Gentle Children's Braces for Families in Barnet

Most children have their first orthodontic assessment around age 10 to 12, after most adult teeth have erupted. Consider braces if you see crowding, crooked teeth, large gaps, or trouble biting or chewing. Some problems are not obvious, but an early check can catch developing issues like overbites or crossbites. A key sign is jaw sounds or shifts. The goal is to guide jaw growth and correct bite problems early, which can make treatment shorter and simpler later. We provide a full assessment to decide if treatment is needed now or if monitoring is better.

Treating braces is a team effort between you, your child, and us. First, you have a 45 minute initial consultation at our Finchley clinic, with digital images and a teeth assessment. Then we create a personalised plan. The fitting for traditional braces usually takes 60 to 90 minutes. After that you return for adjustments every 6 to 8 weeks, about 20 to 30 minutes each. Total treatment time is typically 18 to 24 months. When braces come off, a retainer keeps the new smile in place.

After braces are fitted or adjusted your child might feel mild discomfort for the first two to four days. This can be managed with over the counter pain relief such as paracetamol. We recommend a soft food diet for the first days like soup, yoghurt, and pasta. Good oral hygiene is important; we will show your child how to brush and floss around the brackets and wires. In the long term, wear a retainer as advised to maintain the results. Red flags requiring a call: contact us during office hours if a wire causes significant pain, a bracket comes loose, or if discomfort does not improve after a week. For emergencies outside these hours call 111.

Fixed metal braces are common and effective for most children, but they are not the only option. For some older teens with simpler issues, clear aligners like Invisalign Teen can work but require good compliance. Another option for minor issues is a removable appliance to correct a single tooth or widen the jaw. In some cases, especially with younger children, it may be best to wait and monitor development with treatment starting later. We will discuss all suitable options during the consultation.

To choose what is best for your child you should ask the right questions, whether you are with us or another practice in the Barnet area. Here are a few to start: what is the total estimated cost of the treatment including retainers, what issues are you trying to correct with the braces, how long do you expect the treatment to take, what are the pros and cons of the different types of braces you offer, how will we manage any discomfort my child experiences, what happens if a bracket breaks or a wire comes loose, and do you accept private plans like Denplan or Cigna.

This is a fully private practice so NHS orthodontics are not offered. Private braces cost varies by brace type and the complexity of the treatment. We provide full transparency with a written treatment plan after the initial consultation, including a clear cost breakdown and no hidden fees. A recent patient from High Barnet with moderate crowding had a plan with fixed braces costing around 3,500 pounds. We accept private insurance plans including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna, which can help cover the cost. Our team can help you understand your coverage.