Back in the day, the only corrective orthodontic treatment available was the standard metal wire brace. It was chunky, uncomfortable and let’s face it, it wasn’t particularly subtle either. But progress in the field of orthodontics has changed all that and there’s now more options than ever before when it comes to straightening your teeth. But how do you know what the best brace is for you?
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the traditional brace often associated with teenagers or clumsy characters on TV, but modern metal braces are smaller than ever before and more comfortable with strong adhesives too.
Metal brackets are fitted to the surface of your teeth and an archwire is then placed through the brackets with small elastic bands on either side. These components work together to gently put pressure on your teeth to move them into the corrected position over a period of time.
Metal braces are our most inexpensive orthodontic option and are typically recommended for patients with moderate to severely misaligned teeth.
With Orthodontics For You, our metal braces currently start from £2,150 per arch. If both arches (your top row of teeth and your bottom row) require treatment, the cost will be higher (but not usually double). And, like with all our brace options, you can spread the cost of your treatment instead of having to make one big payment upfront. But more on that later.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces work in the same way as metal braces, but they have smoother brackets with more rounded edges meaning they lie flatter against your teeth, making them more comfortable, less bulky and therefore less noticeable to others – this makes them a popular choice among adults.
Ceramic braces are a great treatment option for correcting gaps between teeth, crowded teeth or mildly misaligned teeth with ease, and with Orthodontics For You, ceramic braces are available from £2,600 for adult patients. However, they’re not just for adults.
Invisalign
Clear, removable and loved by celebrities all over the world, Invisalign is the most advanced clear and invisible brace available and will gradually move your teeth to create the smile you’ve always wanted. Using a series of transparent aligners (similar to retainers) to move the position of teeth instead of brackets and wires, Invisalign is a great orthodontic option to correct mild to moderately-crooked teeth, bite issues and gaps between teeth.
Available from £4,800, many patients find Invisalign braces more comfortable than traditional braces as they’re so easy to put in and take out, and are virtually invisible. As the aligners are removable, you can also continue to enjoy all the foods you love without restrictions – so your life can carry on as normal.
Hidden Lingual Braces
For patients who want to straighten their teeth without anyone knowing they’re wearing a brace, our Incognito hidden brace is the perfect treatment option for them. Hidden lingual braces use pressure from a metal wire to push teeth into their desired position, just like ceramic and metal braces, but the brackets are fitted to the back of your teeth, making them virtually un-noticeable to anyone else.
Hidden lingual braces are a great way to correct a variety of mild, moderate and severe misalignment issues especially for patients whose social or professional situation does not allow for traditional braces (from an aesthetics perspective).
Our lingual braces are priced from £4,200 and treatment times vary between 12 to 24 months with many patients starting to see results after a matter of weeks.
QuikSmile
Whether you’re in a hurry or just don’t want to wear a full brace, QuickSmile only fixes the teeth you want to straighten. Quiksmile is so called as it will work faster and results can be seen in mere weeks or months. It is a quick and cost-effective alternative to having a full brace if only your front six or eight teeth need straightening (this may just be on your top or bottom arch, or both). Prices for QuikSmile start from £1,650.
So, which type of brace will work best for you?
Good question! Figuring out which brace type to go for can be a little confusing, but that’s okay because we’re here to help. We invite all prospective patients for a complimentary, no obligation consultation in either our Solihull or Bromsgrove practices to assess their teeth and requirements. A dedicated Patient Co-Ordinator will talk you through which brace options would work best for you, the process of fitting, wearing and removing that brace, the expected duration of treatment and how to finance your brace.
Financing your new smile
Our goal is to deliver the smile we know you deserve and to ensure you receive high standards of care, treated by the very best orthodontists. Our private patients can spread the cost of their treatment over a period of time by taking advantage of our payment plans which your dedicated Patient Co-Ordinator will talk through with you during your consultation.
We’ll make sure your orthodontic treatment is tailored to you and the outcome reflects the perfect smile you’ve been searching for. So why not get started and register for your free consultation today… what have you got to lose?