How much do brackets cost?

A brace can quickly take up a frame of several thousand euros, unless the health insurance company is willing to pay. If the health insurance company covers the treatment, it pays for the standard brackets with steel arches. The health insurance company only covers one type, but it is quite large.

These brackets are therefore unwanted by many patients. However, the special requests are more expensive than the standard treatment . Flatter, smaller brackets with rubber or self-aligning without fixation are more expensive, also other materials like ceramic or gold cost more.

Furthermore, brackets that are glued to the tongue and palate (lingual technique) also cost considerably more. For adults, the brackets are a purely private service, as the health insurance does not co-finance any part of the costs. For example, the own contribution to the total treatment for the brackets for children is 100- 500 Euros, while adults have to pay 3000 – 6000 Euros for brackets. There are also exceptions, e.g. if there is a severe malposition and this can only be corrected by orthodontic surgery.

What to do if a bracket has come off/loosened?

If the brackets are loose or detached, the orthodontist should be consulted immediately to reposition and reattach them. Otherwise there is a risk that the tooth moves in the wrong direction or that bacteria collect under the loose bracket, causing caries without being noticed. This is how caries can spread and cause lasting damage to the tooth without the person affected being able to see it. It is also not advisable to remove the loose bracket on your own, as the risk of injury is far too high if it is not handled professionally.

Can you remove brackets yourself?

Brackets cannot be removed by the patient himself, as they were fixed with an adhesive technique. The teeth were etched with a special dental adhesive and connected to the bracket with a liquid plastic. This bond is very strong and it is not possible for a layman to remove it without special tools.

Since the teeth or soft tissues may be endangered by slipping when trying to remove them, it should not be attempted to remove brackets on its own. In addition to the increased risk of injury, there is also a high risk of leaving plastic residues on the tooth during self-removal, which are sharp-edged and damage the soft tissue. Furthermore, the teeth are treated after removal so that the areas under the brackets are fully functional and able to bear weight after removal.

The corresponding areas are polished and fluoridated. This after-treatment cannot be guaranteed at home either. You can find more details here: Fluoridation of the teeth