Costs in St Katherines at a Glance
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
|---|---|
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
| Nearest practice listing private treatment | Blairdaff Dental, Bograxie — 10.7 miles |
| Nearest practice listing payment plans | Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics, Westhill — 17.3 miles |
| Practices on our register | 1 within 5 miles, 5 within 10, 60 within 20 |
| Area type (ONS) | Accessible Rural |
| Access within Aberdeenshire | 275th 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 St Katherines that list payment plans
On our practice register: 1 practice within 5 miles of St Katherines, 5 practices within 10 and 60 practices within 20. The closest is OLDMELDRUM DENTAL PRACTICE, 4.7 miles south. The nearest that mentions finance or monthly payments is Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics, 17.3 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Finance | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OLDMELDRUM DENTAL PRACTICEOldmeldrum | 4.7 miles south | ✓ | – | – | – |
| INVERURIE DENTAL CAREInverurie | 7.9 miles south | ✓ | – | – | – |
| GARIOCH DENTAL PRACTICEInverurie | 8.1 miles south | ✓ | – | – | – |
| INVERURIE DENTAL PRACTICEInverurie | 8.2 miles south | ✓ | – | – | – |
| INVERURIE SMILE CAREInverurie | 8.2 miles south | ✓ | – | – | – |
| TURIFF DENTAL PRACTICETurriff | 10.2 miles north | ✓ | – | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to St Katherines with practices listing payment plans
The closest town with practices listing payment plans is Oldmeldrum, 4.7 miles south; the next are Inverurie (7.9 miles south) and Turriff (10.2 miles north).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Oldmeldrum | 1 | 4.7 miles south |
| Inverurie | 4 | 7.9 miles south |
| Turriff | 1 | 10.2 miles north |
| Bograxie | 1 | 10.7 miles south-west |
| Ellon | 2 | 10.9 miles east |
| Kintore | 1 | 12.0 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of St Katherines
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Young Smile Dental Care in Bridge of Alford (4.9 from 319 reviews), 17.3 miles south-west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Young Smile Dental CareBridge of Alford | 4.9 (319 reviews) | 17.3 miles south-west |
| Mastrick Smile CareAberdeen | 4.9 (213 reviews) | 18.4 miles south-east |
| Blairdaff DentalBograxie | 4.9 (29 reviews) | 10.7 miles south-west |
| Old Machar Dental and Implant Centre | Invisalign and Emergency Dentist AberdeenDyce | 4.8 (191 reviews) | 16.9 miles south-east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
What a course costs from St Katherines, travel included
The fees are typical UK private prices. Travel is added for the journey to OLDMELDRUM DENTAL PRACTICE, the nearest practice on our register (4.7 miles away, about 6.1 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 | £55 to £110 | £1,555 to £3,610 |
| Ceramic braces | £2,000 to £4,500 | 10 to 20 | £55 to £110 | £2,055 to £4,610 |
| Lingual braces | £4,000 to £8,000 | 10 to 20 | £55 to £110 | £4,055 to £8,110 |
| Clear aligners | £1,500 to £5,500 | 6 to 10 | £35 to £55 | £1,535 to £5,555 |
| Invisalign | £2,500 to £5,500 | 6 to 10 | £35 to £55 | £2,535 to £5,555 |
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 St Katherines
| Cost factor | Look for | Nearest listing it | Next nearest | Within 20 miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free first appointment | a free consultation | Deveron Dental Centre, Huntly (16.3 miles) | Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic Clinic (18.4 miles) | 2 |
| Monthly payments | payment plans | Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics, Westhill (17.3 miles) | Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic Clinic (18.4 miles) | 2 |
| NHS treatment | NHS orthodontics | OLDMELDRUM DENTAL PRACTICE (4.7 miles) | INVERURIE DENTAL CARE (7.9 miles); GARIOCH DENTAL PRACTICE (8.1 miles) | 29 |
| Private treatment | private fees | Blairdaff Dental, Bograxie (10.7 miles) | Deveron Dental Centre, Huntly (16.3 miles); Old Machar Dental and Implant Centre | Invisalign and Emergency Dentist Aberdeen (16.9 miles) | 7 |
| Aligner prices to compare | aligners | Deveron Dental Centre, Huntly (16.3 miles) | Old Machar Dental and Implant Centre | Invisalign and Emergency Dentist Aberdeen (16.9 miles); Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics (17.3 miles) | 6 |
| Brace prices to compare | fixed braces | Deveron Dental Centre, Huntly (16.3 miles) | Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics (17.3 miles); Young Smile Dental Care (17.3 miles) | 5 |
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.
Price is often the deciding factor when choosing orthodontic treatment in St Katherines. Understanding what drives the price, and what should be included in the fee, helps you compare quotes accurately. Below we break down NHS and private pricing and the finance options available locally.
Cost Context for St Katherines
Private full fixed brace treatment in St Katherines typically costs between £1,500 and £5,500, depending on case complexity. Case complexity — not just preference — is usually what determines whether aligners or fixed braces are recommended.
Practices serving St Katherines differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. Officially, St Katherines is categorised as accessible Rural. St Katherines sits within NHS Grampian for NHS dental commissioning. By national deprivation ranking, St Katherines is roughly mid-table for Scotland. The nearest university dental hospital to St Katherines is Aberdeen Dental School, Aberdeen, about 19 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. See local practice availability in St Katherines → 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.
Paying for Orthodontic Treatment in St Katherines
Most private orthodontic practices in St Katherines offer payment plans — typically 0% or low-interest monthly instalments spread over the course of treatment (usually 12–24 months). This makes private treatment much more financially accessible. A deposit of 10–25% of the total fee is usually required to start treatment, with the balance spread over equal monthly payments.
Always check whether the payment plan is in-house (directly with the practice) or through a finance provider such as Chrysalis Finance or Medenta. In-house plans typically have no credit check; third-party finance plans involve a formal credit application.
Orthodontic Price Guide for St Katherines
Here's how private treatment costs typically stack up in St Katherines:
| 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 St Katherines. |
These are typical private fee ranges for St Katherines — 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.
Clear aligners in St Katherines — comparing lower-cost options
There are competitively priced aligner routes in St Katherines — the trick is knowing what a lower price represents. Understanding what a lower price actually buys is essential before committing. Knowing the warning signs helps you tell a good-value option from a false economy.
What Makes Some Aligner Options Cheaper in St Katherines?
Treatment scope — a limited course for minor front-tooth alignment is genuinely cheaper because there's simply less treatment involved, and that's fine when the case really is mild.
How much do aligners cost in St Katherines?
There is no single price for clear aligners in St Katherines — it depends on several factors. Complexity, brand, refinement allowances and clinical input each pull the price up or down. Understanding what sits behind the number is the key to comparing value properly.
Indicative Clear Aligner Costs in St Katherines
Indicative private aligner pricing in St Katherines looks like this:
Frequently Asked Questions — Costs in St Katherines
Where is the nearest orthodontist to St Katherines?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to St Katherines is OLDMELDRUM DENTAL PRACTICE, about 4.7 miles to the south. The next closest are INVERURIE DENTAL CARE (7.9 miles) and GARIOCH DENTAL PRACTICE (8.1 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near St Katherines?
Our register has 1 practice within 5 miles of St Katherines, 5 practices within 10 miles and 60 practices within 20 miles.
Which practices near St Katherines offer payment plans?
The nearest practice to St Katherines that mentions finance or monthly payment options is Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics in Westhill, about 17.3 miles to the south. Others nearby include Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic Clinic (18.4 miles).
Which NHS body covers St Katherines for dental care?
NHS dental commissioning in St Katherines falls under NHS Grampian.
Is St Katherines rural or urban?
By ONS classification, St Katherines falls under accessible Rural.
How deprived is St Katherines compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, St Katherines is close to the Scotland average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Which towns are close to St Katherines?
Nearby towns include Barthol Chapel, Monkshill, Cromlet.
How much do braces cost in St Katherines?
Metal fixed braces privately in St Katherines run roughly £1,500-£3,500, ceramic £2,000-£4,500, with NHS braces free for eligible under-18s. Lingual and Invisalign cost more — see the comparison above.
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: