Braces Cost: How Much do Dental Braces Cost?

Considering dental braces as the orthodontic solution for your crooked smile? The good news is that today's dental braces are advanced well beyond their orthodontic predecessors, offering patients a variety of faster and more esthetically flexible options. The not-so-good news is the relatively high cost of dental braces.

Braces for teeth are used for the correction of various functional and esthetic concerns relating to bite relationship (occlusion). Some of the more common dental issues corrected with dental braces include crowding, protrusions, misalignment, irregular spacing and crooked teeth. Other restorative options may be available for consideration, though such options may not be any cheaper or more beneficial.

What is the True Cost of Dental Braces?

Dentistry costs are affected by a variety of external factors, the most common of which include the type of dental insurance coverage you have, the location where the procedure is being performed and the dentist/orthodontist performing the treatment. Braces prices can vary from one provider to the next, especially from region to region.

The average nationwide cost of dental braces ranges between $3,000 and $7,000. In addition to the aforementioned factors, your cost can be impacted by the amount of orthodontic treatment required and your overall oral health. For example, braces for teeth that are severely crooked or misaligned will be more expensive than braces for teeth that are minimally affected. This is because a longer treatment period and additional adjustments will likely be required for more severe cases. Similarly, if you suffer from a number of oral health issues such as decay or gum disease, you will need to first undergo treatment to remedy the issues before orthodontic treatment can begin.

Dental Braces Financing

There are various financing opportunities available to help offset the potentially high cost of dental braces. Your dentist/orthodontist may offer financing plans directly through their practice. However, it is more common for practices to enlist the services of a third party financing company like Care Credit or Capital One, through which patients can setup a customized payment plan that best fits their unique financial considerations.

Cost of Braces vs. Cost of Clear Aligners

Traditional dental braces is but one of several orthodontic solutions that may be available for consideration. Removable dental retainers and clear aligners (such as Invisalign and Clear Correct) may serve as a braces alternative.

On average, dental retainers range in price from $500 to $1,000 (with replacement costs ranging from $150 to $300). The cost of Invisalign ranges from $3,000 to $5,000, while the cost of Clear Correct ranges from $2,500 to $5,500.

Compared to the cost of dental braces, the cost of removable orthodontic appliances may be lower; however this depends on your unique orthodontic condition. Keep in mind that costs associated with lost or damaged removable appliances will increase the overall price of treatment.