How much do braces cost? The national average for full orthodontic treatment is about $5,645, based on ADA fee survey data, with most quotes landing somewhere between $3,680 and $9,650. My sister heard a number in that range at her daughter’s consult in August, smiled politely, and then called me from the parking lot.
My niece Maya is 12. Her dentist had been hinting at an orthodontist referral for a year, and the hint finally turned into an appointment. My sister’s budget is tight but steady, and a five-figure-sounding medical bill was not in it. We spent a Sunday afternoon at her kitchen table working out what the quote really meant, what her insurance would pay, and how to spread the rest without a credit card. This is everything we figured out, for kids and adults, with and without insurance.
How much do braces cost on average?
The cleanest national number I found is from Pearl’s dental cost tracker, which summarizes American Dental Association fee survey data for comprehensive orthodontic treatment (the billing code dentists use for a full course of braces). As of its May 2026 update:
- National average: $5,645.
- Typical range: $3,680 to $9,650.
That range is wide for a reason. A simple case with mild crowding and a short treatment time sits near the bottom. A complicated bite that takes close to three years sits near the top. Where you live moves it too.
Maya’s quote was $5,900, a little over the national average, for about two years of treatment with traditional metal braces. Her orthodontist said the price included her retainers and all regular adjustment visits. That detail turned out to matter a lot.
What changes the price of braces
The American Association of Orthodontists says cost depends on the type of treatment, how complex it is, how long it lasts, and the patient’s individual needs. In plain terms, these are the big levers:
- Type of appliance. The AAO describes traditional metal braces as typically the more affordable option and lingual braces (the ones behind your teeth) as usually more expensive.
- Complexity. Crowding, bite problems and jaw growth issues add time and visits.
- Length of treatment. More months usually means more adjustment appointments, which is where much of the cost comes from.
- What’s included. Some practices quote one all-inclusive price that covers retainers and emergency visits. Others charge for those separately.
When my sister asked about clear aligners for Maya, the orthodontist said they could work for her case but wouldn’t save money. We didn’t ask for a separate quote because metal made more sense for a 12-year-old who loses everything that isn’t attached to her.
One thing I’d do differently: bring a written list of questions. My sister went in with none, and she drove home knowing the total but not whether retainers were extra, what a broken bracket would cost, or what happens if treatment takes 30 months instead of 24. She had to call back the next day for all three. The front desk was lovely about it, but it’s a lot easier to ask while you’re sitting across from the treatment coordinator. If you’re comparing two practices, those answers can explain a gap of several hundred dollars between quotes that look like they cover the same thing.
Braces for kids vs. braces for adults
Adults get braces too, and the questions are a little different. When to start treatment, and whether an adult case looks different from a kid’s, is your orthodontist’s call. I’ll stick to the bill.
The money side differs more than the medical side. Many dental plans that include orthodontic coverage set an age limit, often for dependent children only. The AAO tells patients to ask their insurer directly about age limits, lifetime maximums and whether the orthodontist needs to be in network. If you’re an adult thinking about braces, that phone call comes before the consult.
A friend of mine got braces at 31. Her plan covered orthodontics for kids only, so she paid fully out of pocket and used her FSA to take the sting out of it. She told me the hardest part wasn’t the cost. It was smiling at work for the first month.
The quote isn’t the whole story. Ask what’s included, what insurance pays, and what you’ll owe each month. Those three numbers are the real price.
How much do braces cost with and without insurance?
Without insurance, you pay the full quote. With orthodontic coverage, it depends on two plan numbers most people never look at until they need them: the percentage the plan pays and the lifetime orthodontic maximum.
The AAO notes that insurance typically pays either a percentage of the cost or a fixed benefit amount. A lifetime maximum caps what the plan will ever pay toward orthodontics for that person, no matter how big the bill. That orthodontic cap is separate from the yearly maximum for regular dental work, the one that decides what you’d pay for something like a root canal.
Here’s how that played out for Maya. My sister’s plan paid 50% of orthodontic treatment up to a $1,500 lifetime maximum. Half of $5,900 would be $2,950, but the cap stopped the plan at $1,500. That left $4,400 for my sister. Before we did that math she’d assumed insurance would cover half. It’s an easy mistake, and a pricey one.
If your job lets you choose a dental plan during open enrollment, look at the orthodontic line before you pick. A slightly higher premium can make sense when you know braces are coming in the next year. My post on the cost of a dental cleaning walks through how dental plans handle routine care, too.
How to pay for braces without a credit card
Most orthodontists don’t want the full amount on day one. The AAO says many practices offer in-house payment plans, often with low or no interest, and some give a discount for paying up front or for multiple family members in treatment. Here’s the plan my sister ended up with:
- Get the full quote in writing. Include what’s covered: retainers, adjustments, emergency visits, and what happens if treatment runs long.
- Subtract your insurance, using the lifetime maximum. For Maya: $5,900 minus $1,500 = $4,400.
- Ask about down payment and term. Her orthodontist wanted $1,000 down and the rest over 24 months at 0% interest, so $141.67 a month.
- Use pre-tax money. The IRS includes braces in its list of dental expenses in Publication 502, so FSA or HSA money can pay for them. My sister bumped her FSA election for next year to cover the monthly payments.
- Build the down payment first. She had six weeks between the consult and the start date, so she put $170 a week into a separate account to cover the $1,000.
If an unexpected bill like this would empty your savings, that’s a sign to start a small emergency fund alongside the payment plan. Even $25 a week helps.
Cozy tip: Treat the monthly braces payment like rent: put it on your budget the day you sign, not when the first statement shows up. If you track bills on paper, our free budget printable has a spot for “temporary bills” so you can cross it off when treatment ends.
Ways to lower the cost of braces
None of these mean cutting corners on care. The orthodontist decides what treatment is needed. These just help with the bill:
- Book a free consult. The AAO says most of its member orthodontists offer low-cost or free first consultations, so getting a second opinion doesn’t have to cost much.
- Ask about discounts. Paying in full, having two kids in treatment, or a referral can sometimes lower the price.
- Use your FSA before it resets. Most FSAs are use-it-or-lose-it within the plan year, so time the start date if you can.
- Look into charity programs for kids. The AAO lists programs such as Smiles Change Lives that help children under 18 get treatment at low or no cost.
- Protect the retainer. A lost retainer is an extra bill. Maya’s now lives in a bright yellow case for exactly that reason.
A real braces budget, worked out
Here’s the full math from Maya’s plan. Numbers are this one family’s example (quote, plan rules and tax rate will differ for you), and the FSA line assumes a 22% federal bracket plus 7.65% payroll tax savings.
| Line | Amount | How we got it |
|---|---|---|
| Orthodontist quote | $5,900 | All-inclusive, about 24 months |
| Insurance pays | $1,500 | 50% coverage, capped by the $1,500 lifetime maximum |
| Family’s share | $4,400 | $5,900 minus $1,500 |
| Down payment | $1,000 | Saved over 6 weeks at about $170 a week |
| Monthly payment | $141.67 | $3,400 over 24 months at 0% |
| Approximate tax savings with FSA | about $1,300 | $4,400 x 29.65% (22% federal + 7.65% payroll) |
| Effective out-of-pocket | about $3,100 | Family’s share minus FSA tax savings |
Common mistakes when budgeting for braces
- Assuming insurance covers half. The lifetime maximum usually caps the benefit well below 50% of the bill. Do the math with the cap.
- Not asking what’s included. Retainers, broken brackets and extra months can each add cost if the quote isn’t all-inclusive.
- Forgetting pre-tax money. Paying with an FSA or HSA can knock a meaningful chunk off the effective price.
For more context on what families spend on health care, I keep a running list of budgeting statistics. If braces are one of several big kid costs this year, my guide to making a family budget can help you fit them in. You’ll find more like this in our budgeting section.
If a crown ends up on your family’s dental list too, here’s how much a crown costs and what insurance tends to pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do braces cost for adults?
Adults pay roughly the same range as kids for similar treatment, with a national average around $5,645 based on ADA fee survey data. The bigger difference is insurance: many plans only cover orthodontics for dependent children, so adults often pay out of pocket.
Does dental insurance cover braces?
Some plans do. The AAO says coverage usually pays a percentage or a fixed amount, often with a lifetime orthodontic maximum and sometimes an age limit. Call your insurer and ask for those numbers before treatment starts.
Can I pay for braces monthly?
Yes. Many orthodontists offer in-house payment plans, often with low or no interest, usually with a down payment and monthly payments over the length of treatment.
Are clear aligners cheaper than braces?
Not usually. The AAO describes traditional metal braces as typically the more affordable option. Ask your orthodontist to quote both if you’re considering aligners.
Can I use my FSA or HSA for braces?
Yes. IRS Publication 502 lists braces among eligible dental expenses, so you can use FSA or HSA money, which lowers the effective cost by your tax rate.
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