Braces cost: €500 to €2,500 per semester (2026)

In France, braces most often cost between €500 and €2,500 per treatment semester, depending on the type of braces chosen, the patient's age and the complexity of the case. This broad range explains why it is useful to understand what affects the bill before starting orthodontic treatment.

Getting braces is both practical and aesthetic. It is one of the treatments most sought after by patients. Getting a full set of braces represents a significant cost for a family's healthcare budget. In addition, orthodontic costs for children and adults require effective health insurance to cover all expenses.

Here is a guide to help you learn more about the cost of braces.

How much do braces cost in France?

The price of braces depends primarily on the type of appliance used. As a general guide, here are the price ranges generally observed in orthodontics, expressed per treatment semester, bearing in mind that a complete treatment often spans several semesters.

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These amounts are indicative only: only an examination and a quote from an orthodontist can determine the actual cost of your braces. Orthodontic fees are not regulated, which explains the significant differences from one practice to another.

The price of braces by type

Each type of dental appliance meets a specific need and has its own price range. Understanding these differences helps you weigh budget, discretion, and comfort.

Metal braces

Metal braces are the most common and affordable orthodontic solution, often costing between €600 and €1,200 per semester. Durable and effective for most corrections, they remain visible on the teeth, which is why many adults prefer a more discreet option.

Ceramic braces

Ceramic braces work like metal braces but have a shade close to that of the teeth, making them less visible. This aesthetic benefit comes at a cost: they generally range from €800 to €1,500 per semester, making them more expensive than traditional metal braces.

Clear aligners

Clear aligners, also called aligners, consist of custom-made removable trays. Almost invisible and comfortable, they are popular with many adults, but their custom fabrication and associated follow-up put the total treatment cost between €2,000 and €4,000, and sometimes more for complex cases.

Lingual braces

Lingual braces are attached to the inner surface of the teeth, on the tongue side, making them completely invisible from the outside. This is the most technical and expensive option: you should budget between €1,900 and €2,500 per semester, due to the more extensive care and more frequent visits they require.

Factors that affect the price of dental appliances

For the same type of appliance, several factors can significantly affect the final price of a dental appliance. Understanding the main ones makes it easier to interpret an orthodontic estimate.

The patient's age

An adult dental appliance often costs more than a child's dental appliance. Health insurance does not reimburse certain dental appliances, which discourages some adults from wearing one. However, these adult appliances can help prevent severe, common problems such as receding gums or tooth loss.

The complexity of orthodontic treatment

The duration of treatment depends on the complexity of the patient's case. It will not be the same if the patient needs to address crowded teeth, misalignment, or gaps between the teeth; a simple appliance may be worn for 6 months to 1 year. Conversely, if the dental problems are severe, consultations will be needed every six months, and the total cost will rise accordingly.

The orthodontic practice

You should know that dentists are free to set their fees. Therefore, the price of a dental appliance can vary significantly from one dentist to another. The location of the dental practice will strongly influence the proposed price. It will therefore differ depending on whether the dentist practices in a city center or on the outskirts, or in the countryside or an urban area.

The price of dental appliances for adults

Invisible dental appliances for adults

This type of dental appliance costs more than a conventional dental appliance. It consists of trays, also known as aligners. These trays can be removed whenever necessary and are completely discreet to wear. Perfectly adapted to your teeth, they provide effective treatment while being as unobtrusive and comfortable as possible in your daily life. Their custom-made design and the treatment that accompanies them mean that these invisible adult dental appliances have a higher overall cost. For treatment using an invisible dental appliance, you should budget approximately €1,800 per semester.

Lingual braces for adults

Lingual braces are also invisible because they are placed behind your teeth. They are also the most expensive type of invisible braces. This type of braces requires much more extensive and regular care from a practitioner experienced in orthodontics, which also means more frequent visits and, in some cases, a longer treatment period. For lingual orthodontic treatment, you should therefore budget between €1,900 and €2,500 per semester. However, it is important to know that this will depend on the cost of the materials used, how often you need to visit your practitioner to adjust your lingual braces, and the manufacturer of the braces.

The price of braces for children

The price of braces and orthodontic treatment is often high. Indeed, fitting braces requires many visits to your dentist. These visits include adjusting the braces and monitoring the progress of tooth alignment. The final price will therefore depend largely on the complexity of the braces and the type of care the child needs. The price charged will also depend on the condition of the child’s permanent teeth: the more extensive the work required, the higher the total cost of the estimate.

Orthodontic treatment for a child costs between €500 and €2,000 per semester. The price may be higher if you want discreet braces for your child. This price does not include the preliminary examinations that enable the practitioner to determine the most suitable treatment. You should therefore add between €30 and €300 for the diagnosis. Some of these costs may be covered by Social Security, provided that treatment begins before the child’s 16th birthday. You may also supplement this coverage with suitable private health insurance.

Reimbursement for braces

Depending on the patient’s profile and the nature of the treatment, Social Security reimbursement covers only a small portion of the expenses incurred. In some circumstances, it does not cover the costs, particularly when the treatment is considered cosmetic rather than restorative. This is the case for orthodontic treatment in adults aged 16 and over. Whether for an adult or a child, it is therefore essential to have good complementary health insurance for yourself and your loved ones.

For people over 16, only orthodontic treatment performed before jaw surgery is covered by Social Security, and only for the first six-month orthodontic treatment period preceding surgery. In this case, your complementary health insurance makes the real difference to your out-of-pocket costs: policies provide orthodontic allowances expressed per six-month period or per year, with amounts varying significantly depending on the plan chosen. Before signing a quote, it is therefore wise to check your insurer’s annual orthodontic coverage limit.

How can you finance and spread out the cost of braces?

Orthodontic treatment represents a significant expense, but several options can help spread the cost over time and reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Here are the useful steps for managing the cost of your braces.

1. Ask for a detailed quote. It specifies the type of braces, the number of six-month treatment periods, and the total amount, which is essential for comparison and for submitting to your health insurer.
2. Request an estimate from your health insurer. You will find out the annual or six-month orthodontic allowance covered and therefore your actual out-of-pocket cost.
3. Negotiate a payment plan. Many practices allow treatment to be paid in several monthly installments, often interest-free, throughout the treatment period.
4. Check additional assistance. The Complémentaire santé solidaire scheme may cover all or part of children’s orthodontic treatment, depending on household income.

Taking good care of your teeth during orthodontic treatment

Wearing braces makes brushing significantly more difficult: brackets, wires, and retainers trap food particles and plaque. Thorough cleaning is therefore essential to prevent cavities and gum inflammation throughout the treatment, which already represents a significant investment.

If you are looking for a toothbrush that is easy to use with braces, the Y-Brush sonic toothbrush, whose soft, fine bristles enable thorough brushing, even under the brace wire, the retainer wire, or around the brackets. For younger patients undergoing treatment, the Y-Brush children's sonic toothbrush makes effective daily brushing easier.

We hope this guide has helped you understand the factors that affect the price of dental braces, the difference in price between braces for adults and braces for children, as well as the reimbursement conditions for dental braces.

Frequently asked questions about the price of a dental brace