Dental insurance for braces for adults: Optimise costs, perfect your smile
23 May 2025
5
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A dental brace in adulthood can transform your smile, but the costs are often a challenge. Discover how an adult dental insurance plan can provide financial security.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Statutory health insurance funds only cover the costs for braces for adults in very rare exceptional cases, usually in the event of severe jaw anomalies requiring surgery.
A dental supplementary insurance for adults should be taken out early, ideally before a treatment is recommended, and tariffs without statutory health insurance preliminary performance binding should be preferred.
The cost of braces for adults can amount to several thousand euros; invisible versions are often more expensive, but good supplementary insurance can cover or reduce these costs.
Cost trap for adult braces: An overview
Choosing braces as an adult often involves high costs. The prices vary significantly, depending on the type of braces and the extent of the treatment. Fixed braces can cost between 2,500 euros and 8,000 euros, for example. For invisible aligners, you should expect to spend between 3,500 euros and 6,500 euros. [4,10] Statutory health insurance (GKV) usually does not provide subsidies for adults over eighteen years old. [2,3] Only in cases of severe jaw anomalies requiring surgery is a partial cost cover possible. [3,7] Therefore, private provision through a supplementary dental insurance for adult braces is often the only way to mitigate these costs. Without such protection, you are typically responsible for covering several thousand euros yourself. [4] This financial hurdle deters many from pursuing necessary or desired treatment.
Range of services offered by statutory health insurance: What is covered for adults?
Statutory health insurance (GKV) is very reserved when it comes to covering orthodontic treatments for adults. Costs are generally only covered in cases of severe jaw anomalies. [3,7,8] This includes, for example, congenital deformities or dental misalignments caused by accidents that require combined orthodontic and surgical treatment. [3,14] Even in these exceptional cases, the GKV often only covers the costs for the standard care, which is the simplest medically sufficient treatment. [15] Aesthetic preferences or more modern treatment methods, such as invisible braces, are not subsidised. [3] Most adults seeking dental correction for aesthetic or functional reasons without severe anomaly do not receive benefits from their GKV. [9] Early information about the limited cost coverage by the GKV is crucial for adults. This allows you to consider a private dental supplementary insurance in good time.
Quick Facts: Dental Supplementary Insurance for Braces in Adults
Dental insurance can significantly reduce the financial burden of orthodontic treatment for adults. Here are the key points summarized:
Cost coverage: Many plans cover a substantial portion of the costs, often between eighty and one hundred percent, for orthodontic measures. [13]
Scope of services: Good policies also cover modern treatment methods like lingual technique or aligners. [13,19]
Waiting periods: Common waiting periods are about eight months before benefits can be claimed. [1,10]
Health check: A health check is often required; treatments that have already been recommended or started are usually excluded. [13,16,19]
GKV prior service: Look for plans that pay independently of a GKV prior service, as these are rare for adults. [13,19]
KIG levels: Ideally, treatments for minor misalignments (KIG one and two) are also covered. [13,19]
Careful selection of the plan is crucial to ensure the best possible protection for your dental health. The cost of a brace can quickly exceed 6,000 euros. [4]
Practical Section: How to Find the Right Tariff
Choosing the right dental supplementary insurance for adult orthodontic braces requires careful consideration. Compare the offers thoroughly, as the benefits can vary significantly. Pay attention to the level of reimbursement rates; some policies offer up to one hundred percent cost coverage. [2,5] Check for any benefit limitations, as there are often annual caps or sum limits over the entire contract period, such as 2,000 euros. [3] An important point is whether treatments that have already been recommended are covered – this is rarely the case. [16,19] Our expert tip: Conclude the insurance before a specific treatment need is diagnosed by the dentist. Many insurers do not provide coverage if the misalignment was known prior to the conclusion of the contract. [13] Also consider the waiting periods, which often last eight months. [1,10] A comparison of dental supplementary insurances helps find the policy that best meets your individual needs. The costs for lingual braces can amount to up to 10,000 euros. [4]
Expert Depth: Legal Aspects and Current Judgments
In insurance law related to dental supplementary insurance for braces in adults, there are several pitfalls. A key point is the pre-contractual duty of disclosure. You must answer all health questions truthfully. If you hide an already diagnosed or recommended orthodontic treatment, the insurer may refuse benefits or withdraw from the contract. Recent court rulings repeatedly affirm the importance of correct information. For example, the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has in the past strengthened the rights of patients when treatments fail; however, this pertains more to the liability of the practitioner than the insurance benefits. [20] For the dental supplementary insurance benefits, what is agreed in the contract is crucial. Pay attention to clauses regarding maximum reimbursement limits and exclusions. Some plans only cover adults in the case of accidents. [2,17] Our expert tip: Accurately document all doctor visits and diagnoses before signing the contract. This can be decisive in case of a claim. A supplementary health insurance can close further gaps. The treatment duration for adults can last up to three years. [5]
Invisible braces: Aesthetics come at a price
Invisible braces, such as aligner systems (e.g., Invisalign) or lingual techniques (brackets on the inner side of the teeth), are especially popular among adults. They allow for discreet correction of teeth. However, the cost for these is often higher than conventional methods. Aligners can cost between 3,500 euros and 6,500 euros. [4,10,18] Lingual braces often range in price between 6,000 euros and 10,000 euros. [4,10,18] Statutory health insurance generally does not cover these additional costs, not even for children. [10] Therefore, a good supplemental dental insurance for adult braces should explicitly cover these modern, aesthetic procedures. Pay attention to the fine print to see if there are specific limitations or exclusions for such treatments. Many plans cap the reimbursement for orthodontics for adults at a maximum amount, for example, 2,500 euros. [10] A supplemental dental insurance can be an important financial support here. The treatment duration with aligners can be nine to eighteen months. [9]
Plan ahead: When is the right time to close the deal?
The ideal time to take out additional dental insurance for adult braces is before a specific treatment need is determined or recommended by the dentist. [16,19] Many insurers exclude coverage for ongoing, planned, or recommended treatments. [13,19] If you have already received a treatment and cost plan or if the treatment has been noted in your patient record, it is often too late for a powerful tariff. A few providers advertise immediate coverage even for recommended treatments, but these often have performance limitations or higher premiums. [11,22] Also consider the general waiting times, which can be eight months with many tariffs. [1,10] So plan ahead. Even if you do not currently need braces, a dental misalignment can develop over the years or become necessary due to an accident. [2,13] Taking out dental insurance early secures you for any eventuality. The costs for an initial examination and diagnostics can already amount to 150 Euros. [21]
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More useful links
Federal Ministry of Health offers a report on orthodontics.
Consumer Advice Centre provides information about personal contributions, insurance benefits, and additional costs in orthodontic treatments.
Federal Dental Association presents a position on the limits of self-treatment, especially in orthodontics.
Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) offers guidelines on various medical services relevant to cost coverage.
National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Dentists (KZBV) provides a guide to orthodontics.
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) publishes press releases that may contain relevant statistics, including in the health sector.
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) offers quality reports on cost structures in the medical field.
German Society of Orthodontics (DGKFO) is the scientific society for orthodontics in Germany and provides information on research and practice in this field.
FAQ
How much does dental insurance for orthodontics cost for adults?
Costs can vary significantly depending on the provider, scope of services, and age at entry. Affordable plans can start at around €13 per month; more comprehensive plans are correspondingly more expensive. [5,17]
Is there dental insurance for adults without waiting periods for braces?
Yes, some insurers offer policies with no waiting period. However, these often come with higher premiums or other restrictions. It is important to carefully check the conditions. [1,10,11]
What does KIG mean in braces?
KIG stands for Orthodontic Indication Groups. It is a system for classifying the severity of dental and jaw misalignments into five groups. The statutory health insurance usually only provides benefits for children starting from KIG 3. [4,5]
Does the dental supplementary insurance also cover invisible braces (aligners) for adults?
Many good supplementary dental insurance plans also cover the costs for invisible braces, such as aligners or lingual techniques, often with limitations on the reimbursement amount. Review the tariff details. [10,13,19]
Can I take out supplementary dental insurance if orthodontic treatment has already been recommended?
In most cases, this is not possible, or the service for this already recommended treatment is excluded. A few special tariffs offer protection, but often with limitations. [13,16,19]
How long does an adult need to wear braces?
The treatment duration in adults varies depending on the complexity of the misalignment and the chosen method. It can range from a few months to two or three years. [5,17]
