How much do braces cost in the UK? (2026 price guide)
Braces in the UK typically start from £1,100 for fixed metal braces and rise to £6,995 for tooth-coloured ceramic braces, across the clinics we track. The two things that move the price are the type of brace you choose and how much your teeth need to move. Here’s what metal and ceramic braces actually cost, how they compare with Invisalign, and how to spread the cost.
The two main types – and what each costs
We track live prices for the two most common fixed braces:
- Fixed metal braces – the classic option: strong, reliable and the most affordable. Typically £2,800, ranging £1,100–£5,995.
- Fixed ceramic braces – the same treatment with tooth-coloured brackets so they’re far less visible, which puts them a step up in price: typically £3,349.50, ranging £1,500–£6,995.
Here’s the two side by side on live price:
| Metric | Fixed Metal Braces | Fixed Ceramic Braces |
|---|---|---|
| From | £1,100 | £1,500 |
| Typical | £2,800 | £3,349.50 |
| Range | £1,100–£5,995 | £1,500–£6,995 |
| Clinics pricing it | 43 | 26 |
| Links | Compare clinics | Compare clinics |
Live data from TreatmentCosts - updated automatically as clinics change their prices.
Two other options sit outside these: clear aligners like Invisalign (removable, near-invisible – see below), and lingual braces fitted behind the teeth, which are hidden but the most expensive because they’re highly specialised. Retainers (worn afterwards to hold the result) are sometimes included and sometimes charged separately – always check.
How much do metal braces cost?
Fixed metal braces are the price most people mean by “braces”. Here’s the live picture:
And ceramic (tooth-coloured) braces?
Ceramic braces work exactly the same way but use clear or tooth-coloured brackets, so they’re discreet – you pay a bit more for that:
What changes the price
- Metal vs ceramic (vs hidden lingual) – the biggest visible-cost driver.
- How complex your case is and how long treatment takes.
- One arch or both (top and bottom teeth).
- Specialist orthodontist vs general dentist.
- Location – higher in London and big cities.
Does where you live change the price?
Yes – the same treatment can vary by well over a thousand pounds between clinics. For metal braces, the cheapest city we currently track is Glasgow (from £1,100). Compare prices from providers near you:
| City | From | Typical | Clinics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coventry | £1,500 | £3,000 | 5 | Compare → |
| Birmingham | £2,800 | £3,725 | 4 | Compare → |
| Glasgow | £1,100 | £1,680 | 3 | Compare → |
| Leicester | £2,250 | £2,400 | 3 | Compare → |
| Liverpool | £2,000 | £3,300 | 3 | Compare → |
| London | £2,200 | £3,000 | 3 | Compare → |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | £2,475 | £3,300 | 3 | Compare → |
| Cardiff | £2,500 | £2,650 | 2 | Compare → |
| Derby | £3,500 | £3,750 | 2 | Compare → |
| Southampton | £1,800 | £2,200 | 2 | Compare → |
| Bournemouth | £1,897 | £1,897 | 1 | Compare → |
| Bristol | £2,337.50 | £2,337.50 | 1 | Compare → |
| Cambridge | £2,000 | £2,000 | 1 | Compare → |
| Edinburgh | £4,000 | £4,000 | 1 | Compare → |
| Leeds | £1,250 | £1,250 | 1 | Compare → |
| Luton | £1,999 | £1,999 | 1 | Compare → |
| Manchester | £4,406 | £4,406 | 1 | Compare → |
| Milton Keynes | £2,000 | £2,000 | 1 | Compare → |
| Nottingham | £3,800 | £3,800 | 1 | Compare → |
| Oxford | £2,750 | £2,750 | 1 | Compare → |
| Reading | £3,495 | £3,495 | 1 | Compare → |
| Stoke-on-Trent | £2,000 | £2,000 | 1 | Compare → |
| Swansea | £3,000 | £3,000 | 1 | Compare → |
Live data from TreatmentCosts - updated automatically as clinics change their prices.
Braces vs Invisalign
The most common decision is fixed braces vs Invisalign clear aligners. Braces can be better – and sometimes cheaper – for complex cases, but they’re more visible. Invisalign is removable and discreet, but not suitable for every case. Here’s how metal braces and Invisalign compare on live price:
| Metric | Fixed Metal Braces | Invisalign |
|---|---|---|
| From | £1,100 | £950 |
| Typical | £2,800 | £3,000 |
| Range | £1,100–£5,995 | £950–£5,950 |
| Clinics pricing it | 43 | 268 |
| Links | Compare clinics | Compare clinics |
Live data from TreatmentCosts - updated automatically as clinics change their prices.
Deciding between them? Read the full Invisalign vs braces cost comparison.
NHS vs private braces
NHS orthodontic treatment is free for under-18s whose teeth meet a clinical need (assessed on a scoring system), and uses traditional metal braces. It’s rarely available to adults, so most adult orthodontics is private. Going private also means a choice of brace type, no waiting list, and treatment for purely cosmetic reasons.
How long does treatment take?
Most braces treatment takes around 12 to 24 months, depending on how much your teeth need to move – simple cases are quicker, complex ones longer. Because it runs over a year or two, the cost is almost always spread over that time rather than paid upfront (see finance below).
Spreading the cost
Most clinics offer monthly payment plans, often interest-free over the length of treatment – so the headline figure becomes a manageable monthly amount. Always check whether it’s genuinely 0% APR and confirm the total repayable.
How to avoid overpaying
- Decide metal or ceramic – metal does the same job for less; you’re paying for discretion with ceramic or lingual.
- Check whether retainers are included in the price.
- Ask about interest-free finance and the total repayable.
- Compare a few providers – for metal braces alone, the gap between the cheapest and dearest we track is £4,895.
- See a specialist orthodontist for complex cases – the right plan first time avoids costly redos.
Frequently asked questions
How much do braces cost in the UK?
Fixed metal braces are usually £1,100–£5,995 (typically £2,800); tooth-coloured ceramic braces run £1,500–£6,995. Lingual (hidden) braces cost the most.
Are ceramic braces more expensive than metal?
Yes – ceramic braces cost more than metal because the tooth-coloured brackets are more discreet. Compare the two live above.
Do braces cost less than Invisalign?
Often, yes – fixed metal braces are usually the cheapest option, though Invisalign and ceramic braces overlap. Compare live prices above.
Can adults get braces on the NHS?
Rarely – NHS orthodontics is mainly for under-18s with a clinical need. Adult braces are almost always private.
Are retainers included in the price?
Sometimes – it varies by clinic. Always ask whether retainers (and follow-up visits) are part of the quote.
Ready to compare? See metal braces prices and ceramic braces prices by clinic, or browse all UK clinics for transparent pricing near you.
