The short answer
Orthodontic treatment at Miller Orthodontics ranges from about $500 to $7,500, depending on what your smile actually needs. That range applies at both of our offices, in Park City and Heber Valley.
We know a range that wide can feel unhelpful. So this guide explains what puts a case at the low end or the high end, what’s included in our fee, and how Wasatch Back families make treatment fit their budget.
Dr. Bob and Dr. Juliana Miller bring more than 66 years of combined orthodontic experience to every case. We’ve been a husband-and-wife, owner-operated practice in Park City since 2014, and we’ve been treating patients with clear aligners since 1999.
What puts a case at the low or high end
The biggest factor in cost is what needs to move, and how far. A simple fix costs a few hundred dollars; full correction of the teeth and bite costs several thousand.
| Treatment need | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Replacement retainer | $200–$500 |
| Growth modification for a growing child | Around $6,000 over about 2 years |
| Comprehensive treatment (braces, Lightforce, Invisalign or InSmile lingual braces) | Most cases are less than $7,000; complex cases can run higher |
Other factors include how long treatment takes, how complex the bite is, and which appliance fits your goals. Most of our cases land well below the top of the range. You’ll get an exact fee at your complimentary consultation, before you commit to anything.
Case study: when treating early costs less
Sometimes the most expensive orthodontic case is the one that waited too long. Here’s a pattern we see with severe overbites.
The patient: A growing child with a significant jaw imbalance.
Our approach: Growth modification, which guides the jaws into better alignment while the child is still growing. Treatment took about 2 years and cost around $6,000.
The alternative: If that same patient waited until growth was finished, the fix would likely be braces plus corrective jaw surgery. The orthodontic fee alone could exceed the growth-modification fee, and surgical fees can run into the tens of thousands of dollars.
Timing matters. Catching a jaw problem early can be the difference between a few thousand dollars and a surgical bill many times larger.
What’s included in our fee
When you compare quotes between offices, check what each one actually covers. Our treatment fee includes:
- Your initial consultation, records, diagnosis and treatment plan
- All treatment and treatment visits
- Replacement of broken brackets and lost aligners, typically at no additional cost
- Your first set of retainers
We do reserve the right to add a patient compliance fee if we see chronic abuse of appliances. This is very rare. Before treatment starts, we make sure every patient understands what’s expected of them.
Budgeting for retainers after treatment
Your first set of retainers is free. After that, replacements typically cost $200–$500.
We keep a 3D-printed digital model of your finished smile. If a retainer gets lost on the ski hill or chewed by the dog, we can remake it from that model for less, without starting over. Additional fees may apply if new dental work, such as a crown or filling, changes how your retainer fits.
How digital technology saves you time
We use digital scans instead of gooey impressions. From those scans, we fabricate custom appliances in-house with a much faster workflow:
- Expanders
- Lightforce 3D-printed braces, in clear or metal (we’ve completed 500+ Lightforce cases)
- Invisalign clear aligners
- InSmile lingual braces, hidden behind the teeth
- Retainers
We can scan and print a model in less than an hour, which means same-day retainers. For families driving in from Kamas, Oakley, Coalville or Midway, fewer and faster visits mean less missed school and work.
Paying for treatment
Many families pay 10–20% down and spread the balance over the time their braces are on. We don’t charge interest, because treatment happens over time.
Ways to save:
- 5% off when you pay in full
- Multi-family discounts
- Help from our insurance claim specialist, who works to maximize your benefits
A word about dental insurance
Orthodontic lifetime maximums are typically $1,500–$2,000. Some plans stop covering orthodontics after a certain age. Our patients bring a wide variety of plans, so coverage differs from family to family.
Insurance is a benefit that helps reduce your cost, but benefits can change. If you switch jobs or insurance providers, your coverage may change too. That’s why we tell every family up front: the insurance amounts we quote are estimates.
The hidden cost of DIY and mail-order aligners
