Across Australia, comprehensive orthodontic treatment runs roughly $3,000 to $15,000 depending on the type of braces, case complexity, and how long treatment takes.
Metal braces at Gorgeous Smiles cost between $5,500 and $9,500, and ceramic braces range from $6,000 to $10,000. Invisalign is also available as an alternative, ranging from $3,500 to $9,500. Interest-free payment plans are available at Gorgeous Smiles, with deposits starting from just 10%, so the upfront commitment is lower than most patients expect. Your final cost is determined after a consultation based on your specific treatment plan. To get an accurate quote based on your teeth, you can book a consultation at our Melbourne CBD clinic.
| Metal Braces | Ceramic Braces | Invisalign | Lingual Braces (context only) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gorgeous Smiles price | $5,500 – $9,500 | $6,000 – $10,000 | $3,500 – $9,500 | From $5,000 |
| Treatment time | 12–18 months (can extend to 4 years) | 12–18 months (can extend to 4 years) | 6–18 months | 18–36 months |
| Visibility | Most visible | Tooth-coloured, subtle | Nearly invisible, removable | Hidden behind teeth |
| Best for | Best value for most patients | Patients wanting subtlety on a moderate budget | Mild to moderate cases and patients who value flexibility | Patients needing fully hidden fixed braces |
For most patients, traditional metal braces deliver the best results at the most affordable price. They work across virtually all cases and age groups, from straightforward single-jaw crowding cases starting at $5,500 through to more complex bite corrections approaching $9,500.
If appearance during treatment matters to you, ceramic braces offer a good middle ground. They're more discreet than metal at a moderate cost increase, with a similar treatment time. The brackets are tooth-coloured, so they blend with your teeth rather than standing out.
Invisalign suits patients with mild to moderate alignment issues who want the flexibility of removable clear aligners and fewer clinic visits. That said, Invisalign is not suitable for every case, and your dental team will let you know if it's a realistic option during your consultation.
A straightforward single-jaw crowding case treated with metal braces might sit at the lower end of our range ($5,500 to $7,500), while a complex bite correction could be closer to $7,500 to $9,500. The difference comes down to a few things.
This is the biggest variable. Simple crowding where the teeth just need nudging into position is a shorter, less involved process than correcting a deep overbite or significant jaw misalignment. Complex cases need more adjustments, longer treatment, and more detailed planning, all of which push the cost up.
Most cases run 12 to 18 months, though complex cases can extend considerably beyond that. Longer treatment means more adjustment appointments and more time in the chair, which increases the total fee. The length of treatment is determined during your consultation once your dental team has assessed the full picture.
As the comparison table above shows, the type of bracket and materials used directly affect the price. Metal brackets are the most affordable. Ceramic brackets use tooth-coloured materials that cost more to manufacture, which is reflected in the higher price point. Invisalign pricing depends on how many aligners your treatment plan requires.
Age is a factor, though not in the way most parents assume. Children's treatment isn't automatically cheaper. Some early intervention cases are simpler and wrap up faster, which keeps the cost down. But plenty of children's cases are just as complex as adult cases, and the fee reflects that. Adults sometimes face additional complexity because teeth that have been misaligned for decades can be harder to move predictably.
This applies to Invisalign specifically. Not wearing aligners for the recommended 22 hours a day can extend treatment time and, depending on the plan, add cost. With traditional metal braces or ceramic braces, compliance is less of a concern since the brackets are fixed. That said, patients who repeatedly break brackets due to diet or habits may incur a small repair fee for each breakage.
The price you're quoted is the price you pay. At Gorgeous Smiles, we bundle everything into your braces cost so there are no hidden charges after you start treatment. Here's what is included:
All appointments are covered once treatment has been paid for and started. The main exceptions are if a patient relocates, disengages from the clinic for an extended period, changes practitioners, or if treatment needs to be terminated for clinical reasons.
It's worth knowing what falls outside the quoted fee. Repeated bracket breakages due to non-compliance may attract a small repair charge. Lost or broken retainers after treatment carry a replacement fee. Any extractions required as part of treatment may or may not be included depending on your specific package, so confirm this during your consultation. General dental work needed before braces begin (fillings, cleanings, and so on) is separate and not included.
Gorgeous Smiles offers interest-free payment plans (0% interest) with zero establishment or setup fees, and plans are available for treatment costs up to $15,000. You choose weekly or fortnightly payments, spread over 1 to 24 months.
The deposit structure is simple; 20% for plans under $2,000, or 10% for plans over $2,000. There's no income testing and no payslips needed. You apply in the practice, manage everything through an app, and the whole process takes just a few minutes.
For a $7,000 metal braces treatment on a 24-month plan, your initial deposit would be $700 (10%), with the remaining $6,300 spread over 24 months (working out to roughly $263/month or about $61/week). For a $9,000 ceramic braces treatment on the same structure, you'd be looking at a $900 deposit and around $338/month.
Medicare does not cover braces or any orthodontic treatment in Australia. This applies to both children and adults.
Private health insurance can cover part of your orthodontic treatment, but only if your extras cover specifically includes orthodontic benefits. Not all extras policies do, and the ones that do vary widely in how much they pay out. Typical rebates fall between $1,000 and $3,000 over the course of treatment, spread across annual claim limits rather than paid as a lump sum.
If you don't currently have orthodontic cover, you can upgrade your policy to include it, but most funds impose a 12-month waiting period before you can claim.
Bring your health fund details to your consultation. The team at Gorgeous Smiles can help estimate your out-of-pocket cost after rebates, so you'll leave with a clear picture of what you'll actually pay rather than guessing.
The pricing on this page gives you a realistic range, but the only way to get an accurate cost for your specific case is through a consultation. At Gorgeous Smiles, your appointment includes an assessment of your teeth and bite, a discussion of which treatment options suit your situation, a personalised treatment plan, an accurate cost estimate, and a walkthrough of payment plan options.
Treatment at Gorgeous Smiles is carried out by experienced general dentists with extensive orthodontic training, not a specialist orthodontist. If you want to understand exactly what that means for your case, your consultation is the right place to ask.
Gorgeous Smiles Melbourne CBD | 121 Exhibition St | Book online or call (03) 9042 0483
Children's treatment can sometimes cost less if the case is simpler, but the price is driven by complexity rather than age alone. Some early intervention cases are shorter and less involved; others require the same level of treatment as an adult case. Your consultation will clarify where your child's case sits.
It depends on the case. For simple alignment issues, Invisalign can be comparable to or even less expensive than metal braces. For complex cases involving bite correction or significant movement, traditional braces are usually more cost effective. See our full comparison above or visit our Invisalign page for more detail.
Generally, yes. More complex orthodontic issues require longer treatment, more adjustments, and a more detailed treatment plan, all of which increase the total fee. This is the main reason the braces cost range is so broad.
Most cases run between 12 and 18 months, though complex cases can take considerably longer. Treatment duration is one of the key factors that affects your total cost.
No. Medicare does not cover any orthodontic treatment in Australia. Private health insurance with extras cover that includes orthodontic benefits may provide a partial rebate. See the insurance section above for details.
Repeated bracket breakages due to non-compliance may attract a small repair fee. Lost or broken retainers after treatment carry a replacement cost. Your dentist will outline these conditions before treatment begins.
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Disclaimer: every treatment has risks. The treatment posted on this page might not be appropriate for your oral environment. You need a full consultation with an Australian qualified dental professional before we can confirm if you are a good candidate for any treatments. Results vary from person to person. This page’s posts does not replace real life dental professional’s examination & opinion. We are a very experienced team of general dentists with special interests in different fields if dentistry. Learn more about the risks here.
