The latest The Wealthy Dentist survey reveals that the average gross production of a new braces patient in the first 9 months of treatment in 2012 was $3,600.

The higher gross production numbers were by those dentists using Invisalign.

This supports a 2012 study that revealed, while Invisalign clear orthodontic aligners cost more in materials than conventional edgewise braces, they require fewer patient visits and a shorter duration of treatment for dentists, therefore making them the most profitable form of braces treatment for dentists.

In this survey, general dentists report average production profits between $1,000 and $3,000 for orthodontia work, while orthodontists report profits between $4,000 and $6,000.

However, a few dentists balked at the idea of looking at production profits, with one dentist responding, “We should be concerned about the quality and stability of the result, the experience enjoyed by patient and the net profit after completing and retaining the case. The big production numbers only after 9 months are very attractive but misleading so many dentists.”

What are your thoughts on your new braces patient gross production and the profits from braces for 2012?