The cost of orthodontics in the UK: how much does teeth straightening cost in 2024?

Orthodontics is one of the most popular dental treatments in the world - and for a good reason. Having aligned teeth, a correct bite, and no gaps or overlaps is not only a matter of aesthetics, but can also affect our health. So it’s not surprising that more and more people are interested in improving their smiles and are considering starting orthodontic treatment.

When people start to consider seeking out orthodontic treatment, they often feel hesitant and have questions. One of the most frequent is usually in regard to the cost and the different ways of straightening teeth. If you too are also wondering about the prices of the various types of orthodontic treatments, this article will tell you everything you need to know. We’ll talk about what exactly orthodontics is and what factors can influence the cost of each of the types of teeth alignment.

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a specialty within dentistry that focuses on correcting dental problems such as malocclusion, gaps between teeth, dental crowding, asymmetries, and temporomandibular joint pain, among others. Thanks to the different orthodontic treatments and techniques, you can begin to notice improvements in just a few months, in most cases.

It is important that you know that there are different types of orthodontics and that, depending on the situation of the patient, can be recommended. The types of orthodontics include:

• Metal braces: they are the typical braces with metal brackets
• Aesthetic braces: they are the same as the previous ones but the brackets are made of ceramic, sapphire or other materials that imitate the natural color of the teeth
  
• Self-ligating braces: these brackets do not need a ligature to attach to the metal wire that joins them
  
• Lingual braces: these are brackets that are attached to the inside of the teet
  

Choosing one type or another will be determined by personal preferences and needs, the orthodontist's recommendations, budget, urgency and the level of discretion and comfort desired by the patient. 

What factors influence the cost of orthodontics in the UK?

If you are wondering about the price of the various types of orthodontic treatments, the first thing you should know is that they depend on several factors. Some of the elements that influence the cost of orthodontic treatment in the UK are the following:

• The specific type of orthodontic device and the materials needed for its placement
• The equipment of the clinic
•  The difficulty of the case and the duration of treatment
  
• The location of the clinic and the specialist
  
• The patient's age

Below we will explain each of the factors in detail and discuss the reason for the range in the price for each teeth straightening device.

Types of orthodontics and materials used

One of the factors that influences the cost of orthodontic treatment in the UK is, obviously, the type of device. This is because, depending on the type of device, the materials needed can be more or less expensive.

In addition, the orthodontist’s placement technique of each device also influences the price. For example, it is much easier to place traditional metal brackets than to place lingual brackets. The placement of the latter is more challenging, so the lingual braces are more expensive than the traditional braces, in general.

Clinic equipment and diagnostic devices

Another aspect that people assume tends to increase the final price of straightening teeth is the equipment. We imagine that dental clinics that use digital devices for diagnosis and monitoring may be more expensive than those that don’t have the same standard of equipment. But it couldn't be further from reality. Nowadays, it’s common that clinics use modern dental radiodiagnostic techniques to facilitate the evaluation. The field has also improved in terms of processes, waiting times, and environmental impact. And all this without the need to increase the final price.

On top of that, there are clinics that offer a video simulation of what the final result will look like after treatment for the patient to see before starting. In some clinics, like Impress clinics, patients can also receive a 3D scan of the entire oral cavity to produce an analysis of their dental health.

Clinic location and specialists

The location of the clinic and the individual orthodontist are also important when it comes to calculating the price of orthodontics in the UK. As you know, some cities are more expensive than others, so the cost of teeth straightening can vary across the UK depending on the location of the clinic. In addition, there are also orthodontists who offer different price ranges for teeth straightening and consultations.

Difficulty of the case and duration of treatment

As not all orthodontics patients have the same needs, the difficulty of each case differs from one person to the next. Treatments that are more difficult than others take longer, which require more check-ups by the orthodontists, all of which can increase the cost of orthodontics in the UK.

In addition, other dental treatments or pre-treatments that complement the orthodontic treatment may also be necessary, such as surgery, the placement of implants, the extraction of wisdom teeth, and the filling of cavities, among others, all of which may increase the cost.

Age of the patient

Another factor that influences the cost of teeth alignment is the age of the patient. In the world of orthodontics, the population is divided into three subgroups based on the age of the patients:

Children

First off, we have interceptive orthodontics that is performed exclusively on children. It is a type of preventive orthodontics used to guide or correct the poor growth of the teeth and jaw bones. In this case, action is taken before the bone is fully formed to avoid future complications.

Teenagers

Next, we have orthodontics in adolescents (from 12 or 14 years old). These treatments are usually a little more expensive than treatments for adults because they require a more exhaustive study of the case and because the patient is still in the growth phase which can cause more difficulties. This causes the follow-ups to be more intensive in order to ensure that the progress of the treatment is adequate.

Adults

Finally, we have orthodontics for adults. In this type of orthodontics, work is done on bones that are already fully formed, so it’s not necessary to have as many check-ups in the clinic, lowering the cost.

How much does orthodontics cost in the UK?

Many people wonder about the cost of straightening their teeth in the UK. Well, as we have seen, the price depends on many variables. Taking those into consideration, it’s possible to determine an approximate idea of how much the average orthodontic treatment costs in the UK. The approximate orthodontics price list is as follows:

• Metal braces - Approximately between £1,500 and £3,000
• Self-ligating braces - Approximately between £2,000 and £6,000
  
• Lingual orthodontics - Approximately between £3,000 and £10,00
  
• Aesthetic braces - Approximately between £1,500 and £5,500
  
• Invisible aligners - Approximately between £2,000 and £5,500

What is the orthodontic quote and what does it include?

An orthodontic quote is a document that is delivered before starting treatment. It includes the costs of the orthodontics treatment and all the details are specified and broken down by cost.

There are two types of quotes, the first being closed. These orthodontic quotes have a list of items with a fixed price and do not vary. The second is an open quote. Open quotes can vary throughout the treatment. The problem with open quotes is that sometimes certain services are not included and will later be billed separately. Therefore, in order to avoid surprises, the most convenient cost option for straightening your teeth is to opt for a closed orthodontic quote, like the ones given at Impress.

Financing methods for orthodontic treatments

Orthodontic treatment, despite its great importance to our health, may feel out of reach for some of our pockets. For that reason, financing is available in some orthodontic clinics so that more people can access these types of treatments.

We can find several different types of orthodontic financing options for orthodontics on the market. Most treatments can be paid in monthly installments or paid off all at once. At Impress we have financing plans so that you can choose the payment method that suits you best.

Treatment plans at Impress

At Impress we offer orthodontic treatments following a revolutionary methodology and we offer closed orthodontic budgets. Taking into account the complexity of the case, the orthodontist will recommend one treatment or another.

If you want to know more about our orthodontists, treatment plans, or prices here in the UK, you can call or text us by phone/Whatsapp at +44 20 3808 1072. You can also book an appointment through our website. Contact us to evaluate your case and find out which treatment plan suits your needs at the first consultation. Come visit us!