Children's Braces in North London: A Parent's Guide

The British Orthodontic Society recommends a child's first orthodontic evaluation around the age of 7. This does not mean treatment will start right away, but it lets us identify and monitor developing issues. You should consider an assessment at our North London practice if you notice early or late loss of baby teeth, crowded or misplaced teeth, trouble chewing, or jaws that shift or make sounds. Early intervention, sometimes called Phase 1 treatment, can make future treatment simpler or even prevent more complex work. For most children, comprehensive treatment begins between ages 11 and 14, when most permanent teeth are in place.

First, you will have an initial 45 minute consultation at our Finchley practice. We will do a full exam, take digital X-rays, and create a 3D model of your child's teeth to plan the treatment precisely. Next is the fitting appointment, which usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes, where we attach the brackets to your child's teeth. After this, you will visit us for adjustment appointments every 6 to 8 weeks. These are shorter, typically 20 to 30 minutes, to tighten wires and monitor progress. The total treatment time for most children is between 12 and 24 months. Finally, once the teeth are straight, we remove the braces and fit a custom retainer, which helps keep the results long term.

For the first few days after braces are fitted, it is normal for your child to feel some mild discomfort as the teeth begin to move. This can be managed with over the counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. We recommend a soft food diet for the first 48 hours, like soup, yogurt, and mashed potatoes. Good oral hygiene is essential. Your child should brush carefully around the brackets and wires after every meal. We will provide special brushes to help. It is important to avoid very hard, chewy, or sugary foods to prevent damage to the braces. If a wire or bracket becomes loose, call our practice during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7) for advice.

As a private practice, we do not offer NHS funded orthodontics. Private children's braces in the UK typically cost between £2,000 and £4,500. The final price depends on the type of brace chosen and the complexity of the treatment. Our fees are transparent, with no hidden costs. The quoted price includes the initial consultation, all fitting and adjustment appointments, and the final set of retainers. We accept various private dental insurance plans, including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please contact us with your policy details so we can advise on your coverage. We aim to make treatment accessible and can discuss payment plans to spread the cost.

For some children, especially older teens who care about appearance, there are alternatives to traditional metal braces. Ceramic braces work the same way but use clear or tooth coloured brackets, making them much less noticeable. This is a popular private option. Another option for less complex cases is clear aligners like Invisalign Teen. These are removable, nearly invisible plastic trays that are changed every one to two weeks. They offer more flexibility and can make cleaning teeth easier. However, they require excellent compliance. Not every child is a suitable candidate for aligners, but we can assess this during a consultation at our North London clinic.

To help you decide for your child, whether you visit our Finchley practice or another in North London, here are some key questions: What is the total cost of the treatment, including all appointments and retainers? What types of braces do you offer, and which do you recommend for my child's case? What is the estimated treatment time? How often will we need to come for appointments? How are emergencies handled outside of office hours? How do you keep treatment comfortable for anxious children?