Children's Braces in North London

Professional guidelines suggest an assessment around age seven, but any age is fine to start. If you notice your child has crooked or crowded teeth, trouble chewing or biting, or frequent mouth breathing, you should book a consultation. Other signs include a jaw that clicks or teeth not meeting properly at bite. Early help often shortens future treatment and reduces complexity. For example, a Barnet child with crowded teeth at nine received an interceptive appliance that created space for adult teeth, simplifying later brace work.

Getting a straighter smile follows a simple path. First, you have a 45 minute initial consultation at our Finchley clinic with digital scans and X rays to review your child’s needs. If treatment is advised, we discuss the best brace type. Fitting traditional fixed braces usually takes about an hour to an hour and a half. After that, your child attends adjustments every 6 to 8 weeks. The total time for braces generally runs from 12 to 24 months, depending on the case. After removal, a retainer is fitted to keep the results.

Expect mild discomfort for the first few days after fitting or adjustment. Use age appropriate pain relief as advised by a clinician. A soft food diet helps during the initial days, such as soup, yogurt, and mashed potatoes. Maintain excellent oral hygiene with brushes designed for cleaning around brackets and wires. Avoid hard, sticky or chewy foods that could harm the brace. If a wire or bracket breaks, contact the practice during office hours (Mon, Wed, Fri 9 to 5, Tue, Thu 11 to 7) for guidance. For emergencies outside those hours, call 111.

Other options exist besides metal braces. Ceramic braces use tooth colored brackets for reduced visibility, popular with teens who feel self conscious. For simpler cases, Invisalign Teen offers removable clear aligners, nearly invisible and easier to clean, but requires wearing them about 22 hours a day. In the consultation we discuss pros and cons based on your child’s clinical needs and lifestyle.

To help you decide for your child whether at our practice or another in North London, here are key questions to ask. What is the total cost of treatment including retainers and any emergency visits? What experience does the dentist have with children's orthodontics? Which brace do you think suits my child's issue and why? How long will treatment take? What payment plans are available? Understanding these points helps you feel confident in the decision.

As a private practice we do not offer NHS funded orthodontics, which often have long waiting lists. Private treatment for children's braces in the UK typically ranges from £2,000 to £4,500 depending on brace type and complexity. Our fees are transparent with no hidden costs. The quoted price includes the initial assessment, fitting, all adjustments, and the first set of retainers. We accept private dental insurance plans including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna, which may cover part of the cost. A 14-year-old patient from Highgate recently finished treatment for £3,200 using ceramic braces, with Denplan helping manage the cost.