Teeth Straightening
Braces
Still the right answer for complicated movement, and it doesn't rely on willpower.
- Duration
- 12 months to 2 years
- Visits
- Every 6–8 weeks
- Recovery
- 3–4 days of aching per adjustment
What it is
The traditional route, for complex moves.
Fixed braces move teeth with a bracket on each tooth and a wire between them. They handle rotations, bite corrections and larger movements that aligners struggle with — and because they're not removable, the treatment happens whether or not you remember it. Adjustments happen every six to eight weeks.
What to expect
Adjustments, month after month.
- 1
A full orthodontic assessment: scans, X-rays and a written plan with a realistic end date.
- 2
Fitting day — about an hour, no anaesthetic, teeth polished then brackets bonded on.
- 3
Aching for the first few days after fitting and each adjustment. Soft food helps.
- 4
Adjustment visits every 6–8 weeks, usually twenty minutes.
- 5
Removal, a clean, and retainers — a fixed wire behind the front teeth plus a night retainer.
Questions
Asked about this one, most often.
Am I too old for braces?+
No. Teeth move at any age; adult treatment is slower but no less predictable. A good few of our brace patients are in their forties.
What can't I eat?+
Anything that snaps a bracket off: hard bread crusts, boiled sweets, ice, apples not cut into pieces. You get a printed list, and everyone breaks it once.
Can I have tooth-coloured brackets?+
Yes — ceramic brackets are far less visible. They cost a little more and are slightly more fragile.
Also in Teeth Straightening
Ready when you are — or happy to answer one more question first.
Appointments run 45 minutes minimum, and nothing gets booked beyond the one you're agreeing to.
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