Private Adult Orthodontics in Finchley Central

If you have concerns such as crooked teeth, noticeable gaps, or crowding that makes cleaning difficult, you are a good candidate for adult orthodontics. Many adults also seek treatment to correct bite issues like an overbite or underbite, which can cause jaw pain or uneven tooth wear over time. You might have had braces as a teen and your teeth have shifted since. For many patients from Finchley Central, the motivation is simply the confidence that comes with a straight smile. Whether your reasons are cosmetic, functional, or both, a consultation helps determine the right approach for you.

Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to move teeth. They are virtually invisible, so most people won’t notice you are in treatment. Wear them about 22 hours a day, removing only to eat, drink, and clean your teeth. Invisalign Full treatment typically takes 12 to 18 months. For example, a 35-year-old professional from Finchley Central completed a 14-month Invisalign Full treatment to correct moderate lower arch crowding and found the aligners did not affect client meetings.

For more complex alignment or bite issues, fixed braces may be the better clinical choice. We use tooth-coloured ceramic brackets that blend with your teeth, making them far less noticeable than traditional metal braces. They work by attaching to your teeth for the duration of treatment, applying constant gentle pressure. You need to be careful with cleaning and diet, but they can achieve results not always possible with aligners alone. A patient with a significant overbite chose this option and achieved a strong result in 18 months.

The process begins with a 60-minute consultation at our Finchley practice. We take digital scans and photos to build a 3D model of your teeth. For Invisalign we can show a simulation of your final result. When you decide to proceed, your custom aligners or braces are prepared. You will have appointments every 6 to 8 weeks to monitor progress and adjust or issue the next sets of aligners. The active phase lasts 12 to 18 months. After that, the retention phase starts and it remains important. You will wear a retainer, usually at night, for life to keep teeth from shifting.

In the first days after braces are fitted or you switch to a new aligner, you often feel tenderness as teeth begin to move. This is eased with over‑the‑counter pain relief such as paracetamol. We suggest soft foods like soup or pasta for the first 48 hours. With fixed braces you should avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods to prevent breakages. Long-term care is simple: keep up good oral hygiene and wear your retainers as instructed to protect your new smile. Red flags requiring immediate contact: call our practice during office hours if you experience sharp, unmanageable pain, a broken bracket causing irritation, or significant discomfort that does not subside after a few days.

If concerns are purely cosmetic and minor, options like composite bonding or porcelain veneers might suit. Composite bonding reshapes teeth with a tooth coloured resin in a single visit. Porcelain veneers are thin shells placed over the front of teeth for a smile makeover. These options do not fix the underlying position of your teeth and may need replacement every 5 to 15 years. Orthodontics moves teeth into their correct position for a lasting solution.

We offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Our Invisalign costs are: Invisalign Lite £3,300 for simpler cases and Invisalign Full £4,400 for more comprehensive treatment. Costs for fixed ceramic braces are similar and a detailed quote is provided after your consultation. These fees include all appointments, digital scans, and the first set of retainers. We are a private practice and do not offer NHS orthodontics for adults. However we accept private dental insurance plans from Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please check the specifics of your policy coverage.

To choose what suits you, ask questions whether you visit us or another practice in the Finchley area. Consider these: Based on my teeth, which option between Invisalign and fixed braces will give the best result? How long do you estimate my treatment will take? What does the total fee include and are retainers and follow-up visits covered? Can I see before and after photos of previous adult orthodontic patients? What are the specific food restrictions or cleaning routines I should follow? What happens if a bracket breaks or I lose an aligner?