Orthodontics and braces in London

Orthodontics straightens teeth and corrects the way they bite together. 1,283 London practices offer some form of orthodontic treatment. 368 publish a price for fixed braces or general orthodontics; more publish separate prices for Invisalign and clear aligners, which are covered on their own hub.

What braces cost in London

Fixed braces have the widest published price spread of any dental treatment we track, because “orthodontics” covers everything from a mild alignment case to full jaw realignment. The London median is £1,995, with most practices between £1,200 and £2,975.

That spread breaks down roughly like this:

• Metal fixed braces at the bottom, from around £1,200. Effective, cheapest, most visible.
• Ceramic braces typically £1,800 to £3,500. Tooth-coloured brackets, otherwise the same as metal.
• Lingual braces on the inside of the teeth from £3,500 upwards. Invisible from the outside, technically demanding, and priced accordingly.
• Damon and other self-ligating systems vary widely, from around £2,000 to £5,000+.

Complexity of case matters as much as bracket type. A crowded lower front is a shorter, cheaper treatment than a full bite correction, so the same practice’s fee for one patient might be double another’s for the same brackets.

Fixed braces or clear aligners?

For adults, this is the choice most people are actually making. In broad strokes:

• Fixed braces can move teeth in ways aligners cannot, particularly complex bite problems and vertical movements. Better on hard cases.
• Invisalign and clear aligners are removable and much less visible. Better for lifestyle, and now suitable for most mild-to-moderate cases. London median is £2,500.

An orthodontist assessing your case will tell you honestly which is more appropriate. If a practice only offers one, that is worth knowing before you commit; a consultation elsewhere for a second opinion costs less than an unsuitable treatment.

NHS orthodontics

NHS orthodontic treatment is available and free for under-18s where a scoring system called IOTN (Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need) shows clear clinical need, usually a score of 3.6 or above. That is stricter than cosmetic-only preference: mild crowding does not qualify.

Adults on the NHS almost never qualify for orthodontic treatment. If your teeth are straight enough not to affect eating and gum health, the NHS will not fund it, however much you would like them straightened.

Waiting lists for children’s NHS orthodontics in London run to a couple of years in many boroughs. Assessments usually start around age 11 to 13.

What to ask before you commit

• Is the price per arch or for both? Some practices quote per arch and the total is double.
• Are retainers included? Almost every case needs lifetime retention afterwards. Retainer sets typically cost £150 to £400.
• What does the finance work look like? A £3,000 course over 24 months is a real monthly commitment.
• How often will I be seen? Fixed braces need adjustments every 4 to 6 weeks; aligners every 6 to 12.
• Is the treatment done by an orthodontist (a specialist with GDC specialist-list registration) or by a general dentist? Both are legitimate; the specialist typically costs more.

Where to start

For clear aligners specifically, see Invisalign in London - it has its own market and its own borough table. For children’s cases where NHS treatment is a possibility, see children’s dentistry in London.

For how orthodontic prices compare across every borough and treatment, see our London Dental Cost Index.

This information is a general guide and is not a substitute for professional dental advice. Always consult a qualified dentist about your individual circumstances.

Written and reviewed by the Dentist-London.com Editorial team. Last reviewed 14 August 2026. Prices shown are indicative ranges, not quotes - confirm costs directly with the practice.