Braces Cost Calculator

The American Association of Orthodontists says the cost of braces can vary depending on the type, complexity and duration of treatment. That is the honest answer to how much braces cost: the figure depends on what your orthodontist plans for your teeth. A case that needs only slight corrections may take a few months, while more complex cases can take years, and the AAO notes that most people wear braces for 12 to 24 months.

The type of appliance also matters. The AAO describes traditional metal braces as known for their efficacy and affordability, ceramic braces as blending with the teeth through tooth-colored or clear brackets, lingual braces as mounted on the back of the teeth, and clear aligners as removable and typically used for light to moderate alignment issues. Your orthodontist can explain which options suit your case and how each one changes the fee.

• Type of braces or aligners chosen
• How complex the case is and how long treatment is expected to take
• What the contract includes, such as records, retainers and repair visits
• Your orthodontic insurance percentage and remaining lifetime maximum

Orthodontic benefits are often handled differently from other dental care. The ADA guide to choosing a dental plan suggests asking whether a plan covers braces and other orthodontic services and what limitations apply, and notes that a lifetime limit may apply to those services. The AAO adds that many dental insurance plans include some orthodontic coverage for children under 18, and that braces may be covered by Medicaid if considered medically necessary, with coverage varying by state.

The calculator models the common pattern: the insurance estimate is your plan percentage of the fee, limited by the lifetime orthodontic maximum you have left. If the percentage would come to more than the remaining maximum, the estimate is capped and the result says so. Your share is the fee minus that estimate. Insurers often pay orthodontic benefits in installments and may have age limits or waiting periods, so ask the office for a pre-treatment estimate.

Many orthodontic offices split the fee into a down payment and monthly installments. The AAO notes that some orthodontists offer in-house financing with minimal to zero percent interest and monthly payment plans. This calculator assumes a plan with no interest: it subtracts your down payment from your share and divides what is left by the number of monthly payments. If the total does not divide evenly, the last payment is adjusted so the figures match exactly.

If the office or a lender charges interest, the payment will be higher than this calculator shows. In that case, enter your share less the down payment into the dental financing calculator with the APR and term from the offer, which shows the monthly payment and the total interest.

The AAO notes that after braces are removed, you will wear an orthodontic retainer, which may be removable or fixed depending on your orthodontist. Some contracts include retainers and follow-up visits, and some bill them separately. The same applies to initial records, emergency or repair visits and replacement retainers. Ask the office for a list of what the fee includes and add anything outside it to your planning.

If your child is being evaluated, the AAO recommends a first orthodontic evaluation around age 7. An early visit can help you learn whether treatment is likely and when, which gives you time to check your plan benefits and set up a payment plan.