Who bears the costs? | The cost of braces

Who bears the costs?

Adults from the age of 18 must generally pay the costs of orthodontics themselves. There are of course exceptions where the health insurance company covers part or even all of the bill. However, this must be a serious tooth malposition, if not even jaw malposition.

In any case, medically justified cases that are supported by a surgical procedure are paid for. A purely aesthetic reason is not sufficient in adulthood. Children and adolescents are divided into different grades depending on the malocclusion.

There are 5 degrees. Grades 1 and 2 stand for slight malpositioning. For these degrees, the health insurance company does not see the necessity of orthodontic treatment.

From grade 3, one is entitled to at least partial reimbursement by the statutory health insurance companies. According to the health insurance company, treatment is only required as soon as the overbite is more than 6 mm. The so-called “overbite” is the distance between the upper and lower jaw when the mouth is clenched together.

A lower jaw that protrudes too far will definitely be paid for, as biting is more difficult in these patients. If the upper incisors bite more than 3 mm in the most vertical dimension over the front of the lower jaw, there is a risk of damaging the gums, therefore this treatment is paid for by the health insurance. If there is a lack of space of more than 3 mm after the mixed dentition phase, i.e. the phase in which the milk teeth are exchanged for the permanent ones, it is absolutely necessary to remedy this, otherwise the new teeth cannot break through on the spot. Sometimes braces are already paid for in the milk teeth, depending on the grade of the teeth and whether there are any anomalies or diseases,

Are the costs for braces tax deductible?

There are some cases where patients have been able to remove at least part of their braces. However, there is no guarantee that the tax office will accept every invoice. It depends on how much the invoice costs within a year and whether you get over the tax exemption limit.

In addition, the profession certainly plays a role. In some professions, a friendly smile and well-groomed appearance is more important than in others. Since an orthodontic treatment is usually a cosmetic or aesthetic problem rather than a health problem, it also becomes difficult to submit the invoice under the pretext of an extraordinary burden.

It is the same with orthodontic invoices as with invoices for cosmetics, hairdresser or optician. In such concrete cases it is advisable to consult a tax advisor.