The two questions every patient asks before starting treatment are how much does it cost, and what does my insurance cover. This page answers both as honestly and concretely as we can without seeing your case.

Typical cost of orthodontic treatment

Comprehensive orthodontic treatment at Blackburn & Williams Orthodontics generally falls in a predictable range, depending on the complexity of the case, the appliance you choose, and how long active treatment will take.

Full Invisalign: roughly $5,500 to $7,500 for comprehensive adult or teen treatment.
Invisalign Lite or Express (minor cases, 6 to 9 months): roughly $3,500 to $5,500.
Traditional metal braces: roughly $4,500 to $6,500 for comprehensive treatment.
Ceramic or clear braces: roughly $5,500 to $7,000.
Phase 1 (early interceptive treatment for kids): roughly $2,500 to $3,500. This is a separate, shorter phase before the main treatment.
Retainers are typically included in the comprehensive treatment fee.

These ranges are typical for our practice. We give you a firm quote at your free first visit after our doctor sees your specific case.

What insurance covers

We accept all major PPO insurance plans, including but not limited to: Aetna, Ameritas, BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS), Cigna, Delta Dental, Guardian, Humana, Lincoln Financial, MetLife, Principal, Sun Life, United Concordia, United Healthcare, and most TRICARE variants.

Most PPO plans with orthodontic coverage pay a lifetime maximum of $1,000 to $2,500 toward orthodontic treatment. This typically gets paid out over the course of your active treatment. A few notes on how this works in practice:

We file claims directly with your insurance company. You do not have to submit paperwork.
Orthodontic benefits are usually a lifetime maximum per patient, not an annual maximum. Once you use it, you do not get it again.
Most plans pay monthly across the treatment timeline, not as a single lump sum.
We verify your benefits before you start. You will know exactly what your insurance pays and what you are responsible for before signing anything.

Payment plans for the out-of-pocket portion

Almost no one pays the full cost of treatment up front, and we do not expect you to.

In-house interest-free payment plans are the standard at our office. We spread the cost across your active treatment period, typically 18 to 24 months. Most families set up automatic monthly payments of $150 to $300.
No credit check for our in-house plans.
No interest charged as long as you stay current.
Pay-in-full discount: if you want to pay the full out-of-pocket amount at the start, we offer a 5% courtesy discount.
Down payment is flexible. Most families put down between $500 and $1,500 to start.
HSA and FSA accepted. Orthodontic treatment is a qualified medical expense for HSA and FSA accounts.

What if I do not have insurance

About 30% of our patients have no orthodontic insurance. Treatment is still very affordable through our in-house payment plan. A $5,500 Invisalign case at $250 a month over 22 months is $250 a month, full stop. No interest, no hidden fees.

What is included in the cost

The treatment fee we quote includes everything you need to complete treatment:

All exam visits, x-rays, and photos
All appliances (braces, aligners, expanders)
All adjustments and aligner changes
Emergency visits for broken brackets, loose wires, or appliance issues
Retainers at the end of treatment
Follow-up visits during the retention period

There are no surprise fees during treatment. If you need an emergency appointment because a bracket broke at dinner, that visit is included.

Free first visit

Your first visit is complimentary. It includes an exam, x-rays, photos, and a no-pressure conversation about your case, cost, and insurance. You will leave knowing exactly what treatment would look like, how long it would take, and what it would cost.

Call 281-769-3095 or use our contact form to schedule. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Blackburn & Williams Orthodontics is a Smile Doctors-affiliated orthodontic practice led by Dr. James Blackburn, serving Katy, Fulshear, Cinco Ranch, 77494, and 77441 from FM 1463.