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CostHelper.com > Health & Personal Care  > Braces

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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Recent Posts
Amount: $7,000.00 not covered by insurance Teeth braces
Posted by: linda cisneros in Fruitland, ID.Purchased: August, 2008
Type of Braces: railroad
we dont have that much money to pay that i would like to know if insurance coverd the braces.
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Amount: $6,000.00 not covered by insurance Teeth Gap
Posted by: Mark in Philadelphia, PA.Purchased: March, 2008
Type of Braces: Invisalign
I don't why but my insurance doesn't cover it. I mean what's the point of having it? Well they told me I can pay like $200 each month plus interest. I personally think this is too much just for something so little.
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Amount: $6,000.00 not covered by insurance Cost of Braces - Colorado
Posted by: D Joosten in Westminster, CO.Purchased: March, 2008
Type of Braces: Ceramic top, Steel bottom
Includes all x-rays, SonicCare toothbrush, Post braces teeth whitening, and 24 months of correction, or longer if needed. This is for adult orthodontics, no insurance. Using FSA over 3 calander years to pay.
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Amount: $3,500.00 not covered by insurance I just got braces
Posted by: a user in Marietta, GA.Purchased: May, 2008
Type of Braces: railroad
I think $3500.00 it worth it to have a beautiful smile. No more hiding behind my hand when I laugh or being afraid to smile. I am over 19 so insurance pays for nothing. I say go for it if you can afford.
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Amount: $1,900.00 not covered by insurance expensive braces
Posted by: luck person in novi, MI.Purchased: June, 2008
Type of Braces: demon
total cost of braces is $5900, $3500 is covered by insurace. Just got braces yesterday, can't wait to see a beatiful smile in 1 and half year.
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Amount: $6,000.00 not covered by insurance crappy insurance
Posted by: Dave in Merced, CA.Purchased: August, 2008
Type of Braces: none yet
We just paid $3500 for "Phase I" that doesn't even include braces. They were so kind to give a 10% discount to $3150 if we paid in full up front. Our crappy insurance didn't pay a cent. I guess no big screen TV this year!!!
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Amount: $5,000.00 not covered by insurance Braces
Posted by: a user in St.Louis, MO.Purchased: 2008
Type of Braces: Ceramic braces
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Amount: $3,500.00 not covered by insurance Braces
Posted by: boy in Hackensack, NJ.Purchased: September, 2008
Type of Braces: Ceramic
Great dentist that graduated for Columbia University Dental School
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Amount: $3,700.00 not covered by insurance Braces
Posted by: girl in Manchester, TN.Purchased: October, 2008
I went to two different orthodontists in the area and one told me 3,700 and the other 6,000. I don't understand the huge difference...
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Amount: $3,450.00 not covered by insurance man in virgin islands
Posted by: chuck in st. thomas, Other.Purchased: September, 2008
Type of Braces: railroad
my teeth are in bad shape, this is the last resort hope they work
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Amount: $4,000.00 not covered by insurance A beautiful smile is cost
Posted by: Purrel in Miami, FL.Purchased: August, 2008
Type of Braces: clear braces
It is a shame children under the age of 18 years sholt be cover under any insurance
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Amount: $5,200.00 not covered by insurance Down South Girl
Posted by: Flattwist in Fayetteville, NC.Purchased: September, 2008
Type of Braces: Traditional Metal Braces
I'm a local government worker and my health and dental insurance is exceptional, however, braces are considered cosmetic denistry so my insurance wouldn't pay. I've always read that the cost of your braces are determined by how jacked up your teeth are, but that's not true. My teeth were perfectly straight at the top except for and acute overbite that's not noticeable. I have like two teeth at the bottom that's a little croweded, but I still payed the same as someone with a horse overbite and badly contorted teeth.
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Amount: $4,000.00 not covered by insurance Braces
Posted by: a user in Las Vegas, NV.Purchased: January, 2008
Type of Braces: Metal
I just got mine put on today... they look good... they did a really good job my teeth look good..now lets see in 24months
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Amount: $15,350.00 not covered by insurance Jaw surgery and braces estimate
Posted by: a user in Bellevue, WA.Purchased: April, 2009
Type of Braces: traditional
I have some problems with my bite that cant be fixed by braces alone. Braces are 7350 and jaw surgery is 8000. These are both estimates.
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Amount: $5,000.00 not covered by insurance Braces
Posted by: Sundra Lamar in Taylor, MI.Purchased: May, 2004
Type of Braces: traditional metal
I have had them for give years now.. Ready to get them off. I took the long way because I did not want to have jaw surgery.
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Amount: $2,200.00 not covered by insurance traditional braces
Posted by: smiley in omaha, NE.Purchased: May, 2009
Type of Braces: traditional
my insurance is covering 1500. the doctor charged me 3800 total because he says he thinks he can do 18 months. i have two very crooked teeth that need to be brought into alignment. i could have done surgery but i'm opting not to.
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Amount: $3,500.00 not covered by insurance braces
Posted by: Nicky in west covina, CA.Purchased: August, 2008
Type of Braces: metal braces
they did pretty good job.
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Amount: $3,000.00 not covered by insurance Cost of Braces
Posted by: MM in Burbank, CA.Purchased: May, 2009
Type of Braces: terditional metal
have pretty nice teeth now
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Amount: $5,000.00 not covered by insurance need braces
Posted by: caity in palm coast, FL.Purchased: May, 2009
Type of Braces: none
i got that estamit for my semi spaced front teeth and 1 set of double teeth. Not all of my teeth are in but i HATE my smile and want it fixed so you have to do what you have to do i guess...it just sucks i wis they could be fixed instantley... :[
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Amount: $5,500.00 not covered by insurance Braces
Posted by: Lora in Sebring, FL.Purchased: August, 2008
Type of Braces: basic
I got the most basic type of braces at the orthodontist. They are very simple. My teeth will take longer than the average because my braces aren't ment to get the job done fast it's to get it done with less pain. Others I know have big chunks of metal in their mouth to move their jaw to correct their bite, and it's very painful. With mine things will go slower by removing teeth and slowly pushing and pulling them the right way.
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Amount: $1,750.00 not covered by insurance get them if you can
Posted by: a user in fort worth, TX.Purchased: June, 2008
Type of Braces: ceramic
I was told originally that I would spend two years in braces. I had a gap in the front and some crowding. I got out in less than a year. original cost was 5000 but having insurance got me a 1600 discount, and my ins. paid 1000. I also got a discount because I got out early. yay for apple orthodontics in fort worth,tx
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