When I was a child, I longed for braces. My teeth were slightly misaligned, but not enough to warrant orthodontic treatment—much to my disappointment. I would often gaze enviously at my friends flaunting their “metal mouths.” In a misguided attempt to emulate them, I even twisted paperclips to mimic the feel of braces. It wasn’t just about achieving straight teeth; I thought braces looked cool.
Fast forward to today, and I face the reality that two of my three kids need orthodontic work. One has minor misalignment, while the other has a significant crossbite requiring extensive intervention. During our visit to the orthodontist, I anticipated high costs, but the estimate left me in shock. For my daughter, the total was just over $4,000; my son’s treatment for his crossbite was even higher—just for the initial phase. We’re looking at nearly $9,000, not counting the potential costs of a second phase.
While we do have dental insurance, it only covers up to $1,500 per person for orthodontics, which seems standard. Even with that coverage, we’re still facing an out-of-pocket expense of $6,000, plus whatever additional costs may arise later. How do families manage to pay for this?
The orthodontist offers an interest-free payment plan, or a 5% discount if we pay upfront. But even the installment option doesn’t change the fact that we’re still parting with a substantial amount of money. Splitting it into smaller payments doesn’t lessen the burden.
If this were purely a cosmetic issue, we might have opted out. However, our son’s crossbite poses serious long-term health risks, and our daughter’s slight misalignment could lead to future bite issues. It’s baffling why insurance doesn’t cover more for medically necessary orthodontic care. While cosmetic procedures may be excluded, a significant portion of children’s orthodontics is essential for their health. Shouldn’t that be covered?
Reflecting on my own childhood, I feel fortunate I never needed braces. My parents were less financially stable, and I doubt they could have afforded such expenses. I honestly had no idea orthodontic care could be such a financial strain until I received an estimate that felt like it could buy a secondhand car.
If I could turn back time, I might have chosen a career as an orthodontist instead of a teacher. Imagine working four days a week, earning a handsome salary straightening teeth, and securing complimentary braces for my kids. Unfortunately, I can’t change the past. Now, we’ll have to tighten our budget, lament the dental genes my children inherited from my husband, and calculate how long it will take to pay off their braces. Perhaps it’s time to encourage them to consider a future in orthodontics!
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In summary, navigating the costs of orthodontics for children can be overwhelming for many families. With limited insurance coverage and significant out-of-pocket expenses, it’s crucial to understand the options available and consider the long-term benefits of orthodontic treatment.