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1) Start treatment early. Treating some issues early can help avoid more complicated — i.e. expensive — treatment later, says DeWayne McCamish, an orthodontist in Chattanooga, Tenn., and secretary/treasurer of the American Association of Orthodontists. Schedule a consultation with an orthodontist when your child’s 6-year-old molars and permanent teeth start coming in to find out whether there are problems that need to be fixed sooner rather than later. Most orthodontists don’t charge for consultations. You might learn that you still have several years before your child needs braces — giving you time to save up for them.

2) Comparison shop. Get estimates from more than one orthodontist because you might find that the price of treatment varies. Just make sure you’re comparing costs for the same type of treatment.

3) Ask about payment plans. One way to soften the blow of braces on your budget is to spread out the braces cost over several months or years. Most orthodontists offer payment plans and don’t charge interest, McCamish says. Third-party payment plans might offer smaller monthly payments because they spread them out over longer periods, but McCamish says that they typically charge interest — which means you’ll pay a higher total cost.