How much does orthodontic treatment cost?
Braces, Invisalign, Insurance and Financing
May 8, 2025
This is one of the most important questions for many families today. Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your confidence, oral health, and overall well being, but affordability is important. At McKinney Orthodontics we offer up-front pricing at the time of your new patient consultation (more on that below!) so that there are no surprises. However, offering an estimate on orthodontic care before a consultation is almost impossible because every smile is different! There are simply too many variables that need to be evaluated in person to create your best treatment plan!
A step-by-step breakdown of cost & benefits
TYPES OF BRACES
Most orthodontists offer metal and ceramic braces. Metal braces are made from stainless steel, and this is considered to be the more recognizable and traditional orthodontic treatment option. Ceramic braces are more discreet, as they use white or tooth-colored brackets. This material tends to be more fragile and must be maintained and adjusted more carefully. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be slightly more expensive than metal.
CLEAR ALIGNERS
Based on the individual’s orthodontic needs and age, some patients are good candidates for aligners. This treatment uses a scanning and 3D printing process to create custom, clear aligners that are almost invisible. At McKinney Orthodontics, we offer more than one aligner option, but Invisalign is the most popular. Many patients value Invisalign’s superior reputation, plus the discreetness and convenience of aligners. The cost of this treatment varies based on your personal orthodontic needs; the more correction needed, the more aligner sets that will be made to slowly move your teeth into place.
CHILDREN VS. ADULT TREATMENT
Sometimes early intervention is needed to correct spacing or development issues in children. For example, these younger patients might need palatal expanders to widen their jaw, appliances to discourage habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, or partial braces to ensure that each permanent tooth has a proper space. Interceptive treatments like these are designed to guide growth and often require fewer office visits, thus requiring a shorter treatment time. They tend to cost less than full adult braces.
Adults on the other hand have a fully developed jaw and denser bone structure. Depending on their dental history they may also have worn teeth, gum issues, or previous dental work. These variables make orthodontic treatment more complex, requiring more adjustments and a slightly longer timeframe than children or teens.
Making Orthodontic Treatment Affordable
INSURANCE BENEFITS
Many families arrive unsure if their dental insurance even covers orthodontic treatment, and this is where our helpful new patient coordinators come in. After collecting your plan information, they pre-verify your orthodontic insurance benefits before you even arrive in our office. This allows us to provide a clear, accurate estimate that includes your insurance contribution—no surprises, no guesswork. Our team works directly with your insurance provider to confirm eligibility, coverage limits, and any pre-approval requirements, helping you plan confidently and make the most of your benefits.
FSA and HSA
Both FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts) and HSA (Health Savings Accounts) can be used to pay for orthodontic treatment, as they cover medical expenses, including braces. With an FSA or HSA, you can use pre-tax dollars to pay for your treatment, which can save you money in the long run. FSA funds must be used within the plan year, while HSA funds roll over year to year and can be used for future treatments. We are happy to provide receipts during treatment to assist patients in utilizing these benefits.
SIMPLE FINANCING PLANS
At McKinney Orthodontics, we’re committed to making orthodontic care both accessible and affordable. We offer in-house, interest-free financing with flexible payment options—you can even adjust your monthly payment amount and due date to fit your budget. Whether it’s early treatment for a child, braces for any age, or Invisalign for adults, our new patient coordinators will walk you through the treatment costs and customize a payment plan that works for you and your family.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
If Dr. McKinney recommends braces or Invisalign, regular maintenance appointments will be needed to slowly move your teeth into place and keep a close eye on your progress. Our new patient coordinators review your complete treatment costs at the time of your consultation so there are no surprises along the way. Our typical full treatment cost includes orthodontic appliances (such as braces or aligners), regular maintenance visits, one retainer, one year of retainer visits, plus initial insurance filing and verification.
Free New Patient Consultations!
We know that starting the process of orthodontic treatment comes with a lot of questions and concerns, and that’s why our new patient consultations are free with no obligation. These take roughly 30-60 minutes and are scheduled in our Tuscaloosa office. Here we have a comfortable new patient consultation room, along with the with latest technology for creating patient records such as digital x-rays and 3D scans.
First, our friendly new patient coordinators will chat with you about your smile goals and concerns; did your dentist suggest treatment to address a dental problem or maybe you are simply interested in a straighter smile? We want to hear all about what you would like to achieve with orthodontic treatment! Then Dr. McKinney will perform a comprehensive exam of your teeth, jaw, bite and overall oral health, and review any X-rays and information shared by your dentist. This evaluation will help us recommend the most suitable treatment plan tailored to your unique orthodontic needs.
If Dr. McKinney suggests treatment such as Invisalign® or braces, our new patient coordinators will also guide you through a financial breakdown of costs, benefits and payment options. Depending on our patient schedule, you may even have the option of starting treatment that same day if you choose! If the patient is a child or teen not ready for treatment yet, Dr. McKinney may schedule observation appointments to keep an eye on their dental progress as adult teeth erupt; these appointments are free and help allow for early intervention when needed.
3 Office Locations – 1 Caring Team!
Our new patient consultations and some specific appointments are seen in our main Tuscaloosa location, but we also have offices in Winfield and Fayette, Alabama! We schedule rotations in these satellite offices to better serve our patients in surrounding areas such as Marion, Fayette, Lamar, Pickens and Lowndes County. If you live in these or other nearby communities, we are happy to coordinate your treatment schedule to allow for appointments in the office most convenient for you!