GITNUXREPORT 2025

Braces Statistics

Millions wear braces; market grows rapidly driven by technology and aesthetics.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average time between initial consultation and braces placement is around two weeks

Statistic 2

Approximately 4 million people in the United States wear braces at any given time

Statistic 3

The global orthodontics market size was valued at about USD 4.4 billion in 2022

Statistic 4

Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, hold around 10-15% of the orthodontic market share in the US

Statistic 5

Self-ligating braces, which reduce treatment time, make up approximately 10% of the orthodontic market

Statistic 6

The popularity of invisible lingual braces increased by over 20% in the last five years

Statistic 7

The dental healthcare market invested approximately $1.2 billion in orthodontics research and development in 2021

Statistic 8

The number of orthodontic practices in the UK increased by 12% over the last decade

Statistic 9

The use of 3D imaging technology in orthodontics increased by nearly 50% between 2019 and 2022

Statistic 10

Orthodontic appliance manufacturing is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% through 2030

Statistic 11

The rate of enamel decalcification during braces treatment can be as high as 50% if oral hygiene is poor

Statistic 12

The global demand for lingual braces is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% until 2030

Statistic 13

The popularity of white or ceramic brackets has increased by about 30% over the past five years

Statistic 14

Approximately 10% of orthodontic patients are treated with mini-implants or temporary anchorage devices (TADs) to facilitate tooth movement

Statistic 15

The orthodontic industry is expected to grow annually by about 6.5% through 2027, driven by innovations and increasing demand

Statistic 16

The use of digital scanners in orthodontics has increased by 45% in the last three years, leading to more accurate impressions

Statistic 17

Over 80% of orthodontic patients are between the ages of 10 and 18 years

Statistic 18

Children are more likely to require braces if they have a family history of orthodontic issues

Statistic 19

Nearly 30% of orthodontic patients opt for lingual braces that are placed behind the teeth

Statistic 20

65% of orthodontists report an increase in demand for aesthetic braces

Statistic 21

The average age for first orthodontic consultation is around 9-10 years old

Statistic 22

Around 25% of orthodontic patients are adults, reflecting growing acceptance of adult orthodontics

Statistic 23

Approximately 20% of orthodontic patients choose removable appliances over fixed braces

Statistic 24

85% of teenagers express dissatisfaction with their teeth aesthetics before treatment, but 90% report satisfaction after completing braces

Statistic 25

Over 60% of orthodontic patients are prescribed post-treatment retainers to maintain their new smile

Statistic 26

Braces are more commonly used in urban areas, where nearly 75% of patients live, versus rural areas, with about 25%

Statistic 27

Approximately 20% of adult orthodontic patients seek treatment due to concerns about facial aesthetics

Statistic 28

Around 75% of orthodontic patients report improved confidence and self-esteem after treatment completion

Statistic 29

Advances in bracket technology have reduced treatment times by an average of 6 months over traditional braces

Statistic 30

Advances in adhesive technology have increased bracket bonding success rates to over 95%

Statistic 31

The development of 3D printing technology has enabled customizable orthodontic devices, reducing production costs by up to 40%

Statistic 32

The growth of the orthodontics market is also driven by technological advancements such as AI-based treatment planning, used by over 30% of practices in 2022

Statistic 33

Metal braces are used by roughly 70% of orthodontic patients

Statistic 34

The average treatment time for traditional braces ranges from 18 to 24 months

Statistic 35

The use of ceramic braces accounts for about 15% of orthodontic treatments

Statistic 36

The cost of traditional braces ranges from $3,000 to $7,000 in the United States

Statistic 37

The average orthodontic consultation in the US costs around $200

Statistic 38

Orthodontic treatment can improve facial symmetry by an average of 25%, based on clinical studies

Statistic 39

The average patient spends about $3,000 to $6,000 on orthodontic treatment, including consultations and follow-ups

Statistic 40

Around 15% of orthodontic treatments in the US involve accelerated orthodontics for faster results

Statistic 41

The success rate of orthodontic treatment with braces exceeds 90% when properly administered

Statistic 42

Over 75% of orthodontists recommend retainers after braces are removed to prevent relapse

Statistic 43

The average adult orthodontics case costs between $4,000 and $8,000, influenced by complexity and materials used

Statistic 44

The most common types of orthodontic appliances include braces, aligners, retainers, space maintainers, and headgear

Statistic 45

The rate of orthodontic relapse is approximately 15-20% without proper retainer use

Statistic 46

The average number of visits for complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 24 visits, depending on the treatment plan

Statistic 47

The majority of orthodontic patients undergo treatment for crowding issues, accounting for approximately 65% of cases

Statistic 48

The average duration of retention phase after braces removal is around 6 to 12 months

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Key Highlights

Approximately 4 million people in the United States wear braces at any given time
The global orthodontics market size was valued at about USD 4.4 billion in 2022
Metal braces are used by roughly 70% of orthodontic patients
Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, hold around 10-15% of the orthodontic market share in the US
The average treatment time for traditional braces ranges from 18 to 24 months
Over 80% of orthodontic patients are between the ages of 10 and 18 years
The use of ceramic braces accounts for about 15% of orthodontic treatments
The cost of traditional braces ranges from $3,000 to $7,000 in the United States
Self-ligating braces, which reduce treatment time, make up approximately 10% of the orthodontic market
The popularity of invisible lingual braces increased by over 20% in the last five years
Children are more likely to require braces if they have a family history of orthodontic issues
The dental healthcare market invested approximately $1.2 billion in orthodontics research and development in 2021
The number of orthodontic practices in the UK increased by 12% over the last decade

Did you know that over 4 million people in the United States are wearing braces at any given time, fueling a global orthodontics market valued at approximately $4.4 billion in 2022, and reflecting a rapidly evolving industry driven by technological advances and changing aesthetic preferences?

Market Dynamics and Industry Insights

The average time between initial consultation and braces placement is around two weeks

Market Dynamics and Industry Insights Interpretation

With braces often taking just two weeks from first consultation to installation, it seems today's orthodontic turnaround is quicker than most people's patience for misaligned teeth.

Market Size and Growth Trends

Approximately 4 million people in the United States wear braces at any given time
The global orthodontics market size was valued at about USD 4.4 billion in 2022
Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, hold around 10-15% of the orthodontic market share in the US
Self-ligating braces, which reduce treatment time, make up approximately 10% of the orthodontic market
The popularity of invisible lingual braces increased by over 20% in the last five years
The dental healthcare market invested approximately $1.2 billion in orthodontics research and development in 2021
The number of orthodontic practices in the UK increased by 12% over the last decade
The use of 3D imaging technology in orthodontics increased by nearly 50% between 2019 and 2022
Orthodontic appliance manufacturing is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% through 2030
The rate of enamel decalcification during braces treatment can be as high as 50% if oral hygiene is poor
The global demand for lingual braces is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% until 2030
The popularity of white or ceramic brackets has increased by about 30% over the past five years
Approximately 10% of orthodontic patients are treated with mini-implants or temporary anchorage devices (TADs) to facilitate tooth movement
The orthodontic industry is expected to grow annually by about 6.5% through 2027, driven by innovations and increasing demand
The use of digital scanners in orthodontics has increased by 45% in the last three years, leading to more accurate impressions

Market Size and Growth Trends Interpretation

With over four million Americans sporting braces amidst a booming $4.4 billion global market, it's clear that as new tech like 3D imaging and invisible aligners grow by leaps and bounds—up to nearly 50% in recent years—the orthodontic industry is shifting from traditional brackets to high-tech invisibility, all while balancing the risks of decay against the allure of a picture-perfect smile.

Patient Demographics and Preferences

Over 80% of orthodontic patients are between the ages of 10 and 18 years
Children are more likely to require braces if they have a family history of orthodontic issues
Nearly 30% of orthodontic patients opt for lingual braces that are placed behind the teeth
65% of orthodontists report an increase in demand for aesthetic braces
The average age for first orthodontic consultation is around 9-10 years old
Around 25% of orthodontic patients are adults, reflecting growing acceptance of adult orthodontics
Approximately 20% of orthodontic patients choose removable appliances over fixed braces
85% of teenagers express dissatisfaction with their teeth aesthetics before treatment, but 90% report satisfaction after completing braces
Over 60% of orthodontic patients are prescribed post-treatment retainers to maintain their new smile
Braces are more commonly used in urban areas, where nearly 75% of patients live, versus rural areas, with about 25%
Approximately 20% of adult orthodontic patients seek treatment due to concerns about facial aesthetics
Around 75% of orthodontic patients report improved confidence and self-esteem after treatment completion

Patient Demographics and Preferences Interpretation

The evolving landscape of orthodontics reveals a teenage-centric industry driven by aesthetic desires—highlighted by a surge in adult treatments, discreet lingual options, and the universal boost in confidence that comes with a well-aligned smile, predominantly blooming in urban settings and spanning across ages from nine to mature adulthood.

Technologies and Innovations in Orthodontics

Advances in bracket technology have reduced treatment times by an average of 6 months over traditional braces
Advances in adhesive technology have increased bracket bonding success rates to over 95%
The development of 3D printing technology has enabled customizable orthodontic devices, reducing production costs by up to 40%
The growth of the orthodontics market is also driven by technological advancements such as AI-based treatment planning, used by over 30% of practices in 2022

Technologies and Innovations in Orthodontics Interpretation

As orthodontic innovation accelerates—from faster brackets and more reliable bonding to personalized 3D-printed devices and AI-driven planning—patients can now expect a future of not only shorter, cheaper treatments but also highly tailored smiles, proving that technology isn't just straightening teeth but also straightening the path to better oral health.

Treatment Types, Costs, and Effectiveness

Metal braces are used by roughly 70% of orthodontic patients
The average treatment time for traditional braces ranges from 18 to 24 months
The use of ceramic braces accounts for about 15% of orthodontic treatments
The cost of traditional braces ranges from $3,000 to $7,000 in the United States
The average orthodontic consultation in the US costs around $200
Orthodontic treatment can improve facial symmetry by an average of 25%, based on clinical studies
The average patient spends about $3,000 to $6,000 on orthodontic treatment, including consultations and follow-ups
Around 15% of orthodontic treatments in the US involve accelerated orthodontics for faster results
The success rate of orthodontic treatment with braces exceeds 90% when properly administered
Over 75% of orthodontists recommend retainers after braces are removed to prevent relapse
The average adult orthodontics case costs between $4,000 and $8,000, influenced by complexity and materials used
The most common types of orthodontic appliances include braces, aligners, retainers, space maintainers, and headgear
The rate of orthodontic relapse is approximately 15-20% without proper retainer use
The average number of visits for complete orthodontic treatment ranges from 12 to 24 visits, depending on the treatment plan
The majority of orthodontic patients undergo treatment for crowding issues, accounting for approximately 65% of cases
The average duration of retention phase after braces removal is around 6 to 12 months

Treatment Types, Costs, and Effectiveness Interpretation

With over 70% of orthodontic patients opting for traditional braces lasting nearly two years at a cost averaging $4,000 to $6,000—plus a 90% success rate—it's clear that while fixing your smile is an investment, it's a lifelong commitment to facial harmony and future confidence.