Adult orthodontic treatment at MacKenzie Orthodontics typically ranges from $3,000 to $9,000 for standard comprehensive treatment with braces or Angel Aligner. Invisalign Touch-Up for minor corrections ranges from $3,000 to $4,500. There are additional fees for surgical or highly complex treatments such as treatment of impacted canines. The exact cost for your case depends on the complexity of your bite and the treatment approach we recommend.
Why Cost Varies From Patient to Patient
Orthodontic treatment is priced according to the complexity and length of the case, not a flat rate applied to every patient. A minor correction requires less time, fewer appointments, and less material than a comprehensive case involving significant crowding, bite correction, or coordination with oral surgery. This is why we provide a personalized quote at your consultation rather than a single published price.
Cost by Treatment Type
- Standard comprehensive treatment with braces or Angel Aligner: $3,000 to $10,000
- Invisalign Touch-Up for minor corrections: $3,000 to $4,500
- Surgical or highly complex treatment: >$10,000
These ranges reflect the full course of treatment, not a per-appointment cost. We will confirm where your specific case falls within these ranges after your initial examination.
What Influences Where Your Case Falls in the Range
- The degree of crowding, spacing, or bite misalignment present
- Whether treatment involves braces, Angel Aligner, Invisalign, or a combination
- The expected length of active treatment
- Whether any coordination with oral surgery or a periodontist is required
Insurance and Coverage
Many dental insurance plans include partial coverage for orthodontic treatment, though the amount and structure of coverage varies significantly between plans. We recommend checking directly with your insurance provider before your consultation, and our team can help you understand how your specific plan applies to your treatment cost. New Brunswick patients should also see our related guide on adult orthodontic treatment costs in New Brunswick for province-specific insurance considerations, Health Spending Account options, and a closer look at our LightForce Ceramic Bracket and Invisalign Touch-Up options.
Financing Options
We offer flexible 0% interest payment plans starting at $250/month designed to make treatment accessible without requiring the full cost upfront. During your consultation, we will walk through the available financing options in detail, so you have a clear, itemized understanding of what treatment will cost and how payments are structured before you commit to anything.
Weighing Cost Against Long-Term Value
Orthodontic treatment is a long-term investment in both function and appearance. Correcting bite issues can prevent uneven wear, reduce strain on the jaw joint, and make oral hygiene easier to maintain, which can reduce the likelihood of costlier dental issues later on. When evaluating cost, it is worth considering treatment as preventative as well as cosmetic.
What Is Included in the Cost of Treatment
The cost quoted for your treatment covers the full course of care, not individual appointments. This includes your initial records, the braces or aligners themselves, scheduled adjustment or check-in appointments throughout treatment, and your retainers at the end of treatment. Any additional costs, such as replacing a lost aligner or repairing a broken bracket due to a food restriction violation, will be discussed with you separately if they arise.
Comparing the Investment Across Treatment Types
It is worth understanding why Invisalign Touch-Up costs less than comprehensive treatment with braces or Angel Aligner. Touch-Up treatment is designed for a narrow scope of movement, typically correcting minor relapse or limited crowding, which requires fewer aligners and a shorter overall course of care. Comprehensive treatment addresses a wider range of movement and therefore involves more appliances, more monitoring, and a longer active treatment period, which is reflected in the higher end of the cost range.
Making Treatment Fit Your Budget
We understand that cost is often the deciding factor in when, not whether, an adult patient chooses to start treatment. Our team will walk through every available option with you, including monthly payment plans, so that the cost of treatment is spread out in a way that works with your finances rather than requiring a large payment upfront. We encourage you to ask about financing directly at your consultation so you have complete clarity before making a decision.
How Cost Compares to Delaying Treatment
Some adult patients weigh the cost of treatment against the option of continuing to live with an untreated bite or alignment issue. Over time, untreated bite problems can contribute to uneven enamel wear, chewing difficulty, and increased strain on the jaw joint, any of which may eventually require separate dental treatment of their own. Viewed this way, the cost of orthodontic treatment often compares favourably to the cumulative cost of addressing these issues individually over the years. If you have also been wondering whether age plays a role in being a candidate, see our related article on whether you are too old for orthodontic treatment.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Commit
Before starting treatment, it is reasonable to ask exactly what is included in your quoted cost, what happens if your treatment plan needs to be adjusted partway through, and what the payment schedule looks like over the course of treatment. A transparent practice should be able to answer each of these clearly at your consultation, before you make any financial commitment.
Getting an Exact Number for Your Case
The only way to receive an accurate cost estimate is through a consultation. We provide a full evaluation at no cost and no obligation, including digital x-rays, photographs, and a 3D intraoral scan, followed by a transparent breakdown of your treatment cost and financing options.
We believe patients make better decisions when they have complete information in front of them, which is why we avoid vague pricing language in favour of the specific ranges outlined above. If you have a number in mind based on research or a quote from another provider, feel free to bring it to your consultation so we can discuss how your case compares. Learn more about our adult orthodontic treatment options or book your free consultation today.
MacKenzie Orthodontics provides adult orthodontic treatment, including braces and clear aligners, at three locations in Saint John, Quispamsis, and St. Stephen, New Brunswick, also serving patients from St. George, St. Andrews, and Northern Maine. Over 10,000 patients have been treated to date, including more than 6,000 with clear aligners. Book a free consultation to discuss treatment options.
About the Author
Dr. Liliya MacKenzie is an orthodontist and the founder of MacKenzie Orthodontics, with locations in Saint John, Quispamsis, and St. Stephen, New Brunswick. She has practiced orthodontics since 2009, holds a DMD from McGill University, and completed her specialty training at the University of Rochester. She has treated over 10,000 patients, including more than 6,000 with clear aligners, and over half of her patients are adults.