Many dental treatments have attained a reputation for coming with a substantial price tag attached. However, even among these, there are still those that stand out as being a lot more expensive. Orthodontic treatment is one such procedure.
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that mostly deals with misalignment of the jaws and teeth. Therefore, orthodontists mainly concern themselves with the straightening of the teeth. However, these kinds of treatment don't come cheap. In addition to this, you may find there is a certain degree of variation as you go from one clinic to another. How significant is this?
A Dentist Is not an Orthodontist
One of the reasons why you may have noticed some differences in the price of treatment is that there are orthodontic treatments that are offered by dentists. However, simply offering some teeth straightening services does not make a dentist an orthodontist.
Orthodontists start by getting degrees in general dentistry before specializing in orthodontic treatment. This requires several more years of study and practice. Some may even go ahead and attain a master's degree before they start practicing. Therefore, the quality of the service you'll get from a dentist is not the same as what you'll get from an orthodontist hence the price difference.
Different Straightening Options
Another reason why the price may vary from one orthodontist to the next is the type of straightening treatment that they are offering. There are several teeth straightening treatments available. These include:
- Lingual Braces
- Fixed Braces
- Removable aligners
Some orthodontist may only have one of these options available; therefore, you may only hear the price of whichever option they offer. However, the best-case scenario is that the orthodontist should have several options available. This allows you to choose the option that will best suit your budget and your needs.
There Is a Price to Pay for Expertise
Some orthodontists offer more than just orthodontic treatment. On the other hand, there are others who only offer orthodontic treatment. The latter are specialists who may even have additional qualifications apart from what is legally required.
As expert orthodontists, they are able to offer more than just cosmetic alignments that focus on the front teeth. They also understand how teeth straightening can influence the shape of a patient's face. This means that they can approach the treatment with a greater degree of expertise. This also means that they will charge higher prices.
Share