Frequently Asked Questions

It’s never too late. Around 25% of orthodontic patients now are adults; as people become more image conscious, those who never received orthodontic treatment as a child, or whose teeth have reverted to their original positions, are opting for adult braces to straighten their smile. There’s also new discreet orthodontic options available for adults worried about the impact of wearing visible braces.

Patients under the age of 17 who wish to have their treatment covered by the NHS will need a referral from a dentist. However, all other patients may contact the practice directly as no referral is required.

If you need to book an orthodontic appointment for yourself or your child, you can request an appointment via the Hampstead Orthodontic Practice website. You can also contact us by phone or email. How much do braces cost?

This depends on the type of braces used, and the severity of the case, so we will not be able to give you an exact figure until you have been for a consultation. For more information, visit our article about braces costs.

If you are under 17, you may be able to receive orthodontic treatment on the NHS. For adults, we have a variety of flexible finance options available offering 0% finance, and can be split into monthly, or quarterly, payments over 24 months.

At our practice we prefer non-invasive treatment methods. Sometimes, removing teeth is required to achieve the best orthodontic result, particularly in the case of overcrowded teeth. However, orthodontic technology is advancing, so particularly with newer forms of braces such as Damon,tooth extractions are not always necessary.

Treatment time varies from patient to patient and type of braces used. Treatment time for children is around 18 – 24 months. Adult treatment is on average approximately 16 – 18 months.

Most patients will see their orthodontist every 8-10 weeks. However appointments are scheduled according to the patient’s needs and the appliance used, so can be more or less frequent if it is required.

If you require an emergency appointment, for example if your braces are causing you discomfort, call our office when you can. Some issues we can address over the telephone, however, sometimes an appointment may be necessary in the allocated timeslots.

Yes, it is important to continue to visit the your dentist every 6 months, as normal, while wearing braces.

It is recommended that you brush your at least twice a day while wearing braces. And it may be advisable to gargle (with water) after meals, or snacks. You can find out more information about keeping your teeth clean on our oral hygiene page.

If you are wearing fixed braces, you should avoid hard food, such as raw vegetables, hard sweets, nuts and crusty breads and sticky food such as caramel, chewing gum and toffee, as these can loosen the brace over time and damage the wires. However if you wear aligners, such as Invisalign, there are no dietary restrictions as they can be removed for eating and drinking.

You can still play sports, however, we recommend using a mouthguard when playing contact sports.