Rose in BC Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I'm still reeling from the shock. Yesterday we took our 13 yr ds to the orthodontist for an assessment. My son has a severe overbite which has to be corrected, not for cosmetic purposes but because he already experience jaw pain. Anyway, the cost? $8,100. Yeah. $8,100. And it really isn't optional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 get another opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthwestMom Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 That sounds very high to me. I'd shop around on that. I'm in the States, but I'd expect half that much, or less, for orthodontia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiana Daniels Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Hmm. Definitely get a second opinion, BUT--if he has special circumstances, that might not be too far out of line. My daughter got braces last year and the total is around $5000+ just for the braces and treatment. When we add in her gum grafting surgery and the surgery to pull out supernumeraries and "fish out" an adult tooth that hasn't erupted, we're looking closer to $7000. Extensive oral procedures are expensive:001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver0f10 Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I'd definitely shop around! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Wow, that would make my jaw hurt, too--from dropping! My kids were given estimates of $4500, and that's in No VA, where everything is high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3byzaz Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 OK--at the risk of seeming pretty insane, I will admit to having visited 5, YES 5 orthodontist's this summer. I had intended to go to two. Then, I got 2 totally different opinions on treatment. Then, I went to the 3rd who gave a completely different one and was $1000 less. The 4th agreed with no one either and finally the 5th agreed with the first. Of course, those two want to wait and didn't give estimates. So, we are going to wait a little while after all that and go back to those two...I know - CRAZY!!! Anyway, my estimates were between $5750 and down to $4200 minus our $1000 benefit. So, around 4000 or 3000 out of pocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwimmyKids Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Sounds high. Our recent estimate (two weeks ago) is $3880, which will be reduced by $1500 dental coverage. So we have an up-front payment of $800 and then 20 months of $100-something payments. I haven't read your other replies, but if there is a dental school nearby, they might offer orthodontia at a lower cost if no other orthodontist does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I just finished 19 months of braces myself for an overbite and some straightening. It was about $6800 here in CT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elohcin Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 We pain $6400 for ortho, big overbite. The more complicated the more expensive it seems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 If you are dealing with a physical problem and not just cosmetic it is very different (and much more expensive!) My dh's braces and other work (18 years ago) was $12,000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 We got an $8000 estimate from one orthodontist, the first we saw. He has a fabulous office and the Cadillac of treatment plans (a three-phase plan stretching from now until my ds' teens), but that was a bit much. A lot much. I already knew that orthodontia usually runs $3500-5000 in our area depending on the treatment. Shop around. I started asking friends, and my dh asked a retired orthodontist he knows. The retired orthodontist was fantastic. He rolled his eyes when he heard our estimate and said that overtreatment and high prices in orthodontia are a huge problem. He recommended two orthodontists in our area who provide excellent treatment at a reasonable price. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose in BC Posted July 14, 2009 Author Share Posted July 14, 2009 There is no option of a second opinion anywhere near us. As it is, this orthodontist only comes to the neighbouring community one week of each month. We have to drive 45 minutes to go to his office. Having said that I do think the severity of the overbite has something to do with the high cost. I met a person I knew there yesterday who was also having her daughter assessed. I saw her today and she said her daughter's treatment was only $5 500 (I can't believe I said "only"). My son will have to wear his braces for 30 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I pay $200 month for my daughters braces (we have no dental insurance) and we just finished year one and it looks like another 6-12 months more. So I am looking at $3600 to $4600. She did not even have bad teeth!! I went for several opinions and they were all in the same ballpark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommytobees Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I'm still reeling from the shock. Yesterday we took our 13 yr ds to the orthodontist for an assessment. My son has a severe overbite which has to be corrected, not for cosmetic purposes but because he already experience jaw pain. Anyway, the cost? $8,100. Yeah. $8,100. And it really isn't optional. I'm actually going to second (it is actually more by now) a second opinion.... But, don't be surprised if the total is about the same. My son has a SEVERE overbite and deep-bite (they called it something else). It is genetic, I had/have it too. His first of 4 rounds cost us $1000. The second round should cost us about $4000. The third round will cost us about $2500 (depending on where we go). And, then the final round should "only" cost us about $1000-1500. For a generic grand total of $8000-8500. Plus, retainers for afterwards. Don't get me started on my daughter. We're looking at another $8000 for her too. Plus, moves and BLECH!! I'm hoping we can get some of their work done here in Japan for free (military). Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillary in KS Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 How far are you from the border? It may be cheaper to have it done in the States (for the time being, anyway), even when gas costs and possible hotel stays are included. We had a family in KS that came to the ortho's office from out of the country every 8 weeks. (They had family in the area, so no hotels). It was still cheaper. HTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose in BC Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 My son has a SEVERE overbite and deep-bite (they called it something else). It is genetic, I had/have it too. Kris My boy is adopted so we won't really know for sure. As I posted above, a second opinion is out of the question here because there are no other orthodontist's in our vicinity (we live in a rural area). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose in BC Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 How far are you from the border? It may be cheaper to have it done in the States (for the time being, anyway), even when gas costs and possible hotel stays are included. We had a family in KS that came to the ortho's office from out of the country every 8 weeks. (They had family in the area, so no hotels). It was still cheaper. HTH! We live in Northern British Columbia . . . driving to Vancouver, BC is a 1500 km (each way) trip. From Vancouver it might not be too prohibitive but we are just too far away. In fact, we're not close to any major city. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 (edited) Good luck! Edited July 20, 2009 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommytobees Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 My boy is adopted so we won't really know for sure. As I posted above, a second opinion is out of the question here because there are no other orthodontist's in our vicinity (we live in a rural area). Ugh!! Well, then you just bite down and bear it :glare:;):D!! It isn't fun! One thought for you.... since it is a MEDICAL need, check and see if your medical coverage will cover any of it. I know for ME the medical insurance covered a bit (not a lot), for Kyler they will cover bits and parts of each stage. As far as I'm concerned every dollar helps. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pongo Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 I'm still reeling from the shock. Yesterday we took our 13 yr ds to the orthodontist for an assessment. My son has a severe overbite which has to be corrected, not for cosmetic purposes but because he already experience jaw pain. Anyway, the cost? $8,100. Yeah. $8,100. And it really isn't optional. My ds, although only 9 got an estimate. They said if I waited, the work would be so much more extensive and he estimated it costing up to 8,000. But if they started with a pallet expander than it would come to a total of 4,700. He just got the pallet expander:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battlemaiden Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 It is working out to around $5000 for us. A small portion is paid by our dental plan...very small. Our payments are running $160/mo with no interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 That would be something less in U.S. dollars, but still is a high fee. A second opinion, from an orthodontist not affiliated with the first one, will be helpful. I'm still reeling from the shock. Yesterday we took our 13 yr ds to the orthodontist for an assessment. My son has a severe overbite which has to be corrected, not for cosmetic purposes but because he already experience jaw pain. Anyway, the cost? $8,100. Yeah. $8,100. And it really isn't optional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose in BC Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 It is working out to around $5000 for us. A small portion is paid by our dental plan...very small. Our payments are running $160/mo with no interest. In fact it will cover $3,500 so we will be out of pocket around $5000 which will be $280/mnth no interest payments for 18 mnths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2abcd Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 More than a year of college! Try a dental school. The appointments may take a long time, but the work will be done right. Sometimes some of us have more time than money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose in BC Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 More than a year of college! Try a dental school. The appointments may take a long time, but the work will be done right. Sometimes some of us have more time than money! We just live too far off the beaten track. We really only have the option of this one orthodontist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarleneW Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Ours is $4600 and something for my son. My dd goes back for a re-eval tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarrow Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 $6500-$7500 and my son's teeth are virtually perfect (the orthodontist's own words). He just needs braces to hold the teeth in place to pull down an adult tooth that doesn't want to move. I was beyond shocked when he told me the price. And I went to another ortho for a second opinion. So, for me, $8000 seems right in line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Okay, maybe you can plan it so the cost won't feel like such a big hit. Find out if your insurance covers a total cost, or a maximum cost per year. If there's a per year benefit, start treatment near the end of the first year to be able to take advantage of the full year's credit. Ours only allowed for a one-time credit, but I have talked to others who were able to benefit by this tactic. If you or your spouse has a medical savings plan with work, and you can wait until the beginning of next year, plan for it. We were able to plan ahead, stoke the MSA, then pay up front (less our insurance credit) to get a 10% cash discount, and apply for immediate reimbursement from our MSA. HTH. I remember choking when I found out that our son would run $4000+, our daughter would run $7500, and next year ds #2 will probably have a $4000 plan as well. But, if I can give my kids a gift like this, I count it money well spent (just a huge chunk of it :glare:). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOM24WONDERS Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 I've had two that have had braces and are now out. The 11 year old is about to go into them. We've paid about $4500 each for them - that's here in MS. I would definitely get another opinion - $8000 seems extremely high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennifersLost Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Wow, Rose; that does sound really expensive. We see Dr. Tabata here in Terrace and I really like him. So far our bills have been really reasonable. Any chance you could come to Terrace for a second opinion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose in BC Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 Wow, Rose; that does sound really expensive. We see Dr. Tabata here in Terrace and I really like him. So far our bills have been really reasonable. Any chance you could come to Terrace for a second opinion? I thought Corbett was the only orthodontist in Terrace. Thanks for the information. I think we will definitely seek a second opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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