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

In France, the price of a dental appliance most often ranges from €500 to €2,500 per treatment semester, depending on the type of appliance 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. Dental appliance prices, braces costs, the cost of an invisible appliance, or reimbursement: this guide reviews each expense to help you budget for your orthodontic treatment with peace of mind.

Having a dental appliance fitted is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. It is one of the treatments most popular with patients. Having a complete appliance fitted represents a significant cost for the 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 price of a dental appliance.

Dental appliance prices: what budget should you plan for in France?

The price of a dental appliance depends primarily on the type of appliance used. As an indication, here are the price ranges generally seen 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 provided by an orthodontist can determine the actual price of your dental appliance. Orthodontic fees are not regulated, which explains the significant differences from one practice to another.

The price of a dental appliance by type

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

Metal braces

Metal braces are the most widely used 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 advantage comes at a cost: generally expect to pay €800 to €1,500 per semester, a higher price than traditional metal braces.

Clear aligners (aligners)

Clear aligners, also known as aligners, consist of custom-made removable trays. Almost invisible and comfortable, they are popular with many adults, but their custom manufacture and associated follow-up put the full treatment cost at €2,000 to €4,000, 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: expect a budget of €1,900 to €2,500 per semester, due to the more extensive care and more frequent appointments they require.

Removable dental appliances

Removable dental appliances, often recommended for children during growth, can be taken out for eating and brushing. Less technical than fixed braces, they are among the most affordable options: generally expect to pay €300 to €800 per appliance, or a budget of €600 to €1,600 when both jaws are fitted. This price is indicative and depends on the laboratory and practitioner.

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. Knowing the main points makes it easier to understand an orthodontic quote.

The patient's age

An orthodontic appliance for adults often costs more than one for children. Health insurance does not cover the cost of certain orthodontic appliances, which discourages some adults from wearing one. However, these appliances for adults can help prevent serious, very 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 correct 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 serious, consultations will be required every six months and the total cost will rise accordingly.

The orthodontic practice

You should know that dentists are free to set their own fees. Therefore, the price of an orthodontic appliance can vary considerably from one dentist to another. The location of the dental practice will therefore have a significant influence on the proposed price. It will consequently 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 orthodontic appliances for adults

Invisible orthodontic appliances for adults

This type of orthodontic appliance costs more than a traditional orthodontic 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 manufacture and the treatment that accompanies them mean that these invisible orthodontic appliances for adults have a higher overall cost. For treatment using an invisible orthodontic appliance, you should expect a budget of around €1,800 per six-month period. The price of an invisible orthodontic appliance therefore remains one of the highest in orthodontics, due to its custom manufacture and the close monitoring it requires.

Lingual appliances for adults

A lingual appliance is also invisible because it is placed behind your teeth. It is also the invisible dental appliance with the highest cost. This type of appliance requires much more extensive and regular care from your orthodontic specialist, which also means more frequent visits and, in some cases, a longer treatment. 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 dental appliance, and the appliance manufacturer.

The price of dental appliances for children

The price of dental appliances and orthodontic care is often high. In fact, fitting a dental appliance requires numerous visits to your dentist. These visits include adjusting the appliance and monitoring the progress of the teeth straightening. The final price will therefore depend largely on the complexity of the dental appliances and the nature of the care required by the child. 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 on the estimate will be.

Dental treatment for a child costs between €500 and €2,000 per semester. The price may be higher if you want a discreet appliance for your child. Preliminary examinations needed to determine the most suitable treatment must be added to this price. The diagnosis will therefore cost an additional €30 to €300. 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.

The cost of a complete orthodontic treatment

Dental appliance price ranges are most often expressed per six-month period, but treatment lasts an average of 1 to 3 years, or 2 to 6 six-month periods. To estimate the overall budget, multiply the six-month fee by the number of six-month periods specified in the quote, then add any additional costs.

• Metal braces: €600 to €1,200 per six-month period, or approximately €1,800 to €3,600 for a three-six-month-period treatment.
• Ceramic braces: €800 to €1,500 per six-month period, or approximately €2,400 to €4,500 over three six-month periods.
• Clear aligners: €2,000 to €4,000 for the complete treatment, including follow-up.
• Lingual braces: €1,900 to €2,500 per six-month period, making them the most expensive option over the course of treatment.

This total is supplemented by the initial assessment (X-rays and impressions, often costing between €30 and €300) and the retention phase that follows active treatment. Intended to stabilize the result achieved, this retention is covered by Social Security based on approximately €161 in the first year and then €107 in the second year for children, with the remainder covered by the health insurance provider.

Reimbursement for dental braces

Depending on the patient's profile and the type of treatment, Social Security reimbursement accounts for only a small part 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 necessary to have good supplementary health insurance for yourself and your loved ones.

For people over the age of 16, Social Security only covers orthodontic treatment performed before jaw surgery, limited to the first six months of orthodontic treatment preceding the surgery. The health insurance provider then makes the real difference to the out-of-pocket cost: plans provide orthodontic allowances expressed per six-month period or per year, with amounts varying widely depending on the plan chosen. Before signing a quote, it is therefore wise to check your health insurance provider's annual orthodontic coverage limit.

The health insurance provider's orthodontic allowance

Health insurance providers cover orthodontic treatment either as a percentage of the Social Security reimbursement base (for example, 200% or 300%), or as an annual flat-rate allowance in euros, often between €200 and €800 per year depending on the plan chosen. For a long treatment, this ceiling may be reached every year: it is therefore essential to compare plans based on orthodontic coverage before committing, particularly for an adult whose Social Security reimburses almost nothing.

To illustrate the out-of-pocket cost, let us take a purely indicative example. For a child under 16, a six-month period of braces billed at €750 entitles them to a Social Security reimbursement of €193.50 (100% coverage basis); the balance, around €556, is then covered in whole or in part by the health insurer's orthodontic allowance, so the out-of-pocket cost can fall from several hundred euros to almost zero. For an adult, since Social Security reimburses virtually nothing, the health insurer's allowance alone determines the out-of-pocket cost.

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

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

1. Have a detailed estimate prepared. It specifies the type of braces, the number of six-month periods and the total cost, 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-monthly orthodontic allowance covered and therefore your actual out-of-pocket cost.
3. Negotiate a payment plan. Many practices accept payment for the treatment in several monthly instalments, often interest-free, over the entire treatment period.
4. Check additional financial assistance. Complementary health insurance may cover some or all of orthodontic treatment for children, depending on the household's financial resources.

Taking care of your teeth during orthodontic treatment

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

If you're 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 braces' wire, the retainer wire or around the brackets. For younger children 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 braces, the difference in cost between braces for adults and children, and the reimbursement conditions for braces.

Frequently asked questions about the cost of braces