Costs in Dens at a Glance
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
|---|---|
| Deprivation | Less deprived than most of Scotland |
| Nearest practice listing private treatment | Old Machar Dental and Implant Centre | Invisalign and Emergency Dentist Aberdeen, Dyce — 22 miles |
| Nearest practice listing payment plans | Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic Clinic, Bridge of Don — 22.5 miles |
| Practices on our register | 3 within 5 miles, 4 within 10, 12 within 20 |
| Area type (ONS) | Accessible Rural |
| Access within Aberdeenshire | 181st closest to a practice of 487 places in the county; the county median is 4.3 miles |
Sources: Census 2021 (NOMIS), DfE Get Information About Schools, ONS geography, UK NHS dental charge schedules and our orthodontic practice register. Distances are straight-line.
Practices near Dens that list payment plans
On our practice register: 3 practices within 5 miles of Dens, 4 practices within 10 and 12 practices within 20. The closest is BUCHAN BRAES DENTAL CLINIC in Boddam, 3.2 miles east. The nearest that mentions finance or monthly payments is Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic Clinic, 22.5 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Finance | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUCHAN BRAES DENTAL CLINICBoddam | 3.2 miles east | ✓ | – | – | – |
| QUEEN STREET DENTAL PRACTICEPeterhead | 3.7 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – | – |
| PETERHEAD DENTAL AND IMPLANT CENTREPeterhead | 3.8 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – | – |
| GC DENTAL MINTLAWMintlaw | 6.0 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – | – |
| SCHOOLHILL DENTAL PRACTICEEllon | 10.8 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – | – |
| YTHAN BRIDGE DENTAL CENTREEllon | 11.1 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Dens with practices listing payment plans
The closest town with practices listing payment plans is Boddam, 3.2 miles east; the next are Peterhead (3.7 miles north-east) and Mintlaw (6.0 miles north-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Boddam | 1 | 3.2 miles east |
| Peterhead | 2 | 3.7 miles north-east |
| Mintlaw | 1 | 6.0 miles north-west |
| Ellon | 2 | 10.8 miles south-west |
| Fraserburgh | 4 | 15.4 miles north |
| Newmacher | 1 | 18.5 miles south-west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
What a course costs from Dens, travel included
The fees are typical UK private prices. Travel is added for the journey to BUCHAN BRAES DENTAL CLINIC, the nearest practice on our register (3.2 miles away, about 4.2 miles by road), at the 45p a mile HMRC rate for every visit there and back.
| Treatment | Typical fee | Visits | Travel | Total from here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal braces | £1,500 to £3,500 | 10 to 20 | £35 to £75 | £1,535 to £3,575 |
| Ceramic braces | £2,000 to £4,500 | 10 to 20 | £35 to £75 | £2,035 to £4,575 |
| Lingual braces | £4,000 to £8,000 | 10 to 20 | £35 to £75 | £4,035 to £8,075 |
| Clear aligners | £1,500 to £5,500 | 6 to 10 | £20 to £35 | £1,520 to £5,535 |
| Invisalign | £2,500 to £5,500 | 6 to 10 | £20 to £35 | £2,520 to £5,535 |
Estimates. Fees vary by practice and case, so ask what each quote includes (retainers, refinements, emergency visits). NHS treatment for eligible under-18s is free.
What affects cost near Dens
| Cost factor | Look for | Nearest listing it | Next nearest | Within 20 miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free first appointment | a free consultation | Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic Clinic (22.5 miles) | Old Town Dental Care - Invisalign, Dentist in Aberdeen (23.5 miles) | 0 |
| Monthly payments | payment plans | Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic Clinic (22.5 miles) | none other | 0 |
| NHS treatment | NHS orthodontics | BUCHAN BRAES DENTAL CLINIC, Boddam (3.2 miles) | QUEEN STREET DENTAL PRACTICE (3.7 miles); PETERHEAD DENTAL AND IMPLANT CENTRE (3.8 miles) | 12 |
| Private treatment | private fees | Old Machar Dental and Implant Centre | Invisalign and Emergency Dentist Aberdeen, Dyce (22 miles) | Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic Clinic (22.5 miles); Old Town Dental Care - Invisalign, Dentist in Aberdeen (23.5 miles) | 0 |
| Aligner prices to compare | aligners | Old Machar Dental and Implant Centre | Invisalign and Emergency Dentist Aberdeen, Dyce (22 miles) | Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic Clinic (22.5 miles); Old Town Dental Care - Invisalign, Dentist in Aberdeen (23.5 miles) | 0 |
| Brace prices to compare | fixed braces | Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic Clinic (22.5 miles) | none other | 0 |
Built from what each practice's own published information mentions, so a missing entry means not mentioned, which does not mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
The cost of straightening teeth in Dens runs from free NHS treatment for eligible under-18s to over £7,000 for complex private cases. Case complexity, appliance type and inclusions all move the total up or down. This guide sets out typical fees, what affects them, and how payment plans spread the cost.
What You're Actually Paying For
Treatment type sets the baseline: the appliance you choose, from budget metal to premium lingual, largely decides the starting price before anything else.
Case complexity adds to it regardless of appliance — more movement means more trays or adjustments, more visits, and more of the clinician's time.
Number of arches affects the total — treating both upper and lower costs more than one arch alone. Confirm whether a quote covers both before comparing.
Retainers are a recurring cost people forget; check whether the quote bundles them or adds them at the end.
Refinements can quietly inflate an aligner bill if capped, so pin down the refinement policy up front.
Practice location and overheads explain part of the spread: overheads differ practice to practice in Dens, and shopping around is standard for private treatment.
Orthodontic Price Guide for Dens
Here's how private treatment costs typically stack up in Dens:
| Treatment type | Typical cost range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NHS metal braces | Free for eligible under-18s | Adults aged 26 and over who qualify pay 80% of the NHS fee, capped at £384 for a course of treatment. |
| Private metal braces | £1,500–£3,500 | No waiting list. Full arch treatment. Retainers included in good practices. |
| Ceramic braces | £2,000–£4,500 | Tooth-coloured brackets. More discreet than metal. Not NHS-available. |
| Clear aligners (non-Invisalign) | £1,500–£4,500 | Wide range by brand and complexity. Confirm refinements and retainers are included. |
| Invisalign Lite | £2,500–£3,500 | Mild cases only. Limited refinements. |
| Invisalign Comprehensive | £3,500–£5,500 | Moderate to complex. Unlimited refinements within treatment cycle. |
| Lingual braces | £4,000–£8,000 | Completely hidden. Highest cost. Fewest providers in Dens. |
These are typical private fee ranges for Dens — individual practices may charge more or less depending on their overheads, location, and clinician experience. Always request a written treatment plan with the full fee itemised before committing.
Cost Context for Dens
Private full fixed brace treatment costs in Dens generally sit between £1,500 and £5,500. Case complexity — not just preference — is usually what determines whether aligners or fixed braces are recommended.
Not every practice near Dens offers the same treatments, so it's worth checking what each one covers. Classified by ONS as accessible Rural, Dens sits within NHS Grampian for NHS dental commissioning. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (3), Dens has more choice than 63% of towns in Scotland. Dens's deprivation ranking places it in a less deprived band than most of Scotland. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Dens is Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen, about 24 miles away. See local practice availability in Dens → Costs can vary significantly between providers — getting two or three quotes and comparing what's included (retainers, refinements, both arches) before committing is strongly recommended.
Aligner pricing in Dens explained
Clear aligner cost in Dens varies considerably from case to case. The main drivers are treatment complexity, the aligner brand, the provider's experience, and what the fee actually includes. Understanding what sits behind the number is the key to comparing value properly.
Typical Aligner Price Bands in Dens
Indicative private aligner pricing in Dens looks like this:
Clear aligners in Dens — comparing lower-cost options
Affordable clear aligner options in Dens genuinely exist and can deliver good results. Understanding what a lower price actually buys is essential before committing. Below, we break down what drives the low end of the market and how to compare it safely.
Affordable Aligner Options in Dens — Local Context
Treatment range and appointment slots differ between the practices covering Dens — comparing a couple is worthwhile. With 3 orthodontic practices within five miles, Dens is better served than 63% of towns in Scotland. Dens is classified as accessible Rural. By national deprivation ranking, Dens sits among the less deprived areas of Scotland. NHS Grampian is the NHS body responsible for dental commissioning in Dens. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Dens is about 24 miles from Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen. Entry-level aligner systems typically start from around £1,500 for suitable mild cases. A clinician-reviewed photo assessment is the most practical way to confirm whether a lower-cost package is genuinely appropriate for your teeth before committing to treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions — Costs in Dens
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Dens?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Dens is BUCHAN BRAES DENTAL CLINIC in Boddam, about 3.2 miles to the east. The next closest are QUEEN STREET DENTAL PRACTICE (3.7 miles) and PETERHEAD DENTAL AND IMPLANT CENTRE (3.8 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Dens?
Our register has 3 practices within 5 miles of Dens, 4 practices within 10 miles and 12 practices within 20 miles.
Which practices near Dens offer payment plans?
The nearest practice to Dens that mentions finance or monthly payment options is Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic Clinic, about 22.5 miles to the south.
Which NHS body covers Dens for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Grampian.
Is Dens rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Dens falls under accessible Rural.
How deprived is Dens compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Dens is less deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Dens?
Middle Grange, Meethill, Bullers of Buchan are within easy reach of Dens.
How much do NHS braces cost?
In Scotland, NHS dental treatment — including clinically necessary orthodontics — is free for everyone under 26. Adults aged 26 and over who qualify pay 80% of the NHS fee, capped at £384 for a course of treatment. Adults on certain benefits or low incomes can be exempt, and one charge covers the full course from fitting to retainers.
Last updated: October 2026, compiled by the Virtual Consultant Online editorial team from our practice register and public data. Information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice; it is not reviewed by a clinician. Sources: NHS, General Dental Council. How we compile our information.
Costs Across Aberdeenshire
Explore costs information for other towns and cities in Aberdeenshire — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: