Dental Braces: How Does Treatment Work and What Do Braces Cost?

Authored By: Lesley Ranft
Reviewed By: Gary Hirsh, DDS, MS

Before you can determine whether a braces option is right for you, it is important that you understand what is involved with treatment and what braces cost. Today's dental braces are much improved for a variety of reasons:

Reduced Treatment Time: Computer-aided technology offered through some orthodontic offices today helps the orthodontist to create ideal tooth positions. Some reports indicate that the aid of such technology can reduce treatment time significantly.

Comfortable Treatment: Dental brace wires are now made of materials that serve to reposition the teeth and underlying roots more readily and with less discomfort than in the past. Titanium implants can be anchored in the bone on the side of the mouth and palate to help shift the front teeth back and allow for more space if necessary. The molars of a braced patient may have magnets attached to them in order to help lift and reposition underlying molars. In addition, headgear is no longer needed as it was in past orthodontic treatment.

Esthetic Appeal: A new, popular form of dental braces for those with mild tooth movement requirements is clear dental braces (tooth-colored dental braces). These “invisible braces” or aligners are made of a flexible, clear, thin material that fits tightly over the teeth. This material is changed out every two to three weeks so that gradual tooth movement occurs. To monitor the movement of the teeth, your orthodontist will likely want to see you every six to eight weeks.

And in the end, you are rewarded with a beautiful, well-aligned smile.

Braces Cost

The cost of braces treatment is approximately $3,000 to $6,000. Your specific braces cost is determined by a variety of factors that include the type of treatment, the duration of treatment, the orthodontist, the location, your dental insurance and any other restorative work that need be done prior to or throughout treatment.

What’s Behind a Bite?

The most common oral health issue prompting orthodontic treatment is a bad bite (malocclusion). A malocclusion may be caused by one or more factors:

• Small Mouth: A small mouth can result in a limited amount of space for the teeth to grow. This can foster crowding once the permanent teeth erupt.
• Tongue Thrusting: Some children thrust their tongue forward, pressing it against the lips with a force that can result in the protrusion of teeth, or “open bite,” among other problems.
• Extra Teeth or Not Enough: Sometimes, a person can have extra teeth develop and/or protrude, or certain teeth that do not develop or protrude at all. If you have too many teeth or not enough, your bite can be affected. In addition, the untimely loss of baby teeth or traumatic injury to the face, mouth or jaw can also affect the bite.
• Misaligned Jaw and Bone Structure: A misaligned jaw or supporting bone structure can affect the bite and create malocclusion. Malocclusion may result in difficulty chewing and speaking, or otherwise impact the functionality of the teeth. Furthermore, malocclusion may contribute to other oral health conditions such as TMJ (TMD) and teeth grinding (bruxing).
• Poor Muscular Functional Habits: Malocclusion may be caused by poor muscular functional habits such as thumb sucking during and beyond infancy. Some adults still suck their fingers or thumbs, resulting in tongue thrust habits that can be a detriment to dental and facial development.

[Updated April 2, 2010]

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