TLDR (Quick Answer): What do braces actually cost in Reno, NV?
Most Reno patients pay between $3,000 and $8,000 for braces, depending on the type. Metal braces run about $3,000 to $7,000, ceramic braces about $4,000 to $8,000, and lingual braces (the kind hidden behind your teeth) about $8,000 to $10,000. Nevada’s statewide average for a full course of orthodontic treatment is around $5,720 without insurance, and most Reno orthodontists offer monthly payment plans so you never pay that number in one lump sum. You can see the types of braces we offer at Orthodontic Partners to get a sense of which category fits your case.
Why “how much are braces” doesn’t have one answer
Ask five people in Reno what they paid for braces and you’ll get five different numbers. That’s not because pricing is random. Orthodontic treatment is priced around the individual case, not a flat menu item like a cleaning or a filling. Two people with the same insurance and the same provider can pay $2,000 apart because one needed 14 months of treatment and the other needed 26.
That said, real ranges exist, and knowing them before your consultation means you won’t be caught off guard. Here’s what each type of braces actually costs in the Reno area right now.
Metal braces: the most affordable option in Reno
Traditional metal braces are still the least expensive way to straighten teeth in Reno, typically costing $3,000 to $7,000 for a full course of treatment. They’re also the most durable option, which matters for anyone with a complex bite correction that needs strong, consistent pressure over many months.
Metal braces are the default recommendation for children and teens in two-phase treatment, partly because of cost and partly because kids tend to be rougher on their appliances than adults. If budget is the biggest factor in your decision, this is usually where the conversation starts.
Ceramic braces: a subtler look with a higher price tag
Ceramic braces use tooth-colored or clear brackets instead of metal, so they blend in more from a few feet away. That cosmetic upgrade adds cost. In Reno, ceramic braces generally run $4,000 to $8,000, roughly $1,000 more than metal braces for a comparable case.
The brackets themselves are also more brittle than metal, so ceramic braces are usually recommended for teens and adults rather than younger children who are still learning to be gentle with their appliances.
Lingual braces: the most expensive, least visible option
Lingual braces attach to the back of your teeth, facing your tongue instead of your cheek. Nobody can tell you’re wearing them unless you point it out. That level of discretion comes at a cost: $8,000 to $10,000 in the Reno area, close to double the price of metal braces.
Lingual braces also take longer to get used to day to day, since they sit closer to your tongue, and not every case is a good candidate for them. Your orthodontist will tell you honestly if lingual braces are a fit for your bite before you commit to the higher price.
What actually moves your price up or down
Three things swing the final number more than anything else:
- Case complexity. A minor crowding fix costs less than correcting a significant overbite, underbite, or jaw misalignment. More movement means more time, and time is the biggest driver of cost.
- Treatment length. The national average for braces treatment is close to 20 months, but simple cases can finish in under a year while complex cases run past two years. Every extra month of adjustments adds to the total.
- Age and timing. Two-phase treatment for children, which addresses jaw growth before all the adult teeth come in, is priced differently than a single continuous course of treatment for a teen or adult.
A handful of smaller factors matter too: whether you need extractions or expanders first, how many follow-up visits your case requires, and whether your provider uses digital scanning (like an iTero scan) instead of the old-style putty impressions, which can shave time off the front end of treatment.
Financing and monthly payment plans in Reno
Almost nobody in Reno pays for braces in one payment. Most orthodontic offices, including Orthodontic Partners, break the total cost into monthly payments that run the length of treatment, so a $5,000 case might come out to roughly $150 to $250 a month rather than one bill at the start. Ask about a down payment requirement, whether there’s interest, and what happens if you need to pause or extend treatment.
Does insurance lower the cost?
If your plan includes orthodontic coverage, yes, often significantly. Nevada’s average out-of-pocket cost drops to around $2,080 with insurance, compared to $5,720 without it. Coverage usually comes with a lifetime maximum rather than resetting every year, which changes how you should think about timing your treatment. We cover exactly how that works, including Nevada Medicaid rules for kids, in our companion post on dental insurance and braces.
How Orthodontic Partners prices braces for Reno families
Orthodontic Partners has treated Reno and Sparks families since 1974, across four Northern Nevada locations in Somersett, South Reno, Sparks, and Carson City. Every new patient gets a free exam before any pricing conversation happens, so you know your specific number before committing to anything. The office also builds monthly payment plans around your budget rather than a one-size-fits-all schedule, which matters if you’re comparing multiple providers on cost alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to get braces as an adult or as a teen in Reno?
Age itself doesn’t change the price, but treatment length often does. Adult bone is denser than a teenager’s, which can mean slightly longer treatment for a comparable correction, and longer treatment usually means a higher total cost.
Do I have to pay the full cost of braces upfront?
No. Nearly every orthodontic office in Reno, including Orthodontic Partners, offers monthly payment plans that spread the total cost across the length of your treatment. You’ll typically discuss a plan during your free consultation once your case has been evaluated.
Why do ceramic braces cost more than metal braces if they do the same job?
Ceramic brackets are more expensive to manufacture and more fragile than metal, so they require more careful handling during treatment. You’re paying for the cosmetic benefit of brackets that blend in with your teeth, not for a functional difference in how they move teeth.
How much does a free consultation at Orthodontic Partners actually tell me?
A free exam gives you a specific price range based on your actual bite, not a generic estimate pulled from an average. You’ll leave knowing which type of braces fit your case, roughly how long treatment will take, and what your monthly payment would look like.
Will getting braces in Reno cost more than in a smaller Nevada town?
Reno prices tend to sit close to the state average, since the cost of living here is moderate compared to larger West Coast cities. Smaller, more remote Nevada towns sometimes have fewer providers to choose from, which can push prices up despite a lower cost of living.
Ready to find out your exact price?
Guessing at a range only gets you so far. Orthodontic Partners offers a free exam at any of its four Northern Nevada locations, where you’ll get a real number based on your bite, not an estimate pulled from an article. If you’re ready to see your options for braces and what they’d actually cost for your case, book a free consultation with Orthodontic Partners today.
Read next
Braces vs Invisalign in Reno: Which One Fits Your Budget?
Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces in Nevada? What Reno Families Should Know
