When should my child see an orthodontist?
Take your child in when a problem is noticed, and no later than age 7. Most offices do not charge for that appointment. It is a look at growth and incoming teeth, not a plan to put braces on a 7-year-old. You will usually leave with one of three answers: wait, watch, or start a small amount of early care.
What is early treatment versus full treatment?
Early treatment (Phase 1)
This is care while some baby teeth are still in. The office may use an expander, a habit appliance, or a short stretch of braces to make space or guide the jaws. The goal is to keep a problem from getting harder later, not to finish the smile. The fee is quoted after records.
Full treatment (Phase 2)
This is the main course of braces or aligners after most adult teeth are in. Many children skip early treatment and start here. If your child has both phases, ask the office for three numbers: the early fee, the wait in between, and the later fee.
What full treatment costs
The averages below apply once most adult teeth are in. They are for a full course of treatment, not the earlier Phase 1 visit. A 10-year-old often still has baby teeth, so the first quote may be early treatment or a plan to wait rather than these figures. Metal is the number most families start with.
- Clear aligners$5,108Typical range $1,800–$8,100
- Ceramic braces$5,834Typical range $4,480–$11,312
- Metal braces$6,343Typical range $2,500–$10,000
- Lingual braces$9,221Typical range $7,321–$17,411
How much do braces cost for kids with insurance?
Many dental plans that cover orthodontics pay about half the fee, up to a lifetime maximum, and often only for children under 19. In a 2021 sample of insured patients, the average benefit was $1,772. On a $6,343 metal fee, that would leave a family paying about $4,571 if the plan paid that average.
If your child is on Medicaid and under 21, orthodontic care can be covered when the state agrees it is needed for health, not only for appearance.
Guides families use next
Questions parents ask
Full treatment, once most adult teeth are in, averages $5,108 to $9,221 depending on the appliance. Early treatment while some baby teeth remain is quoted by the office after an exam. Office websites that list a Phase 1 dollar band are describing that practice, not a national average.
When a problem is noticed, and no later than age 7. Most offices offer that visit at no charge or a low fee. Age 7 is a first look at growth, not a plan to start braces that year.
Phase 1 is early care while some baby teeth are still in. The goal is to keep a developing problem from getting harder later, not to finish the smile. An office may use an expander, a habit appliance, or a short stretch of braces. A later full phase is still common.
Sometimes, if there is an underbite, a crossbite, severe crowding, or a habit that is changing the jaws. Many problems can wait for one later course of treatment. Early care is used when waiting is likely to make the problem worse.
If your child is on Medicaid and under 21, orthodontic care can be covered when the state agrees it is needed for health, not only for appearance. CHIP includes a dental benefit; that is not a promise that every plan covers braces.
It can be, because it is two episodes plus a rest in between. Ask the office for three numbers: the early fee, the wait, and the later fee. Then compare those numbers with waiting for one later course of treatment.
Many plans that cover orthodontics pay about half the fee, up to a lifetime maximum, and often only for children under 19. In a 2021 sample of insured patients, the average benefit was $1,772. On a $6,343 metal fee, that would leave a family paying about $4,571 if the plan paid that average, or more if the lifetime maximum is lower.
A 10-year-old often still has baby teeth, so the quote may be early treatment, a plan to wait, or, less often, an early start on full treatment. The age-7 visit is how that decision is made. If most adult teeth are already in, the national averages for full treatment apply.
Sources
These figures come from published studies and professional groups. We do not sell treatment or set fees. Use them to read an office quote against a national baseline.
- 1.Synchrony / CareCredit Average Procedural Cost Study (October 2023) National averages for metal braces and other appliances. This is the source for the $6,343 metal figure and the table of full-treatment averages.
- 2.Align Technology / OrthoFi insurance verification (calendar year 2021) Among insured U.S. patients verified in 2021, the average orthodontic benefit was $1,772.
- 3.American Association of Orthodontists, When Should My Child See an Orthodontist? Children should see an orthodontist by age 7. Most offices offer that first visit at no charge or a low fee. It is a first look, not a start date for braces.
- 4.American Association of Orthodontists, Is There a Benefit to Early Treatment? A first visit should happen when a problem is noticed, and no later than age 7. Early treatment happens while some baby teeth are still in. Some children will still need a second course later.
- 5.American Association of Orthodontists, Six Facts About Two-Phase Treatment Phase 2 generally begins when most or all permanent teeth are in. For many children, a single comprehensive phase is still the right path.
- 6.Medicaid.gov, EPSDT Covered dental services for children under 21 must include medically necessary orthodontic services. States determine medical necessity.
- 7.FAIR Health, Paying for Orthodontics Adult orthodontic care is usually not covered. Plans that cover it may limit benefits to dependents under 19. Typical structure: about 50% up to a lifetime maximum.