What will it cost?

The NHS makes some provision for orthodontic treatment but only the more severe cases are covered under current regulations - minor problems are excluded. Treatment for children is free of charge; treatment for adults is not commonly funded by the NHS, although in cases where it can be offered in a practice the standard NHS charge for complex dental treatment applies - this is currently just under £200.

Fees for private orthodontic treatment vary widely. Average fees for a complete course of treatment are probably around £2000 to £2500 but in many instances can be much higher. The fee is much affected by the complexity of the case, the locality, the facilities of the practice and the experience of the practitioner. Certain techniques such as lingual orthodontics are also much more expensive.

Prospective patients should seek further information from local practitioners. A firm quotaton will normally only be possible after the orthodontist has had a chance to assess the nature of the problem at a consultation.