conjunction with your existing dental insurance. Sometimes the lifetime limits that come with traditional dental insurance are problematic because they only cover one set of braces for a child. So, using a dental discount plan can sometimes help when those limits have been met.
How Much Do Braces Cost with Dental Insurance?
Braces can cost a few thousand dollars, sometimes $3,000 or more out of pocket. Therefore, it is a good idea to have dental insurance or supplemental orthodontic insurance to help cover these costs. Depending on the insurance, 20 to 50% or more of these costs might be covered. However, if orthodontic insurance is not feasible, we do offer financing plans where these costs can be broken down into easy monthly payments.
Getting Started with Braces in Carson
Are you ready to get started with braces or Invisalign clear aligners? Orthodontist of Carson can help. We offer traditional metal braces, ceramic (clear) braces, and Invisalign clear aligners for both children and adults. In order to make prices affordable, we offer a variety of dental financing options, and we take many types of dental insurance. Please contact our front office to discuss your needs, and we will be happy to work with you to make braces affordable and easy. Thank you for being a patient of Orthodontist of Carson.
If you have questions about braces and insurance coverage, contact us at Orthodontist of Carson at (424) 391-8941. Our friendly, kind staff will be happy to help you.
