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.
Orthodontic problems are far more common than most people realise. Patients across Northtown seek assessment for everything from mild crowding to complex bite misalignments. This guide explains the common problems, their causes, and how each is corrected.
Orthodontic Problems in Northtown — Local Context
Orthodontic practices in and around Northtown vary in the treatments and appointment types they offer. Northtown is classified as remote Rural, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Orkney. People in Northtown usually travel further for an orthodontist: the nearest on our register is about 8 miles away. Northtown's deprivation ranking is neither notably high nor low compared with Scotland as a whole. See local practice availability in Northtown → Crowding is the most common presenting problem across the UK. Whether aligners or fixed braces are recommended usually comes down to case complexity rather than personal preference alone.
As a guide, private treatment for orthodontic problems in Northtown usually ranges from £1,500 to £5,500. NHS treatment covers IOTN grades 4–5 for eligible under-18s, free of charge.
Allowing for roads about 30% longer than the straight line and an average of 35 mph, the drive from Northtown to THE BALFOUR is roughly 15 minutes each way. A course of fixed braces typically means 10 to 20 visits (a consultation, the fitting, 7 to 17 adjustments and the removal), which from here comes to about 200 to 390 miles and 5 to 10 hours on the road. At the 45p a mile HMRC uses for business driving, that is roughly £90 to £175 in running costs. Clear aligners usually need fewer visits, perhaps 6 to 10 (about 120 to 200 miles), so ask any practice how many a plan for your case would involve before you commit to the journey.
The Conditions Orthodontists Treat in Northtown
Most people who seek treatment in Northtown present with one or more of the following — each treatable, and each explained below.
Crowding
When the arch simply doesn't have room for every tooth, they overlap, twist or get pushed out of line — that's crowding, the single most common condition orthodontists in Northtown treat. Beyond appearance, it makes cleaning harder and raises the risk of decay and gum problems; fixed braces or aligners both work well, depending how severe it is.
Spacing
Naturally small teeth, a missing tooth, or a childhood habit like thumb sucking can all leave gaps between teeth. Braces or aligners close them by moving teeth into place, and retainers matter more than usual afterwards — spacing gaps are quick to reopen without one.
Overbite (Deep Bite)
A deep overbite — where upper front teeth overlap significantly over the lower teeth vertically — can cause wear, damage, and discomfort. Fixed braces are the most effective treatment for significant overbites; clear aligners address mild to moderate cases.
Underbite
An underbite occurs when the lower teeth or jaw protrudes in front of the upper teeth. Dental underbites are treatable with braces or aligners. Skeletal underbites where the jaw itself is misaligned may require orthodontics combined with jaw surgery. Early assessment in growing patients allows growth modification before adult treatment.
Crossbite
A crossbite occurs when one or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth. Crossbites are associated with asymmetric jaw growth, tooth wear, and gum recession. Fixed braces, expanders, or aligners correct crossbites depending on severity. Early treatment in children is often recommended.
Open Bite
An open bite leaves a gap between upper and lower front teeth when biting. Often linked to thumb sucking or tongue thrusting. Affects the ability to bite food and can impact speech. Treatment options include fixed braces with vertical correction mechanics and, in skeletal cases, jaw surgery.
Protrusion
Upper front teeth angling significantly forward — often with a large overjet — increases the risk of trauma. Treatment with fixed braces, sometimes including extractions, is highly effective. Early treatment in growing children may use functional appliances to guide jaw development.
When to See an Orthodontist in Northtown
You don't need to wait until all adult teeth have erupted. An early assessment around age 7–8 allows a specialist to identify developing problems and advise on timing. Adults can start at any age provided dental and gum health is good.
Common signs warranting assessment: difficulty biting or chewing, visible crowding or spacing, protruding front teeth, asymmetric jaw growth, or mouth breathing.
Frequently Asked Questions — Orthodontic 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.
What NHS area is Northtown in for dental services?
NHS dental commissioning in Northtown falls under NHS Orkney.
Is Northtown rural or urban?
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?
Upper Sanday, Saint Mary's, Burray Village are within easy reach of Northtown.
Can I assess my own orthodontic problem?
A rough self-check is possible — protruding front teeth, whether back teeth meet symmetrically, upper teeth biting outside lower ones, visible crowding or spacing — but only a clinical exam with X-rays gives an accurate diagnosis.
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: