Braces can open the wallet, but don’t just think about the price, says the specialist

Would you rather get braces or a car? A question that people can realistically address. The amount for an orthodontic appliance can climb over 100,000 for an adult. According to orthodontist Klára Šafránková, people should not only deal with money and aesthetics.

What should you look out for when choosing an orthodontist and what is key in treatment? What about braces prices and what affects them? You will find out in the current episode of the MUDr.ování podcast, in which this time we discuss all important questions about orthodontics.

Comparison photos that show the condition of the teeth before the braces are on and after they are removed are often stunning. According to orthodontist Klára Šafránková, treatment can fundamentally change people’s lives for the better.

“It’s a nice sight. I enjoy how these people develop in general. As always after their teeth straighten, they bloom and start to smile. They often begin to live a completely new life,” describes the doctor in the Seznam Zpráv MUDr.ování podcast.

At the same time, he points out that orthodontic treatment is not only about aesthetics, although many people probably almost compare it to visiting a hair salon. When choosing an orthodontist, it is worth taking a recommendation and taking an interest in the examination that precedes the actual placement of the appliance.

“Complex diagnosis is actually the most important phase of the entire treatment. Without it, we would be playing Russian roulette. We don’t just compare teeth, we work with the entire oral cavity, jaws and joints. This is one system that we must respect in its entirety,” explains Klára Šafránková.

Who were we talking to?

However, patients are often more interested in the price than the treatment itself. It is not surprising – in most cases, insurance companies do not contribute anything to braces and do not even pay for the doctor’s work.

Exceptions are made for people with severe dental developmental defects and children and adolescents under 21 years of age. With them, the dentist’s work is usually paid for, and insurance companies also contribute to the material when it comes to fixed braces. But it is often a fraction of the total amount.

According to orthodontist Šafránková, prices vary from clinic to clinic and region to region. This includes, for example, workplace rent or the salaries of doctors and support staff. Even so, according to her, braces don’t have to break the bank.

“Maybe it’s spread out in our workplace. We always tell the patient the price plan before starting the treatment, and in fact, they always pay for what they put in their mouths. So it doesn’t work all at once, it’s gradual,” explains the doctor.

Despite the high price, there is interest in orthodontic treatment. In recent years, it has also been growing among adults. If a person has a good bone condition and has no problems with oral hygiene, doctors can fit the appliance at almost any age.

Foil “invisible” braces are then popular among adults. But with them, the price can reach around 100,000. According to Klára Šafránková, even with such braces, discipline regarding hygiene and occasional discomfort must be expected. And not everyone who comes to the doctor’s office really needs braces.

“I am the orthodontist who often talks patients out of treatment, because I think that some defects are really unnecessary to deal with. For some defects, it’s more of a whim. I talk about it, for example, when the patients themselves are not sure. I see that everything works and they only have a small deviation, which can be nice,” he adds.

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