Everyone has heard the old adage “you get what you pay for”. Well when it comes to orthodontic treatment, it’s invariably true. There are two different aspects when it comes to the cost of orthodontic treatment. One is the perceived value of the overall treatment and the other is the cost competitiveness.
Most people think of orthodontic treatment as being expensive. The typical costs for braces or Invisalign treatment for the average teenager is anywhere from $5000 to $7000 depending on where you live and the complexity of the treatment. Clearly that’s nothing to laugh at! To most people, that’s a lot of money. However, when you consider that the average treatment time is anywhere from 18 to 24 months, it really brings the value into the proper perspective relative to other areas of dentistry.
For example, the cost for a single crown or a porcelain veneer is likely in excess of $1000. The same is true for a root canal on just one tooth. These procedures typically take just a few hours from start to finish to complete. Consider that orthodontic treatment takes several appointments of anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes every 8 weeks over the course of 18 to 24 months, and it becomes clear that the costs for orthodontic treatment are actually quite reasonable. Add in the fact that most orthodontists offer no-interest financing and it becomes even more of a bargain.
One way that people try to cut the costs of orthodontic treatment is to seek care through a non-specialist or through a clinic. Non-specialists are usually general dentists who offer orthodontic treatment as an adjunct to their other routine dental services. Unfortunately, most general dentists have very little advanced training in orthodontics, so they clearly lack the experience that most certified orthodontists have. They may have taken a few weekend courses on orthodontic treatment, but they really are not truly equipped to take on most orthodontic cases. Typically their main focus is simply to “straighten the teeth”. All orthodontists are required to have at least two years of advanced training and many have had at least three years. Orthodontists are highly trained specialists that not only have the ability to straighten teeth; they understand the importance of providing good function and long-term stability for every patient they treat.
The other avenue that people may choose to reduce orthodontic costs is to go to a dental clinic. There is one prominent dental clinic in California that provides dental services and some specialty services such as orthodontic treatment. Their fee for orthodontic treatment is often less than $5000, so it’s much more affordable to many people. Unfortunately, what people don’t realize is that there may be an orthodontist on staff in the office only one day a week (and often only one or two days a month) and this orthodontist is frequently fresh out of school. These young orthodontists often use these dental clinics as a stepping stone to their next orthodontic practice, so there tends to be a high turnover of specialists in these clinics. That leads to discontinuity in patient care which in turn leads to extended treatment times and poor results. How do I know this? I see it regularly in my own practice. The influx of people who start their orthodontic treatment in these clinics and transfer to my practice (and I’m sure to other well-qualified orthodontists) is astounding!
What we see is people who are very dissatisfied with their orthodontic treatment and they want to see that it’s done right. Their complaints range from ridiculously long waits in the reception room to continuous modifications in the treatment plan due to changes in the orthodontists (one leaves and a new one takes over).
Orthodontic treatment is something that should not be taken lightly. It is a very long process that should be entrusted to an expert who can complete the treatment in a timely fashion to the highest level of competency. Also, since it is a long process, it is essential that the patient feels comfortable throughout the entire experience with the individuals providing the treatment. There is really nothing worse than entrusting your child to the care of someone who really doesn’t have the qualifications necessary to complete your child’s treatment to the highest standards. No one wants to find out after two years that the treatment results are compromised and you truly “got what you paid for”.
By Gary Reichhold, DDS
AUG
About the Author:
Dr. Gary Reichhold and his partner Dr. Stephen Tanner have been proudly serving families in Concord, Walnut Creek, Clayton, Pleasant Hill and the surrounding communities for over 20 years. Their office is conveniently located in central Contra Costa County and their experienced team is committed to providing you and your family with exceptional orthodontic care.