What Braces and Invisalign Cost in Smithtown, NY
Comprehensive orthodontic treatment on Long Island generally runs between about $3,000 and $8,000, depending on the type of appliance and how long treatment takes. At Smithtown Orthodontics, your exact fee is quoted at a free consultation, and most families pay it monthly with no interest, starting around $150 a month.
Most people who call our office have already looked up the price of braces and come away more confused than when they started. One website says $3,000. Another says $8,000. A friend paid something different again. So here is how orthodontic pricing actually works in this part of Suffolk County, what our office charges for, and how families near Smithtown pay for it.
Why braces and Invisalign are priced the way they are
Orthodontic treatment is not a product with a shelf price. It is a course of care that runs anywhere from about six months to three years, and the fee reflects the length and difficulty of that course.
Four things move the number. The first is how much the teeth and jaws actually have to move. Mild crowding on an adult who wants front teeth straightened is a very different case from a growing child with a crossbite and an impacted canine. The second is the appliance: metal braces, ceramic braces, and clear aligners are not priced identically. Third is treatment time, because a two-year case involves roughly twice the appointments of a one-year case. Fourth is whether other care is needed first, such as treatment from your general dentist before braces go on.
That is why no honest orthodontist quotes a price over the phone. Dr. Shank examines the teeth, reviews the records, and gives you a written fee for your case before you commit to anything.
Published price ranges on Long Island
Other Long Island and Suffolk County practices publish these ranges, and they are a fair guide to what the market looks like. They are not our quoted fees.
| Treatment | Published Long Island range |
|---|---|
| Metal braces, full treatment | $3,000 to $7,000 |
| Ceramic (clear) braces | $4,000 to $8,000 |
| Clear aligners, including Invisalign | $4,000 to $7,500 |
| Limited or minor correction | $1,500 to $4,500 |
Two things are worth saying plainly about those numbers. A price near the bottom of a range usually means a shorter or simpler case, not a discount. And a price near the top usually means a longer or more complicated one. If a quote you have received sits inside these ranges, it is a normal quote for this market. If it sits well outside them, ask what is included, because that is almost always where the difference is hiding. Invisalign has its own price drivers, broken down on the cost of Invisalign page.
What your fee includes here
A quoted fee is only meaningful if you know what it covers. At Smithtown Orthodontics one fee covers the whole course of treatment:
- Records and X-rays
- All appliances
- Every orthodontic visit, including emergency visits
- One set of retainers at the end of treatment
There is no separate charge for an appointment because a bracket came loose, and no surprise bill at the end for the retainers that hold the result. Replacement retainers and appliances lost or broken outside of normal wear do carry a fee, which we will tell you about before it applies.
Paying monthly, with no interest
The practice runs its own in-house payment plans. There is no outside lender, no credit application, and no interest. Monthly payments start around $150, spread across the length of treatment, with a down payment set at the consultation.
We also offer:
- A discount for paying the balance in full at the start
- A discount when more than one family member is in treatment
- Automatic monthly draft from a checking account or credit card
- HSA and FSA funds, which can be used toward your balance
Because there is no interest, the total you pay across the plan is the same number you were quoted on day one. That is the whole point of running the plan ourselves.
Insurance and how we handle it
Smithtown Orthodontics accepts most dental insurance plans. The practice is not in-network with any carrier, and we say so up front rather than letting you find out later.
Here is what that means in practice. Most orthodontic benefits are a lifetime maximum, a fixed dollar amount your plan will pay toward orthodontic care over the patient’s lifetime, commonly somewhere between $1,000 and $2,500. Many plans pay that benefit whether or not the office is in their network, though the amount can differ. We verify your coverage before treatment starts, bill your carrier on your behalf, and apply the benefit against your balance so your monthly payment reflects it.
Bring your insurance card to the free consultation and we will tell you what your plan is likely to pay before you decide anything.
Start with the free consultation
The consultation costs nothing. Dr. Shank, a board-certified orthodontist who has practiced on East Main Street for more than three decades, examines the teeth himself, explains what treatment would involve, and answers the question everyone actually came in with: what will this cost, and what will I pay each month.
Call (631) 265-3666 or request an appointment online.
Smithtown Orthodontics 200 E Main St. Smithtown, NY 11787 (631) 265-3666
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that planning for orthodontic treatment is both a health and financial decision. Below are answers to some common questions patients in Smithtown have about payment options, insurance, and affordability.
Is $5,000 a good price for braces?
For comprehensive treatment on Long Island, yes, $5,000 sits in the normal range. Published local ranges run about $3,000 to $7,000 for metal braces and higher for ceramic. What matters more than the number is what it covers. Ask whether records, X-rays, emergency visits, and the first set of retainers are included, because a lower quote that excludes them is not actually lower.
Can you pay $100 a month for braces?
Monthly orthodontic payments commonly fall between $100 and $250. At Smithtown Orthodontics, in-house plans start around $150 a month with no interest, and the exact figure depends on your total fee, your down payment, and how long treatment runs. We set the schedule with you at the consultation rather than handing you a fixed product.
What is the average cost of braces in New York?
New York State runs above the national average, and the New York City metropolitan area, including Long Island, runs higher still. Most published figures for this region land between $3,000 and $8,000 for comprehensive treatment. Suffolk County practices tend to publish narrower ranges than Manhattan ones.
Does Medicaid cover braces in New York?
New York State Medicaid covers orthodontic treatment for enrolled children under 21 only when the case is judged medically necessary, meaning a severe handicapping malocclusion, and only with prior approval from the state. Routine or cosmetic alignment is not covered, and adult orthodontic coverage is very limited. Coverage questions specific to your plan should go to your Medicaid managed-care provider.
How much do braces cost on Long Island?
Published Long Island ranges run roughly $3,000 to $7,000 for metal braces, $4,000 to $8,000 for ceramic, and $4,000 to $7,500 for clear aligners. Your own fee depends on your case, and you will get it in writing at a free consultation before you commit to treatment.
