Braces in Howgate at a Glance
| Nearest practice listing fixed braces | None within 30 miles on our register |
|---|---|
| Nearest practice listing NHS | 16 BRIDGE STREET, Penicuik — 1.3 miles; 30 within 10 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Accessible Rural |
| Deprivation | Less deprived than most of Scotland |
| Access within Midlothian | 42nd closest to a practice of 67 places in the county; the county median is 0.8 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 offering braces near Howgate
On our practice register: 4 practices within 5 miles of Howgate, 94 practices within 10 and 196 practices within 20. The closest is 16 BRIDGE STREET in Penicuik, 1.3 miles north-west. Few practices near here mention fixed braces in their published information, so this lists the nearest of any kind.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Braces | Aligners | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 BRIDGE STREETPenicuik | 1.3 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – | – |
| PENICUIK DENTAL CENTREPenicuik | 1.4 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – | – |
| 91A JOHN STREETPenicuik | 1.6 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – | – |
| 6 MAIN STREETRoslin | 3.5 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – | – |
| 50 FOUNTAIN PLACELoanhead | 5.2 miles north | ✓ | – | – | – |
| BONNYRIGG DENTAL CAREBonnyrigg | 5.4 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Howgate with orthodontic practices
The closest town with orthodontic practices is Penicuik, 1.3 miles north-west; the next are Roslin (3.5 miles north-east) and Loanhead (5.2 miles north).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Penicuik | 3 | 1.3 miles north-west |
| Roslin | 1 | 3.5 miles north-east |
| Loanhead | 2 | 5.2 miles north |
| Bonnyrigg | 3 | 5.4 miles north-east |
| Gorebridge | 1 | 6.3 miles east |
| Colinton | 6 | 6.4 miles north |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Fixed braces remain one of the most effective and versatile orthodontic treatments available. Patients across Howgate can access the full range, from traditional metal to discreet ceramic and hidden lingual systems. Because they act around the clock, they treat cases that removable appliances struggle with. Typical treatment spans roughly one to two years, depending on complexity.
Brace Types Explained for Patients in Howgate
Metal braces are the benchmark treatment: small steel brackets, an archwire, and regular adjustments. They suit all case types and are the least expensive private option, as well as the NHS standard.
Ceramic braces are functionally the same as metal with clear or tooth-coloured brackets. Much less conspicuous in photos, slightly pricier, and a little more prone to staining from tea, coffee and coloured foods.
Lingual braces sit on the inner surfaces of the teeth and are completely hidden when you smile or speak. Custom-milled per tooth, they handle a wide range of cases but are the most technically demanding and expensive.
Self-ligating braces use a clip mechanism rather than elastic bands to hold the wire. They are often suggested for crowded cases where reduced friction helps early tooth movement, and are offered by several Howgate orthodontists.
Local Context for Howgate
How quickly you can be seen, and what's on offer, varies between the practices serving Howgate. Howgate is classified as accessible Rural, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Lothian. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (4), Howgate has more choice than 68% of towns in Scotland. National deprivation data ranks Howgate among Scotland's less deprived areas. We hold no orthodontic practice records in Howgate itself. The nearest recorded are 16 BRIDGE STREET in Penicuik, about a mile away; 6 MAIN STREET in Roslin, about 4 miles away; and 50 FOUNTAIN PLACE in Loanhead, about 5 miles away. Straightforward crowding or spacing cases often suit aligners; more involved bite corrections are more often treated with fixed braces.
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Midlothian vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made. Private treatment can usually begin within a few weeks of the initial consultation.
As a guide, private brace in Howgate usually ranges from £1,500 to £5,500. Many practices offer 0% or low-interest payment plans spread over 12 to 24 months.
Funding Your Braces in Howgate
For children and teenagers in Howgate who score highly enough on the IOTN scale, NHS braces are provided free of charge — typically metal appliances, delivered under a defined clinical pathway. Adults aged 26 and over who qualify pay 80% of the NHS fee, capped at £384 for a course of treatment. NHS orthodontic waiting times in Midlothian vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made.
Going private removes the waiting list and widens the choice of brace type. Expect roughly £1,500–£3,500 for metal in Howgate, more for ceramic and lingual — always confirm retainers are included in the quote.
Jaw Problems Treated by Orthodontists in Howgate
Jaw-related problems are among the more complex conditions treated by specialists in Howgate. Working out whether a problem is dental or skeletal is the critical first step. This guide explains TMJ, skeletal bites and when orthognathic surgery is involved.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders
The TMJ joints connect the lower jaw to the skull on either side of the face. TMJ disorder (TMJD) symptoms include: jaw or facial pain particularly on waking; clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth; limited mouth opening; headaches at the temples; and earache without infection.
Common Orthodontic Problems in Howgate
Orthodontic problems are far more common than most people realise. They affect chewing, speech and long-term dental health, not just appearance. A photo assessment can give you an early steer on what you're dealing with.
Orthodontic Issues Seen in Howgate
The problems below cover the great majority of cases assessed in Howgate, from the very common to the more complex.
Braces for Teenagers in Howgate
The teenage years are the optimal window for orthodontic treatment for most patients in Howgate. Active jaw growth lets orthodontists in Howgate guide the teeth more efficiently. The key decisions are timing, NHS versus private, and treatment type in Midlothian.
NHS vs Private Orthodontics for Teens in Howgate
The NHS route funds metal braces for IOTN-eligible teens in Howgate free of charge, but the Midlothian waiting list — frequently 12–24 months — is the real trade-off, especially when timing matters.
Frequently Asked Questions — Braces in Howgate
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Howgate?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Howgate is 16 BRIDGE STREET in Penicuik, about 1.3 miles to the north-west. The next closest are PENICUIK DENTAL CENTRE (1.4 miles) and 91A JOHN STREET (1.6 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Howgate?
Our register has 4 practices within 5 miles of Howgate, 94 practices within 10 miles and 196 practices within 20 miles.
Where can I get braces near Howgate?
None of the practices within 30 miles mentions fixed braces in its published information, although most orthodontic practices do fit them — ask the nearest ones directly.
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Howgate?
NHS dental commissioning in Howgate falls under NHS Lothian.
Is Howgate rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Howgate falls under accessible Rural.
How deprived is Howgate compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Howgate is less deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Which towns are close to Howgate?
Nearby towns include Valleyfield, Glencorse, Eskhill.
How much do braces cost in Howgate?
Private metal braces in Howgate typically cost between £1,500 and £3,500. Ceramic braces range from £2,000 to £4,500, and lingual braces from £4,000 to £8,000. NHS braces are free for eligible under-18s.
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.
Braces Across Midlothian
Explore braces information for other towns and cities in Midlothian — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: