Braces are one of the largest out-of-pocket dental expenses Canadian families face. Costs range from $4,000 to $13,000+ depending on the type, duration, and your location.
Average braces costs in Canada
| Type |
Average Cost |
Treatment Duration |
| Metal braces (traditional) |
$5,000–$8,000 |
18–24 months |
| Ceramic braces (clear) |
$6,000–$10,000 |
18–24 months |
| Lingual braces (behind teeth) |
$8,000–$13,000 |
18–30 months |
| Invisalign (clear aligners) |
$4,000–$9,000 |
12–24 months |
| Invisalign Lite (minor cases) |
$3,000–$5,000 |
6–12 months |
| Self-ligating braces (Damon) |
$5,500–$9,000 |
16–22 months |
What is included in the cost
| Included |
Not Always Included |
| Initial consultation and X-rays |
Emergency visits for broken brackets |
| Braces or aligner fabrication |
Replacement aligners (if lost) |
| Regular adjustment appointments |
Retainers (some practices charge extra) |
| Progress monitoring |
Additional refinement trays (Invisalign) |
| Braces removal |
Post-treatment follow-up (varies) |
Always ask: Does the quoted price include retainers? Retainers cost $300-800 separately and are essential to prevent teeth from shifting back.
Braces costs by province
| Province |
Metal Braces |
Invisalign |
| Ontario |
$5,000–$8,500 |
$4,500–$9,000 |
| BC |
$5,500–$9,000 |
$5,000–$9,500 |
| Alberta |
$4,500–$7,500 |
$4,000–$8,000 |
| Quebec |
$4,500–$7,000 |
$4,000–$8,000 |
| Atlantic |
$4,000–$7,000 |
$3,500–$7,500 |
| Prairies (SK, MB) |
$4,500–$7,500 |
$4,000–$8,000 |
Costs are generally highest in Vancouver and Toronto (higher overhead, higher demand) and lowest in Atlantic Canada and smaller cities.
Insurance coverage for braces
Employer dental plans
| Coverage Detail |
Typical Range |
| Orthodontic coverage |
50–80% of costs |
| Lifetime orthodontic maximum |
$2,500–$5,000 |
| Age limit |
Often under 18 only; some cover adults |
| Waiting period |
12 months for orthodontics |
|
With Insurance (50%, $3,000 max) |
Without Insurance |
| Total cost |
$6,000 |
$6,000 |
| Insurance pays |
$3,000 |
$0 |
| You pay |
$3,000 |
$6,000 |
Government coverage
| Province |
Coverage |
| Ontario |
Healthy Smiles Ontario (children under 18, low-income) |
| BC |
No public orthodontic coverage |
| Alberta |
Alberta Child Health Benefit (low-income families) |
| Quebec |
RAMQ covers some services for children under 10 |
| Other provinces |
Very limited or no public coverage |
How to pay for braces
| Payment Option |
Details |
| Orthodontist payment plan |
Most offices offer 0% interest over treatment duration |
| Dental insurance |
Check lifetime ortho maximum before starting |
| Use two insurance plans |
Coordinate benefits if both parents have dental coverage |
| HSA / HCSA |
Use employer health spending account if available |
| Medical expenses tax credit |
Claim remaining out-of-pocket costs on your tax return |
| Dental school clinics |
30-50% cheaper but longer treatment times |
Tax deduction
Orthodontic expenses qualify as eligible medical expenses on your Canadian tax return. You can claim the amount that exceeds 3% of your net income (or $2,759, whichever is less) as a non-refundable tax credit.
| Factor |
Metal Braces |
Invisalign |
| Cost |
$5,000–$8,000 |
$4,000–$9,000 |
| Appearance |
Visible metal |
Nearly invisible |
| Effectiveness |
Best for complex cases |
Best for mild to moderate |
| Maintenance |
More food restrictions |
Remove to eat (no restrictions) |
| Compliance |
Always working (fixed) |
Must wear 22 hours/day |
| Adjustments |
Monthly orthodontist visits |
New trays every 1-2 weeks |
| Pain level |
Moderate (after adjustments) |
Mild to moderate |
Tips to reduce costs
- Get 2-3 consultations — prices vary by $1,000-3,000 between orthodontists
- Consider orthodontic schools — university orthodontic clinics charge 30-50% less, supervised by licensed specialists
- Maximize insurance — if both parents have coverage, coordinate benefits for higher reimbursement
- Ask about Invisalign Lite — for minor alignment issues, Lite or Express options are significantly cheaper
- Start treatment at the right time — early treatment (age 7-10) can reduce the need for more expensive treatment later
- Claim the CRA medical expense tax credit — saves 15%+ on qualifying out-of-pocket costs