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.
For teenagers in Northtown, orthodontics improves far more than just the smile. Jaw growth is still active, adult teeth are in place, and the NHS pathway is accessible for eligible young people. A photo assessment is a low-pressure first step for a hesitant teenager.
Funding Teen Treatment in Northtown
NHS treatment is aimed at teenagers in Northtown who meet the IOTN threshold, with metal braces provided free of charge start to finish, retainers included. But waiting lists in Orkney Islands often run 12–24 months or more — and for a teen near the end of the ideal window, waiting may not be practical.
Going private removes the wait, adds discreet options like Invisalign Teen and ceramic braces, and usually feels more tailored — with monthly plans bringing it within reach for most families.
Teen Orthodontics in Northtown — Local Context
NHS orthodontic waiting times in Orkney Islands vary significantly by practice and by how the referral was made. That's a significant period when timing matters.
Provision in Northtown varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. Northtown — remote Rural by ONS classification — is covered by NHS Orkney for NHS dentistry. Northtown's deprivation ranking is neither notably high nor low compared with Scotland as a whole. People in Northtown usually travel further for an orthodontist: the nearest on our register is about 8 miles away. See local practice availability in Northtown → Private treatment starts within weeks of consultation. As a guide, private teenage treatment (fixed braces or aligners) in Northtown usually ranges from £1,500 to £5,500. Mild-to-moderate crowding or spacing is often suitable for clear aligners, while more complex cases are more commonly recommended fixed braces.
Should Teenagers Choose Aligners or Fixed Braces?
This depends on both clinical suitability and the teenager's temperament. Fixed braces work around the clock with no patient compliance required — ideal for those who might forget or avoid wearing their aligners. Aligners are appealing for teenagers who are highly motivated, concerned about appearance, and reliable about their daily wearing hours.
Parents should have an honest conversation with their teenager and with the orthodontist about expected compliance before committing to aligner treatment. A teenager who consistently wears their aligners for only 14 hours a day will not achieve the planned result and may need additional refinements or a switch to fixed braces.
Frequently Asked Questions — Teen Orthodontics 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?
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 Quindry, Saint Margaret's Hope, Burray Village.
How much do teenage braces cost?
NHS metal braces are free for eligible teenagers in Northtown. Private metal braces typically cost £1,500–£3,500. Ceramic braces £2,000–£4,500. Invisalign Teen £2,500–£5,500. Most practices offer monthly payment plans spread over the treatment period.
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: