Saving on Child Orthodontia

How Can I Save Money on My Kid’s Braces?

Many parents run into serious issues when their kid’s permanent teeth come in. According to Betterhealth, your central incisors or your “two front teeth” begin to arrive at just 6 to 7 years old and your last “adult” teeth or molars come in on average at 13. Most parents are hopeful that their children will never need braces. Some may think, “Since I didn’t need them my children won’t either”. Yet most orthodontists would disagree and estimate that “roughly 45 percent of children need braces to fix functional problems such as a misaligned bite, but up to 75 percent of kids could benefit from them to straighten their teeth” (Health.com). Without dental insurance, the overall cost of braces can be expensive. The cost of hardware and orthodontist treatments will range from $4,000 to $8,000 dollars. In the likely scenario that your child needs braces, what is the best way to save money?

The answer is dental insurance for children. Most insurance companies do not cover orthodontia, so it is important to find one that does. The main issue with orthodontic coverage is that it is not typically provided immediately upon enrollment. By getting your family insured earlier rather than later, you can save big.

An example of a plan that is great for orthodontic savings is the Spirit PPO plan. PPO means that you have a network of dentists who agree to lower their prices for services, making it cheaper for you and your family. Under this plan, aside from getting dental exams and cleanings for free, you will also get Basic, Major, and Ortho Services at least partially covered. Without coverage you might end up having to pay 100 percent out of pocket. Whether your child has to get braces for physical reasons or you want him or her to grow up with a wonderful confident smile, reconsider investing in a family dental PPO insurance plan.

-Written by Anthony Calderon