Cost is usually the first question and the last worry, in that order. You want to know what braces or clear aligners will run you before you ever sit in the chair, and you want a payment plan that fits your actual budget, not a number a call center picked for you.
That is the whole idea behind how Scaffidi Orthodontics handles financing. Dr. Scaffidi believes cost should never be the reason a family in Kenner, Slidell, or New Orleans has to put off treatment they want and need.
One Treatment Fee, Not a Surprise Bill Every Visit
Here is a question we hear a lot: do you pay per visit, or is it one price for the whole thing? At your consultation, Dr. Scaffidi will walk you through exactly what your treatment fee covers and how it is structured, so you know what you are paying for from day one.
The goal is simple. You should never leave an appointment wondering if a new charge is coming. Your treatment coordinator will lay out the full cost picture before you commit to anything, so there are no surprises halfway through treatment.
You Choose Your Down Payment and Your Monthly Payment
This is where Scaffidi Orthodontics works differently than a lot of offices. Within reason, you set the terms. Dr. Scaffidi built the practice around making orthodontics affordable, so a rigid payment schedule does not stand between your family and the smile you are after.
That means your down payment and your monthly payment get built around your budget, not a one-size-fits-all plan. If you need a lower down payment and a longer monthly term, that is a conversation worth having at your consultation. If you would rather pay more up front and finish your payments sooner, that is on the table too.
We also offer automatic bank drafts, so your monthly payment happens without you having to think about it every month.
A Doctor You Can Actually Reach About It
Money conversations feel a lot easier when you are not talking to a stranger. At Scaffidi Orthodontics, Dr. Scaffidi is the same doctor at every visit, at all three offices. If a question comes up about your plan, your treatment, or anything in between, you are dealing with the person actually responsible for your care, not a rotating cast of providers.
How Insurance Works for Orthodontic Treatment
Dental insurance does not always cover orthodontics, and when it does, the coverage varies a lot from plan to plan. Some plans cover a flat lifetime amount toward braces or clear aligners. Others cover a percentage. And some do not cover orthodontic treatment at all.
You do not have to figure this out on your own. Our office staff will check your insurance for orthodontic benefits and handle the claims and paperwork for you. If your plan is not clear on what it covers, bring your insurance card to your consultation and we will sort out the details together.
If you do not see your insurance provider listed on our site, call us at 504-468-6200. We work with most major dental insurance plans and will do what we can to make it work for your family.
Here are just some of the insurance providers you may have:
- Aetna
- Ameritas
- Blue Cross / Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Delta Dental
- Humana
- Louisiana Dental
- MetLife
- Physicians Mutual
- UnitedHealthcare
Using HSA or FSA Funds
If you have a health savings account or flexible spending account, those funds can typically be used toward orthodontic treatment. This is worth asking about at your consultation, since it can lower your out-of-pocket cost without touching your monthly budget.
What Happens After You Book a Consultation
Your free consultation is where all of this gets specific. Dr. Scaffidi will look at your case, or your child’s case, and give you a clear picture of what treatment involves. From there, your treatment coordinator will go over your exact fee, your insurance benefits if you have them, and a payment plan built around what works for you.
Nothing here is guesswork. You leave the consultation knowing the cost, the timeline, and the plan, not a vague estimate you have to chase down later.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do payments for braces or clear aligners work, and can I set my own down payment?
Yes, within reason, you pick your own down payment and your own monthly payment. Dr. Scaffidi doesn’t want cost to be the reason a family in New Orleans puts off treatment, so your plan is built around your budget, not a fixed formula. You can test different numbers ahead of time with the payment plan calculator on our website.
Do you offer payment plans and financing at the Kenner and Slidell offices too?
We do. Payment plans work the same way at all three offices in Kenner, Lakeview, and Slidell. Here’s the thing: it’s one doctor and one practice, so you get the same options whichever side of the lake you live on.
Do orthodontists charge per visit, or is it one total fee?
At Scaffidi Orthodontics, treatment is billed as one total fee, not a charge every time you come in. And if a bracket pops loose or a wire starts poking, you can reach Dr. Scaffidi directly instead of a call center, and patients often get it fixed the same day.
Does dental insurance cover braces in Louisiana?
Some dental plans do and some don’t. Plans that include an orthodontic benefit usually cover either a percentage or a set dollar amount, so bring your insurance card to your consultation, and our team will check your benefits for you. Whatever your plan pays goes toward your total, and your payment plan covers the rest.
How much do braces cost in New Orleans, with or without insurance?
You’ll get a clear, specific number at your consultation in Lakeview, Kenner, or Slidell, not a generic price range. Look, we don’t post one flat price because Dr. Scaffidi treats each goal differently, and a case that avoids pulling teeth or extra months in braces is priced differently than one that doesn’t. If you have insurance, your cost is that total fee minus your plan’s orthodontic benefit.
Can I use my HSA or FSA to pay for orthodontic treatment?
Usually, yes. HSA and FSA funds can typically go toward orthodontic treatment, and your treatment coordinator can show you how they fit into your payment plan at your consultation.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
The only way to get real numbers instead of guesses is to sit down with Dr. Scaffidi and talk through your case. Schedule a free consultation to review your treatment costs and payment options, and find out exactly what a smile like this actually takes, in time, in cost, and in a plan built around your family.
