---
title: "Extra costs of braces: extractions, mini-screws, retainers"
description: "Extractions, orthodontic screws, retainers, treating teeth before braces, visits outside the package: what to ask so a whole-treatment quote is complete."
canonical: https://nhakhoa.thenexova.cloud/en/learn/extra-costs-of-braces
lang: en
last-updated: 2026-10-05
---

[Orthodontics and braces](/en/learn/topic/orthodontics)

# Extra costs of braces: five items quotes often leave out

> Extractions, orthodontic screws, retainers, treating teeth before braces, visits outside the package: what to ask so a whole-treatment quote is complete.

Nguồn / Source: https://nhakhoa.thenexova.cloud/en/learn/extra-costs-of-braces


Extractions, orthodontic screws, retainers, treating teeth before braces, visits outside the package: what to ask so a whole-treatment quote is complete.

[ThS.BS Võ Thanh Tùng](/en/dentists/vo-thanh-tung) · Orthodontics: brackets and clear aligners · Published 3 Oct 2026 · Updated 5 Oct 2026 · 5 min read

![Top view of two sheets hand-lettered PAID and DUE in red, a handheld calculator and a pair of glasses on a white desk](/_astro/learn-extra-costs.CZbImir2_Z1okCmz.jpg)

The five items that most often sit outside a “whole treatment” braces quote are: extractions, orthodontic screws, replacement retainers, treating other teeth before braces, and visits outside the package. Not everyone needs all five. But if you need one and the quote does not mention it, the total can end up higher than the figure you planned for.

Medpro, a Vietnamese booking portal, lists extractions, mini-implants and treating other dental problems as costs that may be added to braces (article of 26 September 2026). Its article on instalments (updated 15 July 2026) also advises asking about the cost of retainers after the braces come off. We reread both on 5 October 2026.

## The five items, and what to ask about each

| Item                                 | When it may be needed                                                                                | What to ask                                                                        |
| ------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 1\. Extractions                      | When teeth are very crowded and space is needed; the dentist decides from the X-rays                 | “Do I need extractions, how many teeth, what does each cost, and who does them?”   |
| 2\. Orthodontic screws (mini-screws) | When a fixed anchor is needed to move teeth                                                          | “Does the plan use screws, how many, and what does each cost?”                     |
| 3\. Replacement retainers            | When a retainer is lost, broken or no longer fits                                                    | “How many sets of retainers does the quote include? What does a replacement cost?” |
| 4\. Treating teeth before braces     | When there is decay, tartar, gum inflammation or a tooth that needs root canal treatment             | “Which teeth need work first, what does each item cost, and is it in the package?” |
| 5\. Visits outside the package       | For example, re-bonding brackets that come off repeatedly, or check-ups after the braces are removed | “Which visits does the package cover, and which are charged separately?”           |

With clear aligners there is a sixth item: extra trays beyond the plan, when teeth do not move as expected. Medpro (updated 08/06/2026) also notes that complex cases may need screws or inter-arch elastics even with aligners.

## 1\. Extractions

Not every braces case involves extractions. When teeth are very crowded, the dentist may suggest removing some teeth to make room for the rest. That decision is made from your X-rays and models, not as a rule for everyone.

You get a local anaesthetic before an extraction. Afterwards there may be some soreness or mild swelling for a few days. Ask who does it, where, and how it is charged. At An Nhiên, extractions are in the “not included” column of the braces price list; if you need them, the number of teeth and the price go into your written quote after the exam.

## 2\. Orthodontic screws

An orthodontic screw (mini-screw, sometimes called a mini-implant) is a small screw placed temporarily in the jawbone as an anchor for moving teeth in a particular direction. It comes out when the job is done.

You get a local anaesthetic when a screw is placed. The questions are whether you need one, how many, and why. At An Nhiên, screws are in the “not included” column; if needed, they go into the quote.

## 3\. Retainers

Once braces come off, teeth tend to drift back. The NHS says you will need to wear a retainer to hold them in place, and that the orthodontist will tell you for how long.

Our braces package includes one set of retainers. Replacing a lost or broken retainer is in the “not included” column. The question to ask anywhere: how many sets does the quote include, and what does a replacement cost?

## 4\. Treating teeth before braces

Decay, tartar and gum inflammation should be dealt with before appliances go on. This is separate work, charged separately, and usually not part of the braces price.

At An Nhiên these treatments have their own starting prices, final after the exam, under the price list dated 4 October 2026:

| Treatment                                                         | From, final after the exam                                              | Not included                                 |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| [Scaling and polishing](/en/services/teeth-cleaning), both arches | from 300,000 VND                                                        | Gum treatment if gum disease is found        |
| [Composite filling](/en/services/fillings)                        | from 400,000 VND per tooth                                              | Root canal or a crown if the cavity is large |
| [Root canal treatment](/en/services/root-canal), one canal        | from 1,200,000 VND per tooth; back teeth quoted by the number of canals | The crown after treatment, X-rays            |

Starting prices under the price list updated 4 October 2026\. The final price is set in writing after the dentist’s exam.

The orthodontist tells you which teeth need work first; the treatment itself is done by the dentist who handles that service.

## 5\. Visits outside the package

Our braces package covers review visits for the length of treatment. Even so, it is worth asking about visits at the edge of the package: re-bonding a bracket that came off, check-ups after the braces are removed, or a visit because you lost your retainer. These belong in the quote, not in a conversation after the fact.

If you travel often or may leave Vietnam during treatment, ask the same question about missed or rescheduled visits.

## An example

An illustrative case for this demo site; the person and figures are made up.

Ms Lương Bảo Châu, 33, with a budget of 40 to 50 million VND, asks: “Does the whole-treatment quote include retainers, and if I need extractions, how are they charged?”

The answer at An Nhiên: the package includes one set of retainers; extractions are not in the package and are only priced once the dentist has seen her X-rays. If she chooses ceramic braces from 42,000,000 VND or Asian-brand aligners from 45,000,000 VND, the gap up to 50 million is what she can set aside for extra items, if any come up. Both prices are final after the exam.

## How An Nhiên writes a braces quote

The written quote has two columns:

- **Included:** exam, X-rays, scan or impressions, appliances, review visits, one set of retainers.
- **Not included:** extractions, orthodontic screws, treating other teeth first, replacement retainers; for clear aligners, also extra trays beyond the plan.

Any item the dentist expects you to need is written into the quote with a quantity and a price. The quote is valid for 30 days. When braces start, there is a deposit of 20% of the quote, at most 5,000,000 VND, credited to the bill; the refund terms are on the [booking terms](/en/booking-terms) page.

Starting prices for each method are on the [braces](/en/services/braces) page. The full price list, local ranges and how to choose are in [braces cost in Ho Chi Minh City 2026](/en/learn/braces-cost-ho-chi-minh-city-2026). To have Dr Võ Thanh Tùng, ThS.BS (a medical doctor who also holds a master’s degree), practising licence no. 000063/HCM-GPHN (fictional), look at your teeth, [book a 45-minute exam](/en/book?service=nieng-rang&dentist=vo-thanh-tung); the first exam and consultation cost nothing, and he can explain in English.

Sources reread on 5 October 2026, listed at the end of the page. Article updated 5 October 2026.

This article is for information and does not replace an examination and diagnosis by a dentist.

## Ask the dentist

A 30-minute exam and consultation, no charge. Dr Tùng sees patients 4 days a week.

[Book with Dr Tùng](/en/book?dentist=vo-thanh-tung)

## Sources checked

1. [Medpro: Metal braces prices (article of 26/09/2026, in Vietnamese)](https://medpro.vn/tin-tuc/gia-nieng-rang-mac-cai-kim-loai) (read 5 Oct 2026)
2. [Medpro: Braces on instalments (updated 15/07/2026, in Vietnamese)](https://medpro.vn/tin-tuc/nieng-rang-tra-gop) (read 5 Oct 2026)
3. [Medpro: Clear aligner prices (updated 08/06/2026, in Vietnamese)](https://medpro.vn/tin-tuc/gia-nieng-rang-trong-suot) (read 5 Oct 2026)
4. [NHS: Orthodontics (braces), reviewed 29 June 2026](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/orthodontics/) (read 5 Oct 2026)

## Services in this article

- [From 28,000,000 VNDBracesFour methods, priced for the whole treatment.](/en/services/braces)

The main article on this topic: [How much braces cost in Ho Chi Minh City in 2026: prices and what comes with them](/en/learn/braces-cost-ho-chi-minh-city-2026)

## Read next

- [Orthodontics and bracesClear aligners: Invisalign or an Asian brand, who they suit and who they do notAligners cost 40 to 130 million VND by brand: tray counts, hours of daily wear, cases where aligners are hard to use. Sources and check date at the end.](/en/learn/clear-aligners-explained)
- [Orthodontics and bracesMetal or ceramic braces: what differs besides the priceMetal and ceramic brackets compared: starting price, colour, strength, cleaning, treatment time. The orthodontist on what to ask at a consultation.](/en/learn/metal-or-ceramic-braces)
- [Orthodontics and bracesBraces on instalments: deposit, months, where the fees hideA deposit of about 30%, 12 to 18 months, interest from 0%: the conditions, application fees, conversion fees. Sources and check date at the end.](/en/learn/braces-payment-plans)