About Our Methodology and Sources
HowMuchForBraces.com is an independent consumer cost guide for orthodontic treatment in the United States (and, in one section, the United Kingdom). We are not a dental practice, not affiliated with any orthodontic practice, and do not receive fees from orthodontists for referrals.
Who We Are
This site is produced by Digital Signet, an independent digital publishing company that operates consumer reference websites across health, finance, and education topics. We do not employ orthodontists or dentists, and our content is not medically reviewed by practising clinicians. This is a cost guide, not clinical advice.
We built this site because the top-ranking content for "how much do braces cost" is overwhelmingly produced by orthodontist practices with a financial interest in conversion - either to their own practice or to their CareCredit affiliate link. We are not a practice. We do not want the appointment. That independence is the editorial premise.
How We Research Prices
Our pricing data is compiled from three primary sources:
- 1.Published industry studies: ConsumerAffairs 2026 orthodontic cost study (the most comprehensive US regional pricing database available to the public), ValuePenguin's orthodontic cost database, and summary data from the American Association of Orthodontists fee surveys where publicly available.
- 2.Healthline and similar health portals: Cross-reference for range verification and clinically sourced price estimates for specific procedure types.
- 3.Sample of practice websites: A representative sample of publicly-listed practice fees per region, used to ground-truth the aggregated data. We do not name specific practices or claim any individual practice's prices.
Pricing Accuracy
All prices are US dollar averages or ranges for 2026. Individual quotes vary based on case complexity, practice location, orthodontist experience, and local market conditions. Our ranges represent the typical national spread; your specific quote may be above or below the ranges shown.
We do not publish minimum or maximum prices. Prices below the low end of our ranges are typically associated with quality or supervision compromises. Prices above the high end of our ranges exist in premium metro markets.
Update Cadence
We review and update pricing data quarterly. Major updates are made following the AAO's annual fee guide release (typically Q1) and when significant market events occur (such as the SmileDirectClub closure in December 2023). Last major update: April 2026.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this site are affiliate links through the Impact affiliate network. This includes links to dental insurance marketplaces, CareCredit, and Zocdoc. We may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase or apply. This commission does not affect our editorial content - we do not favour or recommend products based on commission rates.
We do not have direct affiliate relationships with any orthodontist practice, dental school, or orthodontic appliance manufacturer.
Full Disclaimer
Corrections Policy
If you identify a factual error in our pricing data or content, please contact us at the Digital Signet website. Factual corrections are addressed within 7 days and annotated in the relevant page content. We welcome corrections and take accuracy seriously.