Braces Costs

Your smile is priceless and at Thomas Orthodontics we are committed to removing cost as an obstacle for getting the smile you’ve always wanted. 

Free Orthodontic Consultation

There is no charge, ever, for the initial consultation with the doctor which includes a panoramic x-ray. A copy of the x-ray is yours to keep for free whether or not you decide to have treatment at Thomas Orthodontics. With our technology, you can actually book your free orthodontic exam online and chose the time and date you want.

What is the Cost of Invisalign?

Just like you are unique, so are your teeth. That is why we offer the free orthodontic exam so the doctor can perform an in-person exam and let you know what the best treatment options are. Many times Dr. Thomas will give you more than one option for treatment so you can decide what level of treatment you desire.

Does Insurance cover Invisalign?

Many dental insurance plans cover the costs of Invisalign treatment just as they would any other orthodontic treatments like conventional braces. Typically they will cover 50% of the fees up to a certain limit.   Many dental insurance plans cover the costs of braces, typically up to 50% of the fees up to a lifetime limit. The most common lifetime benefit is for up to $1500 of the cost of orthodontic treatment. Some insurance companies may cover between 25% and 50% of the total fee. A few insurance plans may cover up to $3,000 of the cost of braces. Since we take all major PPO insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Metlife, Guardian, AETNA, Humana, Assurant, United Healthcare, United Concordia, etc., we are an in-network provider so your fees will be lower than out-of-network. 

Does MY Insurance Cover Invisalign?

While most dental insurance questions can be answered easily and quickly, the question about your plan takes more time to get an accurate answer. You can try to call or login to your dental insurance plans website to find the benefits yourself, or....

You can call our office and we can do the hard work for you.  The best way to learn more about your Orthodontic policy is to have our insurance expert Kathy call and speak with your dental insurance company directly. This way we can help you determine the estimated out-of-pocket and assist you with a payment plan if you so wish.

Do I Have to file the Insurance Forms Myself?

At Thomas Orthodontics, we work to make your life easy.  We submit claims to the insurance company on your behalf and provide you with a breakdown of Invisalign benefits. 

Many dental plans include orthodontic benefits that are designed to cover a portion of your orthodontic treatments. Orthodontic insurance makes getting braces affordable, especially for those people who may not pursue orthodontic treatment for financial reasons.

Orthodontic benefits depend on each individual orthodontic insurance plan. Most insurance companies that offer orthodontic coverage will pay up to 20% for the down payment to begin treatment and will then cover 50% of the monthly charges until the lifetime maximum coverage is reached.

Coverage varies depending on your plan, but most plans include:

• Pre-orthodontic treatment visit
• Exam and start-up records
• X-rays
• Orthodontist recommended tooth extractions
• Comprehensive orthodontic treatment
• Retainers (one set typically covered)
• Post-treatment records

HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization. If you participate in a Dental HMO, you generally have

• Lower premiums than either a Dental PPO or an Indemnity plan
• No annual maximum to the benefits the plan will pay
• A restricted network of dentists and dental providers
• No benefits for going to out-of-network dentists or providers
• A list of co-pays (standard costs) you will spend for office visits and specific dental services

PPO stands for Preferred Provider Organization. If you choose a Dental PPO, you can expect:

• Higher premiums than a Dental HMO
• An annual maximum to your benefits (varies by plan)
• A network of dentists or providers that have agreed to offer discounted services and that you can choose to use to save money
• Some benefits paid to out-of-network dentists or providers you might choose to go to instead
• A list of the percent the insurance company will pay for different dental services. (For example, many Dental PPOs cover 50% of orthodontic fees)

Thomas orthodontics participates in the following PPO Plans

• Aetna· Ameritus
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Central States
• Cigna
• Delta Dental PPO
• Delta Dental Preferred
• Delta Dental Premier
• Florida Blue Select
• GEHA
• Guardian networks
• Humana
• Metlife PPO
• Mutual of Omaha
• Principal· Reliance
• Safeguard
• Standard Insurance
• Team Care
• TriCare
• UMR
• United Concordia
• United Healthcare

Our Financial Coordinator, Kathy, will help navigate your questions regarding your insurance and will directly work with the insurance company to obtain your benefit for you.

Many insurance companies have a list of participating providers sometime called PPO (Preferred Provider Organization). If you go to a provider listed in your network you can usually save on your out of pocket costs. Some orthodontic offices do not participate with dental insurance companies; these are considered “out-of-network”.  That does not mean your treatment won’t be covered, but your coverage may be less

Costs depend on the services you need, most insurance companies can help estimate costs before treatment begins. Your orthodontist can submit a pre-treatment estimate (or you can submit one your own). The insurance company will send an overview of the total treatment cost, including how much your plan pays and your share. 

Typically, dental and orthodontic insurance companies cover one set of post-treatment retainers (for orthodontic purposes) per lifetime. If your benefits cover two-phase orthodontic treatment, retainers are typically covered after each phase.

A flexible savings account, or FSA, is an account you may be able to use to pay for certain medical, dental, and orthodontic costs, including braces and Invisalign. Your FSA is managed by your employer, and you pay money into the account throughout the year, usually through a deduction from your paycheck. You may set aside up to $2,600 annually. Not all employers offer an FSA.

A health savings account, or HSA, is a special savings account designed for people with a high-deductible health insurance plan. You put money into the account and can use it to cover certain medical, dental, and orthodontic costs, including braces and Invisalign. You may set aside up to $3,400 for an individual or $6,750 for a family annually. To open an HSA, you must meet IRS eligibility requirements.

You don’t pay taxes on the money you put in an FSA or HSA.

Before you begin your orthodontic treatment, talk to both your doctor’s office and your benefits manager. You may be able to pay your doctor and be reimbursed from your FSA or HSA. Your benefits provider may also be able to pay your doctor directly.

Orthodontic insurance waiting period is the length of time after purchasing your plan that you must wait before you can use your full coverage. During the waiting period, the orthodontic insurance company will not pay for certain procedures. The Orthodontic Insurance waiting period may last anywhere from a few months to a full year, depending on the type of plan you have purchased and the insurance benefits wording. After the waiting period is over, then full benefits become accessible to you.