Traditional Braces - Garland, TX

Factors That Affect the Cost of Traditional Braces

• Length of treatment: The longer a treatment takes, the higher the cost will be because the patient will require more adjustments, supplies, and follow-up appointments.
• Degree of misalignment: The length of treatment is largely dictated by how far the teeth need to move to reach their ideal positions.
• Additional appliances: A patient who requires braces may also need space maintainers, a palatal expander, elastics, and retainers—each one comes with its own separate cost.
• Insurance coverage: While most insurance plans offer coverage for traditional braces, the rate can vary from plan to plan, and there can be restrictions on who can be covered as well.

Professional Braces vs. "DIY" Braces: The True Cost  

Several companies have popped up over the years that claim they enable someone to straighten their teeth without ever having to set foot in a dentist or orthodontist’s office. Essentially, everything is done via an app and clear aligners that are mailed directly.

The issue with this approach is that there is typically little to no professional supervision. As a result, many patients developed serious problems because their teeth weren’t straightened correctly. This included teeth becoming loose or more misaligned, painful, and in some cases, the roots were so damaged that a tooth was lost.

As you can imagine, having to fix these types of problems ends up costing people way more than if they had worked with a dentist or orthodontist in the first place. Also, many of these companies have now gone bankrupt due to the issues mentioned above, meaning many patients had their treatment stopped before they were finished. For both the health of your smile and wallet, professional braces are always the wiser choice.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces?

Yes, the overwhelming majority of dental insurance plans offer coverage for traditional braces. How much is not consistent from provider to provider or plan to plan. Some policies will only help pay for braces for patients 18 and under or those who need them for medical reasons (like if their crooked teeth make it difficult to chew or speak). Be sure to look through your plan or go over it with us so you have a clear idea of what you’ll be expected to pay out of pocket.

CHIP/Medicaid can also be used to cover braces in specific instances, and if you have either of these plans, be sure to let us know. We are very familiar with them and use them all the time to help patients get what they need promptly.

Options for Making Braces Affordable

In order to make braces accessible to as many people as possible, La Prada Family Dentistry of Garland is happy to offer a FREE orthodontic consultation. This allows patients and families to get to know our team and learn about their treatment options at no cost.

For patients without private or public insurance, we also accept third-party financing through CareCredit and Sunbit. These allow people to pay for their treatment in smaller installments with little to no interest. You can explore your options and even sign up for a plan by clicking the buttons at the bottom of this page.

Am I Too Old for Traditional Braces?

It’s not uncommon to associate metal wires and brackets with childhood and adolescence; after all, many people undergo this treatment throughout their youth! But you’ll be happy to know that there is no upper age limit for traditional braces. However, it’s worth noting that as you age, your teeth become more firmly embedded in your jaw—meaning that repositioning them will usually take more time. After visiting us for a consultation, we’ll be able to evaluate your situation and determine if braces are suitable for you. One key factor is oral health, and if there are any underlying issues that might complicate things, they’ll need to be treated beforehand.

Do Traditional Braces Hurt?

Right after your braces are first put on, you’ll likely experience some soreness in your teeth and gums. This discomfort usually lasts for about a week and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and eating soft or cold foods. Due to the nature of the treatment, it’s normal to still feel some soreness from time to time even after you become accustomed to your braces. However, it won’t be nearly as bad as when you first received them! In some cases, your braces might rub against the soft tissues of your mouth and cause discomfort; but orthodontic wax can be used to correct this.

What Can You Not Eat with Traditional Braces?

Unfortunately, there are some foods out there that can wreak havoc on your braces if you aren’t careful. In general, you should try to stay away from items that are particularly hard, chewy, or sticky, including:

• Popcorn
• Sticky, chewy, or hard candy such as caramel, taffy, lollipops, and jawbreakers
• Tough breads, cookies, crackers, taco shells, pretzels, chips, etc.

It’s also worth mentioning that you should also avoid chewing on hard non-food objects as well, as they can be just as problematic! Don’t gnaw on things like ice cubes, pen caps, or your fingernails.

What Happens After I Get My Braces Taken Off?

Once your braces are removed, you’re not out of the woods yet—there is usually still a little more work to be done! You’ll be given a custom retainer to wear in order to ensure that your teeth remain in their new positions. We’ll monitor your progress moving forward and provide you with detailed instructions regarding how often to wear your retainer—but this wear time will become less frequent as time passes, assuming you’re diligent.