How fees work
Orthodontics is paid for differently from a cleaning. Here is how it works, in the order most patients ask.
Insurance we work with
Orthodontic coverage is separate from the dental benefits that pay for cleanings. Many plans pay part of treatment up to a set maximum, and some pay nothing. Your plan decides what it pays; we tell you what we find when we check your benefits. The owner's list of plans goes in the hub.
Dental PPO plans: we file the claim for you
Dental HMO plans: call us before you book
Medicaid and CHIP: we are not enrolled
Medicare and Medicare Advantage: ask your plan whether it covers orthodontics
If you pay yourself
If you have no orthodontic coverage, or your plan pays only part, the rest is yours to pay. You get a written estimate for the whole of treatment before it starts, and we go through what it includes. The estimate also says whether retainers and replacements are included. Financing is offered by third-party lenders. Approval and terms are set by the lender.
A written estimate for all of treatment
What is and isn't included, listed
Third-party financing, set by the lender
Receipts and claim forms
If your plan wants the claim to come from you, we give you an itemized statement to send. Whether the plan pays, and how much, is the plan's decision.
Itemized on request
Procedure codes included
An estimate in advance
You can ask for a written estimate before any treatment. If you're paying without insurance, we give you a written estimate in advance, when you schedule or whenever you ask. It lists each stage we expect and what each covers.
Written, before treatment
Each stage listed
Take it home before you decide
Checking your benefits
Before your first visit we contact your plan to find out what it lists for orthodontics, including any maximum and waiting period. We tell you what we learned, and we say plainly that it is the plan's estimate and not a promise of payment.
We check before the first visit
We tell you what we find, in plain words
What the first visit includes
A first visit usually runs about an hour: a talk about what you want to change, an exam, photos or a scan, and X-rays only if the doctor needs them. You hear the options and the estimate in writing. Fill in your health history on our private patient portal, not by email or through this site's forms.
A talk, then an exam
X-rays only if needed
Health history on the portal
Questions about paying
Do you take my insurance?
Orthodontic coverage is separate from the dental benefits that pay for cleanings, and many plans pay only part of treatment up to a set maximum. How fees work lists the kinds of plan we bill and the ones we don't, and we check your benefits before your first visit.
What if I don't have insurance?
You pay for treatment yourself. We give you a written estimate for all of treatment before it starts, and we go through what it covers. Financing is offered by third-party lenders. Approval and terms are set by the lender.
Do you accept Medicaid or CHIP?
We are not enrolled with Medicaid or CHIP. If your child's plan covers braces, ask the plan whether it pays an office outside its network. How fees work says the same, in one place.
Can I get a written estimate before treatment?
Yes. Ask when you book or at the first visit. The estimate lists each stage we expect and what is and isn't included, such as retainers.
Ask for the estimate first
Book a first visit and ask for the estimate in writing, or call the office with a question.