Not all children have the luxury of orthodontic care until they are on their own as adults. Regardless, orthodontic care at any age is not an inexpensive endeavor. If you want to have the perfect smile that you have always dreamed of, the good news is that you can. If you know your options and where to find the money you need to have your smile fixed, it is possible to get the orthodontist near me to help.
1. Opt for the least expensive option
Although not the prettiest form of orthodontic care, traditional braces are still an excellent way to get the beautiful smile you crave for way less money than other options. Sure, Invisalign is a more aesthetic way to straighten your teeth, but it is also expensive. If you want to have orthodontic care in adulthood, then opt to have brackets and wires placed. The out-of-pocket expense you can expect when you choose cheap braces can often be less than $5000, compared to well over $8000 with Invisalign.
2. Go to an orthodontic school clinic
If you are looking for an inexpensive way to get orthodontic care and you have an orthodontic school near enough by, check and see if they have any open spaces. Orthodontic school clinics are usually looking for people who are willing to have students work on their teeth. You needn’t be afraid of the outcome–the students are guided and supervised by faculty members. The only thing that you have to pay for is the cost of the materials and any equipment that the students have to use.
Even if a school isn’t located close by and you have to travel a distance, the good news is that, while orthodontic care might require years, you only have to see the orthodontist about every month to six weeks. It is a good idea to weigh the cost and inconvenience of travel against the savings that you will get traveling just a bit further to get your orthodontic needs met.
3. Try a payment plan
You are willing to pay for a car with payments. Shouldn’t you make the same investment with your teeth? Many orthodontic offices will offer their patients a repayment schedule so they can pay for their dental work in monthly increments. The office will usually charge less than other credit options. The way payment plans work is that orthodontists typically offer the patient a lesser fee if they pay in one lump sum. If a patient chooses to finance, they will pay a slightly higher cost overall. Most plans have no interest involved as long as you pay within the agreed term period.
4. Other credit options
If your orthodontist doesn’t offer financing or you want to look for other options, you can get a loan from a traditional lender, take out a home equity loan or consider paying with a credit card that has no interest for a specified time. Make sure to shop around for the best interest rate and to be smart about how much you can realistically pay, or you will end up paying a lot more than anticipated.
5. Look for any assistance programs available
Some states will offer assistance programs for their residents to get orthodontic care. Sometimes there are assistance programs run through nonprofit organizations, too. You are more likely to get assistance if you have special circumstances or other medical conditions that make getting orthodontic care critical to your overall health. If you have a condition affects the overall functionality of your mouth, then you might be able to find an organization to help with your orthodontic costs.
Not everyone is lucky enough to have the orthodontic care they need when they are younger. If you are an adult who is considering having your smile straightened, then there are options available to get affordable work done. How to get braces for cheap? Do some research to see if assistance is available and sift through the payment options. Do not forego orthodontic care due to cost.
Melissa Bell
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