If you’re on a tight budget, orthodontic treatment may not be a high priority for your family. But aside from boosting your child’s self-confidence, straighter teeth, a correct bite and a properly aligned jaw can help promote better oral health in some cases. If you want to make your child’s orthodontic treatment fit your budget, you first need to understand what you are paying for and how your orthodontist can make it work for you.

What are the costs involved in orthodontic treatment?

Many factors can affect the cost of orthodontic treatment, including the type or the duration of the treatment. When providing you with a treatment plan and quote, your orthodontist will put their years of experience and knowledge to good use to help you understand what kind of results you can expect from different treatment options and how this will affect the price.

Your full quote will include all assessments, appointment fees, x-rays, the number of orthodontic devices required, and their materials to get your final figure. Additional appointments or broken appliances can add to your final total, but your orthodontist should be able to provide you with detailed options upfront.

Can I arrange a payment plan?

Most orthodontists are more than happy to help you arrange an affordable payment plan for your child’s orthodontic treatment. Spreading your payments out over instalments can make it more manageable, so you don’t get caught out short. After your initial assessment, speak to your orthodontist about the quote and how you can arrange your own payment plan.

Is there any additional assistance?

Unfortunately, orthodontics isn’t currently covered by Medicare. If your family has private health insurance, your coverage may be able to support portions of some of your appointments. Some flexible health funds may even allow you to pool your extras to help you get more out of your insurance throughout the year. Give your health fund a call to see what is covered, how much you can get back and whether there is a better option for your family.

What if I don’t see an orthodontist?

We strongly recommend that you always see a specialist orthodontist for all your orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists complete an additional three years of study on top of their general dental degree and specialise in the field of orthodontics. For this reason, they are best positioned to correctly assess and monitor your treatment to ensure you’re getting the best – and safest – results.

Treatment from an alternative provider without this knowledge and experience may leave your child with unsatisfactory results, results that do not last long-term, or even cause damage that will require costly intervention to correct down the line. You should always check that you’re seeing the best person for the job. 

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