Orthodontics for children

More than 50% of children and teenagers need braces. More and more attention is being paid to having a beautiful and straight smile. Nowadays, orthodontic treatment is often started at a young age. Read here when your child needs orthodontics, what the cost is, and what reimbursements you can get for braces.

At what age is it best for my child to start with braces?

The ideal age to start an orthodontic treatment depends on the development of your child's teeth. In many cases, braces are started at a young age.

• Early orthodontics

At the age of 7 to 8 years old, it's best to visit the dentist with your child to check if they have a crossbite or open bite. If so, the orthodontist may start an early treatment. The orthodontist can also assess the position of the permanent canine teeth and, if necessary, create more space. This is almost always done with an 'activator'. This brace is clicked onto the teeth, removable, and has a screw. Once a week, for six to nine months, you turn the plate a quarter turn. This gradually widens the upper jaw by 1 mm per month. After early orthodontics, a treatment with fixed braces usually follows.

• Regular orthodontics

If your child does not need early treatment around the age of 8, they may need braces later, once all the permanent teeth have erupted. This is typically just before the growth spurt: for girls around 11 to 12 years old, for boys around 13 to 14 years old. The most common braces for regular orthodontics is a 'bracket system', but there are also other types of braces.

How much does orthodontics for children cost?

An orthodontic treatment is not cheap. The average cost for all materials, check-ups, and treatments quickly adds up to €3,700. Make sure to inquire in advance about the costs. On this page, you can read more about the questions you can ask the orthodontist before starting the treatment.

Is braces for children reimbursed?

A portion of the orthodontic costs for children and adolescents is reimbursed by the statutory health insurance. Helan Health Insurance members also benefit from the Helan orthodontic benefit. 

• Early orthodontic reimbursement

If your child needs early orthodontics, you are entitled to a partial reimbursement from the statutory health insurance. The condition is that you have received a medical agreement from the advising doctor for statutory reimbursement before your child's 9th birthday.

• Reimbursement for regular orthodontics

Young people up to 22 years old receive a partial reimbursement for orthodontics through the statutory health insurance. The orthodontics must have started before the 15th birthday.

• Helan orthodontic benefit

Because we believe every child deserves a bright smile, you, as a customer of Helan Health Insurance, will receive up to 1,050 euros reimbursed per orthodontic treatment, in addition to the statutory reimbursement. This covers 60% of all excess charges, supplements, and materials up to the age of 22. Again, orthodontics must be started before the 15th birthday.

• Additional dental insurance Dentalia Up

Do you have the additional dental insurance Dentalia Up? Then you will receive an additional up to 2,200 euros reimbursed per orthodontic treatment if the treatment started before the 15th birthday. Combined with the Helan orthodontic benefit for young people, you will be really well covered against the high costs of orthodontics.

Is a dental insurance beneficial for my family?

With the reimbursement through the statutory health insurance and the additional Helan benefit, a portion of the orthodontic treatment is reimbursed, but certainly not everything.

Moreover, most orthodontists are not contracted, meaning they can charge extra supplements. You will therefore still pay a considerable portion of the costs for your child's braces out of pocket.

With an additional dental insurance, you are optimally protected against the high costs of orthodontics. The dental insurance Dentalia Up reimburses up to 2,200 euros for orthodontics for young people. The condition is that the treatment must be started before the 15th birthday, and that there is also a contribution from the statutory health insurance.

The maximum reimbursement applies if you register your child before the 5th birthday, or if you have been a customer for 10 years. We recommend that you register early with the family insurance. Dentalia Up is free for children up to 3 years old.

Learn more about Dentalia Up