Orthodontic treatment is used to improve the appearance, position and function of crooked or abnormally arranged teeth.
Orthodontic treatment can straighten the teeth and move them into a better position.
Healthcare professionals specialising in orthodontics are known as orthodontists. You can find a list of all specialist orthodontists registered in the UK on the General Dental Council (GDC) website.
Orthodontics uses devices such as a brace to correct the position of the teeth. Your exact treatment will depend on the problems with your teeth.
In some cases, you may have to wear headgear at night as well as a brace, and you may also need to have some teeth removed as part of your treatment.
The length of treatment will depend on how complicated the problem is, but it’s usually between 18 and 24 months.
Many people have crowded or crooked teeth, or their teeth don’t meet correctly when they bite. These problems can mean the teeth are more likely to become damaged or put a strain on jaw muscles.
In some cases, abnormal development of the teeth and jaw can affect the shape of the face.
Problems with crooked and out-of-place teeth are quite common in the UK. It’s thought around a third of 12-year-olds would benefit from some degree of orthodontic treatment.
In most cases, you or your child will be referred to an orthodontist by your dentist, although you may be able to seek treatment directly.
If orthodontic treatment is recommended, you may have to decide whether to have treatment privately or on the NHS.
NHS orthodontic treatment is free for people under the age of 18 with a clear clinical need for treatment. However, because of the high demand for treatment, there can be a long waiting list for NHS orthodontic treatment.
If you don’t qualify for free NHS treatment, or you don’t want to wait for treatment to start, you may choose to have private treatment. Private treatment is widely available but can be expensive, with an average fee of between £2,000 and £6,000.
A common complication of orthodontics is tooth decay. Your mouth is full of bacteria that combine with small food particles and saliva to form a sticky film known as plaque. which leads to plaque and causes the enamel to decay.
Many people with appliances find it difficult to keep their teeth clean, so additional brushing is essential during treatment.
To reduce your risk of enamel decay, your orthodontist may recommend using toothpaste with high levels of fluoride or a mouthwash that contains fluoride. You should also try to avoid sugary foods and fizzy drinks.
Orthodontic treatment is most commonly used to improve the appearance and function of misaligned or crooked teeth.
Teeth that are straighter and better aligned should be easier to clean, and may reduce strain on the muscles and joints of the jaw.
The improved appearance of your teeth or jaw might also help boost your self-esteem and self-confidence.
Some of the most common teeth problems requiring orthodontic treatment include:
Orthodontics can also be used to treat other health problems. For example, orthodontics is part of the treatment for cleft lip and palate.
It may also help in cases of mild sleep apnoea. An orthodontist can make a dental appliance similar to a gum shield, which can help prevent the airway closing while you sleep.
Orthodontic treatment will usually only be started after all of a child’s adult teeth have started to come through.
For most children, this will be when they’re about 12 or 13 years old. For adults, orthodontic treatment can begin at any age, but what can be done is more limited.
Orthodontists will not usually begin a course of orthodontic treatment unless you have a good standard of oral hygiene. This is because orthodontic treatment can increase the risk of tooth decay.
Free orthodontic treatment is sometimes available on the NHS, although you can also pay for private treatment.
The starting point for both types of orthodontic care is usually your dentist, who may refer you to an orthodontist. You may also be able to seek treatment directly yourself.
Orthodontic treatment is free for people under the age of 26 with a clear clinical need for treatment.
A rating system known as the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is used to assess your eligibility for NHS treatment. The British Orthodontic Society’s website has more information about the different grades used for the IOTN.
NHS treatment is available for grade 4 and grade 5 cases. Grade 3 cases are usually judged on an individual basis. Treatment may also be made available if the appearance of a person’s teeth, jaw, or face is of concern.
In some parts of the country, there currently aren’t enough trained NHS specialist orthodontists to meet patient demand. This means there may be a long wait for treatment, even if your child qualifies for NHS orthodontic treatment.
Waiting times for orthodontic treatment can range from 6 months to 2 years or more.
If you or your child don’t qualify for NHS orthodontic treatment, or you don’t want to wait for NHS treatment, you can pay for private treatment.
Private orthodontic treatment is widely available, but expensive. The fee can range from £2,000 to £6,000, depending on the complexity of the treatment and the type of appliances used. However, it can sometimes be even more than this.
A private orthodontist will give an estimate of the treatment cost after an initial assessment of the problem.
The BOS has an online service you can use to find orthodontic treatment in your area.
There are many different types of orthodontic treatment, depending on the exact problem with your teeth or jaw.
You’re likely to achieve good results within 18 to 24 months of starting treatment as long as you:
The first stage of treatment is to assess the state of your teeth and their likely development. This usually involves taking X-rays, making plaster models, and taking photographs of your teeth.
This will give the orthodontist an idea of the treatment needed and the likely results.
Orthodontic treatment uses appliances to correct the position of the teeth. The 4 main types are:
In more severe cases, treatment may involve fixed braces and surgery to move the jaw. This treatment is carried out in hospitals.
These treatments are outlined in more detail below, and further information can be found on the British Orthodontic Society (BOS) website.
Fixed braces are the most common type of orthodontic appliance. They can be used when a number of teeth need to be corrected, or when the treatment needs to be precise to prevent problems in the future.
You’ll be able to eat normally while wearing a fixed appliance. However, you should avoid certain foods and drinks, such as toffee, hard sweets and fizzy drinks, because they can damage the appliance and your teeth. Your orthodontist will be able to give you further advice.
If you’re using a fixed appliance and you play a contact sport such as rugby, you should wear a gum shield to protect both your mouth and the appliance.
Fixed braces are usually made out of metal, so will be noticeable on the front of your teeth. Many private orthodontists now offer ceramic or clear plastic braces, although they are usually more expensive. Their use also depends on the particular problem and tooth position.
Removable braces can be used to correct minor problems, such as slightly crooked teeth. They can also be used to discourage children from sucking their thumb.
These braces should only be taken out of the mouth for cleaning or as a precaution during certain activities, such as cycling or playing a wind instrument. Your orthodontist can advise you about this.
Functional appliances can be used to treat problems with the position of the upper jaw and teeth, and the lower jaw and teeth.
Most people will need to wear them all of the time. It’s very important to follow your orthodontist’s instructions about how and when to wear the appliance. If it’s not worn correctly, the treatment will be unsuccessful.
It may be necessary to remove your functional appliance for cleaning and while you are eating.
Headgear is used to correct the position of the back teeth or to keep them in position while the front teeth are being treated. Most people only need to wear headgear for a few hours during the evening or when they are sleeping. You will not be able to eat or drink while wearing headgear.
There are other types of braces available privately, such as “invisible” or lingual braces that fit on the back of the teeth. You will need to discuss them with your orthodontist to see whether they can be used for your problem. The cost of these braces is usually higher.
Retainers are often used near the end of a course of orthodontic treatment. Retainers hold newly fixed teeth in place while the surrounding gum and bone adjusts to the new position of the teeth. Retainers can either be removable or fixed.
Under the NHS, your orthodontist is responsible for your care for 12 months after normal treatment ends. After this period, you will have to pay privately for continuing care, re-treatment, and any replacement or repair of retainers.
Your orthodontist will advise you when to wear your retainer. It’s likely there will be some tooth movement if you stop wearing your retainer.
Changes in the position of your teeth can continue throughout life and are part of the normal ageing process. The only way to have permanently straight teeth is to wear a retainer on a part-time basis for life.
In some cases, it may be necessary to remove a tooth to correct the position and appearance of nearby teeth. But, as a result of recent advances in orthodontic treatment, removing teeth has become much less common.
However, if baby teeth have been extracted, there is a greater likelihood that adult teeth will need to be extracted as part of orthodontic treatment.
Last updated:
16 February 2023