How Much Does Orthodontic Treatment Cost in 2026?

What braces and aligners cost by type

CareCredit publishes two Synchrony fee studies. The 2023 tables cover metal braces and clear aligners. The 2024 tables cover ceramic and lingual braces. The $5,108–$9,221 band is the span of those four averages, not a promise that every patient lands inside it.

The American Association of Orthodontists does not set a national fee. Its cost page tells patients to get a case-specific estimate at a free or low-cost consultation.

• Clear aligners

  $5,108

  Includes in-office systems. The low end is typically a limited or direct-to-consumer case. Typical duration 12–18 months.

  $1,800avg $5,108$8,100
• Ceramic braces

  $5,834

  Tooth-colored or clear brackets. Same mechanics as metal. Typical duration 18–24 months.

  $4,480avg $5,834$11,312
• Metal braces

  $6,343

  The most common comprehensive appliance. State averages in the same study run $4,767–$8,350. Typical duration 12–24 months.

  $2,500avg $6,343$10,000
• Lingual braces

  $9,221

  Custom brackets bonded to the tongue side of the teeth. Highest average in the CareCredit tables. Typical duration 18–36 months.

  $7,321avg $9,221$17,411

Bars share one scale, $1,800 to $17,411. Gold is the published range. The dark mark is the average. Duration is typical clinical length, not a study field.

How much do braces cost with insurance?

FAIR Health describes orthodontics as a separate class of benefit. Plans that cover it often pay about 50% of the allowed charge, up to a lifetime dollar maximum that does not reset each year. Coverage is commonly limited to dependents under 19.

Align Technology cites OrthoFi verification data for 2021: among 112,243 insured U.S. patients, the mean benefit was $1,772. 92% qualified for up to $3,000.

1. 1. Quoted fee

   $6,343

   Synchrony metal average

2. 2. 50% coinsurance

   $3,172

   Before the cap

3. 3. Lifetime maximum

   $1,500

   What the plan actually pays

4. 4. Patient pays

   $4,843

   Fee minus the cap

The coinsurance percentage does not matter once the lifetime maximum is lower than 50% of the fee. That is the usual outcome on a comprehensive case.

What is included in an orthodontic fee?

The AAO tells patients to ask whether the quote is all-inclusive: the appliance, scheduled visits, emergency visits, and post-treatment retainers. Offices that bill those items separately can look cheaper on the first page of the contract.

• Clear plastic retainer (Essix)$181
• Molded acrylic / Hawley retainer$302
• Bonded (fixed) retainer$344
• Broken bracket repair$185
• Adjustment / tightening visit, if billed separately$115

Source: Synchrony 2024 fee study. Stand-alone averages, not a required add-on package.

How much do braces cost by state?

The 2023 Synchrony study reports a metal-braces average for every state and the District of Columbia. The lowest published average is $4,767 in Indiana. The highest is $8,350 in Nevada. Prices exclude accessory appliances and insurance.

Source: Synchrony / CareCredit Average Procedural Cost Study (October 2023). A city quote can sit well above or below its state average.

How families typically pay

The AAO reports that most member offices no longer require the full fee before banding. A down payment is common. The balance is then paid monthly for 12–24 months, often without interest when the plan stays in-house.

Health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts can pay eligible orthodontic expenses with pre-tax dollars. FSA funds usually expire at year-end, so the office and the plan administrator need the same payment schedule.

For children who cannot otherwise afford care, the AAO points to Gifted Smiles, Smiles Change Lives, and Smile for a Lifetime. Medicaid and CHIP may cover medically necessary orthodontics for eligible children. Adult Medicaid coverage is uncommon.

Payment options in more detail

More specific cost guides

• Invisalign costAlign packages and the national aligner average
• Adult braces costAdult cases and existing dental work
• Teen braces costMetal, ceramic, and Invisalign Teen
• Braces cost for kidsPhase 1 versus Phase 2
• Payment optionsIn-house plans, FSA/HSA, CareCredit

Sources

National Orthodontic Registry does not sell treatment and does not set fees. This page restates published figures so a quote can be read against a documented baseline.

1. 1.Synchrony / CareCredit Average Procedural Cost Study (2024) ASQ360° Market Research, conducted 2023–2024 for Synchrony CareCredit across the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
2. 2.Synchrony / CareCredit Average Procedural Cost Study (October 2023) ASQ360° Market Research cost tables published by CareCredit. Used for metal braces and clear aligner averages, plus the state metal-braces table.
3. 3.FAIR Health, Paying for Orthodontics Independent claims-data nonprofit. Describes how dental plans typically pay orthodontics (Class IV): about 50% of the charge up to a separate lifetime maximum, often limited to dependents under 19.
4. 4.American Association of Orthodontists, How Much Do Braces Cost? AAO does not publish a single national fee. It states that cost varies by appliance, complexity, and duration, and that most member offices offer a free or low-cost consultation.
5. 5.American Association of Orthodontists, Payment Plans in Orthodontics Most in-house plans require a down payment, then monthly payments for 12–24 months, often without interest.
6. 6.Align Technology / OrthoFi insurance verification (calendar year 2021) N = 112,243 U.S. patients with dental insurance who used OrthoFi verification. Mean orthodontic benefit $1,772. 92% qualified for up to $3,000; 77% qualified for up to $2,000. Cited on Invisalign.com as of January 19, 2023.