🚀 Fast Facts: How much do braces cost?
- Most braces cost $3,000 to $7,000 for full treatment, with an average of about $5,000
- Lingual braces cost the most, typically $8,000 to $13,000; clear aligners run $3,000 to $8,000
- Dental plans with orthodontic coverage often pay 25% to 50%, up to a lifetime maximum of about $1,000 to $3,000
- Many orthodontists offer monthly payment plans spread over 12 to 24 months
Braces usually cost between $3,000 and $7,000 for full orthodontic treatment, with an average cost of about $5,000. Lingual braces placed behind the teeth can run $8,000 to $13,000. What you pay depends on the type of braces, how complex your case is, how long treatment takes, and where you live.
Orthodontic treatment is a significant investment in a straighter smile. If you're a parent planning for a child's orthodontic care, or an adult thinking about straightening your own teeth, knowing typical treatment costs helps you budget, compare quotes from different orthodontists, and see what dental insurance is likely to pay.
Across all types, the cost of braces can range from $3,000 to $10,000 according to Oral-B. This guide breaks down the cost of braces by type, what the overall cost includes, how dental insurance coverage works for orthodontics, and the payment options most offices offer.
How much do braces cost in the U.S.?
Here are typical U.S. price ranges for a full course of braces treatment, from SmileCosts' 2026 braces cost guide, which draws on American Association of Orthodontists and ADA data, alongside national averages from a CareCredit cost study conducted in 2023–2024 across all 50 states and D.C.:
Type of braces | Typical cost range | National average (CareCredit study) |
Traditional metal braces | $3,000–$7,000 | $6,343 |
Ceramic braces | $4,000–$8,000 | $5,834 |
Self ligating braces | $4,000–$8,000 | Not reported |
Lingual braces | $8,000–$13,000 | $9,221 |
Clear aligners (e.g., Invisalign) | $3,000–$8,000 | $5,108 |
These are prices for the whole treatment, not per visit. Individual quotes vary based on your orthodontist, your region, and your customized treatment plan, so treat the table as a starting point rather than a quote.
What are dental braces?
Dental braces are orthodontic appliances, such as metal brackets, ceramic brackets, wires, and bands, that correct misaligned teeth, crowding, gaps, overbites, and underbites. They apply gentle pressure over time to move teeth into better positions. According to the American Dental Association, most people are in treatment for one to three years, followed by a period of wearing a retainer.
Fixed options include metal, ceramic, lingual, and self ligating braces. Clear aligners are removable trays rather than fixed braces, but many orthodontic practices offer both as treatment options. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, orthodontic treatment makes teeth easier to clean and can lower the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, which supports long-term oral health and dental health. Your dentist will often be the one to refer you to an orthodontist.
Dental braces cost by type
The type of appliance is one of the biggest drivers of braces cost.
Traditional metal braces
Traditional metal braces typically cost $3,000 to $7,000. CareCredit's study found a national average price of $6,343, with quotes ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. They use stainless steel metal brackets attached to each tooth with bonding glue and connected by a wire. Traditional braces are the most common choice for children and teens, and they work for adults too. Many dental insurance plans base their orthodontic benefits on the cost of traditional metal braces.
Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces typically cost $4,000 to $8,000, with a national average of $5,834 in the CareCredit study. They work like metal braces but use tooth colored or clear brackets that are harder to see. Ceramic brackets can be more fragile than metal ones, and some plans pay the same amount as they would for metal braces, leaving you to cover the difference.
Self ligating braces
Self ligating braces typically cost $4,000 to $8,000. Instead of elastic ties, the brackets use a built-in clip to hold the wire. They come in metal or clear versions.
Lingual braces
Lingual braces are the most expensive option. Oral-B puts them at $8,000 to $10,000, and SmileCosts says complex cases can reach $13,000. CareCredit reported a national average of $9,221, with some quotes above $17,000. The brackets are custom made and attached to the back of the teeth, so they're hidden from view. Fewer orthodontists offer them, and appointments take longer, which raises the price.
Clear aligners (Invisalign)
Clear aligners such as Invisalign typically cost $3,000 to $8,000. CareCredit's clear aligner cost data puts the national average at $5,108 without insurance, with a range of $1,800 to $8,100. Aligners are custom plastic trays you switch out on a schedule and remove to eat and brush. Mild crowding or spacing usually sits at the lower end of the range, while complex cases that need more trays cost more.
Factors affecting the cost of braces
Two patients with the same type of braces can still pay very different amounts. Several factors drive the total cost:
- Complexity of your case: simple crowding costs less to treat than a severe overbite or jaw discrepancy.
- Treatment duration: a minor case may take about a year, while complex orthodontic issues can take up to three years.
- Age: children's jaws are still growing, while adults may need longer treatment time or extra procedures.
- Location: offices in large cities and high-cost areas typically charge more than offices in rural areas.
- The orthodontist: experience, practice type, and the technology used, such as 3D scans, all affect the price.
What's included in the cost of treatment, and additional costs
Many offices quote one fee for the whole treatment. Ask what it covers so you can compare quotes fairly. A typical quote includes:
- Exams, X-rays, photos, and scans
- Brackets, wires, and regular adjustment visits
- Most emergency visits for broken brackets or loose wires
- Removal of the braces and a first set of retainers
Additional costs that may not be included:
- Replacement retainers, which SmileCosts puts at $100 to $500
- Repairs for broken brackets, about $25 to $150 each
- Early (Phase 1) treatment for young children
- Tooth extractions or jaw surgery done by other providers
- Co pays for specialist referrals
Ask for a written estimate that lists the main fee and any additional costs.
Does dental insurance cover braces?
Dental insurance cover for braces works differently than coverage for cleanings or fillings, so check your plan's orthodontic coverage before you start.
- Plans with orthodontic benefits often pay 25% to 50% of the cost of braces, up to a lifetime maximum, commonly $1,000 to $3,000 per person (SmileCosts). Oral-B says a common setup is 50% coverage with a $1,500 lifetime maximum per child.
- Most plans partially cover orthodontic treatment for children under 18 but not for adults.
- Some plans pay only for treatment deemed medically necessary, not cosmetic changes.
- Medicaid and CHIP cover braces for children in many states when deemed medically necessary.
- Waiting periods and in-network rules can affect your insurance benefits.
Ask the orthodontist's office for a pre-treatment estimate. They can check with your insurance provider and show what insurance coverage will pay and what you'll owe. To see how HSA and FSA funds apply to dental and orthodontic costs, see our HSA and FSA dental guide.
Payment plans and financing options for braces
Even with insurance, most patients pay part of the total cost of orthodontic treatment themselves. Many offices offer payment plans that spread the cost over the length of braces treatment:
- A down payment, followed by monthly payments over 12 to 24 months
- Automatic payments by card or bank account
- In-house plans with low or no interest, which the American Association of Orthodontists says many practices offer
Other financing options include medical credit cards, personal loans, and orthodontic school clinics, where residents treat patients under supervision. Compare interest rates carefully before you choose third-party financing over the orthodontist's own payment plans.
Tips for affordable orthodontic care
- Book a first orthodontic check-up for children by age seven, as the American Association of Orthodontists recommends, so you can plan ahead.
- Get two or three quotes from different orthodontists and compare what each one includes, not just the price.
- Ask what happens to the cost if treatment runs longer than planned.
- Keep up with brushing and appointments to avoid broken brackets and delays that add to the cost.
- If your child may need two phases of treatment, ask whether your plan will pay for braces twice.
