How Much Do Braces Cost in Canada? (2026 Price Guide)

Braces in Canada run anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000, sometimes more, depending on the type you get, how complicated your case is, and where you live. Metal braces are the most affordable option, usually starting around $5,000 for a fairly simple case. Ceramic braces run slightly higher, and lingual braces (the kind placed behind your teeth) can go well beyond $12,000. The does not currently cover orthodontic treatment for adults, and private dental insurance plans typically apply a lifetime maximum of $1,500–$3,000 toward orthodontics, meaning a significant portion of the cost of orthodontics for teeth usually comes out of pocket, regardless of your coverage.

Braces are fixed orthodontic appliances bonded directly to your teeth. Brackets go on each tooth, a wire runs through them, and that wire does the work of slowly moving your teeth over months or years. You can't take them out, and your orthodontist adjusts them every few weeks throughout treatment.

Which type your orthodontist recommends comes down to your case: how much movement is needed, whether bite correction is involved, and what your priorities are around visibility and budget.

This is something most people don't think to ask about until they get a surprise bill, and it's worth sorting out upfront.

Two practices can quote $6,000 and $7,500 for what sounds like the same treatment. Once you read what's included in each, the more expensive one sometimes works out cheaper. Orthodontic quotes differ a lot in what they bundle versus what gets added on later.

What's usually in the quoted price:

• Initial records (X-rays, photos, digital scans or impressions)
• All the hardware: brackets, wires, bands
• Regular adjustment appointments throughout treatment
• One set of retainers when treatment ends (at many practices, but not all)

What often isn't:

• The first consultation ($0–$150 depending on the practice)
• Replacement retainers if one breaks or gets lost
• Emergency visits for broken brackets or a wire that's come loose
• Extra time in treatment if your teeth move slower than expected
• Teeth whitening, which some practices throw in as a promotion but may bill separately

Regardless of which type of braces you choose, retainers aren't included in the price. After your braces come off, you'll need them to keep your teeth from shifting back. Fixed retainers (a wire bonded behind your teeth) run $280–$500 per arch. Removable retainers (Hawley or clear Essix-style) cost $150–$415 per arch. Most people get retainers for both the upper and lower teeth, so the total cost typically ranges from $300 to $900. Some practices include a set in the treatment price, but many don't. Always ask for a full cost breakdown before you sign anything.

Two questions to ask before you sign:

• First: are retainers included? You'll need them no matter what, so if they're not in the quote, add $300–$900 to your total depending on the type and how many arches you need.
• Second: what happens if treatment runs over? Some orthodontists absorb that cost. Others charge per appointment past the original end date. For anyone with a complex case, this is worth pinning down in writing.

A higher total quote that includes everything will often save you money compared to a lower one that doesn't.

Braces aren't just for teenagers, even if it can feel that way. The treatment looks a bit different and costs a bit differently depending on how old the patient is.

Braces for Children (Under 12)

Some kids get referred to an orthodontist before all their adult teeth are in. In those cases, the orthodontist might recommend what's called Phase 1 or interceptive orthodontics: a shorter round of treatment using partial braces, palate expanders, or removable appliances to address a specific problem, like a severe crossbite or a jaw that's developing unevenly. This typically runs $2,000–$4,500.

However, Phase 1 doesn't replace full braces later. Most kids who go through it still need comprehensive treatment as a teenager. You're paying for two courses of treatment years apart. Not every child referred early actually needs Phase 1. It's genuinely the right call in some situations, but it gets recommended sometimes when waiting would reach the same outcome at no extra cost. A second opinion before committing is always reasonable.

Braces for Teenagers

Most orthodontic treatment in Canada happens during the teen years. All the adult teeth are in, the jaw is still developing, and tooth movement tends to be faster and more predictable than it is in adults. Metal braces are the most common choice, though some practices offer Invisalign Teen for older teenagers who are likely to wear their aligners consistently (see our Invisalign cost guide for how that compares).

Cost for teens is broadly in the same range as adults. If you have more than one child who'll need treatment, ask whether the practice offers any kind of family pricing. Some do.

Braces for Adults

More adults get braces than most people realize. Some never had treatment as kids, some dealt with relapse after earlier treatment, and some are only finding out now that a bite issue has been quietly causing problems.

Adult treatment usually costs 10–20% more than the same treatment in a teenager and takes longer. Adult bone is denser, so teeth move more slowly. A case that might wrap up in 18 months for a 16-year-old can take 24–30 months for a 40-year-old. On top of that, adults sometimes need a periodontal check before treatment can start. If there's any gum disease, that gets treated first. And if teeth need to be extracted to make room, add $200–$400 per tooth.

None of that should put you off. It just means going into a consultation with a realistic sense of the timeline and the full cost.

The type of braces is the biggest single factor, but it's not the only one. Here's what else moves the number up or down:

A few mildly crowded front teeth is a short, simple treatment. A significant overbite combined with jaw misalignment is longer and more involved. Your orthodontist's quote reflects the difficulty of what they're actually dealing with, not just the hardware.

A registered specialist orthodontist who completed additional years of training beyond dental school typically charges more than a general dentist offering orthodontic services. For complex cases, that expertise is usually worth the difference.

Practices using digital 3D scanning, computer-aided treatment planning, and laser technology tend to charge more to cover that equipment. The benefit is often more precise treatment; whether it matters for your specific case is worth asking about.

Some patients need palate expanders to widen the jaw before braces can go on, or spacers to create room between teeth. These are billed separately and can add $300–$800 or more. Extractions, fillings, or gum treatment required before orthodontics starts add to the total as well.

Practices in downtown Toronto or Vancouver carry significantly higher overhead than those in suburban or mid-sized cities, and that flows through to what patients pay. The same treatment from an equally qualified orthodontist can cost $1,000–$2,000 less in a suburban clinic than in a downtown one.

Private Employer Benefits Plans

Most mid-to-higher tier group dental plans include some orthodontic coverage. Usually, that means:

• A lifetime maximum of $1,500–$3,000 per person for orthodontic costs
• Coverage of around 50% of eligible costs up to that cap
• A waiting period of 3–12 months before the orthodontic benefit kicks in
• Coverage for dependents under 18 or 21 on most plans (whether adults are covered varies a lot by plan)

Check your benefits booklet for the exact lifetime maximum and whether you need preauthorization before starting treatment. If you're still inside a waiting period, it can be worth timing the start of treatment so you're able to claim from the first appointment.

The Medical Necessity Angle: Worth Asking About

Most insurers treat Invisalign as cosmetic and won't cover it beyond the standard orthodontic limit. Braces are different. When the case involves a real functional problem (a significant overbite, underbite, impacted teeth, or something that affects how you chew or speak) traditional braces are more often approved as medically necessary. That classification can move the claim out of the cosmetic/elective bucket and into better coverage.

If your case involves any of those issues, ask your orthodontist whether it qualifies as medically necessary before the claim goes in. It doesn't apply to everyone, but for the people it does apply to, it can make a real difference to what gets covered.

Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

The for adults. For kids under 18 who qualify based on household income, there's limited orthodontic coverage available, but only for cases the plan considers medically necessary, and preauthorization is required. For most adults considering braces, isn't on the table.

The one exception: adults with certain craniofacial conditions (cleft palate being one example) may qualify in specific circumstances. Check Health Canada's current 2026 guidelines if that applies to you.

Health Spending Accounts (HSAs)

If your employer offers an HSA, braces are an eligible expense. Since HSA funds come from pre-tax income, you're effectively getting a 25–45% discount depending on your tax bracket. If you have access to one, use it.

Provincial Programs

A handful of provinces run dental programs for children from lower-income families that can offset some orthodontic costs. These programs change regularly in terms of scope and eligibility. Alberta, BC, and Ontario have had them at various points. Check your provincial health authority's website to see what's currently available.

Most initial consultations are free or cost $50–$150. Prices for the same treatment can vary by $1,000–$2,000 between practices in the same city. You won't know if a quote is reasonable until you have something to compare it to.

Most orthodontic practices let you spread payments across the treatment period, usually interest-free. On a $6,500 treatment over 24 months, that works out to around $270 a month. It doesn't lower the total, but it makes a five-figure bill a lot more manageable.

Medicard, Dentalcard, and PayBright all offer dental financing plans. The important thing to check is whether the offer is genuinely interest-free or whether it's deferred interest, where interest builds from day one and hits you all at once if you haven't paid off the balance before the promotional period ends. Don't just look at the headline. Read the contract.

Run by the Canadian Foundation for the Advancement of Orthodontics (CFAO) in partnership with the Canadian Association of Orthodontists (CAO), provides orthodontic treatment at no cost (beyond a one-time $600 administrative fee) to children from low-income families across Canada. Eligibility is based on the federal Low-Income Cut-Off thresholds, and applicants must be between 7 and 14 years old (or up to 18 in Manitoba). Applications are accepted annually, typically between January and May. Competition is high and spots are limited, but for families who qualify, it's one of the most significant orthodontic cost offsets available in Canada.

The federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) programme provides coverage for a range of dental services, including orthodontics, for registered First Nations and recognized Inuit clients. Covered dental services include orthodontic treatment such as braces, alongside diagnostic, preventive, restorative, and oral surgery services. Coverage is subject to predetermination and medical necessity criteria. For more information, visit the Indigenous Services Canada NIHB dental benefits page.

University dental school clinics (including at the , UBC, the University of Alberta, McGill, and Dalhousie) offer orthodontic treatment at 30–50% less than private practice rates. It's supervised by licensed faculty, so the clinical standard is fine, but appointments take longer, wait lists can run several months, and overall treatment tends to take a bit more time. If you're not in a rush, the savings are real. We're talking potentially $2,000–$4,000 on the same treatment.

Straightforward and worth doing. The pre-tax savings add up.

Some practices will knock 5–10% off for full payment at the start. They don't advertise it. Ask.

If you're a few months away from your benefits kicking in, starting treatment after that date rather than before could mean getting $1,500–$3,000 back on your claim.

Ready to get started? Tell your preferences in a provider, and get matched with the right orthodontist in your area.