The process
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Orthodontics · Adults
Orthodontics for adults
Orthodontics straightens teeth and improves the bite. We treat adults with clear aligners, fixed braces, the Inman Aligner or lingual braces fitted behind the teeth. One consultation covers a digital scan, photographs, any X-rays needed, your options, timings and fees. Treatment ranges from a few months to 18 months or more. Guide fees from £2,500.
Guide fee
From £2,500
Consultation
From free
Treatment time
A few months to 18 months or more
With
Dr Amit Patel
Who it is for
Why adults straighten their teeth
Teeth that bother you in photographs
Crowding, gaps and teeth that have drifted are the reasons most adults first ask. Moving your own teeth into line is often the most conservative way to change a smile, because nothing is drilled or covered.
Teeth that are hard to clean
Overlapping teeth trap plaque where a brush and floss struggle to reach. Straightening them makes daily cleaning and hygienist visits more effective, which helps the gums and can reduce the risk of decay between teeth.
A bite that is wearing teeth down
When teeth meet in the wrong place, edges chip and enamel wears unevenly. Correcting the position spreads the load more evenly and can slow further wear. We check your bite carefully before recommending anything.
Preparing for other treatment
Implants, crowns, veneers and bonding all work better on well-positioned teeth. Moving teeth first can open the right space for an implant, or mean less of a tooth is removed for a veneer.
The difference
The four options, compared
Invisalign® clear aligners, from £4,500
Removable, clear and hard to spot. Aligners suit most mild and moderate cases and many complex ones. The result depends on wearing them 20–22 hours a day, so they reward discipline. They come out for meals and cleaning.
Fixed braces, from £3,500
Brackets bonded to the front of the teeth, joined by a wire. They work around the clock and give precise control over difficult movements. They are more visible than aligners, and cleaning takes more care.
Inman Aligner, from £2,500
A removable spring appliance for mild crowding of the front teeth only. Treatment is often quick, a matter of months. It will not correct back teeth or complex bites, and it must be worn for most of the day.
Lingual braces, from £9,500
Fixed braces bonded behind the teeth, out of sight from the front. They are custom made, which is reflected in the fee. Speech and the tongue usually take a few weeks to adapt.
01
Assess
We examine your teeth, gums and bite, then take a digital scan, photographs and any X-rays needed. Gum problems and decay are dealt with first, because teeth should only be moved when the foundations are healthy.
02
Compare
We show you which options would work for your teeth and which would not, with the likely duration and fee for each. You leave with a written plan and can decide in your own time.
03
Refer where it is right
Some complex bites are better treated by an orthodontist. If yours is one, we will tell you at the consultation and arrange it within our group where appropriate.
04
Treat
Your appliance is fitted and reviewed at intervals set by your plan. Aligner reviews are short. Fixed and lingual braces need periodic adjustment. We check progress against the plan at every visit.
05
Retain
When the teeth are in position, the appliance comes off and retainers go on. We scan for removable retainers, may recommend a fixed wire behind the front teeth, and advise how to wear them.
Afterwards
Aftercare
Every orthodontic result needs holding. Teeth drift throughout life, so retainers are worn for the long term, typically at night. We offer Vivera™, Essix and fixed wire retainers and will advise which suits you. Keep up check-ups and hygienist visits during and after treatment. Whitening or bonding can be planned once the teeth have settled.
Guide fees
Orthodontic consultationfrom free
Inman Alignerfrom £2,500
Fixed bracesfrom £3,500
Invisalign treatmentfrom £4,500
Lingual bracesfrom £9,500
Guide fees. You receive a written plan with exact costs before treatment starts. See all fees
Common questions
Questions, answered
Am I too old for braces?+
No. Teeth can be moved at any age, provided the gums and supporting bone are healthy. We check both at your assessment and treat any gum problems before orthodontics begins.
How much do adult braces cost?+
Guide fees are from £2,500 for an Inman Aligner, from £3,500 for fixed braces, from £4,500 for Invisalign treatment and from £9,500 for lingual braces. You receive a written plan with your exact fee before treatment starts.
How long does adult orthodontic treatment take?+
Mild crowding of the front teeth can take a few months. More complex cases usually take 12–18 months or longer. We give you an expected duration for each option at your consultation.
Do braces hurt?+
Teeth usually feel tender for a few days after an appliance is fitted or adjusted, and when you change to a new aligner. Fixed and lingual brackets can rub the cheeks or tongue at first. This settles as you adapt, and ordinary pain relief usually helps.
Which is better, Invisalign aligners or fixed braces?+
Neither is better for everyone. Aligners are removable and discreet but depend on consistent wear. Fixed braces work continuously and can give more control over certain movements. We will tell you which we would choose for your teeth, and why.
Will you tell me if my case is too complex?+
Yes. Some bites involve movements or jaw relationships that need more than we can offer here. If that applies to you, we will say so at the consultation and arrange a referral within our group where appropriate.
Do I need retainers afterwards?+
Yes. Without retainers, teeth start to drift back, sometimes within weeks. We advise long-term retention, usually a removable retainer worn at night, sometimes with a fixed wire as well.
Related treatments
Invisalign® treatmentClear aligners planned by an Align Technology speaker and clinical mentor.Read moreVivera™ retainersRetainers from the makers of Invisalign® clear aligners, made from a digital scan, three per arch.Read moreComposite bondingRepair chips, close gaps and reshape teeth, often in a single visit.Read more