Braces in the US cost $3,680 to $9,650. See where you'd land.
The national average for full orthodontic treatment is $5,645. Your price depends on the type of braces, where you live, how complex your case is, and what insurance covers.
Quick estimate
What each type of braces costs
Average US price ranges for a full course of treatment, before insurance. Ceramic and lingual braces cost more than metal; clear aligners overlap with metal braces at the top end.
Prefer the details? See metal, ceramic, lingual and Invisalign vs braces, or the cost of Invisalign on its own. New to braces? Start with the types of braces compared, or browse all our guides.
Work out your own numbers
What changes the price
- Type of appliance. Metal is usually the least expensive; lingual braces cost the most (AAO).
- How complex the case is. The type, complexity and length of treatment drive the price (AAO).
- Where you live. Fees tend to follow local living costs. Our state estimates scale prices by each state's price level, which puts California and New Jersey well above Mississippi and Arkansas.
- Insurance. Orthodontic benefits usually pay a percentage or a fixed amount, up to a lifetime maximum (AAO).
- Age. Adult treatment usually costs slightly more, and adult coverage is rarer (Healthline).
- What the quote includes. Ask whether X-rays, retainers and emergency visits are in the price (AAO).
Ways people pay less
- Use orthodontic insurance benefits, and check the lifetime maximum before you start.
- Pay with pre-tax money: the IRS counts braces as a dental expense when they treat a dental problem (Publication 502).
- Ask for an in-house payment plan; compare it against financing with interest.
- For children, check Medicaid or CHIP for medically necessary treatment. See does Medicaid cover braces.
- Get two or three written quotes and compare what each one includes. More in affordable braces.
Questions people ask
How much do braces cost on average?
The US average for comprehensive orthodontic treatment is $5,645, with most prices between $3,680 and $9,650, according to Pearl's analysis of ADA fee survey data (May 2026).
What is the cheapest type of braces?
Metal braces, at $3,000 to $7,000. Lingual braces, fitted behind the teeth, cost the most at $8,000 to $10,000 (CareCredit data).
How much are braces per month?
A $5,645 treatment with a $500 down payment is about $214 a month over 24 months at 0% interest. See braces cost per month or use the payment calculator for your own numbers.
Does insurance cover braces?
If your plan includes orthodontic benefits, it usually pays a percentage up to a lifetime maximum. Most adult plans don't include orthodontics; children's coverage is more common.
Can I use an HSA or FSA for braces?
Usually, when the braces treat a dental problem. IRS Publication 502 lists braces as a dental expense when they are part of treatment to alleviate dental disease.
Sources
- Braces: national cost. Pearl Dental Costs (based on ADA fee survey data). Updated May 2026.
- Average costs of orthodontics procedures by service (CareCredit data). Becker's Dental Review. October 21, 2022.
- Average cost of orthodontic treatments in 2024 (CareCredit data). Becker's Dental Review. September 25, 2024.
- Average cost of braces. Healthline, medically reviewed by Rooz Khosravi, DMD, PhD, MSD. April 1, 2021.
- How much do braces cost? Factors, insurance and savings. American Association of Orthodontists. Accessed October 12, 2026.
- Publication 502: Medical and dental expenses. Internal Revenue Service. 2025 edition.
Figures are national averages or ranges from these sources. Estimates from our calculator are a model, explained on how we get our numbers.