A couple of comments / thoughts. Not to be overly critical but, 1) Some of the "overhead" of becoming an orthodontist is also the opportuntiy cost and expense of 11 years of college to become a specialist. 2) Invisalign is usually more expensive because there is a large lab bill added to the overall overhead cost. 3) Your estimates of the patients being see by an orthodontist is overestimated. The average orthodontist "starts" ~ 200-250 new patients per year citing the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics. 3000 a year is just not accurate or realistic for an orthodontist to manage.

Well, I was wondering when an orthodontist would weigh in. 1)I understand education costs because I also earned my doctorate. But I don't describe that as "overhead." Once you pay off your student loans, then do you drop the price? 2) I still would be very interested in an acutal cost breakdown of both orthodonture and invisalign because I have trouble making the figures work out. 3) You may be right, I forgot to figure that those 3000 clients are in braces for a 2 year average so my figure of $15 million was inadvertently doubled. Still, for the service received and the time spent in the orthodontist's office, the cost is difficult to justify. If any orthodontist reading this wants to itemize the cost of an "average" set of braces, I'd love to read it with an open mind.

I don't think anyone should be held accountable of their fees because of how they spend their money. When my plumber or electrician are in my house for an hour or less and charge me a fee, i don't ask them to justify what they charge. As far as a conspiracy, we have to fill out forms to insurance companies with our fees. I agree that their are some orthodontists that charge a lot, but sometimes you get what you pay for. By the way, I am not an orthodontist. Please respond. I would like to continue this further.

I guess I do think that there should be some justification in the cost of health related items. I one time got quoted $120 for a breathing apparatus, but when I got there, said I had insurance and filled out my insurance forms, the machine ended up costing (my insurance company) $340. I never pursued this because one of my kids was suffering at the time, but it still seems a bit sneaky to me. I DO want to know why orthodontia is so expensive and I AM frustrated by the rising health care costs in this country. But you could also plug in any health care item like "mammograms" or "sonagrams" or even "lab work" and I'd still want to know the cost breakdown and why. One time, when I went for a mammogram, I was asked if I wanted the "comfort pad." I said, "what is that?" and they said, "It's a cushion so it doesn't hurt so much." I said, "Yes please!" and they told me the cost was $5. I was outraged! What about the people who can't afford that? Why would the little piece of cotton cost so much? why wouldn't they just make that standard? So it isn't just orthodontia that I'm frustrated with, that just happened to be my current frustration.

My son lost his lower retainer. A small piece of wire... which my son calls "a piece of paper clip", which is what really looks like. It costs $250 to replace it, which I cannot afford. I want to know how this outrageous price can be justified. Also, I was told that if he had the retainer and needed to be fixed, it costs $150 (still outrageously high). Any suggestions?
Thanks.

I am very concerned about the metal used for retainers. I believe it is Nickel. My concern is having it in the mouth 24/7 for the rest of your life and how this metal leaks into the body. Does anyone know how toxic it is? Thanks.

I have never met anyone who felt they were paid too much and the "other guy" is paid too little.

It is easy to diminish the work of others whether it is being paid to "say the right words" in counseling (words are free right?) or just "throwing a ball" in professional baseball. What about the CEO of an insurance company that gets $100,000,000 as a "golden parachute upon retirement?

It is really all about the hoops necessary to get into particular line of work and the screening that takes place along the way that naturally limits the number and type of people in a particular profession. Not to knock plumbers or dish washers but how many of them would you want operating on your of your child's brain?

JoAnne, I wish I could help you but I just don't know the answer to your questions. Perhaps an orthodontist can answer you?
Geoffrey - while I do understand about hoops, skills and abilities, you have to admit that in some specialty areas, there seems to be little oversight. Professional sports is certainly one of those areas, too.... The bottom line is the lack of oversight/keeping things in perspective. The cost of orthodontia seems outrageous for what you get. Just one gal's opinion.

i agree completely, Alexandria!