Costs in Upper Lochton at a Glance
| NHS orthodontic charges | Free under 26; then 80% of the fee, capped at £384 |
|---|---|
| Deprivation | Less deprived than most of Scotland |
| Nearest practice listing private treatment | Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics, Westhill — 10.5 miles |
| Nearest practice listing payment plans | Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics, Westhill — 10.5 miles |
| Practices on our register | 2 within 5 miles, 4 within 10, 76 within 20 |
| Area type (ONS) | Accessible Small Towns |
| Access within Aberdeenshire | 22nd 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 Upper Lochton that list payment plans
On our practice register: 2 practices within 5 miles of Upper Lochton, 4 practices within 10 and 76 practices within 20. The closest is DEESIDE DENTAL CARE in Banchory, 0.6 miles south. The nearest that mentions finance or monthly payments is Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics, 10.5 miles north-east.
| Practice | Distance | NHS | Private | Finance | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEESIDE DENTAL CAREBanchory | 0.6 miles south | ✓ | – | – | – |
| FOUNTAIN DENTAL GROUP-BANCHORYBanchory | 0.7 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – | – |
| PETERCULTER DENTAL PRACTICEPeterculter | 9.0 miles east | ✓ | – | – | – |
| WESTHILL DENTAL PRACTICEWesthill | 9.9 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – | – |
| ABERCROMBIE DENTAL PRACTICEWesthill | 10.2 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – | – |
| FOUNTAIN DENTAL GROUP-ABOYNEAboyne | 10.4 miles west | ✓ | – | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Upper Lochton with practices listing payment plans
The closest town with practices listing payment plans is Banchory, 0.6 miles south; the next are Peterculter (9.0 miles east) and Westhill (9.9 miles north-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Banchory | 2 | 0.6 miles south |
| Peterculter | 1 | 9.0 miles east |
| Westhill | 4 | 9.9 miles north-east |
| Aboyne | 1 | 10.4 miles west |
| Kingswells | 4 | 11.9 miles north-east |
| Cults | 5 | 12.0 miles north-east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Upper Lochton
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Portlethen Dental Care (4.9 from 517 reviews), 13.9 miles east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Portlethen Dental CarePortlethen | 4.9 (517 reviews) | 13.9 miles east |
| Young Smile Dental CareBridge of Alford | 4.9 (319 reviews) | 14.1 miles north-west |
| Andrew Scott Dental CareAberdeen | 4.9 (240 reviews) | 14.8 miles east |
| Mastrick Smile CareAberdeen | 4.9 (213 reviews) | 14.3 miles north-east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
What a course costs from Upper Lochton, travel included
The fees are typical UK private prices. Travel is added for the journey to DEESIDE DENTAL CARE, the nearest practice on our register (under a mile away, about 0.8 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 | £5 to £15 | £1,505 to £3,515 |
| Ceramic braces | £2,000 to £4,500 | 10 to 20 | £5 to £15 | £2,005 to £4,515 |
| Lingual braces | £4,000 to £8,000 | 10 to 20 | £5 to £15 | £4,005 to £8,015 |
| Clear aligners | £1,500 to £5,500 | 6 to 10 | under £10 | £1,500 to £5,500 |
| Invisalign | £2,500 to £5,500 | 6 to 10 | under £10 | £2,500 to £5,500 |
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 Upper Lochton
| Cost factor | Look for | Nearest listing it | Next nearest | Within 20 miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free first appointment | a free consultation | not mentioned nearby | none other | 0 |
| Monthly payments | payment plans | Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics, Westhill (10.5 miles) | Portlethen Dental Care (13.9 miles) | 2 |
| NHS treatment | NHS orthodontics | DEESIDE DENTAL CARE, Banchory (under a mile) | FOUNTAIN DENTAL GROUP-BANCHORY (under a mile); PETERCULTER DENTAL PRACTICE (9 miles) | 29 |
| Private treatment | private fees | Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics, Westhill (10.5 miles) | Portlethen Dental Care (13.9 miles); Young Smile Dental Care (14.1 miles) | 7 |
| Aligner prices to compare | aligners | Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics, Westhill (10.5 miles) | Portlethen Dental Care (13.9 miles); Young Smile Dental Care (14.1 miles) | 6 |
| Brace prices to compare | fixed braces | Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics, Westhill (10.5 miles) | Portlethen Dental Care (13.9 miles); Young Smile Dental Care (14.1 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.
There's no single price for orthodontics in Upper Lochton — the range is genuinely wide. Case complexity, appliance type and inclusions all move the total up or down. Below we break down NHS and private pricing and the finance options available locally.
Typical Orthodontic Costs in Upper Lochton
Here's how private treatment costs typically stack up in Upper Lochton:
| 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 Upper Lochton. |
These are typical private fee ranges for Upper Lochton — 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.
Orthodontic Payment Plans in Upper Lochton
Spreading the cost of orthodontic treatment over monthly payments makes even higher-cost options such as Invisalign or ceramic braces more manageable. Most practices in Upper Lochton offer payment plans — ask whether they are 0% interest, what deposit is required, and whether payments continue if treatment takes longer than planned.
NHS treatment is 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.
Cost Context for Upper Lochton
Private full fixed brace treatment in Upper Lochton typically costs between £1,500 and £5,500, depending on case complexity. Straightforward crowding or spacing cases often suit aligners; more involved bite corrections are more often treated with fixed braces.
Appointment availability and the range of treatments on offer both vary practice to practice around Upper Lochton. ONS classifies Upper Lochton as accessible Small Towns. Upper Lochton sits within NHS Grampian for NHS dental commissioning. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (2), Upper Lochton has more choice than 56% of towns in Scotland. Upper Lochton's deprivation ranking places it in a less deprived band than most of Scotland. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Upper Lochton is about 16 miles from Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen. See local practice availability in Upper Lochton → 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.
Clear aligner cost in Upper Lochton
Clear aligner cost in Upper Lochton varies considerably from case to case. Two quotes at the same headline price can include very different levels of clinical input. Understanding what sits behind the number is the key to comparing value properly.
Aligner Costs in Upper Lochton — Local Context
Treatment range and appointment slots differ between the practices covering Upper Lochton — comparing a couple is worthwhile. With 2 orthodontic practices within five miles, Upper Lochton is better served than 56% of towns in Scotland. ONS classifies Upper Lochton as accessible Small Towns. National deprivation data ranks Upper Lochton among Scotland's less deprived areas. NHS dental commissioning in Upper Lochton falls under NHS Grampian. The nearest university dental hospital to Upper Lochton is Aberdeen Dental School, Aberdeen, about 16 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. Case complexity — not just preference — is usually what determines whether aligners or fixed braces are recommended. Expect private aligner treatment (full course including retainers) costs in Upper Lochton to fall roughly between £1,500 and £5,500. A photo-based assessment is a practical first step to establish case complexity before comparing quoted fees.
Clear aligners in Upper Lochton — comparing lower-cost options
'Affordable' and 'cheap' are meaningfully different when it comes to aligner treatment in Upper Lochton. The saving is fine when it matches a simple case; it's a risk when it means less clinical input. This guide explains where corners are sometimes cut and how to spot real value.
Affordable Aligner Options in Upper Lochton — Local Context
Provision in Upper Lochton varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (2), Upper Lochton has more choice than 56% of towns in Scotland. Officially, Upper Lochton is categorised as accessible Small Towns. Upper Lochton's deprivation ranking places it in a less deprived band than most of Scotland. NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Grampian. The nearest university dental hospital to Upper Lochton is Aberdeen Dental School, Aberdeen, about 16 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. Entry-level aligner systems typically start from around £1,500 for suitable mild cases. A clinician-reviewed photo assessment is the most practical way to confirm whether a lower-cost package is genuinely appropriate for your teeth before committing to treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions — Costs in Upper Lochton
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Upper Lochton?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Upper Lochton is DEESIDE DENTAL CARE in Banchory, about 0.6 miles to the south. The next closest are FOUNTAIN DENTAL GROUP-BANCHORY (0.7 miles) and PETERCULTER DENTAL PRACTICE (9.0 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Upper Lochton?
Our register has 2 practices within 5 miles of Upper Lochton, 4 practices within 10 miles and 76 practices within 20 miles.
Which practices near Upper Lochton offer payment plans?
The nearest practice to Upper Lochton that mentions finance or monthly payment options is Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics in Westhill, about 10.5 miles to the north-east. Others nearby include Portlethen Dental Care (13.9 miles).
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Upper Lochton?
Upper Lochton sits within NHS Grampian for NHS dental commissioning.
Is Upper Lochton rural or urban?
ONS classifies Upper Lochton as accessible Small Towns.
How deprived is Upper Lochton compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Upper Lochton is less deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Upper Lochton?
Nearby towns include Raemoir, Inchmarlo, Adendale.
How much do braces cost in Upper Lochton?
Metal fixed braces privately in Upper Lochton 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: