How Much Are Braces With Insurance?

After an orthodontic checkup and a recommendation that you get braces, you’ll start wondering how much braces cost with insurance. Whether the braces are for you or your child, it’s not cheap, and having good insurance coverage can help lower your out-of-pocket costs. Learn about common dental coverages and exclusions to find what your total expense will likely be for the treatment.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces?

Whether your dental insurance covers braces will vary based on your specific plan outlines. Many plans include some form of coverage for dental braces. You’ll want to pay attention to the type of braces your plan covers and whether it covers braces only for children or if there is adult coverage as well. Adult coverage is less common. Most plans have a lifetime maximum benefit for orthodontic work. 

One type of braces coverage you might find is a percentage of all expenses, commonly 50%. But even with that coverage, you’ll likely have a lifetime maximum benefit of $5,000 per covered individual.

Review your dental coverage explanation of benefits to see what is covered and at what limits. If you’re struggling to find this information, reaching out to your benefits coordinator could help you understand your plan. Then discuss your needs with your dentist after having them run the insurance to estimate costs.

Types of Braces and Their Costs With Insurance

An important step in estimating the cost of braces with insurance is to evaluate which braces will be right for you. Talk to your orthodontist to learn what they recommend and then compare costs based on these braces types.

Metal Braces

Metal braces are the most common type. They use metal brackets adhered to your teeth and wires to adjust and align your teeth. The process takes several months or a few years depending on how straight your teeth are.

Cost with insurance: $1,500-$3,500

Cost without insurance: $3,000-$7,000

Ceramic Braces

The method for straightening your teeth using ceramic braces mirrors that of metal braces but instead of metal brackets, you’ll have tooth-colored brackets. This can make your braces less noticeable but the appearance comes at a cost. Ceramic braces are generally more expensive than metal braces.

Cost with insurance: $2,000-$4,000

Cost without insurance: $4,000-$8,000

Invisalign Braces

If you don’t want the appearance of braces, Invisalign is a great option. Plus, you won’t have restrictions on what you can eat because you can remove the invisible tray aligners that fit snugly over your teeth. Many adults or working professionals opt for these braces because they can remove them for networking or important events. The trays put pressure on your teeth to move them into an aligned position over time. You’ll pay more for this orthodontic work though.

Cost with insurance: $1,500-$4,500

Cost without insurance: $3,000-$9,000

Lingual Braces

If you want a more traditional braces experience but don’t want them to be visible to your peers, lingual braces can offer those features. That’s because your dentist will adhere these braces to the backside of your teeth, which makes them nearly invisible. Maintaining your traditional smile while undergoing braces treatment comes at a cost. This is generally the most expensive braces option.

Cost with insurance: $2,500-$6,500

Cost without insurance: $5,000-$13,000

Does Medicaid Cover Braces?

Medicaid will cover braces if they are deemed medically necessary for the patient. Some common ailments that Medicaid covers include treatment for the following.

• Cleft palate
• Deep overbite
• Malocclusions
• Osteoporosis
• Severe crossbite
• Sleep apnea
• Speech impediments
• Teeth impaction
• Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ)

Medicaid coverage varies by state. Review your state’s coverage to see whether Medicaid covers braces.

Factors That Affect the Average Cost of Braces

Many factors contribute to the average cost of braces. Consider how these might factor into your treatment plan as you work to estimate costs.

• Treatment requirements: The severity of your orthodontic needs will impact the total cost of the treatment. Some orthodontists charge a flat rate no matter how involved the bracing process is. If your dental needs are severe, you might seek out a dentist with flat rates.
• Treatment duration: The longer you need to undergo treatment, the more expensive it will be. Treatment requirements will heavily impact treatment duration but so will the type of braces you select.
• Braces type: Traditional metal braces are the most affordable. If you want braces that blend in with your teeth or are hidden in some way, you’ll pay more.
• Financing: If you choose to finance your treatment, you might pay more for it because of interest or additional charges for making multiple payments. 
• Location: Where you live and seek treatment will impact its cost. Dentists and orthodontics face varying expenses, such as rent and insurance, based on where they operate. That impacts what they have to charge you for your treatment.
• Your provider: Some providers cost more than others. If you’re price-sensitive, you’ll want to get multiple quotes before moving forward with treatment. The best of the best in your area will cost more than newer dentists working to get established in your community.
• Insurance coverage: Every dental plan is unique. The amount of coverage you have for your braces treatment will impact the final cost.

For Children

When evaluating costs, you’ll see differences between children and adults. Generally, braces cost less for children than they do for adults because teeth are not as hard and move more quickly. That means that children can complete treatment plans faster than adults can.

For Adults

Because adults have fully formed teeth and jaws, braces will require more time to correct their smile and fix their bite. That duration will add to the total cost of treatment with most providers. Additionally, fewer dental plans offer adult coverage, and when they do, it’s generally at a lower percentage than it is for children.

Tips on How to Save on Braces

As you evaluate whether you can afford braces for yourself or your child, review these money-saving tips to make the treatment more affordable:

• Save up funds in a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA): Braces treatments are an eligible expense. You can save money pretax in an HSA for a few years to prepare for treatment. FSAs also allow paying for braces — just make sure you contribute the right amount because you can’t carry those funds over into another year.
• Purchase dental coverage: If you don’t have coverage, opting into your employer’s dental coverage or shopping for it independently can make your treatment more affordable.
• Seek treatment at a dental school: Many dental schools offer treatment at a lower cost to provide their students with learning opportunities.
• Shop around: The cost of orthodontic treatment varies greatly from dentist to dentist. Get multiple quotes before starting treatment.
• Care for your braces: The fewer repairs and visits you require, the less your overall treatment will cost.
• Pay in full: Treatment plans make treatments more expensive. If you pay the full cost upfront, it can reduce your expenses with some dentists.
• Apply for a grant: Smiles Change Lives is a nonprofit that helps low-income families pay for their children’s braces. You’ll have to pay an application fee, but you can get up to $650 in coverage.
• Build a payment plan: Work with your dentist to create a payment plan that helps you stretch the payments over the next several months or even years. This can help so you don’t have to pull money from savings for the treatment.

Find the Best Dental Insurance from Benzinga’s Top Providers

Get high-quality dental insurance from these leading providers to aid in paying for braces.

Straighter Teeth Can Be Affordable

Whether you use a dental plan or other money-saving tactic to get braces, you can get the straighter teeth you’ve always wanted at an affordable price with some planning. Follow these money-saving tips and insurance estimates to start your braces journey.

Frequently Asked Questions