Going on kid #3 for braces and just recently moved out to the Lago Vista area and it seems like whatever orthodontist my wife was referred to is a little steep. They are quoting $6,783 which seems higher than what our other 2 kids were in the Steiner Ranch area. I figured it might be the other way around. Just wanted to reach out and see if this price was reasonable compared to what everyone else is seeing or if I should have my wife go for another opinion with our youngest?

I'm paying right around $7200 in central austin. My dental insurance picks up $1500 of that.

Be careful with the corporate dental specialist groups. You will likely be treated like you are buying a car. They will try to sell you the treatment. Smile Doctors is a corporate group if that is where you went. I would recommend that you get a second opinion.

I am not in Austin, but close by in NB and paid right around $5k if not less for my sons braces this year.

Tell them you will pay $5,000 and not a penny more to take the braces today and wait for them to go talk to their Sales Manager.

AgOutsideAustin said:

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Tell them you will pay $5,000 and not a penny more to take the braces today and wait for them to go talk to their Sales Manager.

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Lol. I'm telling you it's true. We used to send our patient's to one of the Smile Doctor's offices since we used that office before they sold to corporate. We had used them for years but started getting a lot of negative feedback from our patients once it turned into Smile Doctors. We asked one mom that we knew really well and she said that they really didn't discuss what the child needed. They asked three question. How much can you put down, how much can you pay a month, and can you start today? That is when we stopped referring there.

docb said:

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AgOutsideAustin said:

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Tell them you will pay $5,000 and not a penny more to take the braces today and wait for them to go talk to their Sales Manager.

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We asked one mom that we knew really well and she said that they really didn't discuss what the child needed. They asked three question. How much can you put down, how much can you pay a month, and can you start today? That is when we stopped referring there.

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A bit off topic but it sounds similar to some experiences when vet practices are taken over by corporations (looking at you, VCA). I guess the MBAs that run these companies assume straightening kids' teeth and deciding on Fluffy's testing/meds are areas that "good" parents don't want to skimp on, so we should upsell as much as possible.

Aston 91 said:

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docb said:

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AgOutsideAustin said:

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Tell them you will pay $5,000 and not a penny more to take the braces today and wait for them to go talk to their Sales Manager.

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We asked one mom that we knew really well and she said that they really didn't discuss what the child needed. They asked three question. How much can you put down, how much can you pay a month, and can you start today? That is when we stopped referring there.

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A bit off topic but it sounds similar to some experiences when vet practices are taken over by corporations (looking at you, VCA). I guess the MBAs that run these companies assume straightening kids' teeth and deciding on Fluffy's testing/meds are areas that "good" parents don't want to skimp on, so we should upsell as much as possible.

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That is exactly true. The practices get taken over and a lot of times has a staff overhaul. And they look at patients from a business perspective of how can I make more money off of these patients. It is based on $$ more than on what is best for the patient. Maybe I am different but I have never thought that a doctor should try and sell a patient something. Just treat what they need and you will make a very comfortable living. Unethical to get greedy and start selling patient's things that are not necessary. Part of me hopes these owners will get sold a hip replacement down the road when physical therapy would have sufficed.

Another LV Aggie

Had 3 kids go to Kunik Orthodontics Austin. Dr Kunik is awesome. They will work with you as well cost & payment.

He has offices in Westlake, Domain & Downtown.

https://www.kunikorthodontics.com

I would also be careful about going to a provider that is not an orthodontist. There are some general dentists in the Austin area that appear to be orthodontist based on their website/advertisement. The above post made me think about that as I had not heard of him before and his website gave no mention of actual orthodontic training. I would specifically ask if the dentist is a board certified orthodontist.

Dr Kunik is a board certified orthodontist surgeon. Like I mentioned, one of the best in Austin. He handled all 3 of my kids braces plus any oral surgery that was needed.

https://www.kunikorthodontics.com/team/

https://www.superdentists.com/texas/dentist/Randall-L-Kunik/aecdd071-e47f-4650-81db-72282c075023.html

I believe you. I just thought it was odd that he did not list his orthodontic training on his website? It's a 2-3 year program after dental school to obtain an orthodontic certificate. And then another process to become board certified after completing the certification program.

ETA Dr Kunik does not come up on a search for the American Board of Orthodontics on their website orthodontist locator.

https://www.americanboardortho.com/patients/orthodontist-locator/

I know it's crazy but the Texas Dental Board does not police advertising like they should. A dentist can use the term "orthodontics" without calling themselves an orthodontist. Very misleading IMO.

https://www.americanboardortho.com/patients/orthodontist-locator/
Maybe this will help the OP find a good orthodontist

https://aaoinfo.org/locator/dr-randall-l-kunik/

https://aaoinfo.org/about/

I know he's listed with American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).

Makes sense. He's an orthodontist but just not board certified. A lot of orthodontist are not board certified.

My daughter went to Petite Dental off of Brodie and Davis. I believe it was $5,000 without the $1,500 from the insurance.

Our two kids used Dr Kunik. Great location next to Eanes Elementary. Great experience for both kids, do recommend.

We used Smiles of Austin on 35th. Four kids, lots of money. Very friendly and great results.