Braces For Kids & Adults | Orthodontics

The cost of Fixed Braces for both children and adults can vary depending on the complexity of treatment required, the materials used and the skills and experience of the treating Orthodontist. Prices at The Abbey, our Specialist Clinic start from £3500 for Children and £4500 for Adults.
(Prices based on treating both the Upper and Lower Arch which is standard for almost all treatment options)

Braces typically stay on for an average of 18 to 24 months, although the duration can vary depending on the specific case and individual needs. It’s best to consult with an orthodontist who can assess your situation and provide a more accurate estimate based on your teeth alignment and treatment plan.

Most children would benefit from orthodontic treatment at 11-12 years of age, but some do require earlier interventions. We are happy to see children of any age for an orthodontic assessment if children, parents/guardians or dentists have any concerns.

Most patients under 18 can get braces on the NHS if they are needed. Adults can get braces through the NHS, but eligibility and availability may vary depending on the specific circumstances. Generally, orthodontic treatment on the NHS is more commonly provided to children and young people who meet certain criteria, while adults usually have to consider private options.

The biggest difference between child and adult orthodontic treatments is adults have fully developed jaws and teeth, whereas a child will not. It’s easier to align the jaw and teeth in children as their bones and tissues are not set like they are in adults. Because of this, adults will usually wear braces for longer than children. As long as your adult teeth and gums are healthy, orthodontic treatment is suitable for both adults and children.

Expectations of braces can be different in adults so this should be discussed with your orthodontist so they can come up with a treatment plan to help you attain your desired results.

This will depend on what area of the face is asymmetrical. Orthodontics can help facial asymmetry that is in the lower part of the face like teeth, mouth, or jaw. Your facial shape can be affected if your teeth have grown out of alignment. No one’s face is entirely symmetrical. We all have imperfections and details that make us unique however, some people will have more noticeable imperfections that they can feel very self conscious of. Braces will sometimes be able to improve these. Your orthodontist will be able to tell you what results you can expect from orthodontic treatment.

Usually people will only feel any pain or discomfort when braces are first fitted and after any appointments where they have been adjusted. You can take paracetamol to help ease pain. If your braces rub or poke the inside of your mouth, this can also cause discomfort. You can apply wax to edges so they don’t dig into your gums if needed.

The majority of children start their orthodontic treatment between the ages of 10 and 14. In most cases, adult teeth will have emerged and any issues with teeth alignment or their jaw will be clear at this stage. There is no exact age for a child to get braces and this will depend on what the problem is and how their adult teeth are emerging.

You can continue to play sports as normal while wearing braces however you should use an orthodontic mouthguard to protect your mouth and orthodontics from injury. Any sport where there is the possibility of being hit in the mouth by someone or a ball like football, basketball or cricket, an orthodontic mouthguard should be worn to protect your braces from being damaged. This will also protect your teeth and mouth.

It is recommended that you brush your teeth at least twice a day while wearing braces. You can also gargle (with water, mouthwash) after meals, or snacks to dislodge any lingering food. We will provide you with more tips for keeping your teeth clean in your aftercare booklet.

It’s more important than ever to regularly see your dentist when you have braces. Braces can increase the risk of tooth decay as food particles can get trapped between the braces and your teeth, making it challenging to thoroughly remove them. An electric toothbrush and flossing can help remove plaque but it won’t be able to fully clean your teeth if you have braces, so it’s essential that you see your dentist regularly. Cavities can impact your orthodontic treatment and will need sorting by your dentist. Having braces should not prevent your dentist from working on your teeth.

For traditional braces, you can expect to visit your orthodontist every four to eight weeks. At these appointments, your orthodontist will assess the progress of your teeth. They might adjust the braces, replace wires, or make any other necessary tweaks to ensure everything is on track.

If you have Invisalign, you will see your orthodontist every four to six weeks to make sure things are progressing as expected. They will fit you with new aligners.

If the wire in your braces has broken, you should contact your orthodontist who will schedule an appointment to get it replaced. If the wire has simply come loose, they will carefully move it back into position.

You should avoid trying to remove a broken wire as this could damage your braces, affect your treatment and also cause injury.

If you’re looking for braces that are discrete, there are a few different options available. Right now, Invisalign is the most popular invisible braces option. There are also lingual braces which are positioned behind your teeth and ceramic braces which can use transparent or clear brackets.

The colours that people have on their braces are the small elastic rings which help to secure wires into the brackets on your teeth. They come in various colours so there are different ways you can personalise your braces. Most orthodontists are happy to let you choose from the colours they have available. Some types of braces do not use elastic rings so you will be unable to have colours if this is the case.

If you have braces you should avoid hard or sticky food. Hard food has the potential to damage your braces when you bite down. Sticky food can get stuck between your wires and make it difficult to properly clean your braces. This could result in a plaque build-up which will require a professional dental cleaning to remove.
Food to avoid include:

– Nuts
– Popcorn (can get stuck between your gums and bracket)
– Hard/sticky sweets (they can get stuck to the braces and pull them off your teeth)
– Chewing gum (can stick to braces or wires and pull them away from your teeth)
– Hard biscuits or crackers.
– Whole apples and other hard fruit or vegetables (can snap or loosen your braces)
– Breads/pizza that has a hard crust
– Hard chocolate

Any food that is hard or sticky has the potential to damage your braces so common sense should be used.

If you’re moving and you think it’s too far to see your current orthodontist, you should speak with them to discuss your options. You will need to find a new orthodontist in your new location if you decide you want to change. You should ask your current orthodontist any questions you have and see if they can recommend a new orthodontist in the area you’re moving to. You’ll be able to search online to find one too. All your dental records your orthodontist has should be transferred over to your new one so your treatment can continue smoothly. Existing payment plans need to be considered and there could be additional costs for switching orthodontists.