Question for the dentists.....

[powbmps]

Just got back from my daughters orthodontist. Looks like two years of braces followed by three with a retainer = $7,400 (plus cost of extracting two pre-molars) uke:!

Any options to consider when getting braces (a rep friend of mine mentioned Invisalign)?

Thanks!

 

[Paul]

These are pretty happenin'

 

[powbmps]

These are pretty happenin'

Thanks. She doesn't have that much facial hair so I don't know if that look would work for her. Plus I'm looking to save some money.






You really need a screen name. I'm not comfortable using real names.

 

[hammer]

Just got back from my daughters orthodontist. Looks like two years of braces followed by three with a retainer = $7,400 (plus cost of extracting two pre-molars) uke:!

Any options to consider when getting braces (a rep friend of mine mentioned Invisalign)?

Thanks!

Paging drjeff...

Not sure I'd go with Invisalign for kiddos...from what I've read patient compliance is key for them to work, and there's no way either of my kids would have been compliant enough.

 

[severine]

Paging drjeff...

Not sure I'd go with Invisalign for kiddos...from what I've read patient compliance is key for them to work, and there's no way either of my kids would have been compliant enough.

Agreed. Heck, I barely wore my retainer and forget the headgear.

Damn, prices have gone up though! Here's hoping the kids don't have my teeth!

 

[Paul]

Thanks. She doesn't have that much facial hair so I don't know if that look would work for her. Plus I'm looking to save some money.






You really need a screen name. I'm not comfortable using real names.

That is my screen name, my real name is in my sig.

 

[hammer]

Agreed. Heck, I barely wore my retainer and forget the headgear.

I've given up on bugging my son to wear his retainer. I'm mainly hoping that if his teeth do shift it will be slow enough so that if/when he needs realignment it's on his nickel.

Damn, prices have gone up though! Here's hoping the kids don't have my teeth!

Speaking of price...it pays to shop around, when I did I noticed that orthodontists can charge significantly different prices for the same services. The bottom line is that you want someone who will do the job right, not necessarily the cheapest one...but you don't need to pay a premium.

 

[deadheadskier]

dental insurance cover any of the costs for braces these days?

 

[severine]

dental insurance cover any of the costs for braces these days?

I know it was considered cosmetic when I had mine (10-12 years old) and not covered by dental insurance. But good question. Of course, if you don't have dental, you're still SOL...

 

[hammer]

dental insurance cover any of the costs for braces these days?

It depends on your plan...my and my wife's plans each cover orthodontia for kids but mine has a low lifetime maximum and my wife's covers 50% with an annual maximum. I combine the two and get some decent coverage so I consider myself fortunate.

I believe Orthodontia expenses (kids or adults) are allowed for an FSA if you can get one of those through your employer.

 

[roark]

dental insurance cover any of the costs for braces these days?

Never seen one that covers adults. Most should cover kids (with reductions like hammer lists below).

It depends on your plan...my and my wife's plans each cover orthodontia for kids but mine has a low lifetime maximum and my wife's covers 50% with an annual maximum. I combine the two and get some decent coverage so I consider myself fortunate.

I believe Orthodontia expenses (kids or adults) are allowed for an FSA if you can get one of those through your employer.

Yes, the FSA/HSA helps if you can plan your expenses the prior year.

 

[AMAC2233]

I had it all...braces 4.5 years, pallette expander, and mulitple retainers. I still wear a retainer every other night. My parents had 3 kids in braces at one point. I think all together they paid about $10k, with insurance covering roughly 20 percent, but that was 10 years ago.

 

[powbmps]

Thanks for the misc. info. I'm waiting to hear back regarding any help from the insurance co.

Not too many options around here. I'm going with the better of the two local guys. Is there a Steep & Cheap for dental work :wink:?

 

[MogulQueen]

Thanks for the misc. info. I'm waiting to hear back regarding any help from the insurance co.

Not too many options around here. I'm going with the better of the two local guys. Is there a Steep & Cheap for dental work :wink:?

I hear your pain. I just put my first kid in braces this week! I am paying $4990 for tops, bottoms, and retainers. My insurance is covering $1500. I definately puts a dent in the ski budget. Looks like no skis for me for a while.

 

[WakeboardMom]

Braces on 3 outta 4 kids. No insurance. Gotta do whatcha gotta do.

When I was a kid I had braces, but my parents couldn't really afford them, so went to the dental grad school at BU. Not so much money, but a ton of time invested.

When I took my two oldest boys for a "consult" at a young age, the orthodontist said, "They're gonna need work, but they're still too young. You should get in the chair." "Me?? Why me?!?" I couldn't believe he could see anything...but I was having problems with TMJ at the time. Didn't think it showed. He said he could help, so at the age of 31, with three kids and having spent almost 4 years in braces as a teen, I did it again.

Second time around was a little bit over a year in braces, and a year in a retainer. It definitely helped. Ain't doin' it again, though.

 

[powbmps]

MogulQueen - Hook me up. I'll make the drive to save a couple grand :lol:.

WakeboardMom - The ortho was just telling me that it is not uncommon in people around my age (just over 39). Something about them not aligning the jaw prior to fitting the braces. I guess now they do that first (if needed) to avoid future problems.

 

[Glenn]

I highly recomend using an FSA for this. FSA is tax free money. So basically, you'll stand to save a min of 25% (or more depending on your bracket). Also, whatever you elect for your FSA is in the account on 1/1. But you "pay it back" via payroll dedcutions over the course of a year. It's like a tax free, interest free loan.

So in theory, you could dump $5-6k (Can't recall the IRS limit per year) in an FSA, pay off most of the braces in January, and have the $ deducted via payroll dedcucts for the rest of the year.

Spouses can enroll in an FSA plan at their employer as well.

 

[o3jeff]

If you win Bump or Bust it will get you $1k closer....
http://forums.alpinezone.com/showpost.php?p=518970&postcount=61

 

[severine]

:lol: @ o3jeff

Interesting about the TMJ-braces connection. I started having issues with jaw tension last year and they said they'd keep an eye on it. Figured it was entirely stress-related with school and all, but who knows.. My teeth have definitely shifted (though they are a lot better than they were before braces)....

 

[WakeboardMom]

WakeboardMom - The ortho was just telling me that it is not uncommon in people around my age (just over 39). Something about them not aligning the jaw prior to fitting the braces. I guess now they do that first (if needed) to avoid future problems.

That's interesting...I was a bit younger than that (30/31 or so) for my second go-round with the braces, but it does make sense.

Interesting about the TMJ-braces connection. I started having issues with jaw tension last year and they said they'd keep an eye on it. Figured it was entirely stress-related with school and all, but who knows.. My teeth have definitely shifted (though they are a lot better than they were before braces)....

Prior to having it fixed, I too blamed it on stress. In my case, I'd guess that stress exacerbated the issue, but wasn't necessarily the root cause. (No pun intended! ; - )