In Australia there is an organisation called 'Give a Smile'™ that offers free braces to lower income families across the country. Each Give a Smile™ orthodontist welcomes at least one patient per year into his/her practice to receive free braces.
Talk with your orthodontist about setting up a payment plan to help spread the cost out over a longer period of time. Other options are the use of an FSA (Flexible Spending Account) or an HSA (Health Savings Account) to help afford orthodontic procedures, such as metal braces or Invisalign.
Braces are an orthodontic treatment, which means they are not typically covered by Medicare because they are usually done for cosmetic reasons.
Orthodontics is not covered under Medicare, however, you might be covered under private health insurance, depending on the details of your policy. If you have extras cover on your health insurance, you may be entitled to claim a portion of the cost of braces back from your health fund.
Unfortunately Medicare generally doesn't cover braces – or any orthodontic treatment for that matter. There is one exception however. If you have an existing underlying diagnosed medical condition (such as a cleft palate) you may be entitled to some rebate.
Most patient's monthly repayments are very affordable. After an initial deposit or insurance reimbursement, your monthly payment could range between $150 and $340 per month depending on treatment complexity, time and the bracket system used.
Yes, many providers will offer teeth straightening. If you happen to be covered by dental insurance by one of these providers you may be able to get certain types of braces. However, treatment options may be limited by the terms of your policy and you will still have to pay for the treatment.
However, a general rule of thumb is your kids should look at getting braces between the ages of 9 and 14. Usually, this is before they've gone through puberty. If they've already gone through it, this means it'll be harder to adjust their jaw and/or teeth, as they've already settled into their post-puberty positions.
While people of any age can benefit from braces, the Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends that children who may need orthodontic treatment should be assessed by a registered specialist between the ages of eight and 10. “Girls could actually be a little earlier [than boys],” adds Dr Alford.
Most patients will need to wear fixed braces for around 18 to 24 months. For problems that are harder to correct, or for our older patients, treatment may take up to three years. If you have less severe issues or are a good candidate for clear aligners like Invisalign, treatment may take as little as 6 to 12 months.
Adults must generally have a healthcare card or Centrelink pensioner concession card to be eligible. Depending on the state or territory in which you live, dental treatments may be free of charge or a partial payment for the treatment may be required.
Invisalign in Australia tends to cost between $6,000 and $9,000 for a full treatment, and from $4,500 for minor treatments. Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment and the cost will depend on your individual circumstances.
If your NDIS plan includes 'Assistive Technology' for daily living supports, you may qualify to receive funding for your braces. The NDIS covers braces and support. Your NDIS plan manager will assess what braces you require and how these supports are going to help in achieving your goals.
Traditional metal braces are typically the cheapest option available, averaging $3,000 to $7,000.
The cost range for braces can vary greatly for each type:
Depending on the types of braces, getting braces could cost anywhere between $3,000 - $10,000.
A dental implant is the cheapest way to fix teeth after an injury, cavities, or rotten teeth. In addition, this method of tooth replacement is long-lasting.
So long as you have healthy teeth and gums, you can enjoy straighter teeth even if you're already in your 30s or 40s! In fact, there's no age limit to having your teeth straightened.
The good news is that you can get your teeth straightened no matter your age. Braces aren't just for kids. Even adults aged 50 and over can benefit from treatment by an orthodontist.
No age is too old to get orthodontic treatment. Whether you're sixteen or sixty years old, you can still get your teeth straightened with braces or clear aligners, in fact, age is just a number when it comes to orthodontic treatment.
When is it too late to get braces? The answer, it's never too late to get braces! Getting braces is usually associated with children and teenagers, but we are here to inform you that there is no age limit on getting braces. Having the perfect smile can be lifetime goal of yours no matter what your age.
If you're thinking about correcting your smile with braces as an adult, it isn't too late. While braces are commonly thought of as a treatment for children or teenagers, they can actually be used for anyone of virtually any age – once most of the adult teeth have emerged.
About one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. Getting braces as an adult is often a more complex and involved process than it is for younger patients, largely because adult bones are less malleable and no longer growing. Older oral tissues also tend to take longer to adjust to newly positioned teeth.
For the majority of patients, teeth straightening with dental braces may take anywhere between just 6 months and 2 years. Your orthodontist will be able to give you an accurate estimate of how long your braces treatment will take based on their experience treating patients of similar requirements.
If you wear braces it is completely normal to experience soreness or discomfort when you first have them fitted, or when you have the brackets and wires tightened. Most pain or discomfort is caused by the pressure needed to create sufficient tooth movement for the braces to do their work.