EO’s Guide to Orthodontic Costs (And How We Always Find a Way)

If you’ve been reading my blogs or looking in the mirror thinking, “Yeah, I or my kiddo could really use a smile tune-up,” there is usually one speed bump that makes a person hesitate…

“Can I actually afford this right now?”

Let’s shoot straight: orthodontics is a significant investment of time, effort, and money… But because we are a 100% family-owned practice (and not some corporate office answering to out-of-state shareholders), I don’t have corporate pressures, quotas, or rigid, “high-pressure” scripts to follow. We can work with patients and families however we want to find a way to make it work… No hidden fees, no surprises, and ultra-flexible friendly financing to “lighten” the “heaviest” part of orthodontic care for you or your loved ones.

So, our team approaches our recommendations and your budget with a simple, neighborly mentality: “Let’s figure this out!”

If you are searching for “affordable braces near me,” here is how the financial side of things works at Ernstberger Orthodontics, from your very first step to your final payment…

Step 1: The Completely Complimentary First Visit

Before you spend a single dime or any more time, you need to know exactly what you’re dealing with. That’s why your first orthodontist consultation at EO is 100% complimentary. Many offices offer this, but not all of us do it the same way. At EO, it’s the beginning of a real relationship—welcoming, thorough, and with nothing but our potential patient’s best interest at the forefront.

When you walk through the door, you’ll feel the difference in our atmosphere and culture! We’re not a typical healthcare practice or facility. My team is going to take two digital X-rays and a full set of photos to aid our discussion. Then, I’m going to sit down with you, look at what Nature gave ya, and tell you exactly what I see that could be improved with orthodontic intervention.

Here is my promise: I will shoot straight, every time. If your child doesn’t need treatment yet, I’ll tell you that, and we’ll just keep an eye on things. If the issue is something simple, I’ll lay out those options too. If there’s any urgency to the recommended improvements, you’ll know. I treat every consultation as if it’s my own child or sibling in the room with me, and my recommendations follow that principle.

If I do recommend treatment, there is zero pressure on the proposed investment. We hand you a clear, transparent layout of the cost of braces and clear aligners (if they’re a good option), and we let you breathe. We don’t do pushy, we just give you the honest information and best options so you can make a fully-informed decision.

Step 2: The Insurance Heavy Lifting (We Do It For You)

If you have orthodontic insurance benefits, congratulations! That is real money that can significantly slash your out-of-pocket costs. 

We know dealing with insurance companies can be an absolute headache. Generally, insurance companies are not your friend OR ours… That’s why you don’t have to do it. My team will completely verify your insurance benefits for you, figure out how much they cover, and we will file all the paperwork on your behalf. We try hard to lock-in that benefit so you know exactly what your remaining balance is before we ever get started. We do everything we can to make sure you get your full benefits!

Step 3: “What Works For You?” (Ultra-Flexible Friendly Financing)

Once we subtract your insurance benefit, you are left with your personal investment. This is where most corporate offices hand you a generic, strict payment plan and tell you to take it or leave it.

Not on our watch. We offer the lowest down payments in the area, low accommodating monthly payments, and extended financing options that go beyond treatment time because I believe a healthy smile foundation shouldn’t be a luxury only available to those well-off. We want to be the most accommodating practice around.

Regarding ways to pay? Well, it is totally up to you how you want to handle your balance:

• Generous Pay in Full & Payoff Discounts: If you want to knock out the total cost right out of the gate with cash or a check, we’ll take 5% off your total investment. Prefer to use a credit card to pay in full? We’ll still give you a discount. We also offer great payoff discounts down the road to help minimize your recurring monthly payments that would occur after your time in active treatment is complete.
• Family & Sibling Discounts: If you have multiple kiddos who need their smile foundations locked-in, we offer generous sibling discounts to keep it affordable for the whole household. We are SUPER excited about our new Moms & Pops Program, too—at EO, the very best time for a parent to do orthodontic treatment is at the same time as their kiddo!
• Want Custom Monthly Payments? We offer highly flexible payment plans for braces and aligners. We will sit down with your budget and build a plan together. Whether you want to stretch things out into an extended payment plan to keep your monthly numbers low, or make higher monthly payments to knock the balance out faster, you are in the driver’s seat.

Exciting New Programs Rolling Out At EO!

Because we are always looking for ways to better serve our communities in New Albany, Salem, and Georgetown, we are officially launching some incredible new orthodontic financial programs COMING SOON:

• EO Moms & Pops: Parents, this one is for you! If you’ve been thinking about fixing your own childhood relapse but didn’t want to overextend your family financially, this new program offers ultra-favorable financing options. Now, you can take full advantage of your trips to the office by doing your own treatment at the same time as your kiddos without hurting your wallet.
• EO Heroes Program: Keep your eyes peeled for this upcoming rollout! We are launching special discounts and specialized financing options to say a massive thank you to our local teachers, law enforcement officers, first-responders and firefighters, nurses, and ministry workers. You all nurture, protect, build, and heal our community, and we want to make achieving the smile you desire a no-brainer!
• Dental Partners: To our local dental colleagues reading this, we see how hard your staff works every single day. We are launching a brand-new program featuring super-generous, exclusive pricing specifically for referring office team members and their immediate families as a professional courtesy thank-you. Stay tuned for details!

Come and Smile With Us

At the end of the day, I didn’t get into this to manage spreadsheets; I’m here to take care of the individual members & families of our community. I’m in it for the potential for positive, community-wide IMPACT.

If you’ve been putting off a straight-shooting evaluation because you’re worried about the price tag, let us take that weight off your shoulders. Schedule your complimentary first visit, get the facts from me and my team, and let’s figure out a plan that fits your goals.

Because when it comes to how braces or aligners can benefit your smile, we can find a way!