I have been trying to figure out the justification for the cost of orthodontic treatment....I understand that this is a choice I made, and have accepted and agreed to the cost at $5116 (with a $600 discount from $5716). I am very happy I made the choice to get braces, and do not regret my decision at all. I am not angry about the cost--I knew what it was before I got braces, and accepted that also. I'm just trying to figure it out---that's all...
I manage a medical clinic. Our physicians have degrees from various prestigious schools, including Harvard. We have purchased a very expensive digital x-ray machine, as well as the building, have set up 10 rooms with exam tables, computers, and all of the many medical supplies needed in the process of treating patients. We have a minor surgical procedure suite also.
Besides the physicians we have nurses, receptionists, billing personnel, and other admin staff.
OK, so this is it---when we contract with any insurance, we have to accept their allowable--if we charge $105 for a regular office visit, we may get paid anywhere from $39 (Medicaid) per visit to $99 (good insurance) per visit.
We cannot bill the patient any more than the insurance allows. Private pay patients get a discount.
On a very good day, the physicians will see 5 patients in an hour. They may only see 1 in an hour, depending on the medical needs of the patient.
Soooo....here's the rub.....I figure that I will see the ortho maybe 12 times in 2 years. That's a generous guess, as it was 3 months from brace day to my 1st adjustment. That averages out to approx a little more than $400 per visit, per patient!
My ortho usually has had AT LEAST 4 patients in a line of about 8 chairs at each of the times I have been in. On a board for all to see, he has the names of those to be braced that day. There are an average of about 3 each time I go in.
The ortho moves from patient to patient as if he has a hyperactivity disorder. (Meaning he sees the patients bing bing bing--just pumping them in and out of the chairs.) He applied my braces in about 6 minutes, and the assistant did the rest. I understand that he is brilliant at what he does. He does have a good reputation.
So, I guess I just don't get the justifications for the financial inequity between a physician and an orthodontist. Our physicians are making life and death decisions. I have seen people survive because of the physicians in our office, and have watched people go thru the process of dying from cancer etc. I have even watched a patient die while in our office.
I know that many people believe that physicians are overpaid. From my experience, I truly do not believe that they are.
So, any insight into this would be appreciated, and accepted.
However, I care enough about myself now to not care how much it costs to keep me healthy. Oh what was I thinking at 21?! 
Well part of it was that I was not living with my parents (moved out at 15) and trying to get good coverage at my places of employment, well I had a better chance of winning the lottery. Anyways I won't drag this out too long, but I think regardless of how much any of us have paid to have braces it's the best thing that we could have done for ourselves. 
My fiance today saw my pictures (well he looks at my mouth everyday) and realized why I never smiled before. He finally knew why I was always very quiet and didn't feel pretty enough (even though he assures me otherwise). I smile more now, and I don't care who knows or sees that I have braces. In one month, I have felt better about myself than I have in my entire life. I may not have a supermodel's body (now), but I feel a million times better. And that is priceless. 
(My boss being the physician/owner).