Braces & aligners
Aligners are not simply the newer, better version of braces. For some cases they don't work at all, and being told that upfront saves you a year.
All orthodontics does the same thing: applies steady, gentle pressure so teeth move through bone into a better position. The difference between metal braces, ceramic braces and clear aligners is how that pressure is delivered and how visible it is.
Metal braces handle the widest range of problems, including severe rotation and bite correction. Aligners are discreet and removable but have limits. Complex movements often need brackets. The X-ray and a look at your bite decide which applies to you.
Signs that usually point here
Orthodontics is not only cosmetic. Crooked teeth are harder to clean, and a bad bite wears enamel unevenly for decades.
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Crowded or overlapping teeth that trap food and are hard to floss
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Gaps between teeth you'd rather close
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Upper teeth sitting well forward of the lower ones, or the reverse
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Teeth meeting unevenly, or one side wearing faster than the other
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Jaw clicking, or headaches that track back to how you bite
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A previous orthodontic result that has relapsed since
What actually happens
The first two stages take a few weeks. After that it's a check-up every four to six weeks until the teeth are where they should be.
Assessment and X-ray
Photographs, impressions and an X-ray of the whole jaw. This shows the roots, not just the crowns, which is what determines how far teeth can safely be moved.
Consultation visitChoosing the appliance
Metal, ceramic or aligners, with the actual trade-offs laid out: what each can correct, how long each will take in your case, and what each costs. You'll be told if aligners won't achieve what you want.
Same or next visitFitting and adjustment
Brackets are bonded on, or the first aligner trays are issued. Then a check-up every four to six weeks to tighten wires or move to the next tray. Some soreness for two or three days after each adjustment is normal.
9–24 monthsRetainers
Teeth drift back toward where they started. This is the single biggest cause of wasted orthodontic treatment. A retainer holds the result. Nightly at first, then a few nights a week, indefinitely.
After removalBefore and after
A case from the clinic, shared with the patient's written consent.
Crowded upper teeth corrected with fixed metal braces, fourteen months. See more cases →
How uncomfortable is it?
Fitting braces doesn't hurt. Nothing is drilled and no anaesthetic is needed. The soreness comes afterwards.
For two or three days after each adjustment, teeth feel tender and biting into hard food is uncomfortable. Soft food and ordinary painkillers cover it. This settles as treatment progresses.
Aligners are gentler but each new tray brings a day or two of pressure. Brackets can rub the inside of the cheek in the first week. Orthodontic wax fixes that, and the mouth toughens quickly.
What it costs
Price tracks the appliance and how long the case runs. Complex bite corrections take longer and cost more than straightforward crowding.
- Consultation, X-ray and planningStarts at
- Metal bracesStarts at
- Ceramic (tooth-coloured) bracesStarts at
- Clear alignersStarts at
- Retainers after treatmentStarts at
Ranges, not quotes. You get the exact figure after the examination and before any work starts.
What people ask before booking
No. Teeth move at any age because bone remodels throughout life. Adult treatment sometimes takes a little longer, and adults are the main users of ceramic braces and aligners for exactly the reason you'd expect.
Aligners handle mild to moderate crowding, spacing and mild bite issues well. Severe rotations, teeth needing significant vertical movement, and large bite corrections usually need brackets. You'll be told honestly which category you're in rather than sold the more expensive option.
Much less than metal. The brackets are tooth-coloured and blend at conversational distance. The wire is still visible up close. They're also slightly more fragile and cost more than metal.
The teeth drift back, gradually, over years. This is the most common way a successful result is lost. Retainers are not optional. They are the last stage of the treatment, not an accessory to it.
Yes. Brackets bond to natural enamel best, and crowns need a different bonding approach, but neither is a barrier. Any active decay is treated before orthodontics starts.
Every four to six weeks for fixed braces. Aligners need fewer visits, usually every six to eight weeks, with trays changed at home in between.
What usually comes next
Book a consultation
The consultation covers the examination and, where it's needed, an X-ray. You'll know what's wrong and what it costs before committing to anything.
In pain right now? Call the clinic instead of waiting for a callback.