What orthodontic treatment costs, and how families pay for it
The fee for braces or aligners depends on your bite, the appliance, and how long treatment takes, so the honest answer is a number written down for your case after a free consultation, not a range on a website. Here is how the fee is built and every way to pay it.
Why we quote in writing instead of online
Two patients asking for Invisalign can have very different cases: one needs mild alignment over a year, the other needs bite correction and attachments over two. Publishing a single number would be wrong for both of them. Dr. Bar quotes your exact fee, in writing, at the complimentary consultation, after the scan and exam. The fee covers the full course of treatment, including adjustment visits and your first set of retainers, so there are no surprises mid-treatment.
What drives the fee
- The bite, not the brand. Braces, Invisalign, and the Moon Aligner System are priced in the same range for a comparable case. We do not steer patients toward one for financial reasons.
- Length and complexity. A short limited case costs less than comprehensive treatment with bite correction, expansion, or surgical coordination.
- Phase of treatment. Early treatment for a child is a smaller, shorter case than full treatment later, and children evaluated at seven who do not need treatment yet are monitored at no charge.
Insurance
Most major dental plans with orthodontic benefits are accepted, and the office files the claims for you. Bring your insurance card to the consultation; our team verifies your orthodontic coverage, lifetime maximum, and any waiting period before you commit to anything. Orthodontic benefits are usually a separate lifetime amount from your regular dental coverage, and we explain exactly how yours applies.
FSA and HSA
Flexible spending and health savings funds can be applied to orthodontic treatment. If you are planning contributions for next year, the written fee from your consultation is the number to use.
Monthly payment plans
For the balance after insurance, the office offers interest-free monthly plans with a modest down payment, spread across the length of treatment. No credit check is involved for the in-office plan.
Third-party financing
For families who prefer a longer term or a lower monthly amount, we work with CareCredit, Cherry, and Healthcare Finance Direct. Each has its own application and approval process; our front desk can walk you through which one fits.
Military families
Active duty families, reservists, and teens planning to enlist have a dedicated program that plans treatment around move and ship dates.
The honest summary
You will know your exact cost, what insurance pays, and what the monthly amount would be before you leave the consultation, with nothing owed for the visit itself. If the plan does not fit, you keep the information and owe nothing.