Cheap Braces in the UK: Affordable Teeth Straightening Options

If you’re here it’s because you’re wondering, “Are there cheap braces, and where can I find them?” The good news is, yes, you can find affordable adult braces and there are various ways to go about doing so.

Some of the ways include dental payment plans, orthodontic insurance, or in some cases the NHS. Another option is to consider at-home clear aligners, which can be used for mild cosmetic straightening.

In this article, we’ll go through all of your dental financing options when it comes to finding affordable orthodontic braces, including:

• NHS orthodontics
• Payment plans
• Dental finance
• Insurance

We’ll also briefly go over some options you can order directly to your home. At-home aligner treatment has its pros and cons, but they are a good alternative if you’re looking for a cheap braces alternative.

Do you need cheap braces?

Not everyone who has crooked teeth needs to have braces. However, misaligned teeth can actually negatively impact your health. That’s because crooked teeth can:

• Increase your likelihood of gum disease: It can be difficult to clean hard to reach areas between your teeth, allowing plaque to build up.
• Cause faster wear: A crooked bottom tooth could rub against a top tooth, or vice versa, causing loss of enamel, increased sensitivity, and a higher risk of decay.
• Make chewing difficult: If you have a misaligned jaw, you may not be able to chew your food thoroughly, which could result in problems with digestion.
• Cause bad breath: Built-up plaque and bacteria between teeth can cause bad breath.

If you have crooked teeth but they aren’t causing you any negative side effects, orthodontic care may not be necessary for your oral health. However, if you feel that straighter teeth could help to improve your self-esteem and confidence, that is a perfectly good reason to consider braces.

Some people are happy with their own unique smile, but many of us wouldn’t mind having straighter teeth. The only problem is that braces can be really expensive, which is why we look for cheap braces.

Teeth straightening cost

There is no set price for teeth straightening in the UK; even NHS prices are different depending on which country you reside in. There is also a chance you are eligible for free dental care with the NHS.

When it comes to private treatment, prices range between dentists, and practices, and can even depend on which city, or country you decide to get your treatment.

Whether you’re looking for cheap braces in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, or any other place in the UK, the cost will be dependent on your particular orthodontic needs. You may have heard that some places are known to have cheaper dental care prices, so it’s worth shopping around as well.

We can give you a broad range of prices, but it is best to book a consultation with a dental professional to get a better idea of how much work your teeth will need, and the costs involved.

NHS cost for braces

Standard metal braces are available on the NHS and are of no charge for those under the age of 18 who need treatment. As a Band 3 treatment, adult metal braces cost £282.80 in England (see other NHS costs here). However, not all adults are eligible for braces with the NHS, and most will find that private treatment is the only option.

It is possible to get free NHS treatment if you qualify for low-income benefits or other exemptions. Each country in the UK has its own criteria, so check first to see if you qualify for free treatment.

If you are looking to get braces on the NHS, this dentist shares advice on how to increase your chances of being eligible in the following video.

Dr Gareth Williams BDS (Wales) MJDF RCS (Eng) Dip.Clin.Hyp (Staff) MOrth RCS (Ed) MSc (Ortho) (L'Pool) DDSc (Ortho) (L'Pool), Registered Specialist Orthodontist, runs through how to increase your chances of getting NHS Braces. Follow me on Instagram! @dr.williamsortho (Dentistry) Please subscribe for more updates! Tepe brushes (other brands are available and just as good!): Use the smallest ones (Pink in the case of Tepes): https://www.tepe.com/uk/products/interdental-brushes/ My more detailed video on brushing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qusMtlE8mE&t

If you have crooked or misaligned teeth and need braces for medical reasons, you should be eligible for braces on the NHS. However, as this video explains, you also need good dental health to be eligible for braces. Otherwise, the NHS may turn you away, or advise that you first need to improve your dental health.

Private dental costs for braces

Standard metal braces can cost anywhere from £1,500 to £3,000 or more. If you opt for ceramic, like Radiance Clear Braces and Clarity braces (clear in colour and more discreet) or lingual (brackets that attach to the backs of your teeth for lower visibility), you can tack another £1,000 – £3,000 on to that price.

The first choice for many adults and older teens is Invisalign because it can treat up to 90% of orthodontic cases and because they aren’t actually braces; rather, they are clear (or invisible) aligners.

Invisalign aligners are not the cheapest braces in the UK, but they are certainly a very popular option for adults who don’t like the idea of metal braces.

How to get braces for cheap

Getting braces isn’t cheap, but are there ways to find more affordable orthodontic procedures? There certainly are! Read on as we take a look at some of the options for cheap braces.

Can you get cheap braces with orthodontic insurance in the UK?

Dental insurance that includes orthodontic treatment in the UK is hard to find, some do offer to pay 50% of the cost though. So, if you think you may need braces, half-price off is a big saving. You can read more about finding dental insurance in our full guide here.

Cheap braces with dental plans

A better option in the UK, that is similar to insurance, is an orthodontic payment plan for private treatment with your dentist. These are not insurance plans; there’s no excess or yearly maximum, but you pay a membership fee. In exchange, you may be able to get a braces discount.

Payment plans differ from dentist to dentist and between practices, but it may be possible to work out cheap monthly payments for braces.

Braces with affordable dental finance plans

Some dentists don’t offer payment plans, but partner with finance companies. Others don’t, but that doesn’t stop you from finding your own personal loan for dental work. Either option allows you to pay for your braces in small manageable monthly payments.

Check out our article on dental loans in the UK to learn more about financing your treatment.

The cheapest braces: At-home clear aligners

There are a variety of clear aligner brands you can choose from depending on your budget, time restrictions, and treatment preferences. However, at-home clear aligners are the least expensive option for straightening your teeth. This is because you do not visit a dentist or orthodontist for regular check-ups in a dental clinic.

We recommend consulting your dentist before starting any treatment to make sure it is right for you, and that there are no other dental issues that need addressing first.

Regardless of the brand you choose for your treatment, the process for at-home aligners is generally the same all around:

• Impressions: You can order your impression kit online. Once it arrives in the mail, take moulds of your teeth and send them to your clear aligner company. They can analyse them and decide if you are a candidate for treatment.
• Receive your aligners: If you are a candidate for clear aligner treatment, your aligners will be made in a lab and sent to you all at once. As soon as they arrive, you can begin treatment.
• Remote supervision: While you straighten your teeth, you’ll check in periodically (virtually) with a dentist or orthodontist to ensure that everything is going according to plan.
• Retainers: As with any kind of orthodontics, you’ll need to wear retainers at night once your treatment is complete. This is so your teeth don’t move back into their original positions.

Some brands have physical locations where you can go to meet with a representative in person at no extra cost. Others, like NewSmile, which you can read about here, offer nighttime options.

Be careful of brands that offer a one-size-fits-all solution. The price may seem attractive, but there is no safe one-size-fits-all solution. Find a brand that has regular check-ups with a dental professional to ensure your treatment is working correctly and safely.

Here are a few of our recommended brands available in the UK right now:

NewSmile

NewSmile is a clear aligner brand that helps you straighten your teeth at home. They cost much less than Invisalign and require 22 hours of wear per day. Treatment typically lasts around six months.

Treatment with NewSmile starts with a quick online assessment to let you know instantly whether you’re a good candidate. This aligner treatment option is ideal for mild to moderate teeth straightening and you can make moulds of your teeth with their impression kit at home.

NewSmile will create a 3D Treatment Preview of your smile, showing you how your results can look over your 4- to 6-month treatment. If you’re happy with your treatment plan you will get a new set of aligners every two weeks as well as free whitening treatments. After your treatment you can make sure your teeth stay that way by wearing a clear retainer.

If you prefer to wear your aligners at night, you can opt for NewSmile’s night aligners. The process is the same as with daytime aligners, however, you’ll only need to wear your retainers at night. Keep in mind that it may require a slightly longer treatment time than with daytime aligner treatment.

If you’re interested in NewSmile’s night aligner option, click here.

SmileDirectClub

SmileDirectClub offers a cheaper alternative to traditional metal braces by offering an at-home solution.

The process starts by checking your eligibility for treatment, which you can do with a dentist prescribed at-home impression kit, or by visiting one of their SmileShop locations for a 3D scan. You will receive your clear aligners from SmileDirectClub in the post and you’ll switch to a new set every week or two, as they’ll gradually move your teeth.

Similar to NewSmile, when your treatment is complete, you can use SmileDirectClub’s retainers to maintain the new position of your teeth.

SmileDirectClub treatment is ideal for mild to moderate teeth correction and an easy way to know if it’s a good option for you is to take their online assessment.

What are cheaper alternatives to braces?

Clear aligners with remote treatment are the cheaper alternatives to braces and Invisalign and by far the most affordable way to straighten teeth safely and effectively. Because you aren’t visiting a dentist in person, the cost of the entire treatment can be around £1,000.

Another cheap alternative to braces could be veneers or composite bonding. This essentially involves covering up the problem teeth rather than moving their position.

If only one or two teeth need treatment to fix your smile, bonding or veneers could work out cheaper than braces. They are also much faster!

Whatever method you use to straighten your teeth, don’t be tempted by DIY braces. It’s just not worth it and can cause irreversible changes to your teeth, as well as harm your dental health and overall wellbeing.

Are cheap braces better?

Before you jump to the conclusion that at-home clear aligners are the best option for you, keep in mind that this sort of treatment is only meant for people with mild to moderate cases of malocclusion (teeth and jaw misalignment).

But, if you are only in need of mild to moderate orthodontic correction and looking for an affordable option then check out NewSmile. You can take a quick online assessment to see if you’re a suitable candidate and order your impression kit right away. Treatment typically lasts around six months and you can choose between daytime aligners or nighttime aligner treatment.

You can also consider SmileDirectClub where you can visit a SmileShop to get your 3D scans and learn more from a representative. Or, if you would rather not visit a physical location then you can order an impression kit and do your own moulds at home then send them in.

Once you have been found eligible for treatment and agreed to your treatment plan, you will receive your aligners in the mail 4-5 weeks later. Then, when you start treatment with SDC all of your treatment monitoring will be done remotely, and when it’s time to change to a new aligner your dentist will let you know.

We recommend visiting your dentist for a consultation before deciding on any orthodontic treatment. That way you can make sure you have no underlying issues before starting your treatment of choice.

Summary of ways to get low-cost braces

To summarize the various ways of finding affordable braces in the UK, have a look at the table below:

Conclusion

If you’re looking for affordable braces, you have a few options to consider. You can try looking at payment plans for cheap braces or dental financing. And, if that’s not an option for you, consider at-home clear aligners.

Each option comes with its own pros and cons, so you’ll have to make the decision based on your expectations for budget and treatment time.

You’ll also need to decide whether it’s important for you to have in-person supervision.

If you are interested in clear aligners as a cheaper alternative to traditional braces, take a look at SmileWhite or NewSmile. NewSmile starts at just £1,295 and is a good option for mild cosmetic teeth straightening, and for mild to moderate orthodontic treatment SDC costs £1,639.

If you aren’t able to find cheaper braces that work for you, speak with your orthodontist about a payment plan. That way, you can divide your payments up into manageable chunks each month. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you choose a provider you trust and keep in mind that the cheapest orthodontist may not be the best option for everyone.

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to get braces for adults?

The cheapest way to get braces is with at-home clear aligners. These aligners don’t require you to meet your dentist or orthodontist in an office so you don’t have to pay dental fees. However, they aren’t suitable for more complex cases.

Can you get braces for free?

Anyone under the age of 18 may get braces for free with the NHS, but only if clinically necessary. Adults that need braces still have to pay NHS fees unless eligible for free dental care.

Why are braces so expensive?

Aligning teeth is a complicated process that requires specialised tools and years of education. The materials used in braces and aligners may not be so expensive on their own.

Instead, it’s the process of planning and executing your treatment that takes time and money. That’s why it can be so difficult to find an affordable orthodontist.

Where can you get cheap braces in the UK?

In the UK, braces for adults are generally not cheap; even basic ‘train track’ braces cost £2,000 – £2,500 on average. There are cheaper options you can consider, though.

If the cost of braces with a dentist seems too high, you may want to try at-home aligners for mild cosmetic straightening.