What Affects the Cost of Braces?
By Aurora Gateway Dental Care · Published October 29, 2026 · Updated October 29, 2026 · Reviewed by our dentists
The short answer
Braces cost depends on how complex your bite is, which type of braces you choose, how long treatment lasts and how many visits it takes. Records before treatment and retainers after it are part of the total. Orthodontic coverage varies widely, so ask for a written estimate and a predetermination before you start.
What you're paying for over the course of treatment
Braces are a long project. The Canadian Dental Association notes that most people wear them for about two years, and adults often take longer. The fee usually covers far more than the brackets and wires.
A typical treatment includes:
- A consultation and orthodontic records, such as X-rays, photos and a digital scan
- Placing the braces
- Regular adjustment visits to tighten or change wires
- Elastics or small add-on appliances if your bite needs them
- Removing the braces and polishing the teeth
- Retainers to hold the result
How the bite affects braces cost
The complexity of the case is the biggest factor. Mild crowding of the lower front teeth is a short job. A deep overbite, crossbite, open bite or a large gap between the jaws can take much longer and need more appliances. In rare cases, jaw surgery is part of the plan, which involves a surgical team and separate fees.
Missing or extra teeth, teeth that are stuck under the gum and old dental work can also add steps. Your dentist will explain what is needed after looking at your records.
Metal or ceramic braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common type and handle a wide range of problems. Ceramic braces work the same way, but the brackets are tooth-coloured, so they are less noticeable. Ceramic brackets can be larger and more fragile, and they may be priced differently because of the material.
Metal braces cost is often the baseline that other options are compared to. Clear aligners are another option for some cases, and we cover them in a separate article on aligner costs.
Children, teens and adult braces cost
Age changes the plan. The Ontario Dental Association suggests an orthodontic check around age seven. Some children benefit from an early phase of treatment, such as an expander, followed by braces later. Two phases means two sets of fees, though the first phase may make the second simpler. Our article on the right age to start orthodontic treatment explains this in more detail.
Adults can have braces at any age. Adult treatment often takes longer, and gum health, old fillings, crowns or missing teeth may need attention first. That can add to the overall adult braces cost.
Visits, breakages and retainers
Adjustment visits happen every several weeks. Most offices include them in the treatment fee, but ask. Broken brackets from hard or sticky foods may mean extra visits and can slow progress.
After the braces come off, retainers are needed to stop teeth from moving back. They may be fixed wires behind the teeth or removable ones, and the ODA says they need to be worn for life. Replacements over the years are a cost to plan for.
Good habits help keep costs predictable. Cut hard foods into small pieces, skip sticky candy and gum, and wear your elastics as directed. Teeth that move on schedule mean fewer surprise visits and a treatment that ends closer to the planned date.
Fees, orthodontic coverage and payment
Orthodontic fees are set by the treating office, and the Ontario Dental Association suggested fee guide gives offices a reference point. Insurance plans then apply separate rules to orthodontics. Some cover it only for dependents up to a certain age, some have a lifetime maximum just for orthodontics, and many don't include it at all. Plans often pay in instalments over the treatment rather than all at once.
Braces are not currently part of the Canadian Dental Care Plan, and they sit outside the urgent care that the Interim Federal Health Program supports. Because braces are paid over a long time, ask about payment options and send a predetermination to your insurer before treatment starts.
Braces in Aurora
If you're in Aurora or nearby, Aurora Gateway Dental Care offers metal braces, ceramic braces and clear aligners. Dr. Farhad Sobouti, DDS, MSc (Orthodontics), FRCDC, provides our orthodontic treatment. Once your records are taken, you'll receive a written estimate that shows what is and isn't included. We submit orthodontic claims for you and can set out how payments may be spread over treatment.
Questions
Why can't I get a braces price without a consultation?
The fee depends on your bite, which can only be judged with an exam and records. Two people with similar-looking smiles can need very different treatment underneath.
Does the braces price include retainers?
It depends on the office. Practices handle this differently: the first retainer may be built into the fee or charged on its own. Replacement retainers later are usually extra. Check your written estimate. Ask how many retainers are included and what a replacement involves if one is lost or cracked.
Are braces for my child covered by my work plan?
Many plans include orthodontics for dependent children, often with a lifetime maximum. Ask your insurer about age limits and how payments are spread, or let us send a predetermination for you.
What happens if I move partway through treatment?
Treatment can sometimes be transferred to another office, but fees and plans may differ. Tell us early so we can prepare your records and explain your options.
Do I still need regular cleanings during braces?
Yes. Brackets trap plaque, and the CDA notes that brushing and flossing are even more important with braces. Keep up your cleanings and checkups with your family dentist throughout.
General information, not personal medical advice. If you have pain, swelling or an injury, call us at 289-475-5497.