How Much Do Braces Cost? A Full Price Guide

How Much Do Braces Cost? (Quick Answer)

In Canada, braces cost between $3,000 and $13,000 CAD in 2026, depending on the type and how complex your case is. Traditional metal braces sit at the low end. Lingual (behind-the-teeth) braces top the range. Most patients in Toronto pay between $5,000 and $8,000 for comprehensive orthodontic treatment.

Spread over 18 to 24 months, that often costs less per month than a mid-range car lease — and unlike the car, a corrected bite doesn’t depreciate. It has worked for decades.

Here’s the full 2026 breakdown by type, age, insurance, and the real ways patients here on the Danforth keep costs down.

Average Cost of Braces by Type

The single biggest factor in your price is the type of appliance. Here’s how the main options compare in Canada in 2026:

Type	Cost Range (CAD)	Visibility	Treatment Time
Metal (traditional) braces	$3,000–$7,000	Visible (metal brackets)	18–36 months
Ceramic (tooth-coloured) braces	$4,000–$8,000	Subtle (blends in)	18–36 months
Invisalign / clear aligners	$3,500–$8,000	Nearly invisible	6–24 months
Self-ligating braces	$4,000–$8,000	Visible (smaller brackets)	12–24 months
Lingual (behind-teeth) braces	$8,000–$13,000	Hidden from the front	18–36 months

These are typical market ranges before insurance. (Orthodontic treatment is generally not subject to HST for patients — dental services are exempt, and appliances are zero-rated — so there’s no sales tax added to your bill. There’s no fixed price for braces — the Ontario Dental Association (oda.ca) lists comprehensive orthodontic treatment as “Independent Consideration,” meaning every case is quoted individually.

Metal braces cost the least and correct nearly any bite. They’re the workhorse of orthodontics — a common pick for kids and teens.

Ceramic braces cost a little more but blend with your natural tooth colour. A frequent adult choice when clear aligners aren’t a fit.

Invisalign and clear aligners are removable, so you can eat and brush normally. Most lingual and complex cases aside, this is the most-requested option among adults. See our Invisalign on the Danforth page for case-specific pricing.

Self-ligating braces use a built-in clip instead of elastics — often fewer adjustments, priced similarly to metal.

Lingual braces cost the most because they’re custom-made for the back of each tooth. Most cases land between $8,000 and $10,000, with complex ones reaching higher.

Cost of Braces for Kids vs Adults

The cost of braces for kids typically runs $3,000 to $7,000, while adult braces cost $5,000 to $10,000 or more for a similar correction.

Two reasons drive the gap. Children’s jaws are still developing, so teeth move faster, and treatment is often shorter. Adult cases more often need extra prep, bite correction, or longer retention.

There’s also an insurance angle. Most Canadian dental plans only cover orthodontic treatment for dependent children under 18, so families usually get help with a child’s braces, while adults more often pay the full amount themselves.

Cost of Braces With Insurance

When a Canadian dental plan includes orthodontic benefits, it typically reimburses 50% of the treatment cost (often 50–60%, and richer plans up to 80%), up to a lifetime orthodontic maximum — usually between $1,500 and $3,000 CAD per person.

A few things worth knowing before you assume coverage:

• It’s a lifetime cap, not annual. Once you use the orthodontic maximum, it’s gone for good on that plan.
• Age limits are common. Many plans restrict ortho coverage to dependents under 18 (sometimes to 21 for full-time students).
• Waiting periods apply. Some plans require 6–24 months of membership before orthodontic benefits kick in.
• OHIP does not cover braces. Orthodontics is elective under provincial health coverage. The only public exceptions are narrow medically necessary programs (such as Ontario’s separate Cleft Lip and Palate/Craniofacial Dental Program) — not OHIP itself. The federal Canadian Dental Care Plan is a separate income-based program, and as of 2026, its orthodontic coverage is limited to medically necessary cases.

60-second at-home check. Call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask, word for word: “Do I have an orthodontic benefit, and what’s my lifetime maximum?” Most reps will tell you to the dollar in under a minute. The Canadian Dental Association recommends confirming your specific plan terms before treatment.

How Much Do Braces Cost Without Insurance?

No coverage? You’re not stuck — most patients still make braces work. The common paths in Canada:

• In-office payment plans. Many practices, including ours on the Danforth, offer flexible monthly plans — often at 0% interest. A typical setup is a modest down payment, then $150–$400 per month.
• Third-party dental financing. Canadian providers like iFinance Canada (its Dentalcard and Medicard products) finance dental and orthodontic treatment. (Note: CareCredit is a U.S.-only card and isn’t available to Canadian residents.)
• Buy-now-pay-later. Affirm (formerly PayBright) is offered at some clinics for treatment financing.
• Employer Health Spending Account (HSA). If your job provides one, you can usually reimburse orthodontic costs through it with tax-advantaged dollars. Canada doesn’t have U.S.-style FSAs, but an employer-funded HSA serves a similar purpose.
• CRA medical expense tax credit. Orthodontic work, including braces, is an eligible medical expense with the Canada Revenue Agency (line 33099). You can claim the portion you paid out of pocket — though purely cosmetic procedures don’t qualify, and the credit only applies above an income-based threshold.

Low-cost braces aren’t a myth here. You just need to ask the right questions in the right places.

Why Are Braces So Expensive?

A fair question. The honest answer comes down to a few real costs:

• Long treatment. Comprehensive orthodontics runs 18–36 months, with a check-in roughly every 6–10 weeks. That’s a lot of staffed chair time.
• Custom appliances. Brackets, wires, and aligners are planned and made for your specific bite.
• Specialist training. In Canada, an orthodontist completes a dental degree (DDS/DMD) plus a further two to three years of accredited specialty training, per the Canadian Association of Orthodontists. Many general dentists, like Dr. Hossain, also provide braces and Invisalign after extensive additional training.
• Lab and material fees. Custom appliances — especially ceramic and lingual — carry real lab costs.
• Retention is included. Retainers and follow-up visits are usually built into the quote. You’re paying for years of care, not just the active phase.

Braces Cost in Toronto vs the Rest of Canada

How much do braces cost in Toronto? Expect costs at or somewhat above the national average, mainly because of higher commercial rent, wages, and overhead in the city.

A typical comprehensive case in Toronto runs roughly:

• Metal braces: $4,000–$7,000
• Invisalign / clear aligners: $5,000–$8,500
• Lingual braces: $8,000+

For context, the Canadian national average for a full case sits around $6,000–$7,000, within a broader $3,000–$10,000 range. The exact Toronto premium isn’t published by any official body — every case is quoted individually — so treat city-versus-national comparisons as estimates, not fixed numbers.

Here in the Danforth and East York, our team at Woodbine & Danforth Dental Care gives every patient a written quote up front, so there are no surprises. For help weighing your options, see how we compare braces and Invisalign for each patient.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are braces worth the cost?

For most patients, yes. Aligned teeth are easier to clean, lower your long-term risk of decay and gum disease, and correct bite problems that worsen with age. With consistent retainer wear, the result lasts decades.

2. How much do braces cost per month?

With a typical 24-month in-office plan, expect $150–$400 per month after a modest down payment. A $6,000 treatment financed over 24 months works out to about $250 a month.

3. Does insurance cover braces for adults?

Sometimes, but not always. Many Canadian dental plans only cover orthodontics for dependents under 18. Where adult coverage exists, it typically pays around 50% up to a lifetime maximum. OHIP does not cover braces for anyone.

4. Can I get braces for under $3,000?

In limited cases, yes — minor corrections, short, clear-aligner cases, or supervised university clinics can come in lower. Comprehensive treatment for moderate-to-severe alignment will usually cost more.

5. How long do braces take to work?

Most patients finish in 18 to 36 months. Mild cases can wrap up in under a year. Complex adult cases take longer. Consistent wear and on-time check-ins are the biggest factors in finishing on schedule.

6. Are clear braces cheaper than metal?

No. Ceramic and clear braces cost a little more than metal — usually $500–$1,500 more — because the materials and lab work cost more. For the budget option, traditional metal braces remain the most affordable.

This article is for general information only. Treatment costs vary by case complexity and provider — consult a licensed dentist or orthodontist for a personalized quote.

Want to know exactly what braces would cost for your smile (or your child’s)? Book a free consultation at Woodbine & Danforth Dental Care in Toronto with Dr. Samira Hossain— we’ll review your case, your coverage, and give you a written quote at no cost.