Braces: Orthodontists Charge More than General Dentists

How much braces cost When we asked doctors how much they charge for braces, we found significant variation. General dentists charge an average of $5,040 for ortho work, while orthodontists charge about $5,600.

Adult braces and Invisalign costs were about equal. Among both groups, teen braces were the least expensive option, costing several hundred dollars less.

Braces cost the most in the Northeast, the Pacific, and Canada. Affordable braces can most easily be found in the American West. Cost of braces

Urban dentists charge more for ortho treatment than do suburban or rural doctors. In fact, city dentists charge about $500 more than do country docs.

Here a few comments from doctors:

“Over that past 30 years the cost of braces has not kept pace with cost-of-living increases. Thankfully technology has allowed greater efficiency and consequently reasonable profitability.” (Washington orthodontist)
“I don't use Invisalign – I make my own and adjust the aligners with Hilliard Thermopliers.” (Kentucky orthodontist)
“I only offer Invisalign and I only treat adults with Invisalign.” (Virginia dentist)
“Removable braces should be less expensive than fixed appliances.” (Virginia dentist)
“Additional $400.00 for upper ceramic brackets.” (Ohio orthodontist)

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Dr Barry Cutler

It sounds like some people are surprised that orthodontists charge more than general dentists for orthodontic treatments.Don’t they deserve fair compensation for the 2-3 additional years of graduate education required to call themselves “specialists”. In addition,as a practicing orthodontist for over 40 years, there is no doubt in my mind that orthodontists deliver better results than most GPs. That is to be expected. Who would you rather have treat you or your child?
Terry Deeter DDS

I have been in general practice for 30 years and I havn’t seen significant difference between “orthodontist
specialist” care and GP care. Can anyone quote a peer reviewed article that states that specialists provide superior care than GP’s. I think specialists owe a thanks to GP’s for the changes in dental care that we have supported. ie. is the change in ortho care from extraction therapy to non extraction.
http://rusmiling.com Richard Lepard DDS

I use Invisalign to treat adult cases, mainly relapse. What I find in Dallas is there IS a wide range of fees given to patients. In examining these cases I find many have been under diagnosed as EXPRESS cases, a fast, limited appliance technique. The result is compromised.If the technique is used as intended,it delivers.
Keith Hollander

I started doing Orhtodontics soon after graduating from dental school. The quality of local orthodontica care by specialists was mediocre at best. And they implied that I did not know what I was talking about. I think that there is an over-generalization about the quality of care given by GPs vs. specialists. Like in any profession there are those that care and those that run mills. Those that care will continue to provide good care for their patients and those that do not will continue to have less than ideal results. I am concerned that many GPs are taking the one day Invisalign course and think that they are ready to treat everyone. I treat all ages and find that the number of appropriate case for invisalign are some what limited. If the only tool you have is a hammer then everything starts looking like a nail.
http://dentalservice4less.com/cost_of_adult_braces.shtml Adult Braces Gal Katty

“Can anyone quote a peer reviewed article that states that specialists provide superior care than GP’s”

I’d like to see this info too

Katty
disbelief

Are you kidding? Do you really think that an orthodontist and a general dentist provide the same level of care when it comes to orthodontics? Do you think that, as a general dentist just coming out of dental school, you know more than an orthodontist about orthodonics? How much orthodontics did you learn in dental school? Did you take a few weekend ortho classes…yes, that’s the same as a 2-3 year residency. Come on, people…let’s use some common sense.
David

While many general dentists may provide orthodontic treatment it is not realistic to think they can treat to the same level as a good orthodontist who does braces all day every day and had years of additional treatment. Why do you think that the specialty exists? There are some orthodontists that may not deliver excellent care, but at least the general dentist gets to evaluate the care after braces are removed and refer his or her patients elsewhere if the result is not good. Who gets to evaluate the general dentist’s orthodontic results after treatment? A good hygienist could do a lot of dental procedures with a few weekend courses, but that doesn’t make them a dentist.
http://www.bracesfaq.com BracesFAQ

I didn’t have to wear braces, because my doctor advised to just remove 1 teeth. looks nice, all teeth are lined up, but shifted left… I wish I new that and choosed braces when I was 7 years old.
http://www.insightsfordentists.com Dental Marketing Options

“Removable braces should be less expensive than fixed appliances.” (Virginia dentist)
– Why? Removable would be preferable to patients over fixed, a dentist monetarily would lose.
http://smiletucson.com/ Ed Hochhalter

They did provide a comparison in prices, but how about the quality of the braces they make? I guess that this comparison would be more valid if both parties have the same level of expertise in making braces. I’ll share this link to my friends in Tucson to see what their take on this comparison is. Thanks for sharing, by the way.
Drdavewh

Have you seen most of the patients post-care, years later? I doubt it, so some of the cases you believe are good may actually be a ball of crap. GPs see their patients, and have to deal with the result of their work for years to come especially w/ teens. Believe me, in my 25 yrs, I’ve seen a lot of junk come from some of my snooty, ortho mill neighbors, that look horrific years later and they don’t have a clue. Many times this is due to lack of patient compliance, but is there not a double standard, at least in my area that poor results from GPs is from lack of experience and poor results from the orthodontists is lack of compliance. It all depends on the doctor. Is this to say you are not qualified to give oral hygiene instructions or perform any surgical procedures like extract a baby tooth. I would think not. I have a couple of orthodontists in my area who rape parents by overcharging and putting patients through many unnecessary procedures to prolong treatment justifiying their fees. As a GP if seen hundreds of these cases and can show them to you! Who would you rather take your child to? The world of Orthodonics is not what it was in your day, many of the younger ones lack compassion and only see patients as dollar signs.