What are the costs for fixed braces?
The cost of a fixed brace can quickly exceed a thousand euros and private and statutory health insurance companies do not always pay a share of the treatment costs or even the full amount. Up to the age of eighteen, orthodontic treatment with fixed braces is usually covered by the statutory and/or private health insurance companies, but in certain cases it is also possible for the insurance companies to pay at least a part of the treatment costs of fixed braces even after the patient has reached the age of eighteen. This is especially possible if a surgical therapy has to be performed in addition to the actual treatment.
The statutory health insurance only pays for the basic equipment, i.e. the simplest and largest brackets made of metal and steel arches. As the standard brackets are relatively large, they are undesirable for many patients, as there are more delicate models that are not as noticeable. Every special request for other variants and models involves additional costs.
Flatter, smaller brackets with rubbers or self-aligning without a fixing aid are more expensive. Other materials such as ceramic or gold also cost more. The more inconspicuous braces should be, the more expensive they become.
The lingual technique is almost the most expensive, since the brackets are individually manufactured and attached to the back of the teeth. This makes these fixed braces almost invisible for the surrounding area. In general, orthodontics is not covered for adults, it is a purely private service – unless the malocclusion is so severe that a purely orthodontic therapy is not sufficient and therefore an orthodontic-jaw-surgical therapy has to be performed.
In such cases the costs are usually covered by health insurance companies. For example, the own contribution to the total treatment for children is 100- 500 Euro, while adults have to pay 3000 – 6000 Euro. The statutory health insurance only pays to a limited extent for orthodontic treatment.
It covers either the complete costs or a part of them. The guidelines are strict. For example, in the case of an enlarged anterior step, the so-called overjet, the statutory health insurance only pays something from a distance of 7mm; all smaller anterior steps are not subsidized.The insured person should contact his health insurance company in advance and consult the orthodontist so that all costs are clarified in the personal, individual case.
Depending upon insurance conditions it is very different, what and how much the private health insurance company covers with the kieferorthopädischen treatment. For example, for patients who have completely removed their teeth from the insurance, nothing is covered by the private health insurance. Depending on the contribution and the contract, the private insurance company can cover a proportion of the costs or even reimburse the complete orthodontic treatment. However, it is common practice for the insured to advance the amount and for the health insurance company to reimburse it later.
