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Braces Cost in Meredith, NH

Full-treatment cost for traditional metal braces, ceramic (clear) braces, and lingual braces in Meredith, NH.

Quick answer: Traditional metal braces in Meredith, NH cost about $5,704 for 18–24 months of treatment. Ceramic (clear) braces run $3,708–$8,556 due to premium materials. Lingual braces (behind the teeth) are the most expensive at $8,000–$13,000.

Low$3,708
Median$5,704
High$8,556
National median: $5,5004% above national avg

What affects the cost of Traditional Braces in Meredith?

Bracket type

Metal (traditional): $3,000–$7,000. Ceramic/clear: $4,000–$8,000 — same treatment, less visible. Lingual (behind teeth): $8,000–$13,000 — invisible from front but harder to clean and adjust. Self-ligating (Damon System): $4,000–$8,000 — smaller monthly adjustments, sometimes shorter treatment.

Treatment duration

18–24 months is typical. Shorter treatments (12–15 months) cost 20–30% less. 24–36 month treatments cost proportionally more because they require more office visits.

Two-phase treatment

Some kids need Phase 1 (early treatment at ages 7–10, $1,000–$3,000) plus Phase 2 (comprehensive braces at 11–14, $5,000+). Most kids only need Phase 2. Ask if a phase 1 is really needed — some practices push it unnecessarily.

Orthodontist vs general dentist

Orthodontists (specialists with 2–3 additional years of training) typically charge 20–40% more than GDs offering braces. For simple cases, a well-trained GD is fine. For complex bite corrections, an orthodontist has more tools.

Retention (retainers)

Most orthodontists include the first set of retainers. Replacement retainers are $150–$400. Lifetime retention is required — teeth shift throughout life without them.

Cheaper alternatives to Traditional Braces

At-home and hybrid aligner brands typically cost 40–70% less than in-office Traditional Braces, but they only work for mild to moderate cases. Compare options and check whether you're a candidate.

Invisalign

Clear aligner alternative

$3,500–$8,000

12–18 months

  • Nearly invisible
  • Removable for eating and brushing
  • Fewer office visits than braces
  • Requires 20+ hrs/day compliance
  • Not appropriate for severe cases
  • More expensive than metal braces

At-home aligners (Byte, AlignerCo)

Direct-to-consumer clear aligners

$1,150–$2,400

3–6 months

  • Cheapest option
  • No in-office visits
  • Only mild-to-moderate cases
  • No in-person orthodontist oversight
  • Not covered by dental insurance

Finance a Traditional Braces in Meredith

Estimate your monthly payment. Most dental practices offer 0% APR through CareCredit or LendingClub Patient Solutions for promotional periods.

$5,704
$1,426
24 months
0%

Estimated payment

$178.25 / month

for 24 months after $1,426 down

Principal financed: $4,278

Total interest: $0

Total paid: $5704

With 0% APR promotional financing you pay $0 in interest — but if you don't pay off the balance before the promo ends, retroactive interest can hit hard. Read the terms.

Estimates only. Actual financing terms depend on the lender, your credit, and any promotional offers your dental practice has arranged. Common lenders for dental care: CareCredit, LendingClub Patient Solutions, Proceed Finance, and in-house practice plans.

Traditional Braces FAQ — Meredith, NH

Does dental insurance cover braces in Meredith?▾
About half of dental plans have an 'orthodontic benefit' with a lifetime max of $1,000–$3,500. Some plans only cover children under 19. Braces and Invisalign are usually covered equally. Check with your plan before choosing a Meredith orthodontist.
How much cheaper are braces than Invisalign?▾
Metal braces typically cost 10–25% less than Invisalign for the same case. If aesthetics don't matter (many kids prefer braces because they can pick colors), metal braces are the value choice. Ceramic braces close most of the price gap with Invisalign at a slight aesthetic premium over metal.
How long does treatment take?▾
18–24 months for the average comprehensive case. Some cases finish in 12 months; complex ones run 30+. Wearing rubber bands as instructed, showing up for adjustments, and avoiding hard/sticky foods that break brackets all keep treatment on schedule.
Can adults get braces?▾
Yes. Roughly 25% of orthodontic patients today are adults. Treatment is the same but often takes 20–30% longer because adult bones don't remodel as quickly. Many adults choose ceramic braces or Invisalign for aesthetics; some don't mind metal.
What foods can't I eat with braces?▾
Avoid: hard candy, ice, popcorn kernels, whole apples/carrots (cut into pieces first), sticky foods (caramels, taffy), and things that need biting hard (corn on the cob — cut it off first). Broken brackets add 1–2 months to treatment and $50–$150 to your bill for repair visits.
Can I finance braces in Meredith?▾
Almost every Meredith orthodontist offers in-house payment plans over the full treatment period (18–24 months, so effectively 24-month 0% financing). Down payment is typically 25% up front. CareCredit and other patient financing programs are also available.

When is this needed?

Crooked teeth, overbite/underbite, crowded teeth, gaps, jaw misalignment.

How long does it take?

12-24 months

Dentists offering Braces (Full Treatment) in Meredith, NH

George Felt, D.D.S.

General dentistry • 19 yrs on NPPES

Edward Detolla, DDS

General dentistry • 19 yrs on NPPES

Paul Dubuque, DMD

General dentistry • 7 yrs on NPPES

View all dentists in Meredith →

Sources