How much do braces cost without insurance?
Comprehensive braces cost $4,050–$9,100 for a child or teen and $4,000–$8,900 for an adult without insurance. The fee is a case fee for the whole treatment, which usually lasts well over a year: records and X-rays, the brackets and wires, every adjustment visit and, at most offices, a first retainer.
| Patient | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child or teen | $4,050 | $6,700 | $9,100 |
| Adult | $4,000 | $7,200 | $8,900 |
The low and high figures use the VA's 2026 schedule of reasonable dental charges, which puts the 80th-percentile U.S. charge for comprehensive orthodontic treatment at about $7,828 for adolescents (D8080) and $7,721 for adults (D8090), built on FAIR Health dental data.[1] We scale it the same way our other sourced dental fees compare with the VA charge. At a dental school the fee can be lower: the University of Maryland's student clinic lists about $3,872 (adolescent) and $4,090 (adult).[2]
Metal, ceramic, lingual or aligners: what changes the price
No public fee survey or fee schedule reports separate prices for metal, ceramic, lingual braces or clear aligners, so we give one case-fee range and do not invent a premium for each type. Orthodontic fee schedules bill comprehensive treatment under one code per age group (D8080 for adolescents, D8090 for adults), whatever the appliance. The American Association of Orthodontists says cost depends on the type, complexity and length of treatment.[5] To compare types, ask each office for its fee in writing for each option, with the same items included.
What is the average cost of braces?
The median orthodontic fee in the 2021 JCO Orthodontic Practice Study, the long-running survey of U.S. orthodontists, was $5,750 for children and $6,200 for adults.[3] Dental prices have risen since, so we bring those medians to 2026 dollars two ways (with the Bureau of Labor Statistics dental services price index, and with the survey's own 2019–2021 trend) and take the midpoint: about $6,700 for a teen and $7,200 for an adult.[4] Newer JCO surveys exist but are behind a paywall, so we did not use figures we could not check. The American Association of Orthodontists publishes no dollar figure and says cost depends on the type, complexity and length of treatment.[5]
For clear aligners alone, see how much Invisalign costs, including what the maker charges the dentist per case.[6]
Braces cost calculator: monthly payment example
A $6,700 teen case with $1,000 down on an interest-free 24-month plan costs about $238 a month. Many orthodontists offer in-house plans like this. At 9.9% interest the payment is $263 and the interest adds about $606. Be careful with deferred-interest medical credit cards: if the balance is not paid off by the end of the promotion, interest is charged back to the purchase date.[9] Compare a plan, a card and a loan with the dental payment plan calculator.
| Plan | 0% interest | 9.9% interest |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months | $475 | $501 |
| 18 months | $317 | $342 |
| 24 months | $238 | $263 |
| 30 months | $190 | $215 |
What raises or lowers the price
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Length and complexity of the case | Longer, harder cases cost more; limited cases (front teeth only) cost less |
| Type of appliance | Ask for each option in writing; no published data separate the fees |
| Adult vs teen | Adult cases are often a little higher |
| Your area | About 10% below to 25% above the national average; the calculator applies your area |
| What is included | Retainers, records and emergency visits may be extra; ask |
Common mistake: comparing the monthly payment instead of the total. A lower payment over more months, or a plan with interest, can cost more overall. Ask every office for the total case fee, the down payment and what happens if treatment runs longer than planned.
Ways to pay less for braces
- Get a written quote from two or three orthodontists with the total fee and what it covers. Uninsured patients can ask for a good faith estimate before scheduled care.[10]
- Check Medicaid or CHIP for children. States cover orthodontics for children when it is medically necessary, not for cosmetic reasons.[7]
- Use HSA or FSA money. IRS Publication 502 lists braces among deductible dental treatments;[8] see how much paying pre-tax saves.
- Look at a dental school orthodontic clinic, where supervised residents often charge less: dental schools and sliding scale dentists.
- Ask for a pay-in-full discount and for an interest-free in-house plan before using outside financing.
Frequently asked questions
How much are braces without insurance?
The typical case fee is about $6,700 for a teen and $7,200 for an adult, with most fees between $4,050 and $8,900. No published data price ceramic or lingual braces separately; ask for each option in writing.
What is the average cost of braces for an adult?
About $7,200 in 2026 dollars, based on the 2021 JCO practice study's adult median of $6,200.[3]
Are braces cheaper than Invisalign?
No public data say so either way: fee schedules bill comprehensive orthodontic treatment under the same code for braces and aligners. Compare written quotes for both at the same office. See the Invisalign cost calculator.
Can I use my HSA for braces?
Generally yes when braces treat a dental problem; IRS Publication 502 lists braces as a deductible dental expense.[8]
Sources
- Reasonable Charges v5.26, Table I: Outpatient Dental Professional Nationwide Charges (80th percentile of charges; FAIR Health dental data and other sources)
- Fee Schedule (Clinic Manual, Patient Administration), student clinic column
- Practice profiles of orthodontists in Taiwan (cites the 2021 JCO Orthodontic Practice Study median U.S. fees)
- Consumer Price Index, dental services, U.S. city average (series CUUR0000SEMC02)
- How Much Do Braces Cost?
- Align Technology, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal year 2025
- Dental Care
- Publication 502: Medical and Dental Expenses
- Medical Credit Cards and Financing Plans
- Good faith estimate guide (No Surprises Act, uninsured and self-pay patients)