Dental Insurance for Braces at KIG 1 & 2: What's Covered

Dental supplementary insurance for braces at KIG 1 and 2 is essential, since statutory health insurance doesn't cover the cost for these mild misalignments. Specialized tariffs reimburse between 70% and 100% of treatment costs, which can quickly reach €3,000 to €6,000. Timing is crucial. The policy must be taken out before a dentist diagnoses the misalignment or recommends treatment.

The KIG System and the Gap for Mild Misalignments

Classifying Dental Misalignments

The KIG system classifies dental misalignments into five different levels to assess the medical necessity of treatment. Statutory health insurance only covers the cost of orthodontic therapy once a case is classified in Kieferorthopädische Indikationsgruppe (KIG) 3. Under the strict guidelines of statutory insurers, levels 1 and 2 don't involve sufficient medical necessity, so parents have to bear the resulting costs entirely themselves. Dental supplementary insurance closes this financial gap. According to the official definitions, level 1 covers very mild misalignments, such as a deep bite of one to three millimeters, which insurers classify as purely cosmetic [1]. In practice, this classification determines thousands of euros in treatment costs that burden families without private cover. The system is rigid. Parents need to act proactively here to avoid financial strain.

The Challenge With KIG 2 Diagnoses

Level 2 covers mild misalignments, including, for example, a frontal crossbite or crowding with a deviation of one to three millimeters [1]. Although dentists and orthodontists very often recommend early correction in these specific cases, to avoid later chronic problems with the jaw joint or with daily dental care, statutory insurers consistently refuse reimbursement. Parents then face the major challenge of covering the cost of braces for their children. Without strong private cover, families have to pay the entire cost of treatment out of pocket, which puts a heavy strain on the family budget. The right tariff avoids this burden. Strategy beats chance here. A KIG 2 diagnosis is a classic case for private supplementary policies.

Statistical Relevance and the Need to Act

Almost every second child under 18 needs orthodontic treatment at some point during their development [2]. This rate demonstrates the relevance of taking out dental insurance for your child early. Once the specialist has officially made the diagnosis, it becomes almost impossible to find a suitable tariff that still covers the cost of this specific treatment. Independent experts therefore recommend taking out a policy as soon as the child's baby teeth have fully developed [3]. Forward-looking planning effectively protects families from unexpected, high expenses in the future. The market offers specialized tariffs tailored exactly to these needs, providing comprehensive cover. Act in good time. Waiting always ends up costing more money.

The Cost Risk of Braces With No Statutory Cover

The Financial Scale of Orthodontics

The cost risk of orthodontic treatment is often underestimated. Modern braces in Germany cost an average of €3,000 to €6,000, strongly depending on the treatment method chosen and the total duration of therapy. If statutory health insurance doesn't pay because a case is classified as KIG 1 or 2, parents bear this substantial sum entirely from taxed income. A suitable dental supplementary policy reliably absorbs these costs and also provides access to modern, comfortable treatment methods such as invisible aligners or discreet mini-brackets. This reduces the financial burden on families considerably, which noticeably eases everyday life. Every individual case requires a precise calculation and a strategic approach to financing. That protects your budget.

Hidden Additional Costs of Treatment

Besides the pure material costs for brackets and wires, there are also high fees for the orthodontist, regular checkup appointments, and special diagnostic procedures such as digital volume tomography. Many parents underestimate these ongoing costs, which inevitably add up over a typical period of two to three years. A detailed treatment and cost plan from the dentist gives precise insight into the expected expenses and the individual billing items. Policyholders submit this plan before treatment begins—that avoids gaps in coverage. Insurers then check medical necessity and the exact tariff reimbursement in detail. A truly good policy also fully covers these often overlooked additional costs and provides real security. Check the details. Hidden costs add up quickly.

Insurer Conditions in Detail

Choosing the right cover requires a very close look at the detailed tariff terms of each individual provider. Some insurers exclude purely cosmetic treatment under KIG 1 entirely, such as HUK-COBURG's tariffs, which contractually only pay from a medical necessity level of KIG 2 onward [4]. Other providers such as ARAG, in direct contrast to statutory health insurance, already pay for very mild misalignments at levels 1 and 2 [5]. Reimbursement rates vary considerably depending on the tariff level chosen, ranging between 70% and 90% of the total cost. A well-researched comparison of the terms is therefore essential to find the best cover for your child. nextsure helps families evaluate these complex differences transparently. Comparing pays off. The differences are enormous.

Comparing Tariffs for Mild Misalignments

Advigon Insurance's Benefit Levels

A tariff comparison reveals clear, decisive differences in actual benefit practice. Advigon Insurance, for example, offers its customers two very different benefit levels: the solid Dental Medium (AZM) tariff and the comprehensive Dental Luxus (AZL) tariff. The AZM tariff reimburses 75% of the cost of dental treatment and dentures, while the premium AZL tariff covers a full 100% of eligible expenses. Both tariffs do away with any waiting period, to the customer's benefit, so policyholders have an immediate, direct entitlement to all agreed benefits. Immediate cover is guaranteed. This is a decisive, measurable advantage over many competitors on the market, which often impose blocking periods lasting months. The final choice depends heavily on the family's individual need for security and available budget. Choose wisely.

Reimbursement Caps in the First Years

Reimbursement caps in the first years of the contract are a key criterion when choosing a tariff. Under Advigon's AZM tariff, maximum benefits in the first 48 months are contractually capped at a total of €2,400. The stronger AZL tariff offers a significantly higher, more comfortable reimbursement limit of up to €4,000 for dental treatment over the exact same period. After month 48, these financial caps no longer apply at all, and cover applies without limit. These limits also don't apply from the outset in the event of an unforeseen accident, which provides valuable extra protection for active, sporty children. Families should be sure to factor these specific scales into long-term planning for orthodontic treatment. The budget has to work. Plan ahead.

Crediting Prior Insurance Time

A special, very customer-friendly feature of Advigon's tariffs is the generous crediting of existing prior insurance time. If customers switch seamlessly from another dental policy to the AZM or AZL tariff, their proven prior insurance time can lead to the reimbursement caps being waived immediately. That's a major advantage. This requires provable prior insurance of at least 48 months and an absolutely seamless contractual transition with no gap in time. The prior policy must also contractually show minimum benefits of 75% to switch into the AZM tariff, or 100% to switch into the AZL tariff. This smart mechanism rewards loyal insurance customers and makes switching to a better provider enormously easier. It's worth it for families to critically review existing old policies and optimize them where needed. Switching saves money.

Both tariffs offer advanced pain management and benefits with no caps in the event of an accident.

The Right Time to Take Out a Policy

Signing Up Before the First Diagnosis

The timing of taking out a policy is decisive for keeping your entitlement to benefits later on. When taking out dental supplementary insurance, the misalignment must not yet have been diagnosed or officially recommended by a dentist [2]. If the orthodontist has already made a binding note of upcoming treatment in the patient file, the vast majority of insurers refuse to cover this specific case. In consultations, parents often desperately ask about taking out insurance despite treatment already recommended. In such difficult cases, there are only very few specialty tariffs on the market, and these usually come with extremely high premium surcharges or very strict benefit limits. Acting early and proactively is therefore by far the best protection for the family budget. Don't wait. Act now.

The Ideal Age to Start Coverage

Independent experts recommend taking out insurance as soon as the child's baby teeth have fully developed, which is usually around age three to four [3]. At this early point, no orthodontic diagnoses have generally been made at all yet, and monthly premiums for children are calculated affordably. Advigon's AZM tariff, for example, costs children and young people up to age 25 only a very affordable €5.69 a month, while the premium AZL tariff comes to a fair €9.20. This very small monthly investment reliably secures dental benefits later worth thousands of euros. Acting early pays off. Waiting a long time almost always ends up costing families considerably more than paying premiums in good time. Get your child covered.

Waiting Periods and Immediate Cover

Another key aspect when timing your policy purchase is the providers' tariff waiting periods. Many classic, older tariffs impose a rigid eight-month waiting period for all orthodontic benefits before the first bill can be submitted. Modern tariffs such as ARAG's or Advigon's do away with these customer-unfriendly waiting periods entirely, to customers' delight [5]. This difference is decisive. In concrete terms, this means full coverage applies immediately once the policy is accepted. Still, the iron rule remains: treatment must not have been recommended before the sign-up date. Immediate cover helps families enormously with sudden, unexpected diagnoses right after the policy starts. That provides security. Compare the terms closely.

Reimbursement Caps and Benefit Scales in Detail

How the Benefit Scales Work

Reimbursement caps very precisely regulate the maximum payouts from the insurance in the first years of the contract. Almost all reputable insurers use such benefit scales to protect the pool of policyholders from immediate large claims shortly after signing up and to keep premiums stable. Under Advigon's AZM tariff, the maximum reimbursement is €600 in the first year of the policy, €1,200 in the second year, and €1,800 in the third year. The stronger AZL tariff offers €1,000 in the first year, €2,000 in the second, and €3,000 in the third in reimbursement volume. These amounts add up continuously over the first four years of the contract. Precise knowledge of these specific figures is extremely important for the family's financial planning. Calculate carefully. The budget is limited.

Strategic Treatment Planning

For a typical orthodontic treatment, which usually spans several years, these tariff scales often line up surprisingly well with the actual course of treatment and the flow of bills. High costs are almost never incurred all at once, but are logically spread across the various treatment phases, such as initial diagnostics, fitting the braces, and regular wire adjustments. If, for example, active treatment only begins in the third year of the policy, significantly higher reimbursement amounts are already freely available. Timing is decisive. Parents should compare the dentist's treatment plan in detail against the tariff limits and discuss it with the dentist. Smart, forward-looking planning optimizes cost reimbursement and considerably minimizes the family's out-of-pocket share. Talk to the dentist. Plan the phases.

Budgeting for Further Dental Treatment

A dental supplementary policy with an orthodontics module for children must disclose these scales absolutely transparently in its terms. Beyond the purely orthodontic benefits, these budgets often also cover all of the child's other dental treatment. If the child additionally needs expensive composite fillings, fissure sealing, or pain management in the first years, this is also counted against the same tariff budget. Once the first 48 months have passed, contractual benefits under most premium tariffs are then available without limit. This provides long-term, reliable financial security for the whole family, regardless of whatever dental challenges may arise in the future. That's real provision. Protect your child comprehensively.

Key Aspects of the Reimbursement Caps

• Scales usually apply for the first 36 to 48 months after taking out the policy.
• For accident-related dental treatment, these limits no longer apply immediately under top-tier tariffs.
• Prior insurance time can be credited for a seamless switch.
• The budget often covers orthodontics and dental treatment combined.
• Once the scale period has ended, unlimited coverage applies.

Always check the currently available tariff balance before treatment begins.

Add-On Modules for Pain-Free Treatment

Innovative Pain Management Methods

A tariff's add-on modules significantly increase treatment comfort for young patients. Beyond simply covering the cost of braces, truly high-quality tariffs offer additional benefits that are extremely important especially for anxious children. Advigon's AZM and AZL tariffs, for example, include significantly advanced pain management as standard. This covers gentle methods that complement classic local anesthesia, such as professional acupuncture, gentle general anesthesia, calming laughing gas, or deep twilight sleep. Such specialized benefits are ideal for young patients with pronounced dental anxiety who would refuse normal treatment. A relaxed, anxiety-free dentist visit is worth a great deal for a child's psychological development. Anxiety-free at the dentist. That's priceless.

Preventive Care During the Braces Period

Another extremely important building block in dental care is regular preventive care. Regular professional teeth cleaning is absolutely essential especially during ongoing orthodontic treatment, since fixed braces make daily oral hygiene at home considerably harder. The AZM tariff contractually reimburses up to €90 per calendar year for these preventive measures, split into a maximum of €70 per individual session. The premium AZL tariff offers an even higher budget of €140 a year for cleaning. These targeted preventive measures effectively protect the teeth from decay and painful gum disease throughout the entire time the braces are worn. Permanently healthy teeth are the ultimate goal of any orthodontic intervention. Prevention is key. Make use of these budgets.

Modern, Tooth-Preserving Techniques

Modern, tooth-preserving treatment techniques perfectly round out a top-tier tariff's range of benefits. This includes, for example, micro-invasive caries infiltration, a completely pain-free treatment of early-stage decay with no drilling at all. Preventive fissure sealing and attractive, high-quality composite or resin fillings are also covered without issue by good tariffs. In terms of quality, these specific benefits go far beyond the statutory insurance level and ensure lasting, aesthetic dental health. Families benefit enormously from comprehensive, high-quality care from a single source. Investing early in a genuine premium tariff always pays off in the long run through healthy teeth. Quality pays off. Don't cut corners in the wrong place.

Choosing the Right Dental Supplementary Insurance via nextsure

Curated Tariffs Instead of a Confusing Jumble

Choosing the right tariff requires in-depth expertise and market knowledge. The German market for dental supplementary insurance is confusing and shaped by countless, often hidden, detailed rules. nextsure positions itself clearly here as a digital insurance broker that safely and transparently guides families through this tariff jungle. Instead of offering a confusing jumble of hundreds of tariffs, nextsure presents only hand-picked, curated solutions tailored exactly to families' specific needs. The absolute focus is on radical transparency and a clear, understandable cost-benefit assessment for the end customer. A well-researched, independent comparison saves families real money and a lot of hassle over the years. We advise independently. That builds trust.

Digital Efficiency Meets Expert Advice

The nextsure platform enables direct sign-up online. Customers get personal expert advice when needed, which reliably ensures the chosen tariff really meets specific requirements, such as full coverage for KIG 1 and 2. As an officially licensed insurance broker under Section 34d of the German Trade Regulation Act (GewO), nextsure operates completely independently and exclusively in customers' best interest. The broker's compensation comes transparently from commissions paid by the respective insurance companies, so the entire advisory and comparison service is completely free for end customers. This fair approach guarantees an objective, honest, and thoroughly needs-based tariff recommendation. Our service is free. You don't pay a single extra cent.

Comprehensive Cover for the Whole Family

Besides specialized dental supplementary insurance, nextsure also offers tailored solutions for many other important areas of life, from modern e-scooter insurance to essential income protection. This lets families bundle their entire, often complex, insurance needs in one secure place and manage them entirely digitally. Everything stays organized. The smart combination of maximum digital efficiency and personal, expert advice makes nextsure an extremely strong, reliable partner for modern households. The platform keeps developing technologically to consistently meet the ever-growing demands of digital customers. This gives the whole family a secure, reassuring feeling in every situation in life. We're your partner. You can rely on us.