How Much Are Braces? Factors That Impact the Price of Braces
Table of Contents
- Types of Braces
- How Much Braces Cost
- What Financial Options Can You Try?
Braces come with big benefits, including better oral health and a more compelling smile.
Braces can also come with a hefty price tag, especially if your oral health issues are significant and you need to wear the devices for a long time.
How much can you expect to pay? Let's break down costs.
Tooth-straightening method | Average national cost |
Metal braces | $4,500 |
Ceramic braces | $6,000 |
Lingual braces | $9,000 |
Invisalign | $4,500 |
Byte | $2,199 |
Types of braces & your bill
Braces once came in one basic shape (rough) and one standard color (silver). A lot has changed.
As more adults are choosing to wear braces, and as social media sites encourage all of us to share our smiles with the world, customers demand more control. Companies have responded by creating a plethora of braces options.
The sections below provide information about the average nationwide cost of different types of braces. Often, the fees mentioned include all of the expenses involved with orthodontic care (including appointments, wire replacements, and more). However, some dental professionals use per-item pricing, and they could charge for things like missing brackets or broken wires. It’s important to understand how you’ll be billed before your treatment starts.
These are glued onto your teeth and connected with thin metal wires. These traditional braces typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000.
Your final bill could be bigger if your provider tacks on extra fees for services such as:
Initial visits: $100-$200
Dental x-rays $10-$250
Retainers: $200-$1,000 for the originals and $100-$500 for replacements
These are also glued onto your teeth, but they're made of a white substance that blends into your natural tooth color. They're not quite so eye-catching, and for some people, that's critical. Ceramic braces are more aesthetically pleasing and also often cost more — between $4,000 and $8,000.
These devices are glued to the back of your teeth, so no one will see them when you smile. They can affect your speech. These braces typically cost between $8,000 and $10,000.
Gold braces are shiny, and they're almost impossible to ignore. They sit right on the surface of your teeth, and each time you pull your lips back to smile or talk, they catch the light. They cost $2,800 to $7,000.
These plastic trays move on and off your teeth with ease. While it's critical to wear them often, you could remove them for important photos or conversations. These tools are best for minor to moderate corrections. With traditional aligners, an orthodontist will take impressions in their office, and you'll visit them every couple of months for checkups. Aligners also range in cost, costing between $4,000 and $7,400 on average.
These invisible aligners are based on the same idea as traditional aligners, but they use a different technology that allows for shorter treatment times and lower prices. You'll do an impression kit at home, an orthodontist will design your aligner treatment plan, and you'll be mailed the aligners.
How much do braces cost with insurance?
Dental insurance doesn’t always cover the entire cost of braces. In fact, some insurance plans won’t cover braces at all.
The National Association of Dental Plans explains that most dental plans only cover these four services within the initial policy year:
Preventive care (like cleaning and routine visits)
Restorative care (like fillings and crowns)
Endodontics (like root canals)
Oral surgery (like tooth removal)
Plans that cover orthodontics care usually do so as a rider. People pay a little more for this coverage, and in return, they get some of their costs covered.
Most dental insurance plans have deductibles for office visits ranging between $50 and $100, and many cap their yearly benefits at $1,500. Before you consider using your dental insurance to pay for braces, ensure that your policy has coverage you can use.
Dental insurance for children is a little different. Some policies designed for kids routinely cover treatments like braces, but once again, it pays to read the fine print and ensure that your plan provides the benefits you need.
Some Medicaid plans offer payments for orthodontic care, but not all of them do. Medicaid policies are set by the states (not the federal government), so significant variability exists. It’s important to read your policy carefully to know what is and isn’t covered.
Braces & your taxes
In some situations, braces could save you money when tax season rolls around. However, the rules are very strict.
According to the Internal Revenue Service, you can deduct expenses associated with braces if the following conditions are met:
The expenses you deduct aren’t compensated by insurance
The expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income for the year
To take advantage of this benefit, you must deduct your expenses (instead of taking a standard deduction). Before you get started, be sure to run the numbers multiple times and ensure this approach will really save you money.
What financial options can you try?
If you're planning to spend money to improve your smile, you're not alone. Researchers say spending on dental procedures rose 4.6% in 2018.
Even if your insurance company can't help you, there are plenty of options to try. Some providers offer financial assistance programs for people who can demonstrate financial need.
Cover your braces bill, even without insurance, with one of these options:
If you have a health plan through your employer, they can also offer an FSA. This is an account you can put money in to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses, which can often include orthodontic treatment, on a tax-free basis. Employers may also contribute to your FSA, depending on your company and their arrangement.
To use your FSA, you will submit a claim to it through your employer, proving the medical expense, as well as a statement that your insurance plan does not cover it. You can then be reimbursed for your costs.
These accounts are limited to $2,750 per year per employer. In most cases, the funds must be used within the same calendar year.
To enroll in an FSA, visit your company’s human resources department and ask if this benefit is available and how to get started.
Your doctor may offer low-cost options that help you pay for your braces in installments rather than the whole fee. Breaking up the payments over the timeline of your treatment can make budgeting for braces more affordable, as you will pay a set amount each month or on a schedule that works for you.
Before you start treatment, ask your doctor about this option and ensure it’s available (and you are eligible). Rules and procedures can vary significantly from one provider to another. Some set high thresholds for financial assistance, while others do not.
You can also take out a personal loan to cover the cost of braces. Orthodontists often offer a discount if you can pay for the entire treatment upfront. You can use a loan to do this and then pay the loan back, with a small interest fee, through affordable monthly payments.
Some loans are specifically for dental procedures. Many different financial institutions offer this option. If you’re interested in learning more, consider researching CareCredit and applying for an account.
Even if your dental insurance does not offer braces and orthodontic treatment coverage, there are many different dental discount plans that can provide a lower rate or a discount on braces. These plans may offer a certain percentage off when you use specific providers within their set network.
Generally, these plans have a low-cost monthly fee that you will pay as well. Run a search for the term “dental discount plan” to find out more about the companies that offer this product and learn how to enroll.
Some dental schools offer discounts on treatment, as long as you agree to work with students in training. To find a program like this and learn more about using these services, run a search for “dental school near me” and reach out to the organizations that seem like a good fit.