Braces & Teeth Straightening

Yes, retainers are an important part of orthodontic care. They help keep your teeth in their new position and ensure your results remain stable long after treatment is complete.

Yes — maintaining excellent oral hygiene is essential during treatment. This includes careful brushing, cleaning between teeth, and avoiding foods that could damage your braces, such as very hard or sticky items.

Treatment time varies depending on the complexity of the case, but most patients complete treatment within one to two years. Your orthodontist will provide a clear timeframe during your consultation.

Yes — healthy teeth can be moved at almost any age. Many adults choose orthodontic treatment to improve both appearance and function, although treatment may take slightly longer than for younger patients.

Yes — we regularly help patients with broken brackets, poking wires or lost retainers from treatment started elsewhere. If it’s a true emergency (acute pain, bleeding), we’ll prioritise you. For less urgent issues, we’ll book you in as soon as possible. If you’d like us to take over ongoing treatment entirely, we can discuss that too.

You’ll feel pressure and mild tenderness for the first few days after fitting and after each adjustment — easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers. Some initial cheek or lip irritation is common (solved with orthodontic wax). Most patients adapt within 1–2 weeks and find braces very manageable for the duration of treatment.

Typically 12–24 months depending on complexity. Mild cosmetic cases can finish in 6–9 months; comprehensive bite correction may take 18–30 months. At your consultation, we’ll give you a clear timeline based on a 3D scan and assessment of your specific case.

Modern ceramic brackets don’t stain. The wires and elastic ties between brackets can pick up some staining from strongly coloured foods and drinks (coffee, turmeric, red wine), but these are changed at every adjustment appointment — so any staining disappears with each visit. Regular hygiene appointments help keep everything clean throughout.

Yes — for most orthodontic issues, clear braces deliver identical results to metal braces. The mechanics are the same; only the bracket material differs. For very severe or complex cases (especially those requiring heavy force on large back teeth), traditional metal may occasionally be preferred, but for the vast majority of adult patients, clear braces work brilliantly.

Often, yes. Fixed metal braces give the orthodontist precise control over each tooth, so they can handle significant crowding and bite correction that clear aligners cannot always achieve. Our Specialist Orthodontist, Dr Taiyub Raja, will advise which option suits your case.

You may feel mild tightness for a day or two after fittings and adjustments, which usually eases quickly. We provide orthodontic wax for any early irritation and are always on hand if anything feels uncomfortable.

It depends on your case, but most adults and teenagers complete treatment within 12–24 months. You'll get a personalised estimate at your assessment.

Both are clear, removable aligner systems built on similar technology. Invisalign has the largest track record; well-chosen alternatives like Angel Aligners can be a more cost-effective option for straightforward cases. If you specifically want Invisalign, see our dedicated Invisalign page.

For predictable results, aligners are usually worn 20–22 hours a day and only removed to eat, drink anything other than water, and clean your teeth.

Clear aligners work best for mild to moderate straightening. For more complex movements or bite correction, fixed braces may give a better result — we assess your case honestly and recommend the right option.

Adults who need comprehensive orthodontic treatment but cannot have any visible braces — performers, actors, broadcasters, public-facing professionals, brides and grooms, and anyone who prioritises complete discretion above all else. They’re also ideal for patients whose case is too complex for Invisalign but who don’t want traditional visible braces.

The initial adjustment period is a little different — you may experience more tongue irritation than cheek/lip irritation (where traditional brackets sit). This usually settles within 2 weeks. We provide orthodontic wax and detailed guidance to manage comfort during adaptation. Once accustomed, most patients find them comfortable for the duration of treatment.

Yes, initially — for about 1–2 weeks. You may notice a slight lisp or feel your tongue catching on the brackets. This resolves as your tongue adapts to the new structure. Most patients find their speech is entirely normal within 2 weeks. Reading aloud at home in the first few days accelerates adaptation.

No — when fitted by someone skilled, they’re completely invisible from any normal viewing angle. Unless someone looks directly at the inside of your teeth (which is rare), they won’t know the braces are there. Even in close-up photos, your smile appears completely natural.

Yes — always. Teeth naturally want to drift after any orthodontic treatment, so retainers are essential to maintain your new smile long-term. We fit fixed retainers behind your front teeth (invisible from the front) and provide removable retainers for nighttime use. Consistent retainer wear is what protects your investment.

Some tenderness and pressure is normal for the first few days after bracket placement and after each adjustment appointment — usually manageable with over-the-counter painkillers. Cheek or lip irritation can occur initially and is helped by the orthodontic wax we provide. Most patients adapt quickly and find it comfortable within a week or two of starting.

Adults with mild to moderate front-teeth crowding, spacing or alignment issues who primarily want a cosmetic improvement. It’s not suitable for severe malocclusion, significant bite problems, or patients needing comprehensive orthodontic correction. At your consultation, we’ll assess whether 6 Months Smiles is the best option or whether another system (Invisalign, full braces) would be better.

6 Months Smiles uses the same principle as traditional braces (brackets and wires) but focuses treatment on just the visible front teeth, not the full bite. It also uses clear brackets and tooth-coloured wires for a much less noticeable appearance. Because it targets cosmetic alignment specifically, treatment is typically finished in 6 months rather than 1–2 years.

Around age 7 is a sensible time for a first orthodontic check, once enough permanent teeth have come through to spot developing issues. Treatment timing then depends on growth — you can start with an early orthodontic assessment on our children's dentistry page.

NHS orthodontic waiting times for braces are typically around 24–36 months. Private treatment lets suitable children start sooner, with the same specialist-led care throughout.

A Twin Block is a functional appliance used for growing children with significant bite issues, such as a pronounced overbite. Worn at the right stage of development, it helps guide jaw growth and can simplify later treatment.

Teeth can drift for life, so we recommend ongoing retention — typically a fixed retainer bonded behind the teeth and/or a removable retainer worn at night, long-term, to protect your result.

Yes. We can replace lost, worn or damaged retainers including Vivera and Hawley retainers, even if you were treated at another practice. We take a digital scan on the day for a precise fit.

A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded discreetly behind your teeth and works around the clock; a removable clear retainer is worn as advised, usually at night. Many patients use both for maximum protection.

Yes. We're able to see patients for broken or damaged bonded retainers, even if they were not originally fitted at our practice.

A poking wire or loose bracket is uncomfortable but usually quick to fix. Contact us and we'll arrange to relieve the problem and keep your treatment on track; orthodontic wax can help in the meantime.

Same-day or urgent appointments may be available depending on the situation. Get in touch and we'll do our best to see you promptly and prevent any unwanted tooth movement.