What braces cost in Montebello and across East Los Angeles depends mostly on how much your bite needs to change and which type of braces you choose, since both shape how long treatment runs. At My LA Braces, you get your options and cost at a free Smile Assessment, and you can pay through an interest-free, no-credit-check plan.
At My LA Braces in Montebello, CA, we treat children, teenagers and adults. If you searched for a dollar figure, this page doesn't have one. It covers how a braces fee is put together and where dental insurance, Medi-Cal and our in-office payment plan come in, so you walk into your consultation knowing what to ask.
How much do braces cost in Montebello?
The cost of braces in Montebello comes down to your treatment plan, and a braces quote given before anyone has looked at your teeth is a guess. Two people with similar-looking smiles can need very different treatment once x-rays show how the roots sit and how the upper and lower jaws meet. Our braces FAQ says the price varies with each patient's orthodontic needs and goals.
The braces cost Los Angeles families see on a treatment plan reflects the work involved, from the first records to the appliance and the adjustment visits that follow.
Prices for braces in LA also vary because offices bundle their fees differently. When you compare quotes, ask each office the same questions:
- What does the fee cover from the first appointment to the last?
- Are retainers and visits after the braces come off included?
- What happens to the cost if treatment runs longer than planned?
- Is there a charge for a broken bracket or a lost appliance?
- How are insurance payments applied to my balance?
For a closer look at why one office's number can be far from another's, read our post on why orthodontic quotes differ.
What makes one braces case cost more than another?
Complexity is the biggest factor. The more your teeth and jaws need to move, and the longer that movement takes, the more appointments and appliances treatment requires.
Things that commonly change the scope of a case include:
- How crowded or spaced the teeth are
- Bite problems such as an overbite, underbite or crossbite
- Whether an extra appliance is needed, such as an expander to widen the upper jaw
- Teeth that are impacted, missing or slow to come in
- Whether a child needs an early phase of treatment and a second phase later
- The type of braces or aligners you choose
All of these factors show up in treatment length. Most patients wear braces for one to two years, and where a case falls in that range depends on how much needs to change and what you want from treatment. Broken brackets and skipped elastics can also stretch treatment out.
Age plays a part too. A growing child's jaw can sometimes be guided while it develops, which is one reason we suggest a first orthodontic visit around age 7. Adults have finished growing, so braces for adults are planned around the teeth and bone they have now.
When the plan calls for an expander, lingual arch or retainer, we make it in our on-site orthodontic lab.
How do metal braces, clear braces and Invisalign compare on price?
Each option has its own price, and the gap between them depends on the case. Fit comes first, because not every bite is a good match for every appliance. After Dr. Shahab Parsa examines your teeth, your treatment coordinator can show you how the options that suit you compare on cost.
| Option | How it works | Often chosen by | Available at My LA Braces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional metal braces | Metal brackets bonded to the teeth and joined by a wire that is adjusted over time | Kids, teens and adults, including people with complex bites | Yes |
| Clear braces | Work like metal braces, with clear or tooth-colored brackets that are harder to see | Teens and adults who want braces that blend in | Yes |
| Damon braces | Self-ligating brackets that hold the wire with a built-in clip instead of elastic ties | Patients who prefer a braces system without elastic ties | Yes |
| Invisalign | A series of removable clear aligners, each worn for a set period before the next | Teens and adults who can keep aligners in for most of the day | Yes, for teens and adults |
| In-house clear aligners | Removable clear aligners produced in-house at our office | Patients whose case suits clear aligners | Yes |
Invisalign has its own pricing guide, so for aligner costs see Invisalign cost in Montebello and East LA.
Does insurance or Medi-Cal cover part of the cost?
Both can help. Dental insurance with orthodontic benefits can pay part of the fee, and Medi-Cal Dental covers braces for patients under 21 whose bite qualifies.
Orthodontic coverage works differently from coverage for cleanings and fillings. Many plans that include orthodontics set a separate lifetime maximum for it, and some limit the benefit to dependents under a certain age. Plans may also pay their share in stages over the course of treatment instead of all at once.
Our on-site insurance team works with dental insurance and will help you make the most of your orthodontic benefits. We go through common plan rules in more detail in how insurance covers braces.
My LA Braces accepts Medi-Cal Dental for braces. Coverage is for patients under 21, and the bite has to qualify. Medi-Cal measures this with the HLD index, and a score of at least 26 qualifies, as do certain conditions such as cleft palate, according to the Medi-Cal Dental Provider Handbook, Section 9 from the California Department of Health Care Services (checked October 2026). Our office scores the bite and submits the approval request.
Medi-Cal does not cover braces for adults 21 and older. Adults can still use dental insurance benefits and our interest-free plan. Our page on Medi-Cal braces in Montebello has more detail on how the process works.
How does the 0% interest payment plan work?
The plan lets you spread your treatment fee over time, and we never charge interest on it. It's an in-office plan with no credit check.
If you're looking for affordable braces, the way you pay can matter as much as the total fee. Your personal treatment coordinator can go over the plan and the available discounts with you during your Smile Assessment. Those discounts include:
- A discount for members of our patients' families
- Seasonal special pricing
- A discount when you pay in full
If more than one child in your family may need treatment, ask how the family discount applies. You can choose between paying in full and the in-office payment plan once you have your treatment plan in hand. Details are on our interest-free payment plan page.
What is included in the free consultation?
The free My LA Braces Smile Assessment includes a thorough orthodontic exam, digital x-rays, a comprehensive consultation and same-day records. It covers your treatment options and an estimate of how long treatment will last.
Same-day records mean the images and measurements used to plan treatment are taken at that first visit, so planning can begin without a separate records appointment. If you have dental insurance or Medi-Cal, bring the card with you.
The visit moves through these steps, though the exact order can vary:
- Book a free Smile Assessment online, or call or text 323-726-8300.
- Come in for your exam, digital x-rays and same-day records.
- Go over your treatment options and an estimated timeline.
- Meet with your personal treatment coordinator about discounts and payment options.
- Let our on-site insurance team look at your dental benefits or Medi-Cal eligibility.
- Choose to pay in full or use the interest-free in-office plan, then schedule your start.
Frequently asked questions
Do braces cost more for adults than for kids?
At My LA Braces, the fee is based on what treatment involves, such as how far the teeth need to move, rather than on age alone. Age can still change what you pay out of pocket. Some dental plans limit orthodontic benefits to children, and Medi-Cal Dental covers braces only for qualifying patients under 21, so adults often lean more on payment plans and discounts.
Does Medi-Cal cover braces for adults?
No. Medi-Cal Dental covers braces only for patients under 21 whose bite qualifies, either with an HLD index score of 26 or more or a qualifying condition such as cleft palate. Adults 21 and older can still get braces at My LA Braces with help from dental insurance benefits, where a plan includes them, and our interest-free, no-credit-check in-office payment plan.
Do I need good credit to get braces?
Not at My LA Braces. Our in-office payment plan has no credit check, and we never charge interest on it. Your personal treatment coordinator can explain how the plan works during your free Smile Assessment and go over the family, seasonal and pay-in-full discounts the practice offers, so you can compare paying over time with paying up front.
How do I find out what braces will cost for my child?
Book a free Smile Assessment at My LA Braces. The visit includes an orthodontic exam, digital x-rays and same-day records, and you'll go over your child's treatment options and an estimated timeline. Your personal treatment coordinator then walks you through payment options and discounts. You can book online or call or text 323-726-8300 to set up the visit.
This article is general information about orthodontic costs and coverage, not dental advice for your situation.
How we can help
At My LA Braces, Dr. Shahab Parsa, a board-certified orthodontist, plans your treatment, and our team helps you work out a way to pay that fits your household. Our office is at 3533 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello, CA 90640. The practice has served the community since 1962, and we see patients in English and Spanish. Along with our weekday hours, we're open two Saturdays a month from 8 AM to 3 PM. To find out your cost and payment options, book a free consultation or call or text 323-726-8300.