Have you noticed your household spending has increased the past couple years? It is impossible to ignore, especially if you have a growing family. As the economy teeters around trying to find its foothold, American families are forced to adjust to the rising cost of family-related expenses like health insurance, education, groceries and utility bills.
Click here to launch the infographic: Family Matters: The Cost of Living in America
When costs are rising, it’s important to ask yourself, Is this product or service worth it to me and my family? Does this provide long-term value? If it will improve your family's wellbeing, you can figure out a way to invest in your child’s future by paying off a short-term expense.
Are Braces Worth the Investment Now…or Later?
Orthodontic treatment is often thought of as a cosmetic service. Braces help to straighten teeth and can give you a beautiful smile, but braces and other treatment methods can also prevent serious long-term health problems, like:
- tooth decay
- gum disease
- tooth loss
- affected speech and/or chewing
- abnormal wear to tooth enamel
- jaw problems
Imagine the size of the health care bill after periodontal disease (gum disease) treatment. Replacing one front tooth with an implant after the extraction of one tooth can result in approximately $4,000 in total fees. This is just one good example why it is important to save natural teeth and invest in early interceptive treatment.
Read the 5 topics below to discover money saving tips and questions to ask your orthodontist.
How early should I get my child in for a consultation?
Early interception can prevent long-term problems from occurring, which is why orthodontic treatment is a good investment for your family. The American Dental Association recommends that a child first visit the family dentist between the ages of 6 and 12 months and that child should also visit an orthodontist by the age of 7 years or as early as an orthodontic problem is first detected.
Another benefit of early interception is an orthodontist may be able to help your child’s mouth without ever needing braces as a treatment method. You can take that lump sum you saved and use it towards a family vacation instead!
Do you provide medical, nutritional, and emotional support?
Many people choose to save money by taking their child to a local dental school. The lower cost may fit into your family’s budget, but it may be worth investing in a well-experienced specialist. You want the job to be done right on time, the first time, in order to save money in the long run.
First, a specialist will be able to give you the medical attention you need before, during, and after orthodontic treatment. An experienced doctor will be capable of educating you and your child, while providing a high level of technical skill.
Second, nutrition is especially important during orthodontic treatment. If your child needs braces, you want to avoid hard and sticky foods that could potentially loosen brackets or wires. At our offices, Dr. Sal provides his patients with nutritional calendars to help them keep track of their daily eating habits. Your nutrition in tandem with good brushing and flossing habits will contribute to a healthier mouth.
Third, find an orthodontist that cares about his/her practice and is willing to give emotional support throughout treatment. Treatment typically lasts 24-36 months, which could feel like a long time if you do not have a good doctor/patient relationship.
Will your doctor go out of their way to make sure your child feels welcome, comfortable, and motivated to improve their well-being? Motivation is the key ingredient to completing treatment on time, and you and your child will be responsible for maintaining their hygiene and healthy eating habits.
Can I get a discount by paying in full?
Most practices in the medical community will give a discount if you are able to pay in full. This saves the office a lot in paperwork, or accounting costs, benefiting both you and the practice.
Our offices in New Hampshire can help you save up to 4-8% of your total fixed cost. *Note, some practices will charge you for additional expenses throughout treatment like broken brackets, loose wires, and appointment time, so it may be beneficial to find an Orthodontist that bills a fixed cost for their services.
If you are capable of paying for treatment costs up front, you should definitely take advantage of this money saving opportunity!
Can I use my health insurance plan for treatment?
If you have insurance, use it.
Your dental insurance plan may offer different coverage for you than your child. Most orthodontic procedures are considered cosmetic as an adult, and are usually not covered -- just as your health insurance plan does not cover cosmetic surgery.
However, your child may need orthodontic treatment to correct their bite alignment to prevent other problems, so it may be considered medically necessary. In such cases, dental insurance plans provide partial or complete coverage for qualifying orthodontic care, up to a specified lifetime maximum amount.
Do you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?
FSAs are popular benefits provided by employers that allow workers to set aside money to cover health-related expenses. Employees with a FSA will pay towards that account before taxes are taken out of their paycheck. This can add up to a lot of savings over time.
Make sure if you have a FSA, you use your funds by the end of the year because they become forfeited. These funds can be used to cover a variety of expenses, so make sure you know what it covers. Learn more by reading 5 Ways to Spend Less on Healthcare.
Do you offer 3rd party financing, like CareCredit?
Most medical practices in our area offer CareCredit as a way to help pay off your healthcare bills. CareCredit is a health, beauty, and wellness credit card that can be used as a payment option for certain expenses not covered by insurance. This credit card is ideal for:
- dental care
- LASIK
- eyeglasses and contacts
- veterinary medicine
- hearing care
- cosmetic treatments and surgery.
You can apply for CareCredit online or through our in-house rep and get accepted within minutes. The moment you are approved, the funds are at your disposal without having to wait for the physical credit card.
It is like any other credit card. You get approved up to a certain limit, and you can use it towards any care category listed above. If you use half your credit limit on orthodontic treatment, you can use the remaining credit for your dogs annual shots. The financing options range from 12, 36, 48, or 60 months. You do not have to pay interest if you pay your bill off within the term limit.
Orthodontics is a family-related expense worth the investment
Start by getting a consultation at one of our local offices in Hanover, New London, or Claremont, NH. An orthodontist will be able to determine the complexity of your child's teeth and jaw problems, and provide you an estimate.
