Our goal at Byrne Orthodontics is to provide Saratoga Springs, Greenwich, and the surrounding communities with quality, affordable orthodontic treatment. One of the most common questions we receive from potential patients is, “Do I need dental insurance to get orthodontics treatment?” The answer is no! But before we get into that, let’s first talk about what orthodontic treatment is.
What Is Orthodontic Treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is a specialized area of dentistry that focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. While many people associate orthodontics with braces, it encompasses much more than that.
Our teeth and jaws are crucial in various daily functions, from speaking to eating. When they’re not aligned properly, it can lead to issues like difficulty chewing, speech problems, and self-confidence concerns due to appearance. Orthodontic treatment aims to address these problems, ensuring that the teeth and jaws align and function harmoniously.
There are various tools and techniques in the orthodontic arsenal. Traditional braces, made of metal or ceramic, are the most common. They use brackets and wires to gradually move teeth into their desired positions. On the other hand, innovations like Invisalign offer clear, removable aligners that provide a more discreet treatment option. Other treatments, like retainers, help maintain the position of teeth after braces are removed.
What Is Dental Insurance?
Dental insurance is a structured plan designed to assist with dental care costs. Like health insurance, individuals or families pay a monthly premium; in return, the insurance company covers certain dental expenses in whole or in part.
However, it’s essential to understand the nuances of dental insurance. Routine procedures like cleanings, fillings, or extractions might be covered more extensively than specialized treatments like orthodontics. Some plans only offer coverage for medically necessary orthodontic treatments, like preventative or restorative work, that will impact your physical or oral health. This limitation means that if you seek braces for cosmetic reasons, you’ll likely have to pay the entire cost out of pocket.
It’s also worth noting that even if orthodontic treatments are covered, there might be age restrictions, waiting periods, or restrictions on the treatment type. For example, your child might need to use their benefits before age 19, or your plan may only allow for metal braces.
If you’d like, our team can help you determine what your plan covers. We can also file your insurance claim for you and communicate with your insurance company on your behalf, removing a potentially confusing and frustrating thing off your plate!
Is Dental Insurance The Only Way To Pay?
Nope! If your dental insurance covers none or only some of your orthodontic treatment, don’t worry! You’re not out of luck!
At Byrne Orthodontics, we understand that investing in orthodontic treatment is a significant decision for many families. While the benefits of a healthy, straight smile are priceless, we recognize the need for financial flexibility. That’s why we’ve put several financing options and payment plans in place to ensure that quality orthodontic care is accessible to everyone, regardless of their budget.
- Tailored Payment Plans: Every patient’s financial situation is unique. To cater to this, we offer customized payment plans. After an initial down payment, you can spread the remaining cost of treatment over several months or even years. This approach allows for manageable monthly payments without the stress of a large upfront cost.
- Flexible Financing Options: We also offer financing options tailored to fit different budgets. This ensures that patients can choose a plan that aligns with their financial situation, making the journey to a perfect smile smoother and more manageable.
- Multiple Family Member Discounts: We’re a family business, and we appreciate the trust families place in us. If more than one family member decides to undergo treatment with us, we offer special discounts as a token of our appreciation.
- CareCredit: Byrne Orthodontics accepts various payment methods, including major credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Additionally, we’re pleased to be “in-network” with CareCredit, a healthcare credit card exclusively for health and wellness needs, making it easier for patients to get the treatment or procedures they want and need.
Though you’ll have a higher out-of-pocket cost without insurance, you might have more freedom. You won’t have treatment restrictions based on what your insurance is willing to pay or cover, and you won’t have a limitation on when your treatment should start or begin.
The Smile For Life Guarantee!
Our team is committed to your smile’s longevity. We believe that a beautiful smile should last a lifetime. If you ever find yourself unsatisfied with your smile after completing your orthodontic treatment with us, rest assured, we promise you won’t be charged the full price to make any necessary adjustments. It’s our commitment to your lifelong happiness.
Get Started With Byrne Orthodontics!
Have more insurance questions? Contact our office to speak to our fantastic Byrne Orthodontics team! They’ll be able to help you with anything you need! When you’re ready, they will help you schedule a smile assessment so Dr. Brian Byrne, Dr. James Byrne, or Dr. Pinckney can formulate your personalized treatment program!
