Straight answers about money: what braces and clear aligners cost in Idaho Falls, what insurance and Idaho Medicaid actually pay, and how monthly plans work at East Idaho Orthodontics. Every figure on these pages is one the practice will honor at the consultation, and each page shows the date it was last reviewed.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Andy Higham, DDS, MS, orthodontist — East Idaho Orthodontics. Last reviewed October 2026.
How Much Do Braces Cost in Idaho Falls?
Braces in Idaho Falls typically cost between $4,800 and $5,800 for full treatment. Cost depends on case complexity, treatment length and appliance type. At East Idaho Orthodontics most patients begin with $0 down and a fixed monthly payment of $250–$350, and dental insurance plans with orthodontic coverage typically contribute a lifetime benefit of $1,000–$2,000. The quoted price includes every visit, emergency visits, removal and your first set of retainers.
Key takeaways
- Braces in Idaho Falls cost $4,800–$5,800 for full treatment at East Idaho Orthodontics.
- The price includes every visit, emergencies, removal and first retainers — no add-ons.
- Most families pay $0 down and $250–$350 a month, interest-free, with no credit check.
Braces prices in Idaho Falls by treatment type
| Treatment | Typical total | Typical monthly | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full treatment, metal braces | $4,800–$5,800 | $250–$350 | About 24 months |
| Full treatment, Damon braces | $5,000–$6,000 | $250–$350 | 18–20 months |
| Full treatment, clear ceramic braces | $4,800–$5,800 | $250–$350 | About 24 months |
| Early (Phase I) treatment | $3,000–$4,000 | $250–$350 | About 12 months |
| Limited treatment | $2,500–$4,000 | $250–$350 | 6–12 months |
Prices last reviewed October 2026. Your exact price is confirmed in writing at the free consultation.
What is included in the price
At East Idaho Orthodontics the quoted price is the whole price. It covers:
The consultation, exam and diagnostic records
The braces and every adjustment appointment through the end of treatment
Emergency visits for a loose bracket or a poking wire
Removal of the appliances
Your first set of clear retainers and a fixed lower retainer
The Never Stop Smiling…Ever retainer program — ten years of replacement coverage — is available as an add-on for $600 (an introductory rate) and can be added to your monthly plan. There is no separate charge for records, emergency visits, removal or your first retainers.
What makes braces cost more or less
How far the teeth have to move. Mild crowding treated in 12 months costs less than a case involving rotation, impaction or bite correction in both arches.
Treatment length. Longer treatment means more appointments and chair time — the main driver of the difference between the low and high end.
Appliance type. Damon and ceramic brackets cost more than standard metal.
One phase or two. A child who has early treatment and then full treatment is paying for two courses, though the second phase is reduced by $1,000–$1,500 for children who completed Phase I here.
What the price does not depend on: how many times you need a bracket re-bonded, or how often you call us.
Payment plans and financing
Most families pay monthly over the course of treatment: $0 down and $250–$350 a month for the length of treatment, interest-free, arranged in-house with no credit check. Paying in full earns a 3 percent discount, and a second family member in treatment receives $150–$450 off. We also accept HSA and FSA funds and major credit cards. We do not use third-party lenders such as CareCredit — there is no need to.
Does dental insurance cover braces in Idaho?
Most Idaho dental plans with orthodontic benefits pay a lifetime maximum rather than an annual one — commonly $1,000–$2,000 per person, and most limit the benefit to dependent children and teenagers. The benefit is usually paid out over treatment rather than in a lump sum. We are in network with Blue Cross of Idaho, Delta Dental, Aetna, MetLife and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program, we accept out-of-network benefits from most other plans, we verify your orthodontic benefit before treatment starts, and we file the claims.
Does Idaho Medicaid cover braces?
Idaho Medicaid covers orthodontic treatment for eligible children through Idaho Smiles only when it is medically necessary — when the case meets the program’s scoring criteria for a handicapping malocclusion. Crowding treated for appearance alone does not qualify. East Idaho Orthodontics accepts Idaho Smiles orthodontic cases at both offices; prior authorization usually takes about 14 days.
Are braces cheaper than clear aligners?
At East Idaho Orthodontics the two are priced identically for comparable cases, because cost is driven by treatment complexity and time rather than by the appliance. Nationally, aligner treatment tends to run slightly higher. What should decide the choice is which option will actually work for the case.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes. $0 down is available on our in-house plans, with monthly payments of $250–$350 over the length of treatment and no credit check.
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Yes — 3 percent off for payment in full, and 3 percent off the remaining balance if you pay a plan off early.
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Yes. A second family member in treatment receives $150–$450 off, depending on the treatment.
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Yes. Orthodontic treatment is an eligible medical expense for both, including for dependents.
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A missed payment needs to be made within 30 days; after that, interest is charged on the overdue amount. If you know a payment will be late, call us. A plan that has stayed current can even continue after treatment ends.
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Fees for comparable treatment are usually similar in Idaho Falls. The consideration is case selection: simple cases go well in many hands; complex ones are where specialist training changes the outcome.
How Much Do Clear Aligners Cost in Idaho Falls?
Clear aligner treatment in Idaho Falls typically costs between $4,800 and $5,800 for a full course. East Idaho Orthodontics uses Spark clear aligners — an orthodontist-prescribed system comparable to Invisalign — priced the same as comparable treatment with braces, because cost is driven by case complexity and treatment time rather than by the appliance. Most patients begin with $0 down and a fixed monthly payment of $250–$350. Refinement trays and your first retainers are included.
Key takeaways
- Spark clear aligners cost $4,800–$5,800 here — identical to braces for a comparable case.
- Spark is an orthodontist-prescribed system comparable to Invisalign.
- Refinement trays, first retainers and replacement of a lost tray are all included.
Clear aligner prices by case type
| Case type | Typical total | Typical monthly | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full treatment | $4,800–$5,800 | $250–$350 | 18–20 months |
| Limited / minor crowding | $2,500–$4,000 | $250–$350 | 6–12 months |
| Relapse after earlier braces | $2,500–$4,000 | $250–$350 | 6–12 months |
| Teen aligner treatment | $4,800–$5,800 | $250–$350 | 18–20 months |
Prices last reviewed October 2026.
Spark vs. Invisalign — is the cost different?
The fee for aligner treatment is set by the orthodontist’s time and the complexity of the case, not by the aligner brand; the laboratory cost difference between systems is small. Practices offering Invisalign in Idaho Falls generally charge in the same range as the figures above. We use Spark for its clarity and stain resistance, and we say so plainly so nobody is surprised.
Clear aligners vs. braces — cost compared
| Spark clear aligners | Braces | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost here | $4,800–$5,800 | $4,800–$5,800 |
| Best suited to | Mild to moderate cases; compliant patients | Any case |
| Insurance treatment | Covered the same as braces by plans with orthodontic benefits | Covered by plans with orthodontic benefits |
| What drives the price | Number of aligners and total treatment time | Treatment time and appliance type |
| Compliance risk | High — works only while in the mouth | Low — fixed |
What the price includes
Consultation, exam, digital scans and treatment planning
Every aligner in the series, including refinement trays
All progress appointments
Your first set of retainers
Replacement of a lost or damaged tray during treatment, at no charge — come in for a new scan and we remake it
Why mail-order aligners cost less — and what you give up
Direct-to-consumer aligner companies advertise prices well below any supervised treatment because there is no in-person diagnosis, no X-rays, no bite assessment and no clinician monitoring roots and bone as teeth move. For very mild crowding in a healthy mouth the outcome is sometimes acceptable. The risk is that tooth movement without diagnosis can damage roots, worsen a bite that was compensating for a skeletal problem, or move teeth in a mouth with undiagnosed gum disease. A supervised limited-treatment plan is usually closer in price than people expect.
Frequently asked questions
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Plans that cover orthodontic treatment generally treat clear aligners — Spark or Invisalign — the same as braces. The lifetime orthodontic maximum is commonly $1,000–$2,000.
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Many mild to moderate overbites, yes, with attachments and elastics. Significant skeletal overbites usually need braces.
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Most full cases 18–20 months; limited cases 6–12. Aligners worn under 20 hours a day extend treatment.
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No. Spark aligners and braces are priced identically here — $4,800–$5,800 for full treatment — because the fee follows the case, not the appliance.
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Yes. The deciding factor is compliance, not age.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces in Idaho?
Some Idaho dental plans cover braces and clear aligners; many do not. Plans that include orthodontic benefits typically pay a lifetime maximum of $1,000–$2,000 per person — not an annual amount — and often limit coverage to dependent children and teenagers. The benefit usually covers 50 percent of the fee up to that maximum, paid out over the course of treatment. East Idaho Orthodontics verifies your specific orthodontic benefit before treatment starts and files every claim for you.
Key takeaways
- Orthodontic benefits are a lifetime maximum — most often $1,000–$2,000 — not an annual one.
- In network with Blue Cross of Idaho, Delta Dental, Aetna, MetLife and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program; out-of-network benefits accepted.
- We verify your exact benefit before treatment and file every claim.
How orthodontic benefits differ from regular dental benefits
| Regular dental benefits | Orthodontic benefits | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum | Annual — resets each year | Lifetime — one total per person |
| Typical amount | $1,000–$2,000 per year | $1,000–$2,000 once |
| Coverage | 80–100% preventive; 50–80% restorative | Usually 50% of the fee, up to the maximum |
| Age limits | Rarely | Often — dependents under 19 or 26 |
| Waiting period | Sometimes | Often 6–12 months on new plans |
| Paid how | Per procedure | Spread over treatment, or a lump sum at banding |
Plans we work with
East Idaho Orthodontics is in network with Blue Cross of Idaho, Delta Dental, Aetna, MetLife and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program. We also accept out-of-network benefits from most other plans; the difference is usually small because orthodontic benefits are a fixed maximum rather than a percentage of a negotiated fee.
What to check on your plan
Is there an orthodontic rider at all? Many employer plans require it to be added.
The lifetime maximum, and whether any of it has already been used.
Age limit for dependents, and whether adults are covered.
Waiting period, if the plan is new.
Whether treatment already in progress is covered if you change plans (usually pro-rated).
How the benefit is paid
Most plans pay an initial portion when braces go on and the rest in installments over the treatment period. We estimate the total benefit at the consultation, subtract it from your fee, and set your payment plan on the remainder. If the insurer pays less than estimated, the difference is the responsibility of the account holder — which is why we verify the benefit before treatment rather than guess at it.
If you change jobs or plans mid-treatment
The new plan usually covers the remaining months on a pro-rated basis if it has orthodontic benefits and no waiting period. Tell us as soon as you know; we re-file with the new carrier.
Frequently asked questions
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Many Delta Dental of Idaho plans include orthodontic benefits, typically a lifetime maximum of $1,000–$2,000 for dependents. It depends on the employer’s plan — we check yours.
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Some Blue Cross of Idaho plans include orthodontic benefits; many do not. We are in network with Blue Cross of Idaho and with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program, and we check your specific plan before treatment starts.
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Less often. Some plans cover adults; most limit orthodontic benefits to dependents.
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Plans that cover orthodontics generally cover Spark or Invisalign the same as braces.
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Yes — for the portion insurance does not cover.
Does Idaho Medicaid Cover Braces?
Idaho Medicaid covers orthodontic treatment for eligible children and young adults under 21 through the Idaho Smiles dental program, but only when treatment is medically necessary — meaning the bite scores above the program’s threshold for a handicapping malocclusion. Crowding or spacing treated for appearance does not qualify. Coverage requires prior authorization with records submitted by an orthodontist. East Idaho Orthodontics accepts Idaho Smiles orthodontic cases at both Idaho Falls offices; prior authorization usually takes about 14 days.
Key takeaways
- Idaho Smiles covers orthodontics only when medically necessary under its scoring criteria.
- East Idaho Orthodontics accepts Idaho Smiles at both offices; approval usually takes about 14 days.
- Cosmetic crowding does not qualify; severe overjet and impacted teeth often do.
What "medically necessary" means
Idaho Smiles uses a scoring index that assigns points to specific conditions — severe overjet, impacted teeth, crossbites with functional shift, cleft palate, and others. A case must reach the program’s point threshold to be approved. A severe overjet that puts front teeth at risk, or an impacted canine, will often qualify. Moderate crowding almost never does, however much it bothers the patient.
How the process works
Confirm Idaho Smiles dental eligibility for the child.
An orthodontist takes records — photographs, X-rays, models or scans — and completes the scoring form.
Records are submitted for prior authorization. Decisions usually take about 14 days.
If approved, treatment is covered under the program — we confirm exactly what is covered before starting. If denied, the family may appeal or pay privately.
If the case does not qualify
Most children who do not meet the Medicaid threshold still benefit from treatment. In-house monthly plans at East Idaho Orthodontics run $250–$350 a month with $0 down, interest-free, with no credit check.
Finding a Medicaid orthodontist in Idaho Falls
East Idaho Orthodontics accepts Idaho Smiles at both offices. Book a free evaluation; if the case looks likely to qualify, we take the records and submit the prior authorization for you, and we tell you the decision as soon as it comes back — usually within about two weeks.
Frequently asked questions
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No. Idaho Smiles orthodontic benefits are for members under 21.
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Generally no — approved cases are treated with braces.
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About 14 days after records are submitted.
Orthodontic Payment Plans in Idaho Falls
Most families at East Idaho Orthodontics pay for treatment monthly, in-house, with no third-party lender. A typical plan is $0 down and $250–$350 a month over the length of treatment, interest-free. Your total is fixed in writing at the free consultation and does not change. We accept HSA and FSA funds, all major cards, and we apply insurance benefits before setting your monthly amount.
Key takeaways
- In-house plans: $0 down, $250–$350 a month, interest-free, no credit check.
- 3 percent off for paying in full or paying off early; $150–$450 off a second family member.
- The total is fixed in writing and does not change if treatment runs long.
How the in-house plan works
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| Down payment | $0 down is available; many families choose to put about $500 down to lower the monthly amount |
| Monthly payment | $250–$350, based on total fee and treatment length |
| Term | Matches estimated treatment length — typically 18–24 months |
| Interest | None |
| Credit check | None |
| Paid-in-full discount | 3% |
| Family discount | $150–$450 off for a second family member, depending on treatment |
| Auto-pay | Optional |
| If treatment runs long | No additional charge — the fee is fixed |
Using an HSA or FSA
Orthodontic treatment for you or a dependent is a qualified medical expense. Many families use FSA funds for the down payment in one plan year and monthly payments from the next. Ask us for an itemized statement for reimbursement.
A worked example
Full treatment at $5,300. Insurance lifetime benefit of $1,500 estimated. Remaining $3,800, paid interest-free over the length of treatment — $0 down and a fixed monthly payment, or a down payment to bring the monthly amount lower. Total paid equals the quoted fee — no interest, no fees.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes, provided the account has stayed current throughout treatment. Plans normally match the length of treatment.
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You receive 3 percent off the remaining balance.
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No. Financing is in-house and interest-free, so there is no need for a third-party lender.
Ready to talk it through?
Consultations at East Idaho Orthodontics are free, take about an hour, and end with a written plan and an exact price. Request a free consultation.
Related: Braces · Orthodontic Resource Center