How much do braces cost: price ranges by braces type
Metal braces typically run $3,000 to $7,500, ceramic braces run $4,000 to $8,500, and lingual braces run $8,000 to $13,000, according to 2026 orthodontic practice pricing guides. The exact number for your case depends on how complex your bite correction is and where you live.
These are national ranges pulled from published treatment-cost pages at multiple US orthodontic practices, not one fixed price list. Ask your orthodontist for a written estimate before you commit to a plan.
Why the type of braces changes the price
Metal braces use stainless steel brackets and wires, the most established and least expensive option to manufacture and place. Ceramic braces swap the metal brackets for tooth-colored material, which costs more to produce and can add chair time during placement.
Video: Braces N Faces Orthodontics
Lingual braces sit on the back of your teeth, invisible from the front. Every bracket is custom-made to fit an individual tooth, which is why lingual treatment carries the highest price range of the three.
Braces cost by type
| Braces type | Typical cost range | Treatment time | Named source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal braces | $3,000 to $7,500 | 12 to 30 months | Brunswick Valley Orthodontics 2026 pricing guide |
| Ceramic braces | $4,000 to $8,500 | 12 to 30 months | Brunswick Valley Orthodontics 2026 pricing guide |
| Lingual braces | $8,000 to $13,000 | 12 to 36 months | Brunswick Valley Orthodontics 2026 pricing guide |
What drives the price beyond the braces type
Treatment length matters as much as bracket material. A mild bite correction that wraps up in 12 months costs less than a complex case that runs past 24 months, regardless of which braces you choose.
Where you live matters too. Orthodontists in higher cost-of-living metro areas generally charge more for the same treatment than practices in smaller markets.
Insurance and payment plans
Dental insurance plans that cover orthodontics typically cap the benefit at a lifetime maximum, commonly $1,000 to $2,000 per person, per Delta Dental‘s published plan guides. That maximum applies once, no matter how many years treatment takes.
Most orthodontic practices also offer in-house monthly payment plans, often interest-free, that spread the remaining balance over the length of treatment. Ask what down payment the practice requires before the plan starts.
Protecting your enamel while braces are on
Brackets and wires trap plaque against your enamel, which raises the risk of white spot lesions if brushing gets inconsistent. A hydroxyapatite toothpaste for braces is one option orthodontists point patients toward to support the enamel around brackets.
Hydroxyapatite is the mineral that makes up most of your tooth enamel, and what hydroxyapatite actually is explains why some toothpaste brands build formulas around replacing it. That matters more with braces on, since brackets make trouble spots harder to reach with a brush alone.
If you already notice early white spots forming, our enamel remineralization guide covers what helps rebuild those weak spots once braces come off.