Orthodontics and braces in London

Orthodontics straightens teeth and corrects the way they bite together. This page covers fixed braces and general orthodontic treatment. Invisalign and clear aligners have their own page.

What braces cost in London

The London median published starting price for orthodontic treatment is £1,995. Half of all practices start between £1,200 and £2,975. The spread is wide because orthodontics covers everything from a small correction to a full change in how the teeth bite.

The type of brace makes a difference. These are London medians of the lowest price each practice publishes for that type. Fewer practices publish these, so treat them as a rough guide:

• Metal fixed braces: median £2,500 (about 120 practices). These are the most visible.
• Ceramic braces: median about £3,000 (about 80 practices). The brackets are tooth-coloured. Otherwise they work like metal braces.
• Lingual braces: median £4,500 (about 60 practices). They fit on the inside of the teeth, so people cannot see them. They are harder to fit and cost more.

How much your teeth need to move matters as much as the type of brace. Straightening a few crowded lower front teeth is shorter and cheaper than correcting your whole bite.

Fixed braces or clear aligners?

Most adults choose between these two:

• Fixed braces can make some movements that aligners find harder, such as correcting complex bite problems. They often suit difficult cases better.
• Clear aligners can be taken out and are much harder to see. They suit many mild to moderate cases. The London median for Invisalign is £2,500.

An orthodontist (a dentist who specialises in straightening teeth) can tell you which suits your teeth. If a practice only offers one type, consider a second opinion before you commit. For more on the choice, read Invisalign vs fixed braces.

NHS orthodontics

NHS orthodontic treatment is free for under-18s who have a clear clinical need. The orthodontist uses a scoring system called IOTN (Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need). In general, a child qualifies with a dental health score of 4 or 5, or a score of 3 when the teeth also look very crooked. Mild crowding does not usually qualify.

Adults rarely get orthodontic treatment on the NHS. When they do, it is usually in hospital as part of other treatment, such as jaw surgery.

Waiting lists for NHS orthodontics can be long. Children are usually assessed at around 12, when most adult teeth have come through. Ask your dentist for a referral.

Questions to ask before you start

• Is the price for one arch (upper or lower) or both? Some practices quote per arch.
• Are retainers included? Nearly everyone needs to wear a retainer after treatment, often for life, to stop the teeth moving back.
• How does the finance work? Check the monthly payment and the total cost.
• How often will I need appointments? Fixed braces usually need a check every 4 to 8 weeks.
• Will an orthodontist treat me, or a general dentist? Both can. Specialist orthodontists are on a separate list held by the General Dental Council (GDC), and they often charge more.

Where to start

For clear aligners, see Invisalign in London. For children who may qualify for NHS treatment, see children’s dentistry in London.

To see how orthodontic prices compare in every borough, read our London Dental Cost Index.

Written and reviewed by the Dentist-London.com Editorial team. Last reviewed 6 October 2026. Prices are advertised starting prices, not quotes. Confirm the cost with the practice. This is general information and does not replace advice from a dentist about your own teeth.