Cost of orthodontic treatment

Several factors influence the cost of orthodontic treatment

The cost of orthodontic treatment depends on several factors, the main ones being:

• the complexity of the case (simple, complex case, requiring extractions, orthognathic surgery, inter-disciplinary case);
• the age of the patient (child, adolescent, adult, residual growth, periodontic problems, etc.);
• the anticipated processing time;
• the type of devices used to make corrections: “spindles” (multi-ring devices), lingual technique, Invisalign, removable devices, etc..;
• what will be fixed: major malocclusion, simple or complex problem, a single arch, only the front, a few teeth to straighten, a space to close, etc. (treatment plan);
  the patient’s expectations and wishes (treatment objectives).

Other factors can also influence the duration and indirectly the cost of treatment:

• The nature of the treatment (treatment plan): is it a complete or limited treatment (compromise)? Are corrections made to the entire dentition, a single arch or a few teeth only (Note that it is often impossible to treat a single arch without also correcting the teeth of the opposite arch).
• Treatment objectives: even if orthodontic appliances are used, will all possible corrections be made? What are the patient’s wishes and expectations? This influences the equipment required, the duration of treatment and indirectly the costs. Treatment objectives are determined by the orthodontist and the patient (or parents).
• Is orthognathic surgery part of the treatment plan?
• The use of special devices before, during or after the treatment (retention), such as an occlusal plate, an articulated plane, a particular retention device.
• Patient requirements: a person who does not wish to use or wear certain types of devices may have to accept a certain compromise and this may affect the duration of treatment.
• In complex interdisciplinary cases where several dental practitioners and specialists may be involved in the treatment plan, the requests of dentists and specialists may influence the orthodontic treatment plan, its duration and cost. For example, in the presence of large spaces, it may be chosen to open them to plan the placement of dental implants or to close them to avoid the need for prosthetic replacement after orthodontics.
• Diagnostic equipment: should complete diagnostic equipment be taken, are tests, special imaging (3D, tomography, MRI), etc. required?