Ways to straighten teeth

There are several ways to straighten teeth, and each one does a different job. Fixed braces, in metal, tooth-coloured ceramic or fitted behind the teeth, can handle the widest range of problems. Clear aligners suit many mild to moderate cases. Smaller removable appliances, such as an Inman aligner, are for limited movement of the front teeth. Bonding and veneers can make teeth look straighter without moving them at all. A dentist or orthodontist who has examined you should say which options can do the job you want, and which would leave it half done.

The options side by side

The descriptions and lengths come from the British Orthodontic Society, the NHS, the Oral Health Foundation and, for the Inman aligner, its manufacturer. They describe typical cases, not yours.

Fixed braces

Fixed braces are the most commonly used appliance, and they can produce very precise tooth movement. Treatment usually lasts 18 to 24 months and is followed by retainers. The NHS says adjustments are usually every 6 to 8 weeks, and the teeth may be sore for a few days after fitting.

Metal braces are the usual NHS brace and the most common for children. Ceramic brackets blend in with the teeth, which is why adults often choose them. Their drawbacks are that they can discolour, break more easily, may make treatment take longer, can wear the opposing teeth, and are harder to remove, so treatment tends to cost more. Lingual braces sit behind the teeth and are virtually invisible. They can cause tongue soreness and affect speech at first, are harder to keep clean, and cost considerably more because of laboratory fees and longer appointments. Self-ligating brackets hold the wire with a clip instead of elastic ties. The British Orthodontic Society says there is no evidence they give a better result, though wire changes are quicker.

Clear aligners

Aligners are a series of clear plastic trays, each moving the teeth a small step. They are commonly used for mild to moderate problems, without taking teeth out, after a full assessment. The British Orthodontic Society says they can disappoint in more severe cases, especially where teeth are taken out, and that prominent upper front teeth are a poor match for aligners alone. Fixed braces may be needed when crowding is severe, movements are complex or the jaws differ in size or position. The British Orthodontic Society asks for more than 22 hours' wear a day.

Aligners can be provided by a dentist or orthodontist in person, or by a remote service. The General Dental Council's statement of 13 May 2021 says there is no effective substitute for a physical examination when deciding whether treatment is suitable. How the two arrangements differ is in Invisalign and at-home aligners in the UK, and what trays can and cannot treat is in what clear aligners can and cannot treat.

Treatments for smaller changes

Removable braces of wire and plastic are used for simple, limited tooth movement. A short plan, including one aimed at the front six teeth, usually makes a limited change: the British Orthodontic Society warns there may not be time to move the whole tooth, including the root, and the teeth may move back.

An Inman aligner is one of these appliances: a single removable brace with springs that push and pull the front teeth. The manufacturer says it is for mild to moderate crowding or protrusion of those teeth, and that most cases take 6 to 16 weeks. That figure is the manufacturer's, for the cases it considers suitable. More detail is in what an Inman aligner is, and how the lengths compare is in how long clear aligner treatment takes.

Making teeth look straighter without moving them

Bonding and veneers are cosmetic dentistry, not orthodontics. The Oral Health Foundation says veneers can help with small gaps and slightly crooked-looking teeth, but they cover the front of the tooth rather than move it. Fitting usually means removing a small amount of enamel, and veneers can chip, crack or come loose. Bonding adds tooth-coloured material to the surface. Neither moves the teeth or corrects how the jaws meet, although adding material to a tooth can change how it touches the teeth opposite, which the dentist checks. The Inman aligner's manufacturer says its appliance can be used before bonding or thin veneers, so the teeth are moved first and reshaped afterwards.

What it costs

On the NHS, braces are usually free for under-18s who qualify on clinical need. Adults who qualify pay the band 3 charge in England, £332.10, but most adults pay privately. The NHS says private cost depends on how complicated the problem is and the type of brace.

Published fees show how far prices vary. These are examples from individual providers, not averages:

Fees from different providers are not like for like. A low price may cover a short plan, one arch, or fewer check-ups, and may leave out retainers, refinements or X-rays.

What to compare in a quote is in what clear aligners cost in the UK.

Matching options to priorities

These are illustrations, not recommendations. The examining clinician decides what is suitable.

• "I want the bite corrected, not just the front teeth." Fixed braces, or aligners from a clinician who says they can do it, with a plan that states the bite goal.
• "I do not want braces to show at work." Ceramic or lingual braces, or aligners. Ask what each would achieve for your teeth, and at what cost.
• "I do not trust myself to wear something removable." Fixed braces do not rely on you putting them back in, though they still need careful cleaning; aligners and removable braces only work while they are worn.
• "Only one front tooth bothers me." A limited plan or, if the tooth does not need to move, bonding or a veneer. Ask whether the result would be stable.
• "I am on a tight budget." Check NHS eligibility for children; for adults, compare total fees, including retainers, across in-person and remote routes.

What every option still needs

Whichever option is used, a proper assessment comes first, and retainers are how the result is kept. Teeth can move back, especially after a very quick plan or if retainers are left out. The practical side is in care after clear aligners.

The British Orthodontic Society advises being wary if you are offered only one option or one type of brace.

Ask which options would work for your teeth, whether the bite will be corrected or only the front teeth, how long it will take, what the fee includes, and how much orthodontic training the clinician has.