How to Get Braces for Free or an Affordable Price

Getting braces expenses covered is conditional upon income. Low-income families who qualify for Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Plan (CHIP), or a state-sponsored low-income insurance program may receive free braces care for children. Eligibility requirements vary by state — some states cover children up to 21, while others only cover them up to 18.

To qualify, children need to be diagnosed with an orthodontic condition where treatment is considered medically necessary. This is true for about 5-15% of orthodontic patients: for others, the diagnosis is considered cosmetic and won't be covered by these programs.

Commonly covered orthodontic conditions include:
• Cleft palate
• Excessive overjet
• Issues or pain when eating and chewing
• Structural jaw issues that cause pain or difficulty opening and closing the mouth
• Severe underbites, overbites, or crossbites
• Impacted teeth
• Congenital hypodontia or hyperdontia

The above list isn't complete, any many children may have multiple conditions. To see if your child qualifies, visit an orthodontist for a consultation. These consultations may be complimentary from the doctor's office or covered by your insurance provider.

If you have private dental insurance and/or supplemental orthodontic insurance, you can use this to cover at least a portion of the costs for your child's braces treatment. This may allow your child to get braces with reduced out-of-pocket expenses and can lower the cost of the treatment.

Each insurance plan has its own eligibility requirements and amounts covered: be sure to check maximum lifetime benefits and the types of treatment covered by your plan, and find an orthodontic provider that takes your insurance.

There are several non-profit organizations that help children from low-income families get braces treatment. Depending on your family's income level, the specifics of your child’s orthodontic case, and where you live, braces can either be completely covered or cost $250-$500 out-of-pocket.

Smiles Change Lives and Smile for a Lifetime both fundraise and receive volunteer support from orthodontists to provide free or reduced-cost braces treatment for qualifying children. Certain conditions apply, and not all orthodontic practices partner with these organizations. Find out more from these organizations directly or ask your orthodontist for more information.

Unlike dental insurance programs, dental savings plans offer discounted services for paying plan members. Members join the plan by paying an annual fee and then receive special offers and discounts, including braces coverage.

These programs will not fully cover braces treatments for kids or adults, but they may help reduce the cost of braces by about 25%. Find out more from your orthodontic provider about whether they partner with dental savings plans.

Rather than paying for all of your orthodontic care up-front, find an orthodontic provider who will allow you to divide your braces treatment costs into monthly installments. Most providers offer some kind of monthly plan, which makes it easier to pay in small portions. Look for a provider offering $0 down and 0% interest, so you don't have to pay more later.

Do you have multiple children who need braces, or are you and a spouse both looking for treatment? Many offices provide savings plans if your family gets multiple treatments at once.

Healthcare credit cards such as CareCredit offer lines of financing specifically for medical care like braces. This is a good option if you need to fully pay for a procedure up-front, but be sure to check interest rates and have a repayment plan prepared.

Orthodontists receive specialized training beyond dentists to become experts in the art of orthodontia and creating smiles. This can lead to shorter treatment times and lower costs for your care. In addition, a specialized orthodontic facility only treats patients with orthodontic care, rather than offering a wide variety of dental services, which can further lower costs. To get lower costs and more experienced care, go to an orthodontist in a dedicated orthodontic facility.

Don't be shy to ask about any seasonal discounts or promotions that the office may be offering. These can include back-to-school savings, summer discounts, family package deals, and more.