Eleven Dr. Dental offices have an orthodontist on staff, which means braces and Invisalign happen in the same building as your checkups, with the same front desk and the same insurance. Treatment starts at $137 a month, no referral is needed, and the first consultation can be done online from your phone. Here’s how braces and clear aligners compare, who they’re for, what they cost, and where to go.
Braces or Invisalign?
Both move teeth; they just push differently. Braces are brackets bonded to the teeth and connected by a wire that the orthodontist adjusts every four to eight weeks. They work on every kind of bite problem, including the complicated ones, and they can’t be lost or forgotten. Today’s brackets are smaller than the ones you remember from school, and clear ceramic brackets are available for patients who want them less visible.
Invisalign is a series of clear plastic aligners, each worn for one to two weeks, that move the teeth in small steps. They’re nearly invisible, they come out for eating and brushing, and there are no food restrictions. The catch is discipline: aligners only work while they’re in, and that means 20 to 22 hours a day. Small tooth-colored attachments are sometimes bonded to the teeth to help the aligners grip. Invisalign handles most crowding, spacing and bite problems; for some severe cases, braces are still the better tool, and the orthodontist will tell you which applies to you.
Treatment with either usually takes 12 to 24 months, followed by retainers to hold the result. Skip the retainers and the teeth drift back; that part isn’t optional.
Braces for children and teens
We recommend an orthodontic check by age 7, when the first adult molars and front teeth are in. Most kids don’t need anything at that point, but a few problems (crossbites, severe crowding, jaws growing unevenly) are easier to fix while the jaw is still growing. Full braces usually start between 11 and 14, once most adult teeth are in. Teens can choose braces or Invisalign; Invisalign works well for teenagers who’ll actually wear it.
For families on MassHealth or HUSKY, braces are covered for members under 21 when the orthodontist documents that they’re medically necessary (a significant bite problem, not cosmetic crowding) and the plan approves them in advance. Our orthodontists take the records, submit the request and let you know the decision. If braces aren’t approved, we’ll give you the monthly-payment price so you can decide.
Braces and Invisalign for adults
Plenty of our orthodontic patients are adults, and the reasons are practical as often as cosmetic: crowded teeth are harder to clean, a bad bite wears teeth down, and sometimes teeth need to be moved before a crown, bridge or implant can be done right. Adult teeth move more slowly than a teenager’s, so treatment can take a bit longer, but there’s no upper age limit if the gums and bone are healthy. Most adults choose Invisalign or clear brackets. MassHealth and HUSKY don’t cover braces for adults; most adults use our monthly payment plan.
What braces and Invisalign cost
Braces and Invisalign at Dr. Dental start at $137 a month. The total depends on how far the teeth need to move and how long treatment takes, and you’ll get a written price at the consultation before anything is bonded. Many dental plans include an orthodontic benefit (often a lifetime maximum, and often for children only); we’ll check yours. Payment plans are available for the balance, and you can see the options on our payments page.
Start with a free online consult
You can start from your couch. Our online smile assessment takes a few photos of your teeth from your phone, and our orthodontic team reviews them and tells you whether braces or Invisalign is likely to work for you and what to expect. The in-office consultation that follows includes photos, x-rays and a digital scan, and a treatment plan with the price. No referral from a dentist is needed.
Offices with an orthodontist
Braces and Invisalign are available at these Dr. Dental offices:
Massachusetts
- Billerica – 480 Boston Rd – 978-330-3400
- Chelsea, Bellingham Square – 2 Washington Ave – 617-887-2100
- East Boston, Maverick Square – 45 Maverick Square – 617-567-3800
- Haverhill, Lincoln Ave – 241 Lincoln Ave – 978-469-9200
- Haverhill, Water St – 2 Water St – 978-372-1999
- Lynn – 270 Union St – 781-691-3010
- Springfield – 1059 Boston Rd – 413-796-4700
Connecticut
- Bridgeport – 594 Pequonnock St – 203-336-4444
- East Haven – 723 Foxon Rd – 203-466-7400
- Manchester – 240 Spencer St – 860-645-8000
New Jersey
- Lyndhurst – 542 New York Ave – 201-623-3355
If you’re a patient at one of our other offices, your dentist can set up a consultation at the nearest orthodontic office.
Living with braces
The first week is sore; soft foods and ibuprofen get you through it. After that, braces are mostly a cleaning job: brush after meals, use a floss threader or water flosser, and skip the foods that break brackets (hard candy, ice, popcorn, whole apples; cut them up instead). Broken brackets and poking wires happen; call the office and we’ll fit you in, and a bit of orthodontic wax covers a sharp wire until then. Keep up with regular cleanings during treatment; teeth with braces collect plaque in places a toothbrush doesn’t reach.
Common questions about braces and Invisalign
How much do braces cost at Dr. Dental?
Braces and Invisalign start at $137 a month. The total depends on your case and is given in writing at the consultation.
Does MassHealth cover braces?
For members under 21, yes, when the orthodontist documents medical necessity and MassHealth approves the request in advance. Braces are not covered for adults.
Does HUSKY cover braces?
For children under 21 on HUSKY A, C and D, yes, when CTDHP approves them as medically necessary. HUSKY does not cover braces for adults.
Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist?
No. You can book a consultation directly at any of the 11 offices listed above, or start with the online smile assessment.
How long does treatment take?
Usually 12 to 24 months for braces or Invisalign, depending on how much the teeth need to move, followed by retainers.
Am I too old for braces?
No. Adults of any age can be treated if their teeth, gums and bone are healthy. Most adults choose Invisalign or clear brackets.
Is Invisalign more expensive than braces?
Often somewhat, because of the lab cost of the aligners, but the difference depends on the case. Both start at $137 a month and you’ll see both prices at your consultation.
Ready to find out what’s possible? Start the online smile assessment, call one of the offices above, or request an appointment online. This page is also available en español.
