Thinking of getting braces for the perfect smile? You might have to brace yourself when it comes to how much you’ll need to fork out for them.
It’s no surprise that over a quarter of all Australians (27%) have had braces done — it’s one of the most effective ways to straighten crooked teeth or align the mouth for a more natural smile.
With the rise in demand for cosmetic dentistry, there have been advancements in treatments beyond traditional metal braces. However, these advancements also come with varying costs.
So, before you hop into the dentist chair, read this guide for a brief breakdown of how much braces in Australia cost and what you can expect.
Average Cost of Braces in Australia
So, just how much do braces cost in Australia?
The truth is that the price range for braces in Australia can vary quite a bit.
Based on the latest data online, you could be looking at a cost of around $6,000 to $13,000 for braces.
Why such a huge range, you ask? Well, there are actually a couple of aspects that can impact the overall expense of braces.
What Affects the Cost of Braces?
Your dental needs are unique to you, so you can’t get an accurate estimation of how much braces will cost without having a consultation with an experienced orthodontist first.
There are, however, several general factors that guide the cost of braces:
- Type of braces
- Severity of the orthodontic issue
- Duration of treatment
- Additional treatments or procedures
- Health insurance coverage
Type of Braces
When it comes to orthodontic treatment in Australia, there are several types of braces you can choose from.
Each type is designed around a specialised feature, offering different advantages:
- Traditional Metal Braces: The most common and cost-effective option; they consist of metal brackets and wires and are highly effective at correcting teeth positions or jaw alignments.
Typically, metal braces can set you back about $6000-$9000.
- Clear or Ceramic Braces: A variation of their metal counterparts, these braces blend in more naturally with your teeth due to their translucent or tooth-coloured appearance.
Their subtle appearance is accompanied by a slightly increased cost, typically falling between $7,000 and $10,000.
- Lingual Braces: Unlike traditional braces that appear on the exterior, Lingual braces are placed on the inner surface of your teeth, making them virtually unseen.
Expect to pay between $10,000 and $13,000 for these braces, as their specialised fitting and adjustments command a higher price.
- Invisalign Aligners: A flexible alternative to braces that don’t involve long-term fixtures in the mouth, Invisalign offers a virtually invisible solution using clear, removable aligners. Invisalign has become increasingly popular among adults but tends to be among the more expensive options, costing between $6000-$9000.
Severity of the Orthodontic Issue
The bigger and more complex your orthodontic problem is, the more your braces are likely to cost.
Mild issues like slight crowding or minor spacing discrepancies are typically much easier to treat, resulting in shorter treatment durations and less intensive adjustments.
On the other hand, severe orthodontic issues, such as significant misalignment, overbites, or underbites, will take more specialised treatment to resolve, naturally leading to more expenses.
Duration of Treatment
General dental checkups are usually one-and-done visits, but when it comes to braces, multiple scheduled visits are always involved. Teeth don’t like moving, so it’ll take some time to push them into the right places.
In straightforward cases like minor misalignments or simple spacing corrections, treatment durations can be as short as 6 months to 1 year. With fewer visits, the overall cost tends to be lower.
More complicated cases may take up to 18 months, 2 years, or even longer. Just remember that the more visits you have, the higher the cost will be.
Additional Treatments or Procedures
In some cases, other procedures may be required before you can be fitted with braces.
Examples of this are tooth extractions (to create space for proper alignment) or, in more extreme cases, jaw surgery.
The cost of these procedures is a whole other matter in of itself, but suffice it to say that they will significantly add to the cost of braces if required.
Retainers are another thing to add to the list. After the braces come off, retainers are often required to maintain the newly aligned teeth. Make sure you consider the cost of retainers as well when budgeting for braces.
Health Insurance Coverage
Fortunately, you may be able to get some breathing room from the multitude of costs with the help of private health insurance with extras or dental coverage.
If you have a private insurance plan, be sure to review the details of your coverage to understand how much financial relief you can expect for your braces treatment.
Medicare primarily covers medical and hospital services, and is usually not applicable to braces treatment, except in some severe cases or conditions.
Put on a Smile with Elevate Dental
Getting braces is a worthwhile investment to make, no matter how young or old you are.
The confidence you’ll receive from having the perfect smile is priceless and will change the way you interact with people and live your life.
At Elevate Dental, we understand the anxieties that come with getting braces and are committed to creating a stress-free experience for you with our caring staff and interest-free payment plans.
Our expert team of orthodontists have helped countless patients achieve their dream smile — just take a look at our glowing reviews!
Contact us today to start your journey toward a beautiful smile!
