What determines the cost of braces in 2026?
The cost of braces cannot be stated as a single figure, because the fee depends not so much on the type of braces fitted as on the orthodontic problem to be solved. Mild crowding may be corrected in a few months, whereas a case requiring jaw expansion, tooth extraction or bite correction takes much longer and needs more check-ups and more materials. That is why the answers you see online to the question "how much does it cost to get braces" may not reflect your situation.
Under Turkish regulations, healthcare providers do not publish price figures online; the fee is communicated to you in writing after the examination and treatment planning.
What factors affect the cost of braces treatment?
The cost of orthodontic treatment is a combination of several interrelated factors. The table below gives a general summary of how each factor can affect the fee:
| Factor | How does it affect the fee? |
|---|---|
| Type and severity of the problem | Mild crowding and a skeletal jaw discrepancy do not require the same effort; the more complex the case, the longer the plan. |
| Estimated treatment time | The longer the treatment, the more check-up appointments, wire changes and orthodontist time are needed. |
| Type of brackets | Metal, ceramic (clear) and lingual (tongue-side) brackets differ in material and placement costs. |
| One jaw or both jaws? | Treatment applied only to the upper or lower jaw is planned differently from treatment covering both jaws. |
| Additional appliances | Supporting devices such as a palatal expander, a space maintainer or mini-screws may be added to the plan. |
| Pre-treatment procedures | If fillings, gum treatment or tooth extraction are needed, these are planned separately. |
| Retention period | The fixed or removable retention device (retainer) used after the braces come off is part of the plan. |
As you can see, a fixed list such as "metal braces cost this much, ceramic braces cost that much" does not reflect reality. Two patients treated with the same type of brackets can have quite different plans and therefore different fees. We compare the general features of the types of braces in our article on types of braces.
How much does the type of bracket change the cost?
The type of bracket is one of the factors that affects the fee, but it is often not the most decisive one. Metal brackets are the most commonly used option. Ceramic braces are less noticeable because they are close to the color of the teeth; their material cost generally differs from metal. Because lingual braces are bonded to the inner surfaces of the teeth, they may require custom preparation and more orthodontist time. Which type suits your case is also evaluated at the examination; not every type works equally well in every case.
How is the length of treatment reflected in the fee?
In most cases, braces treatment lasts between one and a half and two and a half years, but this varies from person to person. During this time, check-up appointments are usually held every 4–8 weeks; wires are changed, elastics are replaced and progress is checked. So the fee is actually set not for a single "fitting" procedure but for the entire treatment process from start to finish. We explain the factors that affect treatment time in detail on our how long braces take page.
How much does it cost to get braces? What does the fee include?
Most patients who ask "how much does it cost to get braces" are thinking only of the fitting appointment. However, orthodontic treatment consists of several stages, and knowing which stages are included in a quote allows you to compare quotes properly. A treatment plan usually includes the following:
- Examination and records: An in-mouth examination, panoramic and cephalometric X-rays (a side-view skull film), photographs, and impressions or an intraoral scan.
- Treatment planning: Reviewing the records and, if necessary, deciding on tooth extraction or an appliance.
- Fitting the brackets: Bonding the brackets to the teeth and placing the first wire.
- Check-up appointments: Regular wire changes and adjustments throughout treatment.
- Removing the brackets: Taking off the brackets and cleaning the teeth at the end of treatment.
- Retention: A fixed or removable retainer and the follow-up check-ups afterward.
When you get a quote, also ask how situations such as rebonding a broken bracket, replacing a lost retainer or treatment lasting longer than planned will be handled. When these details are discussed at the outset, there are no surprises during treatment.
Why might the cost of braces differ for patients under and over 18?
"Cost of braces for under-18s" is a frequently searched topic, because age can affect both the content of treatment and its planning.
- The growth-period advantage: Because jaw development is still ongoing in children and teenagers, some skeletal problems can be guided with appliances that steer growth. This may add an appliance phase to treatment, but it can prevent more complex treatment later on. For details, see our early orthodontic treatment page.
- Additional needs in adults: Conditions such as gum recession, missing teeth, old fillings or crowns are more common in adults. This may require collaboration with other departments before treatment.
In other words, age alone does not mean "cheap" or "expensive"; the effect of age on the treatment plan becomes clear at the examination. For more information about the age to start braces, you can read our what age can you get braces page.
How does the cost of braces compare with the cost of clear aligners?
Braces and clear aligners are different methods, and their fees depend on different factors. With clear aligners, the cost of the aligner series made for each patient and of digital planning stands out, while with braces, the type of bracket and the number of check-ups are more decisive. Which method suits your case is the question that comes before cost. You can find the factors that determine the fee for clear aligners on our clear aligner cost page, and a general comparison of the two methods on our clear aligners vs. braces page.
What should you pay attention to when asking about cost at your consultation?
It is not possible to give an accurate answer to the question "how much do braces cost" asked by phone or message, because the orthodontist cannot know the scope of treatment without seeing your teeth. When clarifying the fee at your consultation, asking the following questions makes things easier:
- What is my problem, and how long is the estimated treatment time?
- Is tooth extraction, an appliance or any other preliminary treatment needed?
- Does the fee include records, check-ups, bracket removal and a retainer?
- What happens if treatment takes longer or a bracket breaks?
- Which types of brackets are suitable for my case, and what is the difference between them?
- How are the payment terms arranged?
For a more detailed list, you can look through our orthodontic consultation question list before coming to your appointment. We recommend evaluating the fee not just as a figure but together with the scope of treatment and the dentist's specialization in orthodontics.
Braces consultation and fee information in Ankara
At Funda Sarıkaya Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic, Funda Pekyılmaz Sarıkaya, specialist orthodontist (Uzm. Dt.), explains the options suitable for you after the examination and records; in addition to metal and ceramic braces, the clinic also uses the Invisalign system. The treatment plan and fee are communicated in writing after the examination. The clinic is located at Park Oran Ofis, Kudüs Caddesi, Oran Mahallesi, Çankaya/Ankara; you can make an appointment Monday–Saturday, 09:00–20:00, by calling 0312 911 60 36 or via WhatsApp. For directions, see our contact page.