Braces cost

Braces cost refers to the total expense required for orthodontic treatment with braces, including materials, fittings, adjustments, and aftercare. Braces in the US typically range from $3,000 to $7,000 without insurance depending on location and case complexity.

Insurance plans such as Delta Dental and Cigna may cover 50% of child orthodontics costs up to a lifetime maximum of $1,500 or $2,000 per individual. Adult braces coverage remains rare; most employer-sponsored dental plans do not include adult orthodontics benefits.

Metal braces usually cost less than ceramic or lingual braces; for example, metal averages $4,000 while lingual can exceed $8,000. Payment plans through providers like SmileDirectClub offer monthly payments from $89 to $115 for clear aligners instead of lump-sum payments.

Retainer costs post-braces average between $150 and $500 per device and are sometimes excluded from insurance reimbursement, as per YourInsurance.info. Out-of-pocket expenses decrease if Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) or Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are used to pay qualified orthodontic bills.

Pre-authorization is often mandatory under insurance before starting treatment to guarantee benefit eligibility and prevent claim denial. Medicaid covers braces for children in states like California and Texas when medically necessary but rarely covers cosmetic cases.

Hidden charges such as consultation fees ($100–$200), x-rays ($25–$250), and emergency visits can add several hundred dollars beyond quoted treatment prices.