--- title: "Braces UK 2026 | Types, Cost, Adults & How They Work" url: https://virtualconsultant.online/braces description: "Private braces cost £1,500–£8,000 in the UK (metal £1,500–£3,500, lingual £4,000–£8,000) and take 12–24 months." updated: 2026-10-20 publisher: Virtual Consultant Online --- # Braces in the UK: Types, Costs and How They Work Fixed braces move teeth with brackets and a wire, usually over 12 to 24 months. Private braces in the UK typically cost £1,500–£3,500 for metal, £2,000–£4,500 for ceramic and £4,000–£8,000 for lingual. Under-18s with a qualifying clinical need (IOTN grade 3.6 or above) can have them free on the NHS. [Get My Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Find an Orthodontist](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) [Explore treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) • [Common problems](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems) • [Prices](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) • [Compare options](https://virtualconsultant.online/compare) • [Clear aligners](https://virtualconsultant.online/aligners) Cost ## Braces Cost Understand what affects brace pricing, what a good quote includes, and how to compare local options. [See Cost Factors](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs/braces-cost) Treatment ### Brace Types Compare metal, ceramic, lingual and self-ligating braces to understand which suits your case and lifestyle. [Compare Brace Types](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/types-of-braces-uk) Local #### Near Me Use local intent the right way: understand your likely treatment needs before shortlisting brace providers nearby. [Find Local Options](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/braces-near-me) Compare ##### Braces vs Aligners Compare fixed braces and clear aligners by clinical suitability, cost, appearance, and lifestyle fit. [Compare Options](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/braces-vs-clear-aligners) Planning ##### Treatment Time Understand how long braces typically take from fitting to removal, and what affects the treatment timeline. [Plan My Timeline](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/how-long-do-braces-take) Adults ##### Adult Braces Explore braces for adults: types, cost, what to expect, and how adult treatment differs from teen orthodontics. [Explore Adult Options](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/braces-for-adults) ## Keep exploring Use these internal links to compare braces with other treatment, cost, and location pages before requesting a quote. [Get My Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/braces) [Brace Types](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/types-of-braces-uk) [Braces Cost](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs/braces-cost) [Adult Braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/braces-for-adults) [Braces vs Aligners](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/braces-vs-clear-aligners) [Clear Aligners](https://virtualconsultant.online/aligners) [Invisalign](https://virtualconsultant.online/invisalign) [Retainers](https://virtualconsultant.online/retainers) [Treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) [Problems We Treat](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems) [Orthodontic Costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) [Locations](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) [Life With Braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/life-with-braces) [Compare Options](https://virtualconsultant.online/compare) ### Frequently asked questions What types of braces are available in the UK? The main types of braces in the UK are metal (traditional stainless steel), ceramic (tooth-coloured brackets), lingual (fitted to the back of the teeth) and self-ligating braces, which use a built-in clip instead of elastic ties. Clear aligners are a removable alternative rather than a brace. The right choice depends on how complex your case is, how visible you are happy for the appliance to be, and your budget. How much do braces cost in the UK? Private braces in the UK typically cost around £1,500 to £3,500 for metal braces, £2,000 to £4,500 for ceramic braces and £4,000 to £8,000 for lingual braces fitted behind the teeth. The final price depends on case complexity, treatment length, practice location and whether retainers are included. NHS treatment is free for eligible under-18s who meet the clinical threshold. Can adults get braces? Yes. Adult orthodontic treatment is increasingly common in the UK, and braces can move teeth at any age as long as the gums and supporting bone are healthy. Treatment can take slightly longer in adults because jaw growth has finished, and many adults choose ceramic braces, lingual braces or clear aligners for a more discreet appearance. Adults usually pay privately because NHS orthodontics is mainly for under-18s. How long do braces take? Braces treatment typically takes 12 to 24 months depending on the complexity of your case. Mild crowding or spacing can sometimes be corrected in under a year, while significant bite problems or severe crowding often take longer. Attending adjustment appointments every six to eight weeks, avoiding breakages and wearing any elastics as instructed all help keep treatment on schedule. Are braces available on the NHS? NHS orthodontic treatment is available for children and young people under 18 who meet the clinical eligibility threshold, assessed using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). Treatment for eligible patients is free, but waiting lists can be long in some areas. Adults are not routinely treated under the NHS for orthodontics unless there is an exceptional clinical need, so most adult braces are private. Do braces hurt? Braces are not usually painful, but you may feel pressure and mild soreness for a few days after they are fitted and after each adjustment. The brackets can also rub the inside of the cheeks until your mouth adapts. Soft foods, over-the-counter pain relief and orthodontic wax over any rubbing bracket normally make this manageable, and the discomfort typically settles within a week. What is the difference between metal and ceramic braces? Metal and ceramic braces work in exactly the same way, with brackets bonded to the teeth and joined by an archwire. Metal braces are the most robust and usually the most cost-effective option. Ceramic braces use tooth-coloured brackets that are far less visible, but they are slightly more fragile, the elastic ties can stain, and they typically cost a few hundred pounds more. What can I eat with braces? With braces you can eat most normal foods, but you should avoid hard, sticky or chewy foods such as boiled sweets, toffee, nuts and crusty bread, which can break brackets or bend wires. Cut firmer foods like apples and carrots into small pieces. Softer foods are most comfortable in the first few days after fitting or an adjustment, when teeth are more tender. Do I need retainers after braces? Yes. Retainers are essential after any orthodontic treatment because teeth naturally tend to drift back towards their original position. Your orthodontist will fit a removable retainer, a fixed wire bonded behind the front teeth, or both. Most UK orthodontists now recommend long-term retention, typically wearing removable retainers at night indefinitely, to protect the result you have paid for. Can braces fix an overbite or underbite? Yes. Fixed braces are well suited to correcting bite problems, including overbites, underbites, crossbites and open bites, and they give the orthodontist precise control over tooth movement. Elastics are often used alongside braces to adjust how the upper and lower teeth meet. Very severe skeletal bite problems in adults may need jaw surgery combined with braces, which an orthodontist can assess. What are lingual braces? Lingual braces are fixed braces bonded to the back (tongue side) of the teeth, so they are completely hidden from the front. Each bracket is usually custom-made, which makes them the most expensive type of brace in the UK and means they need a clinician with specialist training. Speech often feels slightly different for the first two to four weeks while the tongue adapts. Can I get a quote for braces online? Yes. An online photo assessment through Virtual Consultant Online lets a registered clinician review guided photos of your teeth and give you an early view of likely suitability, treatment complexity and cost before you book a clinic visit. It is a low-commitment first step. A final treatment plan and confirmed price still require an in-person examination and records. --- Explore [Get Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) [Browse Treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) [Teeth Straightening](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/teeth-straightening) [Browse Problems](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems) [Locations](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) [Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/orthodontic-treatment-near-me) [NHS Eligibility Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/do-i-qualify-for-nhs-treatment) [IOTN Score Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/iotn-score-checker) [How To Take Orthodontic Photos](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/process/how-to-take-orthodontic-photos) [Online Orthodontist](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/online-orthodontist-uk) [Research Papers](https://virtualconsultant.online/research) [Social Channels](https://virtualconsultant.online/social) ## How It Works ### Capture guided photos Use your phone or webcam to follow guided prompts and capture the right angles in around 5 minutes. [Photo guide](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/process/how-to-take-orthodontic-photos) ### Clinician review and options An orthodontic team reviews your assessment and creates a digital quote with options like braces and clear aligners. [Explore treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) ### Accept when you’re ready Compare your options in your own time. If you accept, a coordinator contacts you to arrange next steps and get you started. [Understand costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) 100% online to start. No pressure. Move forward only when it feels right. Explore your options Quick links Not sure where to start? Use these quick links to explore orthodontic treatments, typical costs, and helpful guides that explain what different options involve. Whether you're researching braces or clear aligners, comparing pricing, or just getting a feel for what comes next, you can browse at your own pace and come back when you're ready to request a quote. Explore [Get Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) [Browse Treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) [Teeth Straightening](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/teeth-straightening) [Browse Problems](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems) [Locations](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) [Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/orthodontic-treatment-near-me) [NHS Eligibility Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/do-i-qualify-for-nhs-treatment) [IOTN Score Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/iotn-score-checker) [How To Take Orthodontic Photos](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/process/how-to-take-orthodontic-photos) [Online Orthodontist](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/online-orthodontist-uk) [Research Papers](https://virtualconsultant.online/research) [Social Channels](https://virtualconsultant.online/social) ## Ready to get your quote? Upload your photos and get clinician-reviewed options for braces or clear aligners. [Start My Free Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Find an Orthodontist](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) Prefer to learn first? Explore [treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments), [problems](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems), and [costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs). Citation details Title Braces UK 2026 | Types, Cost, Adults & How They Work Publisher Virtual Consultant Online Published 2026-06-16 Updated 2026-09-18 URL [https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/braces](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/braces)