Treatment time: Typically 6-18 months
Cost*:
Single Arch – from £2895
Dual Arch – from £4395
Overview Treatment Steps Before & Afters FAQs
*Cost of treatment depends on the complexity of the case and the length of treatment. Our dentists will give you a definitive quotation after an assessment.
Fixed braces are a safe, effective way of aligning your teeth and improving your smile and it all starts with an orthodontic assessment, where we plan your treatment around your teeth and your goals.
Book your initial appointment with us.
Explain what you would like to improve, we will guide and plan your care.
Begin your journey to straight teeth with fixed braces.
Reveal your ideal forever smile and start sharing it with your friends and family!
Fixed braces sometimes called a fixed orthodontic appliance are one of the most reliable forms of orthodontic treatment, correcting a wide range of problems that removable options can’t. They work well for crooked or misaligned teeth, crowded teeth and dental crowding, gaps and spacing between teeth, protruding or rotated teeth, and bite problems such as an overbite, deep bite, underbite, crossbite or open bite. Better tooth alignment often improves your oral health too, as straighter teeth are easier to keep clean.
We use modern brackets that are smaller and more efficient than older designs, so treatment is more comfortable and often faster. You can choose conventional metal braces or, if you’d prefer something more discreet, ceramic braces with tooth-coloured brackets that blend in against your teeth.
Fixed braces use small metal or ceramic brackets, bonded to the surface of each tooth with a safe orthodontic adhesive. A thin archwire runs through the brackets and is held in place by tiny elastics (called ligatures). This archwire applies gentle, steady pressure that guides your teeth into their new positions over time.
After your braces are fitted, you’ll come in for regular adjustment appointments so we can monitor your progress and adjust the wire. Your teeth move gradually typically anywhere from three to twelve months, though this varies with each case and Fastbraces® can shorten this for suitable patients.
Our favourite moment is when the braces are removed and you see your new smile for the first time. To protect that result, we then provide a retainer: teeth naturally try to drift back afterwards, so wearing your retainer as advised is what keeps them straight for the long term.
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Not really. Fitting the braces is completely comfortable, though some braces discomfort mild tooth soreness, and occasionally a little cheek or lip irritation is normal in the first few days as your teeth start to move.
This is due to the teeth responding to the movement and the discomfort fades after a few days. Similar discomfort can be sometimes experienced after adjustments. If needed, you can take painkillers such as paracetamol, just as you would for a headache. If your braces rub, we will provide wax to prevent any soreness. We will show how to apply the wax to your brace to keep your mouth problem-free.
Fixed braces always have to be attached to your teeth during the treatment in order to work properly. The brackets are fixed using a special adhesive which is easily removed when the treatment concludes. If any wires come loose during your treatment, contact us right away and we can fix your brace before the damage stalls the treatment progress.
If you are self-conscious about how metal braces look, our more discreet options may suit you best. We offer fixed braces that use clear brackets and tooth-coloured wires.
If you do not like the idea of metal or ceramic braces, why not consider clear aligner orthodontics like Invisalign. Our dentists will guide you on this as an alternative.
There are particular foods and drinks that you should avoid when wearing fixed braces. These are:
It’s good to avoid any sugary foods and drinks when wearing braces as it’s more likely that sugary deposits will form around the brace and so create more areas for plaque to develop. Cleaning your brace after every meal will prevent most of the bacteria from taking root, but cutting the excess sugar from your diet will also help keep your mouth healthy during the treatment.
Good oral hygiene matters more than ever in braces, because plaque and food debris collect easily around the brackets and can lead to gum inflammation (gingivitis) or tooth decay if left. We’ll show you how to keep everything clean, including interdental cleaning with a small interdental brush to reach the spaces a normal brush misses.
It’s best to brush after every meal to keep your mouth as clean as possible, removing any food debris before bacteria has the chance to develop.
The length of your treatment completely depends on how severe your case is. For more significant movement, it will take longer as your teeth will have a greater distance to cover. Fixed brace treatment is best for more severe cases and can take between 6-24 months and use of Fastbraces® technology can reduce this further.
You’ll still need to continue your routine dental care while undergoing orthodontic treatment. It’s important that your dental health is in top shape. Seeing a hygienist is also important to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
We can make you a custom orthodontic mouthguard a sports mouthguard shaped to fit over your braces. It protects both your teeth and your brackets, and is made to allow for the braces so it fits properly and comfortably.
Fixed braces may make it harder to play a wind or brass instrument. If you are concerned, speak to your music teacher before choosing to have braces. For some instruments, it’s possible to get used to the braces, but some may make it uncomfortable to play. Alternatively, you could consider aligner orthodontics like Invisalign.
A loose bracket, bracket breakage or a loose or broken wire isn’t usually a serious orthodontic emergency, but you should contact us as soon as you can. Leaving it can slow your progress, and we’ll get you booked in to put it right. If a wire is irritating you in the meantime, cover the end with the wax we provide.
Yes, retention is part of every treatment. Once the braces are removed, teeth naturally try to shift back toward their old positions (orthodontic relapse), so a retainer holds them in place. Depending on your case we may recommend a removable retainer, a clear retainer, or a fixed (bonded) retainer that sits discreetly behind the teeth. We’ll explain how long to wear it long-term retention is what protects your result for good.
