Braces for teeth

The NHS suggests that around a third of children need orthodontic braces and a rise in home working and celebrity and influencer use has caused a surge in requests for adult braces over the past three years.

Discover clear aligners, the low cost, removable, almost invisible orthodontic braces, and can help you achieve straight teeth in as little as 4 months.

Why have braces

There are many benefits of having braces. Initially this may be purely to correct malocclusion, straighten crooked, crowded, rotated or protruding teeth, closing gaps between teeth and creating a straight, uniform smile. Unforeseen benefits include improving your bite, improving your speech and having healthier teeth and gums.

Braces also deliver a predictable result with dentists and orthodontists able to scan your teeth and show you what your teeth could look like after your treatment has been completed.

Some types of braces including removable clear aligners are almost invisible. This allows you to progress your teeth straightening treatment without drawing attention to your mouth.

Before you have your braces fitted your teeth will need to be healthy with no cavities, decay or gum disease. This is typically covered during your first visit with an oral health check.

Types of braces

Many people associate orthodontic braces with highly visible train-tracks of metal wires and pads anchored to your teeth. These are the only type of orthodontic braces offered by the NHS, however there are a wide range of low cost private dental braces available for those seeking a more discreet method of teeth straightening treatments.

Metal Braces

Metal braces are created from wires, brackets, hooks, springs and elastic bands attached to your teeth. With regular dental visits, tension is applied to the wire between teeth, gradually pulling them into a new position. Metal braces are suitable for mild and severe cases, taking between 6 months and several years to straighten your teeth.

Aligners for teeth

Orthodontic aligners are a series of low cost and almost invisible plastic braces that help to move your teeth into alignment. Take out your aligners for meals and when having conversations. Wear them for a recommended 22 hours during the day and overnight to progress your treatment. Treatment starts with an impression of your teeth. This is followed by a treatment plan and your aligners being delivered to your home. Change your aligner for the next set every few weeks until you have straight teeth. Clear aligners are suitable for mild, moderate and severe alignment issues and typically take between 4 and 12 months to straighten your teeth.

Ceramic Braces

Like metal braces, ceramic braces use wires, brackets, hooks, springs and elastic bands to straighten your teeth. The main difference is the replacement of metal brackets with ceramic bracelets to help reduce the braces visibility. With regular dental visits, tension is applied to the wire between teeth, gradually pulling them into a new position. Ceramic braces are suitable for mild and severe cases, taking between 6 months and several years to straighten your teeth.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces offer all of the benefits of metal braces but without the visibility. Lingual braces are attached to the inside of your teeth (tongue side) which can cause additional discomfort until you get used to them. With regular dental visits, tension is applied to the wire between teeth, gradually pulling them into a new position. Lingual braces are suitable for mild and severe cases, taking between 6 months and several years to straighten your teeth.

Self Ligating Braces

Self ligating braces are a more comfortable version of traditional metal braces. Self ligating braces swap bulky elastic bands and hooks for streamlined gates. With regular dental visits, tension is applied to the wire between teeth, gradually pulling them into a new position. Lingual braces are suitable for mild and severe cases, taking between 6 months and several years to straighten your teeth.

How braces work

All orthodontic braces operate on the same principle of gradually moving teeth into alignment.

For wired braces this means a visit to your dentist every 4 to 10 weeks depending on your stage of treatment.

With clear aligners, just swap your aligners for the next in the series every 2 weeks.

Are braces available on the NHS.

Braces for children are available on the NHS.

Braces for adults are not available on the NHS except in special circumstances. Please speak to your dentist.

If you are an adult and cannot get braces on the NHS consider a low cost private treatment such as Smile White clear aligners.

What's the best age to have braces?

The NHS recommends that children aged between 12 and 13 will benefit from aligners the most. As mentioned above, the NHS provides braces for this age range.

Adult braces are only available through private providers and are not available through the NHS. For affordable adult braces that fit with your lifestyle consider clear, removable orthodontic aligners as a discreet yet effective way of straightening your teeth.

How do I get braces fitted?

There are currently 2 options available when having your braces fitted

1. Fitting wired braces at your dentist or orthodontist
2. Fitting clear braces (aligners) at home

Fitting wired braces at your dentist or orthodontist

Braces should only be fitted by registered orthodontists or dentists that have undergone specific training. Treatments take a minimum of 4 months lasting potentially years depending on severity. You will need to visit your dentist/orthodontist for adjustment every 4 - 10 weeks to progress your treatment.

Fitting clear braces (aligners)

With orthodontic aligners you can save money by doing some of the work yourself. Your local dentist will make a 3D scan of your mouth and fit your first set of aligners. You will receive a treatment plan, then simply wear your aligners for a recommended 22 hours a day, swapping to the next in the series after 2 weeks to progress your treatment.

What are braces like?

The NHS only supplies standard metal braces for children and does not supply adult braces. Standard orthodontic braces are attached to the exterior of your teeth and will initially cause some irritation to the inside of your mouth and gums. Braces can affect your speech, causing a lisp however any pain and discomfort will eventually disappear. Braces limit your diet as you should avoid crispy, crunchy and sticky foods.

Lingual braces provide a similar experience to standard metal braces but with discomfort centred around the inside of your mouth and tongue. Again this disappears over time.

Orthodontic aligners provide an optimum experience being easily removable and almost invisible when worn. You may experience some gum sensitivity when you first start your treatment however this can be treated with over the counter paracetamol or ibuprofen. Aligners do not limit your diet. Simply remove your aligners to enjoy your favourite foods and when having conversations.

Do braces work?

Braces have a long standing reputation for helping patients to achieve straight teeth and are commonly used worldwide. To help make your treatment a success it is recommended that:

• Complete your full course of treatments
• If using a removable brace or aligner, ensure that it is in use for 22 hours a day
• Keep your teeth and braces clean
• Avoid any sugary, sticky, crunchy or hard foods
• After using braces, follow up your treatment by using a retainer

How much are braces in the uk

NHS braces are free for under 18 year olds.

The NHS website claims that getting braces from private dentists could cost in excess of £2500. Clear aligners cost less than half as much for a 12 month course. This makes aligners the most cost effective way of achieving straight teeth.

What to eat with braces

With Orthodontic aligners you can eat and drink your favourite foods without limits. Simply take out your aligners before enjoying your food, and brush your teeth before putting them back into your mouth.

Wearing wired and lingual braces means being more careful with your diet. When starting your treatment it is recommended that you avoid sugary, sticky, crunchy and hard foods. This means limiting your diet to soft foods such as pasta, soup, cooked vegetables, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, yoghurt, soft fruit and oatmeal. Other foods can be introduced once you become used to your braces.

Are braces painful

Experiencing some pain is normal at the start of your treatment. As your teeth and gums become used to the alignment process this discomfort will end. If you are experiencing pain while wearing braces you can take an over the counter painkiller to become more comfortable.

Lingual and wired braces provide additional discomfort where the braces rub against your tongue or cheek etc. Again this discomfort is temporary and the pain should go over time.

Caring for your braces

To help maintain your oral health and to prevent sensitive gums or gum disease it is recommended that you brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush twice a day and use floss or interdental brushes to clean between your teeth. Rinse with antibacterial mouthwash to help maintain your oral hygiene and help with your treatment.

With removable aligners it is recommended that you brush your teeth and rinse your aligner in warm water before you put them back into your mouth. The aligner itself can be deep-cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner using warm soapy water followed by a rinse in cold water.