How much do braces cost?

A perfect smile is something that many people dream of. A straight set of pearly whites not only looks great, but can also increase your confidence dramatically.

However, getting braces to achieve that A-list smile can be expensive.

Braces can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $15,000. Luckily, there are a few ways you can spread the upfront costs to make getting braces more financially manageable.

Whether you’re looking for braces for yourself or your children, here’s all you need to know.

Are braces covered by Medicare?

In general, braces and orthodontic treatment are not covered by Medicare. If you have a diagnosed medical condition, such as a cleft palate, you may be eligible for a rebate. However, the best way to find out if you’re eligible is to contact Medicare directly.

What about private health insurance?

If you have private health insurance you may be eligible for a rebate on your braces. What’s covered and how much you’ll have to pay will depend on your policy. Your health insurance provider can let you know if you’re eligible.

Can I get a loan for dental braces?

A personal loan is another way you can cover the cost of braces. As well as allowing you to pay it off in small, manageable amounts, a Great Southern Bank Personal Loan for dental comes with $0 early payout costs and unlimited fee-free extra repayments. Check out what your repayments might be with our handy calculator.

Getting Orthodontic treatment?

The most common reasons for getting orthodontic treatment include crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, overbites, underbites, and misaligned jaws. Braces can correct these common problems leaving you with straight teeth. An orthodontist can assess your teeth and prescribe braces if you need them.

If you’re looking for braces for your child or teenager, braces can be fitted once they have all their adult teeth.

If you’re over 18, don’t let age stop you from getting your dream smile. Many people in their 20s, 30s, or even over 40 get braces. You can even get clear braces that aren’t as noticeable.

What types of braces are available and how much do they cost?

Several types of braces are available in Australia. Read on to find the type that suits your lifestyle and price range.

Invisalign ®

Invisalign is a set of custom-made, clear aligners which are molded specially for your teeth. They work by realigning your teeth using gentle pressure over time. You are given new Invisalign aligners every few weeks to keep the adjusting process moving along.

Treatments start from $4,500 for minor corrections and can cost upwards of $9,000 for a complete treatment.

Metal Braces

These are stainless steel alloy braces. and the traditional braces you would’ve seen growing up. They’re rust and corrosion resistant, as well as strong and durable. Readjustments are done with repeat visits to the dentist for manual adjustment.

Costs for metal braces in Australia range from $2,000 to $9,000 for a complete treatment.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are also known as clear braces. They’re like metal braces but are made from clear or tooth-coloured ceramic brackets and neutral-coloured wires and rubber bands.

Ceramic braces can cost between $6,500 and $9,000 for a full treatment.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces work in much the same way as metal and ceramic braces, but they are hidden behind your teeth rather than fitted onto the front of your teeth. If you’re feeling self-conscious about wearing braces, lingual braces straighten your teeth without drawing attention to your orthodontic work.

Lingual braces can cost between $9,500 to $15,000 for a full 2-year treatment period.

The benefits of braces

Besides the physical appeal of straight teeth, there are many other benefits to getting braces that you may not be aware of:

• Helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay
  Misaligned or crowded teeth can cause food to get stuck in awkward places. This makes it difficult to clean your teeth and increases the risk of tooth decay
• Prevents bone erosion
  Misaligned teeth can promote mouth bacteria causing the bone beneath the teeth to decay. stuck in awkward places. This makes it difficult to clean your teeth and increases the risk of tooth decay
• Aids proper digestion
  Some people with teeth and jaw alignment issues might find chewing uncomfortable. They may swallow food before it has been adequately chewed, causing problems with digestion.
• Help with speech
  Sometimes, speech impairments are caused by tooth and jaw misalignment. Straightening the teeth, and the jaw may help improve your speech.

Getting an idea of costs
Whatever option you choose, the first step will be to book an initial consultation to discuss the type of braces you are looking for and suitable treatments. This is your opportunity to ask about the upfront and ongoing costs associated with braces. A written quote will also help if you want to compare.

Paying for your braces

Once you’ve received a quote, the next step will likely be coming up with the cash to pay for your dental work. Creating a savings plan and a budget is one solution. Some Orthodontists may also provide a payment plan which commits you to ongoing payments throughout the course of the treatment.

If braces are needed sooner rather than later, or you’d like to spread out the cost of the treatment, a personal loan for dental work could help.

Is a dental loan right for me?

Once you’ve received a quote for your braces, you can use our handy calculator to estimate your repayments.

Ready to apply? Applying online is easy. All you need is proof of ID, plus a few details about your income, expenses, and any loans you currently have.

How Great Southern Bank can help

Have a question about our personal loans for dental? We’re here to help. Call 133 282 and speak to one of our friendly team members or send a message via live chat.