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Braces Cost

How Much Do Braces Cost?

low cost Range: $3,500-$7,600

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Typical costs:
  • Fees average $5,413 but can go up to $7,625 for straightening your teeth with traditional braces (orthodontics), according to BracesInfo.com. Add about $500 for "tooth colored" ceramic brackets; and behind-the-teeth (called lingual or concealed) braces are an additional $2,000-$5,000.
  • As an alternative, the Invisalign company says its clear plastic trays start at $3,500 and average around $5,000 nationwide, but can cost more. Most dental plans cover orthodontics for children up to age 18, but not for adults.
What should be included:
  • Modern braces are smaller and more comfortable than past "railroad tracks." A metal or ceramic bracket is attached to each tooth with glue or a metal band; an arch wire runs from bracket to bracket, putting pressure on the teeth to move in the desired direction; and small colored elastics hold the bracket on the arch wire, although some brackets don't need elastics. According to ArchWired.com, metal braces tend to require the least amount of time to move your teeth, but are the most visible; ceramic braces are less visible, but treatment can take a few months longer and they aren't strong enough to correct severe bite problems.
  • Invisible outside your mouth, iBraces use metal brackets installed only on the tongue side of your teeth. They require specialized training to install, treatment can take a few months longer and they might not work for severe situations.
  • Instead of brackets and wires, Invisalign uses computer-fabricated clear plastic "aligner" trays; you switch to a new (numbered) aligner every two weeks. Invisalign isn't good for severe bite problems and some patients may still need traditional braces for a few months. A 40-something woman gives a good overview of her personal Invisalign experience on ArchWired.com.
Additional costs:
  • You can have your brackets gold-plated for a jewelry-type look; in bright colors such as purple, pink, green or black; or shaped like hearts, flowers, footballs or other images from Wild Smiles Brackets. View some of the possibilities at Thinkquest.org. And Bracket Jacketz offers inexpensive plastic covers in a wide range of shapes, including letters and symbols. These options can add $5-$300 or more to the total cost.
Discounts:
  • For dental college clinics offering reduced rates for services by supervised students or faculty, visit DentalSite.com.
  • Dental societies may pay part of the costs for low-income patients; visit the American Dental Association for your state organization.
Shopping for braces:
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
 
Article updated November 2006
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

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Traditional braces
Amount: $5,400.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: a user in Dearborn Heights, MI.Posted: July 1st, 2010 09:07PM
Type of Braces: Railroad.
I have had braces for 5 months now. My top and bottom teeth were both crowded in the front. I paid half down and am making payments on the balance with 0% interest. The ortho is excellent, I already see a HUGE improvement.
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Braces
Amount: $2,900.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Saving on Braces in Folsom, CA.Posted: August 1st, 2010 06:08PM
Type of Braces: traditional silver
Total$4400. Delta Dental covering $1500. Using Health Savings pre-tax dollars for out of pocket costs. This will save about $1300 in taxes making out of pocket costs about $1600.
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Money well spent
Amount: $4,800.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: A user in South Carolina! in Laurens, SC.Posted: August 16th, 2010 04:08PM
Type of Braces: Metal; Traditional
I am a 21 year old college student that has had braces for nearly 2 years now! I'm getting my braces off in October! Yay! My braces were $4800 in total, no insurance coverage! The $4800 included everything...braces, monthly visits, and retainer! I had to pay $400 down on them and $176 a month for top and bottoms! This has been one of the best investments I've ever made! And yes, I paid for them myself! I only owe $328 more on them!
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Braces are a rip
Amount: $4,850.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Taira in Austin, AR.Posted: August 20th, 2010 05:08PM
Type of Braces: metal
I cannot believe how much braces went up......i was responsible for 4850 after the insurance payed their portion (1500)....and thats military dental insurance.....crappppyyy!!!!!!!!!!
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Braces
Amount: $8,700.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Wilson in Washington, DC.Posted: September 1st, 2010 12:09PM
Type of Braces: Traditional UP & Low
For a child. Thought it was expensive.
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Braces
Amount: $8,500.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Wilson in Washington, DC.Posted: September 1st, 2010 01:09PM
Type of Braces: Metal
Insurance paid $1,500. Total treatment in excesso of $10K. Anyone else experience this cost?
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Braces
Amount: $8,500.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Straight Teeth Finally in Boston, MA.Posted: September 7th, 2010 11:09PM
Type of Braces: metal
Price includes 1 root canal with crown (I needed done before braces could go on), 1 to 2 appointments a month ( with x rays, no cleanings included) for 2.7 years. Also after removal invisalign retainer ( over $500) worn constantly for 6 months and nightly for 6 months. So broken down over 3.7 years total it's about $200 month. Well worth it.
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Braces-phase II
Amount: $4,300.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Mom of 4 in South Florida in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, FL.Posted: November 12th, 2010 08:11AM
Type of Braces: metal braces
This is a second phase treatment for 10 year old daughter and nothing is covered by insurance, we used up all our ortho insurance allowed (about 2400) on the phase one treatment. It includes all the preliminary xrays, molds, and retainers for after removal. This is the full set while the first phase was only the front of the mouth.
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Insurance for braces is lacking
Amount: $9,000.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Momof4 in Gig Harbor in Gig Harbor, WA.Posted: December 15th, 2010 06:12PM
Type of Braces: Metal
Two daughters got braces, expanders and were possibly candidates for forsus appliance. Both were corrected with rubber bands instead of the appliance. The total cost was $10,500 insurance covered $1500 for one daughter. Now looking to have son and they want an additional $4900...
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Looking for a fair quote
Amount: $7,330.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: a user in Rosewood, CA.Posted: January 3rd, 2011 09:01PM
Type of Braces: Metal
single mom with 1 11 y.o. that already paid $115 per office visit about 4 times, then 260 for xrays not included and the quote is approx $7330 for braces and retainer, but retainer adjustments are not included. I think this quote is overinflated so I am going to get a second opinion, January 2011
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AT THE STARTING LINE AND NEW TO THE BRACES WORLD
Amount: $5,100.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Low on Cash VT Mom in RUTLAND, VT.Posted: January 4th, 2011 06:01PM
Type of Braces: Full Metal-Upper and Lower
NO DENTAL INSURANCE. This price is all inclusive-visits, x rays, molds, bands, braces, adjustment, equiptment, follow up, repair, removal, first set of retainers..... the whole deal... treatment is going to include surgery to expose an impacted tooth and braces will stay on for at least 24 months, possibly 6-12 months longer. Oh and if we pay up front, we'll get a 5% discount. Sounds like a lot of work for our 12 year old daughter to be responsible for, but I know it will be well worth it, she really needs these.
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braces for 12yo
Amount: $4,577.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: a user in Virginia Beach, VA.Posted: January 18th, 2011 03:01PM
Type of Braces: metal top and bottom
slight unnoticeable overbite of front 2 teeth and a little crowding. Insurance will cover the other 1500.00. Don't know if this is a legit price or if I should seek additional opinions.
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Getting them
Amount: $2,600.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Cindy24 in San Jacinto, CA.Posted: January 22nd, 2011 11:01AM
Type of Braces: metal and forsus
My insurance is paying 1500 so the total is 4100.
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Price of braces
Amount: $3,400.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Work@home mom in Gadsden, AL.Posted: January 25th, 2011 10:01AM
Type of Braces: Brackets
Just got my quote for my child's braces for total of $4900 and Insurance pays $1500. Ugh.
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Braces almost OFF at age 20
Amount: $1,550.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Someone who wishes their mom still paid for everything in Bakersfield, CA.Posted: January 28th, 2011 10:01AM
Type of Braces: Metal
Insurance covered $2,000 and "new" office opened in town had $1,000 off deal so only $1550 out of pocket.
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Crossbite and crowding
Amount: $5,080.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: MAL in St. Charles, IL.Posted: March 15th, 2011 12:03PM
Type of Braces: Damon Braces
My insurance covered $1000 but everything is included from consult visit with xrays to the final retainer!!! So far we are pleased.....looking forward to end the result in 18-20 months.
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Braces
Amount: $1,500.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Wolf 1 in Oxnard, CA.Posted: March 20th, 2011 04:03PM
Type of Braces: Regular ceramic wired
Mine was supposed to be for 18 months, but I asked them to take it off after ten months because I noticed that the 2 teeth that I wanted to fix were already in place. I had to pay about 500.00 for early termination fee, so the total was 2,000.00 retainers included.
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36 year old Braces for crowding on the bottom, overlapping on top, & overbite
Amount: $4,900.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: a user in Savannah, GA.Posted: April 1st, 2011 06:04PM
Type of Braces: Railroad--Traditonal Metal
I've had the braces for approximately 8 months and see big improvements. The estimated time to wear was 20 months, but it looks like the braces will come off after 13 months or so. I paid $500 down and the remaining are monthly payments of $185. The cost includes everything, xrays, molding, monthly maintenance, first retainer.
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12 year old, one tooth misaligned
Amount: $3,700.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Sherhonda Lewis in Atlanta, GA.Posted: April 26th, 2011 12:04PM
Type of Braces: traditional (colored bans)
Military paid $1,500. total $5,200 This price includes inclusive-visits, x rays, molds, bands, braces, adjustment, equiptment, follow up, repair, removal, first set of retainers. Braces will be on for 24 months, 20% down payment of $680 monthly payment $127...will work with downpayment.
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Crazy High
Amount: $7,000.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Ariel in memphis, TN.Posted: April 26th, 2011 06:04PM
Type of Braces: metal and clear
im 17 my braces were 7000 out of pocket.clear on top metal on bottom.
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BRACES
Amount: $2,750.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: lucifa in odenton, MD.Posted: June 28th, 2011 04:06PM
Type of Braces: Metal top and bottom
I thought the quote was high for regular braces, but the invasilign are the same price. My insurance will cover 2,000 and that price covers all visits and 1st retainer. After reading this site I feel better.
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Braces Cost
Amount: $4,700.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: 28NJ.B.S.M.B.A in Somerset, NJ.Posted: August 7th, 2011 08:08PM
Type of Braces: Traditional Metal Braces
About $1,200 was paid by insurance. I have small teeth, big jaw bone and i press forward on my teeth when i swallow and spit... all this equals gaps, gap, gaps. I am on month 10 of 18 and see a hugeeeee improvement. I am happy with the results thus far and feel I paid a fair price and I really like my orthodontist.
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Braces cost
Amount: $5,450.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Marley in Lawrenceville, NJ.Posted: August 17th, 2011 04:08AM
Type of Braces: Metal
No insurance, palate expander, for 15 yr old with a cross bite. 1,200.00 with 30 monthly payments of 141.00.
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Ridiculous cost
Amount: $6,200.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: jimmiey in Greenville, SC.Posted: August 31st, 2011 12:08PM
Type of Braces: Damon & herpst appliance
Daughter has possible impacted upper tooth, overbite, estimate 30 month treatment, retainer included. No dental insurance, so out of pocket... expensive!
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Braces
Amount: $0.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Terry in Oakville, On, Can in oakville, Other.Posted: October 17th, 2011 01:10PM
Type of Braces: metal
My son got braces. A few months into his procedure, one of his teeth starting going dark. Their explanation was the straightening may have damaged the nerve but could have been from a blow to the tooth which we denied. The braces are off now but he's had a root canal and crown on the tooth. He's obviously raised his pain threshold over something that we thought would benefit him in the end and questioned if he even needed braces to start with. Good luck trying to get the orthodontist to cover the extra work!
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