Maybe you just came from a dentist who told you, you or your kid needs braces. Or perhaps you want braces to gain confidence in smiling in public without feeling ashamed of the unaligned teeth. Whatever the reason may be, braces are expensive, and you should know the cost of them before you pay for them or even dream of having that perfect smile.
Although the braces can cost a lot of money, it becomes affordable to get them. Many people dismiss buying dental insurance calling it a waste of money, but the truth is, if you know how much are braces with insurance or without it, you will choose to buy dental insurance.
While getting braces, you might want to know the average cost of braces per month or how much are braces for kids so that when you go to the dentist, you have an idea about the cost with insurance.
Here’s everything you need to know about the braces’ cost with insurance and how you can get braces at a cheaper cost if you buy the right dental insurance:
What is dental insurance?
Dental insurance is one of the most popular insurance that comes under health insurance. It is like a category of insurance that is only focused on giving benefits to dental treatments and surgeries.
Dental insurance is a contract signed between an insurance policyholder and an individual to avoid financial difficulties for dental treatments on some agreed monthly fee. Individuals can either buy for themselves or their families and save up money without compromising treatment costs. With dental insurance going to the dentist doesn’t sound like a nightmare but a healthy visit to get your teeth checked and cleaned.
Dental insurance aims to help the insured person get the best cure from the best dentists in the country at an affordable price.
Why should you buy dental insurance?
Dental insurance is usually not common among people. Most only buy medical insurance as a requirement or a benefit from the company. However, if you knew how cost-effective insurance is, you would want to buy insurance for every single thing.
Buying dental insurance is essential because dental work is one of the most expensive treatments in the world. Even a single extraction can cost you so much money. Insurance prevents you from paying so much cash in one go. Although they charge a premium, it reduces the burden of affording the treatment cost altogether.
This is why dental insurance exists; to ensure you maintain your teeth’s health and your smile.
How dental insurance works?
The insurance offers various dental benefits to individuals and families. Dental insurance works the same way as any other insurance. You pay a certain amount of premium and gain coverage based on the plan you pick.
Insurance companies have a network of dentists under them who provide the best treatment. People who buy dental insurance save the effort of finding the country’s best dentists because insurance companies already give them a lot from which they can pick to get their treatments.
According to statistics, most insurance policies give coverage for 50/80/100 percent to prevent any financial loss from high-priced dental surgeries and other procedures.
You can either buy dental coverage with medical insurance or a separate dental insurance plan. Dental coverage usually covers regular checkups, but when you buy a proper plan, you can get coverage for surgeries.
There are certain deductibles, copayment amounts, coinsurance percentages, and the out-of-pocket maximum set for each plan that individuals must abide by for a monthly premium—all of these terms are written in the contract that the person signs with the company.
People who can afford high premiums choose to buy plans or if they need frequent dental surgeries. It is recommended by insurance experts to buy dental insurance because it can keep an individual on a budget.
What does dental insurance cover?
Dental insurance covers every treatment related to dental work, but that also depends on what plan you are buying. There are times when dentists might recommend getting a crown, but you have only bought coverage for checkups; then, you have to pay the full cost for getting the crown regardless of how much benefit you have for preventive care.
Every dental insurance company offers three plans to ensure that every individual can pick based on their dental needs. Here are three dental coverage plans offered by most insurance companies across the USA:
Preventive coverage
Preventive dental coverage is the cheapest plan that only covers the regular dental cost. It covers the cost of fillings, checkups, X-rays, and cleanings. This type of coverage plan is usually added with medical insurance. People can get dental checkup coverage and free checkup for kids.
Many young people choose to buy preventive coverage because there are rarely any serious dental conditions as young individuals. Furthermore, since most insurance companies offer it with medical insurance plans, individuals can cover 100% of the cost.
Usually, preventive coverage is also included in medical insurance; but is only limited to kids.
Basic coverage
Basic coverage in dental insurance is for basic dental treatments that do not require any complexities or procedures. They are picked based on the cost because most treatments are highly expensive. Basic coverage is usually for 80%; the insured person pays the remaining 20%.
When an insured individual buys a basic dental insurance plan, they get coverage for cleanings, fillings, crowns, and root canals. Since it is a yearly plan, you need to make sure you get treatments within the year you bought dental insurance.
Basic coverage premium does not cost a lot, so it’s more affordable for single individuals and families.
Full coverage
Compared to preventive and basic coverage, full coverage is a complete package by insurance companies for all dental treatments. From simple checkups to complex surgery, everything is covered.
Full coverage is high priced but not that much compared to actual dental expenses without insurance. By full coverage, it does not mean 100% cost, but that most percentage is covered by the insurance company.
Full coverage includes the cost of surgical extractions, dentures, veneers, dental implants, clear aligners, braces, and other restorative & orthodontic treatments. Usually, you will have to pay a very high price without insurance because the equipment and material cost is really high. Even though you have to pay deductibles and copayments with insurance, it is still less.
Dental insurance cost per month
If you do not have dental insurance, you might consider buying one because it can lessen your dental visit expenses. According to our statistics, dental insurance can cost around $15 to $50, which depends on what coverage plan you buy.
For preventive coverage, you will pay less, while for dental insurance with full coverage, you will pay more. However, the above-mentioned is common in most insurance companies. If you can set aside this much amount every month, then you can stay within the budget even if you need a high-priced dental treatment.
Furthermore, if you buy for a family of four or more, then the premium price is likely to be higher.
Dental insurance for braces
Orthodontic insurance or dental insurance for braces is offered by many insurance companies to facilitate the cost of getting them. Orthodontic treatment includes braces, aligners, retainers, and other procedures designed to align your jaw and teeth.
Getting Braces is a medically acknowledged treatment instead of just cosmetic because it corrects people’s teeth placed in the mouth using wires and other equipment. They are one of the most expensive treatments, and they don’t cost in one go; instead, there is a plan that extends for months to pay.
Some of the most common conditions to get braces are:
- Overbite: overlapping of upper and lower teeth.
- Crossbite: when upper and lower teeth don’t bite in the right position.
- Underbite: when lower teeth are extended forward more than upper teeth.
- Overcrowded teeth: when there is no space for permanent teeth to grow
These conditions can hinder an individual’s daily life and teeth’ health.
Most insurance companies and dentists recognize these conditions to approve insurance coverage; however, that depends on the dentist’s diagnosis and the company’s evaluation.
Note that orthodontic insurance doesn’t come as a separate plan; it is included with other treatments for dental insurance. So, if you are looking for a specific plan only to get braces, then you won’t find one.
Does dental insurance cover braces?
If you buy a full coverage dental plan from any insurance company, then yes, the dental insurance will cover the braces’ cost. However, you won’t get 100% coverage in any plan, only a few percent of it, and that’s also after you pay the deductible and copayments. However, it’s more affordable than getting no coverage at all.
You will have to see whether dental insurance covers the cost of braces or not; a lot of insurance companies don’t include braces in their plans.
How much do braces cost?
Braces cost varies based on various factors. For example, if you live in a small city, the dentist might not charge as much as living in a big city. Similarly, it depends on what material you want for braces.
For traditional metal braces, the cost is around $3,000 to $7,000. If you buy clear/ceramic braces, then you pay $4,000 to $8,000. Some people prefer colored braces; they can get them for $3,000 to $7,000. For special Invisalign and Invisalign Teen, the braces cost is around $4,000 to $7,400. The most expensive Lingual braces cost is an estimated $12,000.
The cost also depends on what your dentist prescribes. Some patients have a serious condition and direly need braces for their teeth’ health, which can cost a lot for them. Braces are usually bought in monthly installments; there are also monthly checkups to see the teeth’s condition. All of these add up to braces cost.
Average cost of braces per month
Braces are quite expensive, and since the patient has to visit dentists on a monthly basis. Many clinics or hospitals have monthly plans that can cost around $75 to $100 per month. This cost increases if the alignment is more serious and needs more dental attention.
If you are wondering, ‘how much are braces with insurance?’ then it will cost less than the average cost for braces per month since you pay a premium on a monthly basis for insurance, so you get benefits.
So, instead of paying the full cost every month, you pay almost half the amount.
How much are braces without insurance?
The average cost of braces is $1,200 to $13,000 without insurance, depending on how expensive or cheap your treatment is. If you get traditional braces, you might pay less, but they will be expensive if you buy lingual ones.
Without insurance, you also have to pick a dentist on your own or through your friends’ recommendations. Since there are dozens of dentists in the country, it can get hard to pick the right one. This is why we recommend buying insurance.
Dental insurance ensures you get the best treatment at a good rate. The companies offer so many good and affordable plans with dental benefits. You just need to set aside a little bit of money for premium, and you are set to get braces for yourself or your kids without any financial worry.
How much are braces for kids?
Many people regret not getting braces as a kid because it becomes harder for them to deal with the pain and maintain their appearance when they grow up.
Getting braces at a young age is the best a parent can make. The most fitting age to get braces should be at age seven or during the teenage years. Not only does it cause less pain, but their teeth also align well during their younger years.
Braces for kids can cost around $4,000 to $7,000. The cost can vary based on the type of braces and where you are getting them. If you go to an expensive dentist, the braces will cost more; it might cost less if you go to an affordable dentist.
However, if you have insurance, then you can go to an expensive in-network dentist and get treatment for half the original amount. But that depends on what insurance company you have bought a dental plan.
Dental insurance for kids comes under the family plan. If you buy a family dental insurance plan, then the insurance policy covers the cost of your kids’ braces well. However, many insurance plans rarely cover the cost for kids under 18, so always check with the policies before you sign with any insurance company. Insurance experts recommend buying a supplement plan in orthodontia to cover the braces cost for kids.
Do not expect the medical insurance to pay the braces cost for your kid. When you buy dental insurance, you will get the coverage you want.
How much are braces with insurance?
Many people or parents who have gotten their kids braces expressed satisfaction of getting them with insurance. Not only did it half the original cost, but they also got the best treatment in the city.
Regarding the braces’ cost with insurance, the exact figure depends on various factors. For example, if you get metal braces with insurance, you will pay $1,500 to $3,750 compared to the original price of $3,000 to $7,500. Similarly, if you buy lingual braces, you pay $5,000 to $13,000, and with insurance, the price reduces to $3,500 to $9,250.
So, if you have decided to get braces for yourself or your kid, we recommend buying insurance before you do so.
Top insurance companies for braces 2022
When you pick the right insurance company to get braces, you can easily save a lot of money. Braces are sometimes a requirement, and if you buy the right plan, you can get them without feeling guilty or stressed about funds.
Buying dental insurance for braces takes a lot of research. One thing to keep in mind is to buy the plan that offers orthodontic coverage because braces fall under that category. It will be expensive compared to a basic plan, but it is worth every penny.
Here are some of the top insurance companies that offer good dental benefits to get braces in 2022:
Aetna
Aetna dental insurance offers a good price to cover the braces cost for adults and kids. The insurance policy is available in 50 states, and the premium of Aetna is better than any other insurance company.
For braces, Aetna provides affordable plans starting from $22 per month, from which you can pick based on your dental needs and requirements. What’s the best part? It is affiliated with CVS, making it an authentic insurance company. Although the company has a lower percentage of customer satisfaction, it is still committed to providing the best plans in the country.
Aetna basically offers two plans for a family of four. If none of the dental plans are offered or suit an individual, they can pick the Aetna DMO plan for braces’ cost coverage.
Other than dental orthodontic coverage plans, Aetna also offers a dental discount card that costs around $7.99 per month. You can get up to 33% off for orthodontic treatments only through Aetna’s in-network dentists.
However, as mentioned before, the braces’ cost can vary based on different factors so the metal braces will have different discount rates than Invisalign braces.
Delta Dental
Delta Dental is a well-recognized dental insurance company that offers most plans to cover braces and other orthodontic treatment costs. Delta is one of the oldest insurance policies that people trust to buy for dental coverage.
Although you can only get treatment from Delta’s in-network dentists, they are still the best dental professionals in the country. You can get an insurance plan as low as you can afford with maximum dental benefits. The best thing about Delta is the members don’t need to observe long waiting periods, and they can choose between various plans.
Delta Dental offers:
- Delta Dental PPO plan
- DeltaCare USA plan
- Delta Dental Premier plan
- Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier plan
- Delta Dental Patient Direct plan
Although each plan percentage varies in terms of braces coverage, among these plans, the most expensive one is Delta Dental PPO which offers 50% orthodontic coverage with a good deductible and maximum.
Delta Dental also offers for families of four, so you can get coverage for your kids’ braces cost as well. But before buying, make sure you ask the in-network dentist about the estimated cost with and without insurance. This will help you decide which plan to buy and how much premium you can afford.
Cigna
If you are looking for more benefits with a lesser deductible, Cigna is the right dental insurance. Cigna has proven to be one of the best dental insurance companies for braces in 2022. Their plans have a lower deductible, making it easier for individuals to afford orthodontic treatments like braces.
You can get braces cost coverage after completing the $ 50-lifetime deductible. Furthermore, you can get more discounts if you choose to get treatment from in-network dentists.
The orthodontic coverage plans are the most expensive plans out of all. They can cost a lot of money, but the benefits are also great. The members can get any complex procedure as long as they reach a $1,000 maximum lifetime coverage.
Only one plan has the highest percentage of braces coverage; the premium is also expensive. If you have a good salary and can afford a high premium, then this dental insurance plan is the best Cigna has to offer for its clients. Cigna has about a 12 months waiting period for braces coverage.
If you are interested in buying Cigna dental insurance to get braces, then Cigna Dental 1500 is the best plan for you.
Humana Dental
Humana’s dental policy is the best for families and individuals to get braces. Humana is one of the oldest and most relevant insurance companies in the U.S. that provides unique plans to benefit its members.
Humana dental is commonly bought by many people for its benefits and affordable premium. The company’s no waiting period policy is one of the facilities that make it stand out from other insurance companies in the country.
People who buy Humana dental insurance don’t need to wait for long periods to gain benefits. As soon as they sign the contract, they can utilize those benefits. This facility saves a lot of time for busy people because they can go and get braces without worrying about waiting.