But if you have a crowded, crooked, or misaligned jaw, your specialist would recommend you get an Orthodontics —a dental brace procedure to correct teeth mal-occlusion and mal-alignment.
And if the treatment is imminent, you would want to know how much it could cost you.
So how much is braces in Nigeria?
Let’s delve into it together.
How Much Is Braces In Nigeria?
Since the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) does not cover orthodontics, expect the dental braces price in Nigeria to go through the roof.
You should look at around ₦300,000 to ₦3 million, but it depends on several factors, which we will discuss below.
But the currency exchange rate could also temper with the price at the period.
Dental Braces Price In Nigeria
This section will discuss various types of dental braces and their price.
1. Metal Braces
As the name suggests, the braces are made of stainless and nickel-titanium or stainless steel brackets bonded to the teeth and archwires.
They are also called traditional braces because they are the most common type used to correct crooked, crowded, or gap teeth or bite issues.
Despite being a popular choice, the price looks scary. You could expect to pay from ₦500,000 to ₦1.5 million for the procedure.
2. Ceramic Braces
Mental and ceramic braces share a lot of similarities. But ceramic is made from transparent ceramic or tooth-colored material that matches your teeth.
And since it camouflages with your teeth, they are less noticeable from a distance.
The archwires that connect the brackets are also matching.
So, consider the ceramic brace if you want a more discreet orthodontic treatment.
Sadly, they are fragile and more expensive than traditional braces. You could be paying anywhere from ₦800,000 to ₦2 million
3. Invisible Braces
I feel Invisible braces are a step further from ceramic.
They help boost your confidence in wearing visual braces in public places since they are nearly invisible.
This is particularly true for patients with long-lasting dental issues who are skeptical of wearing braces for such an extended period.
Like all braces, the clear aligner is removable, allowing you to enjoy your meal or perform easier oral hygiene maintenance without restrictions during treatment
4. Lingual Braces
The Lingual brace is similar to the metal’s; however, the difference is in its placement.
The lingual brace is attached to your teeth’ lingual or the back. This hides them from the outside.
Although it is a more discreet brace than traditional braces, it is expensive. They could cost you ₦1.2 million to ₦2 million.
Although, wearing lingual braces isn’t for the faint of heart. They are painful but will slowly die down with time.
5. Invisalign Braces
Invisalign and lingual braces have similar traits; the former is much simpler.
But rather than using the usual brackets and wires, Invisalign capitalizes on transparent plastic custom-made to fit snugly to your tooth.
And it doesn’t cost as much. It is only around ₦600,000 and ₦1.3 million.
On the other hand, you will need multiple trays. Dental treatment takes a longer time.
Does Putting On Braces Hurt?
This is a significant concern for anyone about to wear a brace.
Some even go as far as asking the orthodontist.
While you might be praying for miracle orthodontics, you CAN’T pray the pains away.
YES, braces are painful!
Your mouth isn’t familiar with having so much metal or plastic weighing its tissues.
So the new sensation and pressure will trigger aching and soreness. Those are the side effects.
Although some patients claim they don’t feel any pain during the installation process.
Well, this is common. But wearing braces is not a pain-free process. Expect, at least, mild pain or discomfort.
The good news is: the pain will subside after a few weeks.
Your dentist could prescribe some painkillers to batter the pain. They will most prescribe ibuprofen or diclofenac.
Conclusion
Lastly, the cost of these braces can vary from the actual price on this page.
That doesn’t mean you have been misinformed.
But several factors can tamper with the price. This includes the location of the dental clinic, the orthodontist’s experience, the orthodontic case’s complexity, and the treatment’s duration.
Even X-rays, consultation fees, and other additional services can add up.
Also, you might want to know if braces are painful.
So if it happened to be slightly higher or lower than expected, you should know these factors play a massive role.
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