How Much Do Braces Cost in Perth? A Specialist Orthodontist Explains

One of the first questions we hear from patients at our practice here in Claremont is a variation of the same thing: “How much is this actually going to cost?” It is a completely reasonable question, and one that deserves a straight answer — not vague deflection.

The honest reality is that orthodontic treatment costs vary, and that variation is not arbitrary. There are real clinical reasons why one person’s treatment costs more than another’s. This article explains what those factors are, what you can realistically expect to pay for braces in Perth, and how to reduce the out-of-pocket burden through health funds and payment plans.

Why Braces Costs Vary — The Clinical Factors

When Dr Denize assesses a new patient at our Stirling Highway practice, he is evaluating several things at once: the degree of crowding or spacing, the complexity of the bite, the age of the patient, the amount of tooth movement required, and the likely treatment duration. Each of these affects cost.

1. Complexity of the case

A mild case — slight crowding in otherwise healthy teeth — requires less treatment time and fewer adjustments. A complex case involving a significant bite discrepancy, jaw asymmetry, or teeth that have drifted badly over years requires more planning, more visits, and greater clinical skill. You cannot apply a single price to both situations fairly.

2. Type of braces

Perth patients have several options:

• Standard metal braces — the traditional fixed brace. Highly effective, very precise, and the most cost-effective option for complex cases.
• Ceramic (clear) braces — fixed braces made from tooth-coloured ceramic. Less visible than metal, typically a little more expensive.
• Lingual braces — fixed braces placed on the inside surface of the teeth, completely invisible from the front. Technically demanding and priced accordingly.
• Clear aligners — removable plastic trays. Comparable in cost to traditional braces for many cases. We discuss this further below.

3. Treatment duration

Orthodontic treatment typically ranges from 12 months for simpler cases to 24 months or more for complex bite corrections. Longer treatment means more review appointments, more adjustments, and more clinical time — all of which contribute to the overall fee.

4. Age of the patient

Children and teenagers often have the advantage of growing jaws, which can simplify certain corrections. Early intervention, when indicated, can sometimes prevent a more involved procedure later. Adult treatment is absolutely achievable — and common — but may take longer in some cases because jaw growth has completed.

What Braces Cost in Perth — A Realistic Range

We want to be genuinely useful here, so we will give you general guidance while being clear that these are ranges, not quotes. Your actual fee will depend on your individual assessment.

For standard metal braces in Perth, many practices — including ours — price straightforward cases starting from approximately $5,000 to $6,000. More involved cases, particularly those requiring longer treatment or more complex mechanics, can be higher.

Ceramic and lingual braces typically cost more than metal, reflecting the materials and the additional skill required to place and manage them.

Clear aligners sit in a similar range to traditional braces for most cases. A case requiring significant and precise tooth movement may not be a straightforward aligner case at all — which is why a proper clinical assessment matters before choosing your treatment type.

We encourage you not to make decisions based on the lowest advertised price alone. Orthodontic outcomes depend heavily on the skill and training of the person delivering the treatment. Specialist orthodontists — like Dr Denize — have completed three years of additional full-time university training beyond their dental degree, focused entirely on tooth movement, jaw development, and bite correction.

Health Fund Rebates in Western Australia

If you hold private health insurance with extras or major dental cover, you may be entitled to a rebate for orthodontic treatment. A few things to understand:

Most funds apply a lifetime benefit limit for orthodontics rather than an annual limit. This is typically between $1,500 and $3,000, though it varies by fund and level of cover. Once used, that lifetime limit resets only rarely (usually after a set period specified in your policy).

Some funds also have a waiting period before orthodontic benefits can be claimed — commonly 12 months. If you have recently joined a fund or upgraded your cover, check whether a waiting period applies.

We recommend calling your health fund before your consultation with us. Ask for:

• Your current orthodontic benefit and lifetime limit remaining
• Whether any waiting period applies
• The item codes covered (we can provide these to you — 823 is the standard orthodontic item code in Australia)

At our practice on Stirling Highway, we accept all major health funds and can process your claim on the day of payment.

Payment Plans at Claremont Orthodontics

A significant upfront cost is a concern for many families across Perth’s western suburbs — from Subiaco to Cottesloe, Nedlands to Dalkeith. We hear this regularly from parents planning treatment for their children at local schools like Christ Church Grammar, MLC, Scotch College, and PLC.

To make treatment financially accessible, we offer payment plans that spread the cost across the duration of treatment. Rather than paying the full fee upfront, patients make manageable monthly payments that align with their treatment schedule.

We discuss payment options clearly at your initial consultation. There is no pressure and no hidden fees — just a transparent breakdown of what treatment will cost and how you can manage it.

What Is Included in the Fee?

It is worth understanding what your orthodontic fee typically covers, because this is not always clear when comparing between practices.

At Claremont Orthodontics, your treatment fee generally includes:

• All fitting appointments and routine adjustment visits throughout treatment
• Diagnostic records (X-rays, photos, digital scans) needed before and during treatment
• Retainers at the end of treatment (the removable appliances that hold your teeth in their new positions)
• Review appointments for a defined period after treatment is complete

Ask any practice you consult with what is and is not included in their quoted fee. Some quote a “base” price and add costs for retainers, records, and additional appointments. These can add up.

Starting with an Assessment

The most important first step is a thorough assessment. This is where Dr Denize examines your teeth, bite, and jaw alignment, takes any necessary records, and gives you an accurate picture of your situation.

At the consultation, you will receive a written treatment plan with a clear fee and payment options laid out. You take that home, review it at your own pace, and come back with questions. There is no expectation that you decide on the day.

Families from Claremont Quarter to Cottesloe Beach and Kings Park to Freshwater Bay come through our doors, and the consultation process is the same for everyone — thorough, honest, and unhurried.

If you are ready to find out exactly what treatment would involve for you or your child, the best next step is to book an assessment. Take our free 3-minute assessment at claremontorthodontics.com.au/assessment, visit our new patients page to understand what to expect, or explore our braces treatments page for more detail on the options available.

You are also welcome to call us directly on (08) 6288 7188 — we are at 7/355 Stirling Highway, Claremont, opposite Christ Church Grammar School.

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Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.