What a brace costs for adults
Not covered by statutory health insurance – which makes it a decision you can calculate.
From the 18th birthday, statutory health insurance no longer covers orthodontic treatment. The only exception is severe jaw misalignment that has to be treated orthodontically and surgically together.
What determines the price
The scope: how many teeth are moved, how far, for how long. Correcting the visible front teeth costs considerably less than treating an entire bite. Add diagnostics, check-up appointments and the retainer. The type of appliance matters: brackets bonded on the outside are the cheapest, then aligners, and the lingual technique is the most expensive.
What the treatment and cost plan must contain
- diagnostics and planning as a separate item
- the treatment itself, with the expected duration
- check-up appointments – as a flat rate or per appointment
- the retainer and who pays for its replacement
- what applies if corrections are needed later
- what applies if you stop the treatment
Financing
Many practices offer payment by instalments, sometimes through a service provider. Watch out for interest and for what happens to the instalments if you stop. Private supplementary insurance only helps if it was taken out before the recommendation.
Tax
Orthodontic treatment can be claimed as an extraordinary burden (außergewöhnliche Belastung) as far as it is medically justified and the reasonable personal contribution is exceeded. Treatment for purely aesthetic reasons is generally not recognised by the tax office. Keep the treatment and cost plan and the invoices, and have the medical justification given to you in writing.
The essentials at a glance
- From 18, statutory health insurance does not pay – except for severe jaw misalignment requiring surgery as well.
- The price depends on the scope and the type of appliance: brackets bonded on the outside are cheapest, the lingual technique is most expensive.
- The treatment and cost plan must cover diagnostics, treatment, check-ups, the retainer, later corrections and the consequences of stopping.
- Medically justified treatment can count for tax purposes as an extraordinary burden – purely aesthetic treatment cannot.
Answered briefly
Frequently asked questions
A serious figure only exists after the examination. The range is wide, because a short front-tooth correction and the treatment of an entire bite are hardly comparable. Do not be taken in by figures from advertising.
Proportionately, depending on the plan. Submit the treatment and cost plan before treatment begins and get the commitment in writing – information given over the phone is no help later.
As an extraordinary burden (außergewöhnliche Belastung), insofar as it is medically justified and above the reasonable personal contribution. The justification should be evident from the documents. If in doubt, ask your tax adviser – only they can assess this reliably.
The price difference is real, and so is the aftercare. Orthodontic treatment needs check-up appointments every four to eight weeks over a period of years. Anyone who cannot manage the journey on a lasting basis should leave it.