Does TRICARE cover braces and orthodontics?

Direct answer: Only through the separate TRICARE Dental Program (TDP), which pays 50% of the allowable charge up to a $1,750 lifetime maximum — regular TRICARE medical coverage does not pay for routine braces at all.

Applies to: All TRICARE plans · All regions

Details

Regular TRICARE medical coverage only pays for orthodontia — including braces and retainers — when it corrects a severe congenital abnormality, such as a cleft palate; that’s a medical benefit, entirely separate from the TDP’s orthodontic benefit. To use either benefit, your eligibility must be correctly reflected in DEERS first. TDP is administered by United Concordia — contact them directly to find a participating orthodontist and confirm your remaining lifetime maximum. The 50 percent cost-share and the lifetime orthodontic maximum are published by TRICARE, not calculated here. See TRICARE Dental Program maximums and the December 17, 2025 TRICARE Newsroom article, orthodontic coverage.

What to do next

Confirm this with your Primary Care Manager or regional contractor before scheduling — rules can vary by region and by service.