Braces cost UK calculator: compare aligners and fixed braces

The braces cost in the UK depends on how complex your bite is, the type of brace, how long treatment lasts and what is included afterwards. The NHS notes that the cost can vary depending on how complicated your dental problems are and the type of braces fitted. A quote may cover the brace itself, regular adjustment or review appointments, retainers at the end and checks after treatment. Some practices list these separately. This calculator keeps them apart, so you can see what you are paying for in each quote.

We do not publish average prices, because they rarely match a real treatment plan. Enter the figures from your own written quotes instead. Put the main fee under "Treatment price", retainers and checks under "Retainers and aftercare" and anything else, such as replacement aligners or a lost retainer fee, under "Other costs". The cost per month helps when one option is quicker than another, but the length is an estimate from your orthodontist, not a promise. Ask what happens to the price if treatment takes longer.

Braces are usually only available free on the NHS for people under 18 who have a problem with their teeth, according to the NHS. An orthodontist decides eligibility. The British Orthodontic Society explains that eligibility depends on the severity of the problem, measured with the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), a rating system with five grades ranging from no need to severe need for treatment. Most orthodontists working in primary care can only provide NHS treatment for patients under 18.

If you are 18 or over, you will usually have to pay for braces. The BOS says adults with severe problems may be eligible for treatment in the hospital orthodontic service, so ask your dentist whether a referral makes sense. Under-18s get NHS dental treatment free in England, while for an eligible adult, NHS orthodontic treatment falls in Band 3, which costs £332.10 from 1 April 2026. If you or your child are not eligible for NHS treatment, your dentist can discuss private options.

Fixed metal braces are commonly used on the NHS, and the NHS describes NHS-eligible patients typically having a fixed brace that stays in place for 1 to 2 years. Clear aligners, sold under brand names such as Invisalign, are another option that many practices offer privately. The British Orthodontic Society says aligners can be very effective if all that is needed is to align mildly irregular teeth, while fixed braces give more control in more complex cases, including those needing extractions.

Which type suits you is a clinical question for your orthodontist, not a price question. The BOS advises asking how much orthodontic training the person treating you has had, and to be cautious if you are only offered one option. Only dentists on the GDC's specialist list can call themselves specialist orthodontists. Once you have quotes for the options your orthodontist considers suitable, enter both in the calculator to compare the total and the cost per month.

After braces come off, you need to wear a retainer, a device that stops your teeth moving back. The British Orthodontic Society considers retention essential and says the best advice is to continue it for the long term. Teeth take time to settle, and the risk of them moving is highest in the early months. That means retainers and their replacements are a real part of the cost of treatment, not an optional extra.

Ask each practice which retainers are included, how many review appointments follow and what a replacement retainer costs. Enter those amounts under "Retainers and aftercare". If one quote includes retainers and the other does not, the difference can change the comparison. Simple straightening can sometimes be carried out in as little as six months, according to the BOS, but it often makes limited changes. A shorter treatment time is not always better value.