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Important information on the cost of orthodontic treatment

Welcome to the Eltz Institut, your reliable partner for healthy and beautifully aligned teeth. Orthodontic treatment is an important medical treatment that improves not only your smile but also your health. On this page, Mag. Christina Redtenbacher gives you valuable information on the subject of costs – questions that patients ask us again and again.

It is important to know that the cost of orthodontic treatment can vary depending on the type and duration of treatment. With us, the costs can be spread over up to 36 monthly instalments with the interest-free Eltz financing service. Although the costs may seem high to some patients, it is important to bear in mind that orthodontic treatment is a medical treatment that will help you for the rest of your life. It is an investment in your health and well-being.

We want all patients to be able to benefit from orthodontic treatment, which is why we offer flexible payment options to help you keep the costs to a minimum: 

• For example, interest-free instalments over up to 36 months. 
• Or discounts for those paying upfront, for students, families and doctors. 
• We also work with various health insurers who can reimburse you for part of the costs.

With us, you can be sure that a recommended treatment makes sense for you, that it works and that you will be satisfied with the result. We back this up with a number of guarantees: the Eltz satisfaction guarantee, the on-time guarantee and the retention guarantee after treatment.

But Dr. Smile is much cheaper? 

We understand that the cost of orthodontic treatment is an important factor for many patients. However, it is important to bear in mind that cheap online providers are not able to offer the same quality and the same benefits as a leading orthodontic centre of excellence such as the Eltz Institut.

While it may be tempting to turn to online providers offering low-cost aligners, you should be aware that these providers may have a number of disadvantages. Many patients, and also consumer protection organisations, have raised concerns and criticisms about online providers. 

In our view, the most important criticism is the superficial diagnostics at the start and the lack of medical supervision during a treatment lasting several months. Very often, the only thing done is a digital scan taken by a dental assistant. A personal examination by an orthodontist is usually missing, as are a cephalometric X-ray, a panoramic X-ray and, if required, a 3D CBCT. If the diagnostics are superficial, this can ultimately lead to a number of complications that affect the course and the result of your orthodontic treatment. Here are some examples:

• Pain and inflammation: Inadequate diagnostics can mean that existing problems such as inflammation or root problems are overlooked, which can lead to pain and inflammation during treatment.
• Unwanted tooth movements: If important information is missing, teeth may be moved unexpectedly, which can lead to undesirable results.
• Treatment failures: Inadequate diagnostics can mean that important problems are only identified later, which can extend the treatment time and compromise the success of the treatment.
• Unwanted changes to the jaw: Inadequate diagnostics can mean that important problems such as jaw misalignments are overlooked, which can lead to unwanted changes to the jaw.
• Risks to dental health: If problems go undetected, this can lead to further problems such as tooth decay, periodontitis or tooth loss.

Further criticisms from patients and consumer protection organisations include:

• Lack of personal care: Many patients complain that with online providers they receive no personal care and have no opportunity to even see their doctor and ask questions.
• Lack of quality: There are many reports of patients of online providers who are not satisfied with the quality of their orthodontic treatment, including poor fit and an uncomfortable wearing experience. 
• Problems with customer service: Some patients report that they have difficulty communicating with online providers and do not get quick and effective solutions to problems.
• No regular check-ups: Online providers typically do not offer regular check-up appointments, which can mean that problems go undetected and become more serious. In addition, many treatments can by their very nature only proceed step by step.
• Long terms for the monthly instalments: You pay the temptingly low instalments over 6 years. For one treatment, you can then easily end up paying between €4,000 and €5,000 – without ever seeing a doctor during the treatment. 

In terms of cost, it is important to bear in mind that high-quality orthodontic treatment is an investment in your health and well-being. While it may be tempting to go for cheaper options, it is important to make sure that you receive high-quality treatment that really works and will help you for the rest of your life.

We recommend that you book a consultation appointment with us to find out more precisely what your individual orthodontic treatment will cost. Our experienced orthodontists will be happy to advise you and help you find the best solution for your needs. We look forward to accompanying you on your way to a radiant smile!