Braces in Northtown at a Glance
| Nearest practice listing fixed braces | None within 30 miles on our register |
|---|---|
| Nearest practice listing NHS | THE BALFOUR, Kirkwall — 7.5 miles; 4 within 10 miles |
| Area type (ONS) | Remote Rural |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Estimated drive to the nearest practice | about 15 minutes each way, to THE BALFOUR |
| Access within Orkney Islands | 68th closest to a practice of 149 places in the county; the county median is 8.4 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 Northtown
On our practice register: None within 5 miles of Northtown; 4 practices within 10 and 5 practices within 20. The closest is THE BALFOUR in Kirkwall, 7.5 miles north. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE BALFOURKirkwall | 7.5 miles north | ✓ | – | – | – |
| ORKNEY DENTALKirkwall | 7.9 miles north | ✓ | – | – | – |
| DAISYBANK CLINICKirkwall | 8.0 miles north | ✓ | – | – | – |
| KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICEKirkwall | 8.0 miles north | ✓ | – | – | – |
| ORKNEY DENTALStromness | 15.6 miles north-west | ✓ | – | – | – |
| BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTREThurso | 29.4 miles south-west | ✓ | – | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Northtown with orthodontic practices
The closest town with orthodontic practices is Kirkwall, 7.5 miles north; the next are Stromness (15.6 miles north-west) and Thurso (29.4 miles south-west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Kirkwall | 4 | 7.5 miles north |
| Stromness | 1 | 15.6 miles north-west |
| Thurso | 2 | 29.4 miles south-west |
| Wick | 1 | 29.5 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Jaw-related problems are among the more complex conditions treated by specialists in Northtown. They span TMJ pain through to skeletal discrepancies that may need jaw surgery. A photo assessment can help flag whether specialist referral is worth pursuing.
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.
Bite and TMJ symptoms interact in complicated ways — orthodontics can correct a bite issue that's contributing to joint loading, but it's not a reliable fix for TMJ pain on its own. Anyone in Northtown with real TMJ symptoms should see an orofacial pain specialist first, ahead of considering orthodontic treatment.
Near Northtown: the nearest general dentist, a usual first contact: Dyce Dental Practice Family Dentist (118.1 miles).
Skeletal Jaw Discrepancies
Skeletal underbite (Class III) is where the lower jaw has grown larger or more forward than the upper one. Mild versions can sometimes be managed with camouflage orthodontics alone; moderate to severe cases, especially in adults, need orthognathic surgery to reposition one or both jaws.
Skeletal overbite / retrognathism is the reverse — the lower jaw sits noticeably smaller or further back than the upper one. In children, a functional appliance can guide jaw growth to correct it; in adults with a severe case, jaw surgery is sometimes the only route.
Facial asymmetry from uneven jaw growth causes a chin point off-centre and mismatched midlines. Mild asymmetry is common; significant asymmetry affecting function may require surgical correction.
Skeletal open bite — front teeth that don't meet due to vertical jaw growth patterns. Often requires surgical correction in adults when severe.
Jaw Treatment in Northtown — Local Context
Appointment availability and the range of treatments on offer both vary practice to practice around Northtown. Northtown is classified as remote Rural, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Orkney. No orthodontic practice on our register is within five miles of Northtown; the nearest is about 8 miles away. Northtown sits close to the Scotland average for deprivation. See local practice availability in Northtown → They offer specialist orthodontic assessment for jaw problems.
Private orthodontic treatment for jaw-related conditions (standard course) in Northtown typically costs between £1,500 and £5,500, depending on case complexity. Orthognathic surgery cases involve additional NHS or private surgical fees on top of orthodontic treatment costs. The referral pathway for jaw surgery begins with your dentist or orthodontist.
Frequently Asked Questions — Jaw Problems in Northtown
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Northtown?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Northtown is THE BALFOUR in Kirkwall, about 7.5 miles to the north. The next closest are ORKNEY DENTAL (7.9 miles) and DAISYBANK CLINIC (8.0 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Northtown?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Northtown, 4 practices within 10 miles and 5 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Kirkwall, 7.5 miles away.
Where can I get braces near Northtown?
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 Northtown?
Northtown sits within NHS Orkney for NHS dental commissioning.
What kind of area is Northtown?
By ONS classification, Northtown falls under remote Rural.
How deprived is Northtown compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Northtown is close to the Scotland average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Northtown?
Nearby towns include Burray Village, Newbigging, Upper Sanday.
Can orthodontics fix a jaw problem without surgery?
Mild to moderate cases can sometimes be managed with camouflage orthodontics — moving teeth to compensate for the mismatch rather than moving the jaws. Severe adult skeletal cases usually still need surgery for a full fix.
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 Orkney Islands
Explore braces information for other towns and cities in Orkney Islands — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: