Aesthetic Braces in North London: Your Guide to a Straighter Smile

Invisalign uses a sequence of custom made, clear plastic aligners that you swap out every 1 to 2 weeks. They are nearly invisible and can be removed for meals, drinks, and cleaning. This helps with oral hygiene. Typical treatment for more complex cases runs 12 to 18 months. It works well for crowding, gaps, and some bite issues. It requires discipline—you need to wear the aligners about 22 hours a day for best results. It may not suit very complex bite corrections where a fixed brace would be better.

Ceramic braces operate like traditional metal braces but use tooth coloured or clear brackets that blend with your teeth, making them far less noticeable. A subtle wire runs between the brackets. Because they stay attached to your teeth, they work continuously and can handle a wider range of complex orthodontic issues more efficiently than some aligner systems. This option suits someone from Hendon who needed significant bite correction but wanted a discreet look. The main downside is that they require careful cleaning to prevent staining around the brackets, and some hard or sticky foods should be avoided.

Your treatment begins with a 60 minute consultation at our Finchley practice. We take digital scans and photos, discuss your goals, and decide which aesthetic brace option fits you. If you choose Invisalign, your custom aligners are produced; for ceramic braces, we schedule a 45 to 60 minute fitting. You will have checkups every 6 to 8 weeks to monitor progress and make any needed adjustments or provide next sets of aligners. Total active treatment time ranges from 6 months for simple cases to about 18 to 24 months for more complex ones. Once teeth are straight, the braces come off. You will then be fitted for a retainer, which helps keep teeth in their new position long term.

After braces come off, teeth tend to shift. Wearing a retainer is essential to prevent this. Most patients wear retainers full-time for a few months, then switch to nightly wear for the long term. We offer discreet Vivera retainers for £500, made from the same durable material as Invisalign. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing remains important. You may feel some tenderness or an adjustment period when you start braces or switch aligners, but this usually eases within a few days and can be managed with over the counter pain relief. Call during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9 to 5, Tue/Thu 11 to 7) if you have a broken wire, a lost attachment, or severe persistent pain. For emergencies outside these hours, go to A&E or dial 111.

We publish our pricing clearly. At our private clinic, Invisalign prices are: Invisalign Lite from £3,300 for simpler cases and Invisalign Full from £4,400 for comprehensive treatment. These prices cover all aligners, visits, digital scans, and one set of Vivera retainers at the end. The cost of fixed ceramic braces is similar and will be quoted after your initial assessment. There are no hidden fees. Our clinic is private only and does not offer NHS orthodontics. We do accept private dental insurance from Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please check with your provider about coverage for orthodontic work.

To choose what fits you, ask the right questions whether you meet us or another practice in North London. Here are essential topics to cover: 1. Based on my teeth, which option—Invisalign or ceramic braces—will give me the best result? 2. What is the total cost, and does it include retainers and follow up visits after treatment ends? 3. How long do you estimate my treatment will take? 4. What happens if an Invisalign attachment comes off or a ceramic bracket breaks? 5. What are the specific food and drink restrictions with each brace? 6. Will I need any teeth removed before we start? 7. How will you monitor progress throughout the treatment?