Dental Savings Plans for Braces & Invisalign (2026)

Braces and Invisalign are expensive. Traditional metal braces run $3,000–7,000 depending on your location and the complexity of your case. Invisalign typically costs $3,500–8,000. Even "cheaper" clear aligner brands can run $1,500–3,000.

Dental savings plans can cut these costs by 20–40% — but there's a catch: not all dental savings plans cover orthodontics. You need to know which ones do before you enroll.

This guide covers which plans include orthodontic discounts, what the real savings look like, and how to find a plan your orthodontist accepts.

Which Dental Savings Plans Cover Orthodontics?

Coverage varies by plan. Here's the quick breakdown:

| Plan | Orthodontic Coverage | Typical Ortho Discount | |------|---------------------|----------------------| | Careington 500 Series | ✓ Yes | 20–30% off braces/Invisalign | | DentalPlans.com | ✓ Yes (plan-dependent) | 20–40% depending on plan chosen | | Aetna Dental Savings | ✓ Yes | 20–35% off | | Humana Dental Savings | ✗ No | Not covered | | Cigna Dental Savings | ✓ Yes | 20–35% off |

DentalPlans.com is the best option for braces. As a marketplace, they let you filter plans specifically by orthodontic coverage and search by your orthodontist's name. If you already have a provider picked out, you can find a plan they accept directly.

What Does 20–40% Off Actually Save You?

Let's run the numbers on different scenarios:

Metal braces at $4,500 average cost:

• 20% discount: Save $900, pay $3,600
• 30% discount: Save $1,350, pay $3,150
• 40% discount: Save $1,800, pay $2,700

Invisalign at $6,000 average cost:

• 20% discount: Save $1,200, pay $4,800
• 30% discount: Save $1,800, pay $4,200
• 35% discount: Save $2,100, pay $3,900

After deducting the plan cost ($99–149/year for most plans), the net savings are still substantial — especially for Invisalign where you're starting from a higher base price.

How Orthodontic Discounts Work (Different From Other Dental Discounts)

Orthodontic discounts on dental savings plans work a bit differently from routine care discounts. Here's what to know:

The discount is typically on the total treatment fee. When you present your savings plan membership, the orthodontist applies the contracted discount rate to the total case fee — not per appointment.

You still pay the discounted rate upfront or in installments. Dental savings plans don't pay anything to the orthodontist. You pay the discounted rate directly, usually broken into a down payment and monthly installments over the treatment duration.

The plan must be active when treatment begins. You need to enroll before your first orthodontic appointment to lock in the discount. Enrolling mid-treatment typically doesn't apply discounts to work that's already started.

Not all orthodontists participate. This is the critical issue. The discount only applies at in-network orthodontists. Before enrolling in any plan, verify your orthodontist participates.

Finding a Plan Your Orthodontist Accepts

This is where most people go wrong: they pick a plan and then discover their orthodontist isn't in the network.

The right order:

1. Pick your orthodontist first (or get a few consultations to understand your options)
2. Search DentalPlans.com or the individual plan websites by your orthodontist's name
3. Choose a plan that they accept

If your orthodontist isn't on any plan, you have two options: find a new orthodontist in-network, or negotiate directly with your current orthodontist (many offer payment plans and some will match discount plan rates if you ask).

DentalPlans.com "find by provider" search is the most efficient way to do this. Enter your orthodontist's name and zip code, and it shows every plan on their platform that the provider accepts.

What About FSA/HSA?

Orthodontic treatment is generally FSA and HSA eligible. If you have a flexible spending account or health savings account, you can use those funds to pay for braces and Invisalign — which can save you an additional 20–35% (depending on your tax bracket) on top of the dental savings plan discount.

Stacking a dental savings plan discount with FSA/HSA funds is one of the best ways to minimize orthodontic out-of-pocket costs:

1. Apply dental savings plan discount to reduce the total treatment fee
2. Pay the discounted amount using FSA or HSA funds
3. Effective discount: potentially 40–65% off the original price

Can Kids and Adults Both Use the Plan?

Yes. Family dental savings plans (typically $13–23/month) cover every member of your household. If you have multiple kids needing orthodontic treatment — or an adult who wants Invisalign — a family plan covers everyone for one annual fee.

For families with multiple orthodontic cases, the savings can be very significant:

• Family plan: ~$149–229/year
• Two kids in braces at $4,500 each: $9,000 total
• 25% discount: $2,250 saved
• Net savings after plan cost: ~$2,100

Step-by-Step: How to Get Started

1. Get orthodontic consultations — Most orthodontists offer free initial consultations. Get 2–3 quotes.
2. Ask about plan participation — Ask each orthodontist which dental savings plans they accept.
3. Search DentalPlans.com — Use the "find by dentist" feature to identify plans your preferred orthodontist accepts.
4. Enroll before your first appointment — Activate the plan 3–5 business days before your first treatment appointment.
5. Present your membership at your appointment — Give the membership number to the front desk before treatment begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do dental savings plans cover Invisalign specifically? Most plans that cover orthodontics include Invisalign at the same discount rate as traditional braces. The discount applies to any in-network orthodontic provider offering Invisalign. Verify with your specific plan and orthodontist before assuming coverage.

Is there a waiting period for orthodontic coverage? No — this is one of the biggest advantages of dental savings plans over dental insurance. Dental insurance typically has a 12-month waiting period for orthodontic coverage. Dental savings plans have zero waiting periods; you can use the ortho discount immediately after activation.

Can I use a dental savings plan if treatment has already started? Generally no. The discount needs to be presented before treatment begins. If you're mid-treatment, you may be able to get discounts on remaining appointments, but the contracted total case discount typically doesn't apply retroactively.

What about clear aligner brands like SmileDirectClub or Byte? These direct-to-consumer clear aligner services don't use traditional orthodontists, so dental savings plan networks don't apply. You would need to work with an in-office orthodontist for plan discounts to be relevant.

How do I know the real discount rate for braces? Each plan publishes a "fee schedule" — the exact pre-negotiated price for every procedure code at each participating dentist. You can request the orthodontic fee schedule for your dentist specifically before enrolling. The fee schedule gives you the actual price you'd pay, not a percentage estimate.

Updated February 2026. Always verify orthodontic plan participation directly with your provider before enrolling.