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Treatment guide

Braces cost in Sharjah: metal, ceramic and aligners compared

Straighter teeth are an investment you live with every day. This guide explains what drives the price of braces, what should be included, and how to spread the payments.

13 October 2026 · 9 min read · Al Jazeera Dental Clinic, Al Majaz, Sharjah

Looking for treatment? See our main page on braces in Sharjah: what is involved, who it suits, and how to book a free consultation and X-ray.

What you are paying for

The braces cost you’re quoted covers much more than brackets and wires. It pays for the assessment and planning, every adjustment visit over many months, any repairs if a bracket comes loose, and the retainers that keep your teeth straight afterwards. That is why a quote that looks low at first can end up higher once the extras are added.

In this guide we compare the main types of braces available in Sharjah, explain the five factors that change the braces cost, look at insurance and instalments, and list the questions to ask before you sign up.

Teenager smiling with metal braces
Clear aligners
Young woman holding a clear aligner tray at a dental consultation
Treatment planning
Dentist showing a model of teeth to a smiling child while a parent watches
X-rays and records
Your options

Types of braces and how they compare

Metal braces

The most established option. Strong, reliable and suitable for every type of case, from mild crowding to complex bite problems. Usually the lowest braces cost.

Ceramic braces

Tooth-coloured brackets that blend in. They work like metal braces but look more discreet, so they usually cost a little more.

Clear aligners

Removable, nearly invisible trays changed every one to two weeks. Ideal for mild to moderate cases if you wear them 20 to 22 hours a day.

Partial treatment

Sometimes only the front teeth need aligning. Shorter, simpler treatment can reduce the overall braces cost.

5 factors that change the braces cost

1. How far your teeth need to move. Mild crowding or a small gap can take months; a large overbite or crossbite can take two years. Longer treatment means more visits and a higher orthodontic cost.

2. The type of appliance. Metal, ceramic and clear aligners each have different laboratory and material costs.

3. Your bite. Correcting how the upper and lower teeth meet is more complex than straightening the front teeth alone.

4. Work needed first. Teeth and gums must be healthy before anything moves. Fillings or a professional clean may be needed first.

5. Retainers. Retainers are essential to keep the result, and some quotes leave them out. Always check whether they are included in the price of braces.

Braces or clear aligners: which is better value?

Clear aligners appeal to many adults because they are almost invisible and removable. For suitable cases they give excellent results. But the trays only work while you wear them, and if they are left out for long periods treatment slows down and extra refinement trays may be needed, which can add to the cost.

Fixed braces work all the time and are often more predictable for complex movements. For a teenager who may forget to wear trays, or an adult with a significant bite problem, metal or ceramic braces may give better value even if they look less discreet. At your free assessment we tell you honestly which option suits your teeth.

Choose aligners if

  • Your case is mild to moderate
  • You want treatment to be discreet
  • You’ll wear trays 20 to 22 hours a day
  • You want to remove them to eat

How long treatment takes

Most orthodontic treatment takes between six months and two years. Simple front-tooth alignment can be quick, while correcting crowding and the bite together takes longer. Check-ups are usually every six to eight weeks. Because we are open until 10 PM seven days a week, these visits are easy to fit around school and work.

The length of treatment is one of the biggest influences on the orthodontic cost, so your written plan should include an estimated timeline as well as the price.

Not sure what you need?

Get a free check-up and X-ray. A dentist explains your options and gives you the cost in writing. Open until 10 PM on Al Khan Street, Al Majaz.

Insurance and paying monthly

Orthodontic cover varies a lot between UAE insurance plans. Some include braces for children under a certain age, some offer a fixed amount towards treatment, and many exclude adult orthodontics. Send us a photo of your card and we’ll check exactly what your plan covers before you decide.

Because braces are a long treatment, many families prefer to spread the price of braces. We accept Tabby, Tamara and Toothpick, so you can pay in instalments instead of one large payment, subject to each provider’s approval.

Ways to pay

  • Insurance, where your plan includes orthodontics
  • Tabby
  • Tamara
  • Toothpick
  • Cash or card

Questions to ask before you choose

Before you compare the orthodontic cost at different clinics, make sure each quote covers the same things. A clear quote answers these questions in writing.

  • Are X-rays, photos and the treatment plan included?
  • How many adjustment visits are included?
  • What happens if a bracket breaks or an aligner is lost?
  • Are retainers included, and what type?
  • What is the expected length of treatment?
  • Is there a charge for refinements or extra aligners?

At Al Jazeera Dental Clinic your orthodontic assessment is free, and the full plan and price of braces are given to you in writing before anything starts.

Braces for adults in Sharjah

It’s never too late to straighten your teeth. Many of our orthodontic patients are adults who never had treatment as children, or whose teeth have moved since they had braces as teenagers. Ceramic braces and clear aligners make treatment discreet enough for work, and healthy gums matter more than age.

Straightening crooked teeth can also make them easier to clean and protect them from uneven wear. Read more on our braces and clear aligners pages, or see our guide to crooked teeth.

First visit

What happens at your free orthodontic assessment

Your goals

We ask what bothers you about your smile and your bite, and whether you prefer fixed braces or removable trays.

Examination

We check your teeth, gums, jaw and how your teeth meet when you bite and chew.

Records

X-rays and photos show the roots, the jaw and the position of any unerupted teeth.

Options and plan

You see your options side by side, with timelines and a written price for each.

Caring for your teeth during treatment

Brackets and wires create extra places for plaque to hide, and white marks can form on the teeth if cleaning is rushed. Brush after meals with a fluoride toothpaste, use small interdental brushes around each bracket and finish with a fluoride mouthwash. With aligners, brush before putting the trays back in and rinse the trays every time you remove them.

Avoid very hard or sticky food such as nuts, toffee and ice, which can break brackets, and limit fizzy drinks. Keeping up a professional clean every few months during treatment protects your gums while your teeth move, and it means the result looks as good as it feels when the braces come off.

Helpful tools

  • Orthodontic toothbrush
  • Interdental brushes
  • Fluoride mouthwash
  • Water flosser
  • Orthodontic wax for sore spots

Children and the right time to start

An orthodontic check from around the age of seven lets us spot problems such as crossbites, severe crowding or habits like thumb sucking early. Most treatment still begins once the adult teeth have come through, usually between eleven and fourteen, when the jaws are growing and teeth move readily. Starting at the right time can make treatment shorter and simpler, which also helps keep the orthodontic cost down.

If your child has crowded front teeth, teeth that don’t meet, or lost baby teeth very early, book a check-up. We’ll tell you honestly whether to start now or simply keep an eye on things.

Protecting your investment with retainers

Teeth naturally try to move back after braces, especially in the first year. Retainers hold them in place. Most people wear a clear removable retainer at night, and some have a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth. Without retainers, the money spent on straightening can be lost within months.

Retainers wear out over time, so plan to replace them every few years. If one cracks, contact us quickly rather than going without. For more on how orthodontic treatment works, the NHS guide to orthodontics is a helpful independent source.

FAQ

Braces cost questions

How much do braces cost in Sharjah?
The braces cost depends on the type of braces, how complex your case is and how long treatment takes. After a free assessment we give you the full cost in writing.
Are clear aligners more expensive than braces?
Often they cost more than metal braces, but it depends on the case. We compare both for you at your assessment.
Are retainers included?
They should be. Always check, because some quotes exclude them.
Does insurance cover braces?
Some plans cover braces, especially for children. Many exclude adult orthodontics. We check your card for you.
Can I pay for braces monthly?
Yes, with Tabby, Tamara or Toothpick, subject to approval.

Find out your braces cost

Free orthodontic assessment and a written plan. Pay monthly with Tabby, Tamara or Toothpick.

Who wrote this

Written by the dental team at Al Jazeera Dental Clinic, a family clinic on Al Khan Street, Al Majaz 3, Sharjah, open since 1998, and medically reviewed by Dr Ranjeet Kumar, Medical Director (BDS, Diploma in Endodontics), October 2026. Use it as a guide only. Every mouth is different, so a check-up is the only way to know what you need.