Traditional Braces Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis | Global | 2025-2031

The global traditional braces market was valued at nearly $4.5 billion in 2024. It is expected to increase to reach approximately $4.9 billion by 2031.

This report covers metal braces, ceramic braces, and other orthodontic materials used in fixed appliance treatments. It quantifies unit sales, average selling prices (ASPs), market values, and growth rates, and analyzes key drivers and limiters, procedure volumes, and pricing trends. It provides historical data to 2021 and forecasts to 2031.

Traditional braces remain the foundation of orthodontic treatment worldwide. Although clear aligners have captured increasing attention in recent years, fixed braces remain the clinically preferred solution for complex malocclusions requiring precise control over tooth movement. The global braces market continues to evolve as materials advance, patient expectations shift, and the orthodontic delivery model modernizes.

While growth in clear aligners has been more rapid, traditional braces continue to hold the largest global share of orthodontic procedures, especially among younger patients and in developing economies where affordability and clinical reliability outweigh aesthetic concerns. Continued improvements in bracket design, wire materials, and ceramic translucency ensure that fixed braces remain a viable, cost-effective, and predictable option for orthodontists and patients alike.

Market Overview

Traditional braces have long been the cornerstone of orthodontic correction, offering high precision in treating crowding, misalignment, and bite irregularities. These systems consist of brackets, archwires, and ligatures designed to gradually reposition teeth into proper alignment. Despite the growing popularity of clear aligners, the traditional braces market continues to demonstrate resilience due to its clinical versatility, consistent outcomes, and accessibility across all regions.

Globally, the demand for orthodontic treatments is supported by rising awareness of dental aesthetics, a growing middle class in emerging markets, and expanding insurance and employer-based coverage for orthodontic care. While clear aligners attract patients seeking discreet solutions, traditional braces remain the treatment of choice for severe and complex cases, where precise torque, rotation, and vertical control are required.

The metal braces segment continues to dominate the global market by volume, driven by their affordability and robust performance. However, ceramic braces are gaining market share due to their improved aesthetics and the availability of tooth-colored wires and brackets that blend more naturally with dentition. Ceramic braces command higher ASPs than metal systems, contributing to modest revenue growth even as global unit sales remain stable.

Across mature markets such as North America and Western Europe, procedure volumes have plateaued as orthodontic adoption levels approach saturation and aligner uptake expands. Conversely, emerging economies in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East continue to represent strong growth potential, supported by a younger population, expanding private dental sectors, and increased access to modern orthodontic care.

A significant structural trend shaping the braces market is the growing influence of dental support organizations (DSOs). DSOs provide business and administrative support to dental and orthodontic practices, allowing clinicians to focus on patient care. As DSO networks expand globally, they are improving patient access to orthodontic services by standardizing treatment protocols, reducing administrative costs, and offering competitive pricing models.

Market Drivers

Development in Ceramic Materials

Ceramic braces are increasingly preferred by adults and image-conscious teens due to their translucent and tooth-colored appearance. Manufacturers continue to refine ceramic materials to balance aesthetics with strength, minimizing fracture risk while improving comfort. Recent developments have introduced smaller, smoother brackets that reduce friction and improve wearability. Ceramic braces are typically priced higher than metal alternatives, which elevates their contribution to market value despite smaller procedure volumes.

The success of ceramic braces reflects the industry's ability to combine mechanical performance with improved aesthetics, a key consideration for patient acceptance in markets where adult orthodontic treatment is growing. As materials become more durable and cost-effective, ceramic systems are expected to sustain moderate growth, especially in premium urban markets.

Rise in Immigration

Population mobility continues to drive orthodontic demand in developed economies. Many immigrants enter countries with greater access to healthcare and dental insurance, gaining the means to pursue orthodontic care for themselves or their children. This trend is particularly visible in North America, Western Europe, and parts of the Asia-Pacific region, where expanding skilled-worker immigration has boosted access to employer-sponsored dental benefits.

Immigration not only contributes to greater procedure volumes but also diversifies the patient base, introducing cultural preferences that may influence material selection and treatment priorities. Orthodontic providers are adapting by offering more flexible payment plans and broader material options to meet these diverse needs.

Expansion in Insurance Coverage

The inclusion of orthodontic procedures under public and private insurance schemes has a direct impact on treatment accessibility. As insurance companies in various regions expand orthodontic coverage - including braces for adults as well as children - affordability barriers are gradually decreasing.

This is particularly important for aging populations who retain their natural teeth longer and seek correction for long-standing malocclusions or aesthetic concerns. Insurance expansion also supports consistent procedure volumes during economic slowdowns, stabilizing the market for both metal and ceramic braces.

Influence of Dental Support Organizations (DSOs)

DSOs are reshaping the operational structure of orthodontic care. By handling non-clinical aspects such as human resources, billing, compliance, and marketing, DSOs enable dentists and orthodontists to focus on clinical performance. Their economies of scale allow for bulk purchasing agreements with suppliers, standardized treatment planning, and coordinated marketing campaigns that raise public awareness.

As DSO networks expand internationally, they improve patient access to orthodontic treatment, especially in secondary cities and underserved regions. The consolidation they bring supports predictable supply chains and broader distribution of braces and related orthodontic materials.

Market Limiters

Clear Aligner for Kids

The growing adoption of clear aligner systems for pediatric patients is one of the most significant challenges to the traditional braces market. Align Technology's Invisalign First(TM), launched in 2018, was designed for children aged 6-10 with early mixed dentition, addressing malocclusions before permanent teeth erupt. Similarly, Envista's Spark(TM) Aligners with BiteSync(TM), introduced in 2025, target both growing patients and adults.

These products allow orthodontists to correct mild to moderate cases at earlier stages with less visible appliances. As awareness grows among parents and clinicians, the availability of pediatric-focused aligner solutions is expected to slow growth in the youth segment of the traditional braces market.

Purchasing Power and DSO Negotiation

While DSOs have expanded access, their centralized purchasing power creates downward pressure on ASPs for brackets, wires, and consumables. Large DSO groups can negotiate volume-based discounts directly with manufacturers, compressing margins for suppliers. This effect is most pronounced in mature markets such as the United States and Western Europe, where DSO consolidation is well advanced.

Although lower pricing improves patient affordability, it limits overall revenue growth for premium brace materials, especially in competitive urban markets where procurement contracts emphasize cost efficiency over product differentiation.

Growing Trend of Clear Aligners

Clear aligners represent a transformative shift in orthodontics, appealing to adults seeking discreet, removable solutions. Their rapid expansion and aggressive marketing have elevated public awareness, positioning aligners as a modern and convenient alternative to braces.

Aligners are particularly popular among working professionals, who may prioritize aesthetics and flexibility over cost. As aligner technology advances to handle more complex cases, the substitution effect on braces will persist. While traditional braces remain essential for comprehensive orthodontics, particularly in complex cases, aligners have permanently reduced growth potential for the fixed-braces segment.

Market Coverage and Data Scope

Quantitative Coverage

Market Size, Market Shares, Market Forecasts, Market Growth Rates, Units Sold, and Average Selling Prices

Qualitative Coverage

Market Growth Trends, Market Limiters, Competitive Landscape Summary, SWOT for Top Product Segments, Mergers & Acquisitions, Product Portfolios, FDA Recalls, Disruptive Technologies, and Disease Overviews

Data Sources

Primary interviews with orthodontists and industry executives, government and regulatory data, hospital and private practice surveys, import / export databases, and the iData Research internal database

Forecast Period

• Historical Data: 2021-2023 | Base Year: 2024 | Forecasts: 2025-2031

Markets Covered and Segmentation

• Traditional Braces Market - Further Segmented Into:
• Material Type: Metal, Ceramic, and Others

The market analysis includes quantitative and qualitative coverage across these material types, providing detailed segmentation by unit sales, ASPs, and market value. "Others" include hybrid, polymer, and sapphire materials that offer aesthetic benefits and niche applications within orthodontic treatment.

Geography

This edition covers North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.

While regional trends vary, the global braces market continues to benefit from the sustained need for reliable, fixed orthodontic systems, particularly in complex clinical cases.

71 pages of in-depth analysis and segmentation

Why This Report

Identify the largest and fastest-growing material segments - metal, ceramic, and hybrid within the traditional braces market.

Understand how demographic trends, insurance expansion, and DSO consolidation will shape global orthodontic treatment volumes through 2031.

Evaluate how aligner competition and price negotiation pressures influence ASPs and overall market value.

Benchmark regional demand profiles, including the contrast between mature and emerging orthodontic markets.

Gain insight into the future role of digital workflows and material innovation in sustaining braces adoption.

Use comprehensive quantitative data and qualitative context to guide strategic planning, pricing, and investment decisions.

The Global Traditional Braces Market Report from iData Research provides the clarity needed to assess competitive positioning, evaluate growth potential, and develop effective market entry and pricing strategies in a changing orthodontic landscape.