Which dental insurance covers invisible braces for adults and reduces your costs by up to 90 percent?
02.05.2025
8
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
Invisible braces, known as aligners, are a popular method of straightening teeth in adults, but the cost can be as much as €8,500. Statutory health insurance usually does not cover this. A comprehensive supplementary dental insurance policy can almost completely offset this financial burden.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The costs of invisible braces for adults (€3,500 to €8,500) are almost never covered by statutory health insurance.
A good dental supplementary insurance policy should explicitly include orthodontics for adults and reimburse at least 80 per cent of the costs.
Be sure to take out the insurance before a dentist officially recommends the treatment to avoid exclusions from cover.
Cost analysis: Expect to pay up to €8,500 for aligners
The cost of treatment with invisible aligners depends greatly on the extent of the misalignment and typically ranges between €3,500 and €8,500. For minor corrections, costs are often around €4,000, while complex treatments can quickly exceed €7,000. Statutory health insurance (GKV) generally does not cover these costs for adults, as the treatment is usually classified as a cosmetic measure. Only in the case of severe jaw anomalies requiring surgery is there a slight chance of partial cost coverage. Therefore, private insurance is the only option for nine out of ten patients to reduce the costs. Without it, the patient remains liable for 100 per cent. Choosing the right supplementary dental insurance and its cost is therefore crucial.
Tariff features: Identify the right cover for adults
When looking for suitable dental supplementary insurance, the benefit component “orthodontics for adults” is crucial. Many plans only cover children up to the age of 18 or limit cover to accident-related treatment. Make sure that aligner therapies are explicitly named in the policy. A good policy reimburses at least 80 per cent, and top-tier plans even up to 100 per cent of costs. Look specifically for policies that also provide cover for purely aesthetic indications, as this is often the case for adults. Comprehensive cover through dental supplementary insurance is the first step towards financing.
Here are four key criteria for selecting a plan:
Benefit level: reimbursement of at least 80 per cent for orthodontics.
Scope: explicit inclusion of aligner therapies for adults.
No accident clause: insurance cover even without a prior accident.
Medical necessity: plans that also apply to aesthetic corrections.
These points form the basis for solid cover for your treatment costs.
Benefit limits: strategically managing dental limits and waiting periods
Almost all dental supplementary insurance policies limit their benefits in the first few years through a so-called dental benefit schedule. This means the maximum reimbursement is capped, for example at €1,000 in the first year and €2,000 over the first two years. Plan your treatment so that the main share of the costs falls only after the third or fourth policy year, in order to make full use of the benefit amount. In addition, orthodontics often has a special waiting period of eight months. Only after this period has expired can you submit invoices. Some providers offer plans with no waiting period, allowing treatment to begin sooner.
Application process: overcoming the hurdle of health questions
The most important principle is: the insurance must be taken out before treatment is recommended or started. As soon as a dentist or orthodontist makes a diagnosis or notes a measure in your patient record, it is too late to claim benefits. Insurers explicitly ask in the application about recommended, intended or ongoing treatments. Incorrect information can lead to cancellation of the contract and refusal of benefits. Be completely honest here, because the insurer will check your patient record in the event of a claim. Braces for adults can only be insured before the first official recommendation.
Calculation example: Over €4,500 saved with the right tariff
An aligner treatment, for example, costs you €6,000. Without insurance, you cover this amount entirely yourself. With a comprehensive dental supplementary insurance policy costing €45 a month, the calculation looks different. After a contract term of 24 months, you will have paid €1,080 in premiums. The insurer reimburses 90 per cent of the treatment costs, i.e. €5,400. Your remaining out-of-pocket share for the treatment is only €600. Your total costs amount to €1,680 (€600 out-of-pocket share + €1,080 in premiums), which means a saving of €4,320. A well-considered comparison of dental supplementary insurance policies shows the enormous potential for savings.
Expert tip: Close funding gaps cleverly
Even with very good insurance, an out-of-pocket share of ten to twenty per cent may remain, which can still amount to several hundred euros. Our expert tip: clarify early on whether your orthodontist offers instalment payments so these remaining costs can be planned for. Many practices work with financial service providers and allow interest-free payments over six or twelve months. If that is not sufficient, a targeted small loan can be an alternative to bridge the remaining amount without having to postpone treatment. This way, you can ensure that your path to a new smile does not fail at the final financial hurdle.
The complexity of tariff terms often makes expert advice essential. We support you in finding the optimal cover for your needs. Request a personalised risk analysis now: have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive concrete suggestions for optimisation.
More useful links
AOK offers information on benefits in the area of dental health, especially braces.
Verbraucherzentrale provides information on out-of-pocket contributions, statutory health insurance benefits and additional costs at the orthodontist.
Techniker Krankenkasse provides information on the costs of orthodontic treatment for adults.
Barmer explains its benefits in the field of orthodontics.
Kassenzahnärztliche Bundesvereinigung (KZBV) provides information on the process of orthodontic treatment.
Bundesgesundheitsministerium publishes an IGES report on the topic of orthodontics.
Apotheken Umschau offers an article about braces for adults, whether they are worthwhile, and the associated costs.
Statistisches Bundesamt provides a quality report on the cost structure in the medical sector (2022).
FAQ
What does “dental benefit scale” mean in dental supplementary insurance?
The dental benefit cap is a limit on benefits in the first years of the policy. It sets the maximum reimbursement amount per year. For example, a maximum of EUR 1,000 in the first year, EUR 2,000 in the first two years, and so on. This limit only falls away after around three to five years.
Is there dental supplementary insurance for orthodontics with no waiting period?
Yes, some insurers offer policies without the usual eight-month waiting period. This means you can claim benefits from the start of the contract. However, the same applies here: the treatment must not already have been recommended.
What is the difference between an aesthetic and a medically necessary treatment?
A medically necessary treatment is indicated when a misalignment of the teeth or jaw causes health problems such as pain or functional limitations (KIG classification). An aesthetic treatment primarily serves to improve appearance. Most aligner treatments in adults fall into the second category.
Does the insurance also cover the cost of retainers?
Many good orthodontic plans also cover the cost of retainers, which are necessary after treatment to stabilise the teeth. The exact amount of reimbursement depends on the chosen plan and should be checked in advance.
What happens if I provide incorrect information in the health questions?
If you fail to disclose a recommended treatment, the insurer may refuse to pay the claim, contest the contract or even cancel it. Since insurers review the patient record when a claim is made, false statements are uncovered.
Does the insurance also cover other methods such as the lingual technique?
Yes, comprehensive orthodontic plans for adults often include various methods, including lingual braces (fitted to the inside of the teeth). Check the insurance terms and conditions to make sure your preferred method is covered.
