Private Children's Braces for Families in Barnet

The British Orthodontic Society says the first check is around seven years old. Most children start treatment between nine and fourteen. If you notice crowded or crooked teeth, large gaps, or bite problems such as an overbite or underbite, book a consultation at our Finchley clinic. Thumb-sucking habits influence tooth alignment. Early assessment lets us monitor development and plan the optimal time to start treatment for strong results. Many families from Barnet come for an initial assessment to build a long-term plan.

First, there is a 45 minute initial consultation with digital X-rays and scans to build a 3D model of your child's teeth. Next, we discuss the best brace type for their needs and create a personalised treatment plan. The fitting appointment lasts about 60 to 90 minutes. After that, we schedule adjustment visits every 6 to 8 weeks, each a quick 20 to 30 minutes. Most treatments run 18 to 24 months. After braces come off, we fit a custom retainer to keep the smile long term. For example, a 13-year-old from High Barnet with moderate crowding finished a 20-month treatment here and was thrilled with the result.

It is normal for your child to feel mild discomfort for the first 3 to 5 days after braces are fitted or adjusted. This is easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen. We provide orthodontic wax to prevent brackets from rubbing against the cheeks. Stick to soft foods such as soup, pasta, and yoghurt during this period. Discomfort typically subsides within a week as the mouth adjusts.

Excellent oral hygiene is vital. Your child should brush after every meal using a soft-bristled brush and clean between the wires with interdental brushes to prevent plaque buildup and staining. They must avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods such as hard sweets, popcorn, and chewing gum, as these damage brackets and wires. After treatment, wear the retainer as instructed. This is usually full-time for a few months, then nightly indefinitely to stop teeth from shifting back. If you notice a broken bracket or wire, call our practice during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7) for advice.

While traditional fixed metal braces work well for complex cases, we also offer alternatives. Clear ceramic braces use tooth colored brackets to be less noticeable. This is a popular option for self-conscious teenagers. For some older teens with less severe alignment issues, Invisalign Teen may be an option. These are clear, removable aligners. They require excellent compliance, wearing them about 22 hours a day, and are not suitable for all orthodontic problems. We discuss all suitable options during the consultation.

To help you decide for your child, ask any provider about the braces they recommend and why it fits your child's case. Request a full cost breakdown, including what it covers such as consultations, emergency appointments, and retainers. Ask about total treatment time and what happens if a bracket breaks outside office hours. Also ask about the provider's experience with cases similar to your child's to feel confident in care.

As a private practice we do not offer NHS orthodontic treatment. The price for private children’s braces depends on case complexity and brace type. At the consultation we provide a transparent, all-inclusive quote with no hidden fees. This fee covers the initial records, the fitting, all adjustments, and the first set of retainers. We accept several private insurance plans including Denplan, Cigna, and Max Bupa, which can cover part of the cost. We can discuss payment plans to spread the cost over the treatment. A recent patient from East Barnet used Denplan to make the treatment more manageable.