How To Save Thousands on Braces and Invisalign A Guide To Getting A Perfect Smile Without Breaking The Bank Agustin Drubi, DMD, Orthodontist

How To Save Thousands on Braces and Invisalign Every week I see hundreds of patients who have made the important decision of investing in their smiles, and I see how happy patients are when they get to see their smiles transform before their eyes. I see how improving your smile can not only improve your appearance, but also your confidence and the way you see yourself. Did you know that the quality of your smile has a more direct effect on your personal and business relationships than any other part of your appearance? It does. But unfortunately, not everyone is able to afford it. This is many times due to the fact that patients are not informed about their options. There are many ways to finance treatment, and not being informed about them could cost you the chance of making this very important investment for you or your children. At Drubi Orthodontics, we are always looking for ways to make treatment affordable for everyone, and have come up with many innovative ways that have sometimes been able to save patients thousands on their braces or Invisalign treatments!

How To Save Thousands on Braces and Invisalign

In this guide, I will discuss some of the techniques we have been using in our office to help make it affordable to get the smile you have always wanted. Remember that not every orthodontist might offer all these options, so please contact your orthodontist for specific financing options they might offer.

HOW MUCH DO BRACES COST? Treatment cost will vary depending on things such as the method of treatment used and the complexity of the case. It will also vary among different locations and practitioners. The average fee for traditional metal braces in the United States is around $5,600. Treatment for premium services such as clear braces, Invisalign or Hidden Braces will usually be higher, while cost for interceptive, or limited treatment for minor problems will be lower.

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TIP #1: USE FLEX SPENDING Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) are perhaps one of the most underused ways of saving money on braces. FSA are account set through your employer, where money is set aside for medical expenses. This money is set aside from your salary before taxes, so that everything you pay with it will result in tax free purchases. The limit that you can set aside for the year 2015 is $2550. This is how it works: you tell your employer how much you would like to put aside from your paycheck and add it to your FSA. You will usually receive a debit card, which you can use to pay for medical expenses from the money you have set aside. Here is an example of how using this resource can save you tons of money. Suppose you are paying for treatment at a national average of $5,600, for treatment lasting 24 months. If your FSA is set correctly, it can be used to make two payments of $2550, one each year. This will allow you to pay for most of the treatment ($5100) using pre-tax dollars. Now , suppose you are paying 20% of your income on taxes. This means you would be able to save 20% on the

How To Save Thousands on Braces and Invisalign

$5,100 you spent, giving you savings of $1,020. You can probably start to see how big of an impact this can have, and how much money you can save by using your FSA. Not using your FSA account when available is the #1 Mistake people are making when paying for braces! If you set aside money in 2015, you have until the middle of March of 2016 to use that money. Any money left in the account over $500 would be lost. That is why it is very important that the FSA is set up correctly to allow you to save the most money, and avoid putting too much money in so you may not lose any. Your employer will ask you, usually at the beginning of the year, how much money you want to put aside in your FSA. You may only have one option of saying how much, unless there is a change in your family. Contact our office and set up a free consultation to let us help you determine how much to set aside. If you are not sure if your employer offers FSA, contact them to find out more. Also contact your orthodontist, so you may plan ahead to be able to save as much money as possible with your treatment.

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TIP #2: THIRD FINANCING

PARTY

Third party financing is when a financial institution agrees to pay for your medical expenses. This is how it works: you or your orthodontist apply on your behalf for financing. If you are accepted, the company will pay for your whole treatment, and then you will have to pay the company monthly payments until the balance is paid off. Many of these companies offer up to 24 months with no interest. Some orthodontists will require a down payment. If that is the case, using this service would allow you to get braces without paying a down payment. These companies will also finance up to 60 months with some interest. This will usually be able to bring the monthly payment under $100, making it a very affordable option. Some of the most popular companies are Carecredit and Springstone. Not all orthodontists work with these, so make sure you check with them to see if they do.

How To Save Thousands on Braces and Invisalign

TIP #3: FINANCING

IN

HOUSE

In house financing is when your orthodontist agrees to finance your treatment. Most orthodontists will offer an interest free financing option over the length of treatment. This is a great option if your credit score does not allow you to qualify for third party financing. When using this option, some orthodontists may ask you to pay a down payment before treatment is begun.

TIP #4: INSURANCE Many dental insurances are now covering the cost of braces. To find out if your insurance covers braces, give them a call and ask them about it. You can usually find their number on the back of your insurance card. Most insurances coverage range from $1,000 to $2,500. To get the most benefit from your insurance, make sure to ask your orthodontist if they participate with your insurance provider. Failure to use your insurance coverage could cost you thousands of dollars!

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If your insurance does not cover braces, make sure to also check your husband's or wife's. If you are thinking of changing your insurance of enrolling in new insurance, make sure to look at options that provide coverage for braces. With new insurances, there is usually a period of time when you can't use their coverage, so make sure you plan ahead.

TIP #5: FAMILY FRIENDS DISCOUNT

TIP #7: PAY IT FORWARD Most orthodontists will offer discounts, sometimes up to 10%, for paying the full amount of treatment up front. Sold your car? Do you have a tax refund coming? If you can pay for treatment up front, it can usually save you a bundle!

AND

Do you have a few kids? Are any of your family members in treatment? Many orthodontists will offer discounts for siblings or family members of current patients. If you have a few kids that need braces, most orthodontists will offer substantial discounts to help you afford treatment.

TIP #6: REFERRAL PROGRAM Do you have any friends or relatives that are interested in improving their smiles? Most orthodontists have referral programs that will reward you for referring someone to their office. At our offices, we have seen how many referrals can result in huge patient

How To Save Thousands on Braces and Invisalign

reimbursements, lowering their cost of treatment.

TIP #8: RETAINERS One of the main objectives of achieving a perfect smile is keeping it for life! A sure way to save money in the future is to wear your retainers as instructed. This will usually prevent you from having to fix your smile later on in life. Also, ask your orthodontist if you can get a set of extra retainer at the end of treatment. This way, you won't have to pay for new ones if you ever lose them!

As with everything in life, you also have to consider the cost of not getting something. Multiple studies have shown that having a great smile improves self-

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confidence and self-esteem. It has also been shown that it leads to better personal relationships and even career advancements! Think of the number of people and encounters that await you in your lifetime, both personally and professionally. Imagine facing all those moments with confidence and a smile that will impress everyone around you.

Investing in your smile is investing in yourself, and investing in yourself is the best investment you will ever make! I hope you have found the information in this guide as helpful as so many of our patients. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our office and we'll be glad to help you in any way we can.

Whether you are 6 or 60, it is never too late to achieve the changes you have always wanted.

How To Save Thousands on Braces and Invisalign

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Drubi is a specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. He specializes in braces, clear braces, Invisalign® and lingual hidden braces for both children and adults. He received his Bachelor's degree in Microbiology and Cell Science from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. He then went on to receive his dental degree at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL, where he graduated at the top of his class. He completed a specialty program in Orthodontics at the Washington Hospital Center and Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC. He was the chief orthodontic resident at the Washington Hospital Center and part of the craniofacial team at the Children's National Medical Center, where he received vast experience in the treatment of Cleft Lip/Cleft palate and other craniofacial abnormalities. He is both an Invisalign® Premier certified provider and an Incognito™ lingual hidden braces certified provider. Dr. Drubi uses the Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony as a diagnostic and treatment philosophy, which allows him to accurately diagnose and treat even the most complex cases to provide harmony between the teeth, gums, muscles, facial soft tissues, airway, temporo-mandibular joints (TMJ), and function. An unique, individualized plan of treatment is created for every patient to satisfy his or her individual needs. Dr. Drubi is continually taking courses to stay up to date with the latest technology and is proud to offer his patients the best and latest services available such as Invisalign, Incognito hidden braces, self ligating braces, TADs, soft tissue laser, and esthetic ceramic braces. Dr. Drubi is a member of the Hispanic Dental Association, the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists. He maintains a private practice in Miami Lakes, FL.

Drubi Orthodontics 8551 NW 186th St Miami Lakes, FL 33015 (305) 509 -6560