How much do braces cost? How much does Invisalign cost? These are by far the most common questions we receive at our Surrey and Langley orthodontic offices. Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer. We know, we know, you’d like something clear cut, but every patient is different and there are a host of factors that determine the final cost of braces or invisalign during your orthodontic treatment. Aura Orthodontics will break it down for you to give you a better idea of the braces and Invisalign cost in Vancouver, BC.
Here’s what goes into your Invisalign or braces price tag:
What Needs to be Fixed
Your specific orthodontic issues and their severity will play the largest role in determining your braces or Invisalign cost. Common Invisalign and braces cases include crowding, spacing, overjet teeth, open bite, crossbite, overbite (deep bite), and underbite.
Different conditions may require different treatments. For example, the mild spacing will be a lot faster, easier, and less expensive to treat than a severe underbite, which might involve the need for additional appliances and/or two phases of treatment. The preparatory work involved in getting your mouth ready for braces, such as jaw surgery and extractions, can add to the cost, as can follow-up care like retainers.
It’s really a matter of how much work will need to be done. The good news is, these days, thanks to advances in orthodontics like computerized treatment planning, shape-memory archwires, and SmartTrack® Invisalign material, even complex cases can often be addressed more quickly than they could in the past.
Length of Braces Treatment
The longer you must wear your appliance, the higher the braces or Invisalign cost will be. While you’ll be paying for the extra clear aligners, brackets, wires, etc., you’re also paying for the time and expertise of your Surrey or Langley orthodontist and the office staff.
As we covered in a recent post on how long braces and Invisalign take to straighten teeth, just like the cost, the duration of your treatment depends on a variety of factors. These factors include the complexity of your case, how diligent you are about caring for your braces, aligners, and teeth, the overall health of your teeth and gums, and how closely you follow your orthodontist’s instructions, to name a few.
Type of Braces
There are a variety of braces materials and types of braces, including metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign, and Invisalign Teen, and the price for each is different. For example, the cost of your Surrey clear braces may be slightly higher than the cost of traditional metal braces.
Location
We could hone in on this question even further and ask how much do braces or Invisalign cost in Vancouver, BC? This is because the location also plays a role in the price. While it may not be a drastic difference and it depends on the orthodontist, prices in the city tend to be higher than those in rural communities based on the cost of living and other factors. So the Vancouver, BC Invisalign cost will probably be different from the cost of Invisalign in, say, Saskatchewan.
Insurance
Whether or not your insurance covers braces or Invisalign treatment can make a substantial difference. Patients occasionally ask if there is specific BC orthodontic insurance needed for treatment. The answer is, no. Orthodontic insurance coverage in BC, or anywhere in Canada, is typically a separate benefit in a dental insurance contract. Some dental insurances will cover a percentage and that can slash your out-of-pocket costs for Invisalign, braces and if needed, any additional appliances. You may want to call your insurance provider directly.
At our practice, we accept insurance plans from any insurance provider, including Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Green Shield, Great West Life, and Manulife. A knowledgeable Aura Orthodontics team member can help you determine how much coverage you have and fill you in on the process. The Canadian Association of Orthodontists also has an excellent explanation of how BC orthodontic insurance coverage works.
Making the Cost of Braces and Invisalign in Vancouver, BC Work for You
At Aura Orthodontics, we think everyone deserves to have a straight, healthy smile. Therefore, don’t let the cost of braces or Invisalign dissuade you from exploring your options. We offer interest-free financing and our payment plans are super flexible to meet your needs.
Dr. Sharma, Dr. Lin, or Dr. Koo will discuss your treatment choices, the exact cost associated with each, and we’ll develop a payment plan so affording Invisalign or braces is realistic. We also know how tricky dealing with insurance companies can be so we help our patients and their families file their claims correctly for timely payments without any hiccups.
Contact Aura Orthodontics today to set up a consultation and see how we can make your Langley or Surrey clear braces, metal braces, or Invisalign treatment manageable. In the meantime, to get a ballpark figure for your Vancouver Invisalign cost or braces price, you can also try out our payment calculator!
