How much ceramic (clear) braces cost

Updated October 12, 2026.

Ceramic (clear) braces usually cost $4,000 to $8,000 in the US before insurance. They work like metal braces but use clear or tooth-colored brackets, so they are less noticeable.

What ceramic braces are

Ceramic braces, often called clear braces, work the same way as metal braces: brackets on each tooth and a wire that moves the teeth over time. The difference is the look. The brackets are clear or tooth-colored and designed to blend in with your teeth (AAO). Cleveland Clinic describes clear braces as ceramic brackets with frosted, tooth-colored wires and clear elastics, anchored with metal bands on the back molars, and says placing them usually takes one to two hours (Cleveland Clinic).

They are not the same as clear aligners. Ceramic braces are fixed and stay on your teeth until treatment is finished; aligners are removable trays (AAO). Both can be called "clear" or "invisible", so check which one a quote is for.

Why ceramic braces cost more than metal

The materials. Cleveland Clinic says clear braces are usually more expensive than metal braces because of the materials used, and adds that because they are more fragile, you may end up paying more for repairs (Cleveland Clinic). The AAO also says ceramic braces may cost more than traditional metal braces in some cases because of the materials, and that the total depends on how complex your case is, how long treatment takes, where you live, your insurance and the practice (AAO).

In CareCredit's 2022 data, ceramic braces cost $4,000 to $8,000, which is $1,000 more than metal braces at each end of the range. Healthline gives a wider range for ceramic of $2,000 to $8,500.

Ceramic vs metal braces

One oddity: in CareCredit's 2024 figures, the average for ceramic braces ($5,834) was lower than the average for metal braces ($6,343). The 2022 ranges and both sources above say ceramic usually costs more. We publish the 2024 numbers as CareCredit reported them, without guessing at the reason, and we use the ranges for estimates.

Ceramic braces are just as effective as metal ones, but because ceramic brackets aren't as strong, treatment may take slightly longer (Cleveland Clinic). Metal braces may be recommended for patients who need a highly durable appliance or have certain complex orthodontic needs (AAO).

Staining, food and repairs

Clear braces are more prone to staining than metal braces. Cleveland Clinic suggests avoiding dark foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine and tomato sauce, and brushing and flossing every day (Cleveland Clinic). Its list of foods to avoid with clear braces includes:

• Foods you bite into, such as apples, carrots and corn on the cob
• Chewy or sticky foods, such as caramels, taffy, licorice and chewing gum
• Foods that stain, such as coffee, tea, red wine, tomato sauce and soy sauce

Hard, crunchy or sticky foods can dislodge or break ceramic brackets (Cleveland Clinic), and each repair is another visit. Ask before you start whether repairs are included in the fee.

Who chooses ceramic braces

The AAO says ceramic braces may especially appeal to adults, older teens and anyone who feels self-conscious about metal braces (AAO). They suit people who want fixed braces that are less noticeable, without the daily responsibility of aligners. They aren't right for every patient or every problem, and in some cases they may not be offered (AAO); an orthodontist decides based on your teeth, bite and goals.

Ceramic braces vs clear aligners

Both are popular with people who want less visible treatment, but they work differently (AAO):

• Visibility: aligners are designed to be nearly invisible; ceramic brackets and wires are less noticeable than metal but still attached to the teeth.
• Daily effort: ceramic braces work without you doing anything; aligners must be worn as instructed, at least 22 hours a day (AAO).
• Eating: aligners come out for meals; with ceramic braces you avoid hard, sticky and staining foods.
• Price: CareCredit's 2022 ranges are $4,000 to $8,000 for ceramic and $4,000 to $7,000 for aligners. See how much Invisalign costs.

Questions to ask before choosing ceramic braces

• What would metal braces cost for my case, and how much more are ceramic?
• Are repairs to broken brackets included in the fee?
• Will you use clear or tooth-colored wires and ties, and how often are the ties changed?
• Does my insurance pay the same for ceramic as for metal, or only the metal price?
• Is the first retainer included? Replacements may cost extra (AAO).

Monthly cost of ceramic braces

Because ceramic treatment can run longer than metal, check that the monthly plan covers the whole treatment, and ask what happens if it runs past the planned end date.

Caring for ceramic braces

Good habits keep the brackets clear and avoid repair bills. Cleveland Clinic recommends brushing after meals, flossing once a day with tools such as floss threaders or small interproximal brushes, limiting dark-colored foods and drinks, and keeping up regular dental cleanings (Cleveland Clinic). If a bracket comes loose or a wire pokes, call the orthodontist rather than waiting for the next visit (AAO).

Ceramic costs in your state

Prices follow local living costs. Using 2024 state price levels, the typical price for ceramic ranges from about $5,200 in Arkansas to $6,650 in California. See every state on braces cost by state, or run the calculator for ceramic.

Is it worth the price?

With insurance

If your plan covers orthodontics, it typically pays a share of the fee up to a lifetime maximum. At 50% coverage, a $4,000 to $8,000 treatment would leave you about $2,000 to $4,000 if the plan had no maximum. Most plans have one: with a $2,500 lifetime maximum, as in Delta Dental of Virginia's example, you would pay about $2,000 to $5,500. Some plans only pay what standard metal braces would cost and leave you the difference for a pricier option (Healthline). Read more about how orthodontic insurance works.