What To Do If You Can't Afford Braces

Posted on: 7 February 2017

Having a crooked smile can make you feel self-conscious about your appearance, can make it more difficult for you to take care of your teeth and can cause dental problems in the long run. However, if you can't afford braces, you might think that you will have to live with crooked teeth forever. Luckily, you do have options. These are a few options that you can look into if you can't afford braces.

Consider Going to a Dental School

Have you ever heard of having dental work done at a dental school? In many cases, dental schools across the country provide affordable dental care services for individuals who are willing to be "worked on" by dental students. This can seem a bit frightening, but the good news is that these students are generally overseen by professionals the entire time. Not only can this save you a lot of money, but it can give a student a chance to learn as well. Consider contacting a local dental school near you to find out more about this option.

Ask About Financing Options

Some orthodontic offices will also allow you to work out a payment plan for your braces. This is offered in various ways; some dental care offices work with credit card companies or lending institutions to offer this option, while others offer in-house financing. Consider calling around and asking various offices about their financing options, if they have any. Being able to break up the cost of braces into multiple payments might make it more affordable than you thought it would be.

Consider the Cheapest Options

It's easy to get excited about options like clear retainers or lingual braces, since they can be less visible than regular braces. However, in general, traditional metal braces are going to be your most affordable choice. If you stick to the cheapest option for straightening your teeth, you may be able to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Seeing an orthodontist, such as Kazmierski Orthodontics, and comparing your different options -- and how much they each cost -- can help you make the right decision.

As you can see, you do have a few different options that you can look into if you need braces but fear you can't afford them. Try looking into these different options so that you can make getting braces a reality, even if you're on a tight budget and don't have much money to spend on orthodontic care.

Share