The Cost of Orthodontics in Vegas: SmilePrep Explains How to Slash Costs
[Sponsonred Post]
Over the last several decades, the total expenditure on dental treatment across Las Vegas, Nevada, and the United States in general has grown significantly, reaching approximately $135 billion in 2018. In Las Vegas, a city known for its glitz and glamour, treatments such as orthodontics, which are often considered cosmetic, are particularly popular.
It is hard to set out an exact average cost for orthodontics, as each person’s teeth are unique. Invisalign for example can cost anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000 depending on the patient’s condition, the state in which the orthodontist is located as well as whether they are rural, urban or suburban based. Many individuals in the US may avoid orthodontics due to the costs involved. It is therefore very important for consumers to understand how they can reduce the costs of orthodontics.
How To Slash Costs
On this website, SmilePrep provides certain steps consumers can take to reduce costs for dental treatments such as Invisalign.
- Choose Your Orthodontist Wisely
Generally, more experienced medical professionals will be more in demand and therefore charge higher costs. While this is also true of orthodontists, it is not always true of orthodontic treatments. Invisalign for example offers discounts to healthcare providers based on their experience ranking. Orthodontists increase their rank by performing Invisalign treatments. The more they perform, the higher their ranking. The higher the orthodontist’s ranking, the higher the discounts, up to 46% for Diamond II level orthodontists, the highest possible rank. This is known as the “Invisalign Advantage” and can benefit consumers as these discounts can be passed on to the consumer.
Another important consideration when choosing your orthodontist is location. Needless to say, the further away the orthodontist is, the higher the travel costs will be. Orthodontists located in expensive areas will also be required to pay more for costs such as rent or utilities. These higher costs are then passed on to the consumer. Therefore, an orthodontist located in a less expensive area may offer better prices.
- Make Use of At Home Aligners
At-home aligners are an alternative, less costly, treatment option to Invisalign as they require less in-person attendance. Generally at home aligners such as Byte, SmileDirectClub, and Candid cost between $1,800 and $2,400, a fraction of the potential cost of Invisalign. While this may not be suitable for severe dental conditions, they are a convenient and affordable option for more minor conditions.
- Maintenance
Once your Invisalign treatment is complete, it is possible for your teeth to move out of line again. Therefore, it is important to use a quality retainer such as those manufactured by Vivera to prevent this from happening. While the retainer can cost several hundred dollars, using one will avoid having to spend thousands on future dental treatment should your teeth move out of place again.
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to reduce costs. More complex dental conditions may require more expensive orthodontics and more visits to the orthodontist for monitoring and adjustments. However, there are still options for patients needing more intensive treatment.
- Obtain Financing
Most orthodontists and dentist offices offer financing plans which allow you to break down a large lump sum payment into more manageable smaller payments. The financing options available will depend on the specific orthodontist. Alternatively, there is also the option of third-party financing, however, these generally have higher interest rates.
All financing options will charge interest and cost more in the long run. Therefore, if you are able to pay upfront it is preferable to do so. If not, these offer a way for you to obtain the treatment you need without a single large financial hit.
- Take Out Comprehensive Dental Insurance
Certain dental insurance covers orthodontic treatment but that does not mean it covers Invisalign, as some insurers view this as a cosmetic procedure. It is therefore important to make sure that your insurance offers comprehensive orthodontic cover. Payments to orthodontists can also be made from a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account if your employer contributes to one of these on your behalf.
Final Thoughts
The cost of dental care in Las Vegas specifically and the US generally can be considerable and the amount spent on dental treatments by the US population has risen significantly in recent years. Due to the high average cost of dental care, it is important to know how to slash costs in order to obtain the treatment you need by, for example, choosing at-home aligners like Byte over in office treatments such as Invisalign.