London has a broad private orthodontic market, ranging from specialist practices treating children and adults to general dental clinics offering selected braces and clear-aligner systems.
The distinction matters. Every dentist is registered with the General Dental Council, but only clinicians entered on the GDC specialist list may describe themselves as specialist orthodontists. A practice can also include orthodontic therapists and general dentists working within a wider team, so patients should verify the individual responsible for diagnosis and treatment planning.
The seven practices below cover fixed braces, clear aligners, lingual appliances, children’s orthodontics, complex adult cases, NHS assessment and retention.
What distinguishes a suitable orthodontic practice?
A suitable practice should explain the diagnosis, treatment alternatives, risks, expected duration, retention plan and full cost before treatment begins.
Ask:
- Who will diagnose and plan the treatment
- Whether that clinician is on the GDC specialist list
- Which appliances are suitable
- Whether extractions may be required
- What records and X-rays are needed
- What the fee includes
- Whether refinements are included
- How emergencies are handled
- Who provides routine adjustments
- What retainers are supplied
- How long retention is monitored
- Whether finance is regulated
- What happens if treatment is paused or transferred
A digital simulation is a planning tool rather than a guarantee of the final result.
At a glance
| Practice | Clinical model | Main treatments | Published price signal | Particularly useful for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Brace | Specialist-led central London orthodontic practice | Metal and ceramic braces, Invisalign, children’s treatment and remote monitoring | Treatment from about £131 monthly; full quote after assessment | Adults and children wanting a specialist-led City practice |
| West London Orthodontist | Specialist orthodontist-led Hammersmith clinic | Fixed braces, Invisalign, children’s orthodontics and retainers | Invisalign from £4,500; adult fixed braces from £6,500 | Patients seeking specialist continuity in west London |
| ODL Dental Clinic | Multidisciplinary City dental clinic with orthodontic services | Metal, ceramic, lingual and clear-aligner options | Braces commonly advertised from £850–£3,550 depending on system and case | Central London patients wanting broad dental and orthodontic care together |
| Orchard Orthodontics Brixton | Specialist orthodontic practice | Private and NHS children’s care, fixed braces, aligners and retention | Personalised quote; treatment package includes retainers and aftercare | Families and adults in south London |
| London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic | Specialist Harley Street practice | Fully hidden lingual braces and complex adult orthodontics | Quote required | Patients specifically seeking lingual appliances |
| Knightsbridge Orthodontics | Specialist group practice | Children’s and adult braces, Invisalign, lingual appliances and NHS/private pathways | Adult metal braces from £3,650; Invisalign from £2,650 | Families wanting a broad specialist service in west-central London |
| London Orthodontic Clinic | Central private orthodontic clinic | Invisalign, fixed metal, ceramic and lingual braces | Invisalign from £1,800; two-arch lingual braces £3,500 | Patients prioritising clear published starting prices |
Published prices are starting points and may not include every record, extraction, hygiene visit, refinement, retainer replacement or restorative procedure.
How much does orthodontic treatment cost in London?
Private orthodontic treatment commonly costs about £2,000–£6,500. Lingual braces and complex multidisciplinary cases can cost substantially more.
Typical private ranges include:
- Limited clear-aligner treatment: about £1,800–£3,000
- Comprehensive clear aligners: about £3,500–£6,000
- Metal fixed braces: about £2,500–£5,000
- Ceramic braces: about £3,000–£6,000
- Lingual braces: about £4,800–£10,000+
- Retainers: about £100–£500 depending on type and number
- Consultation and records: free at some clinics; £95–£600 at others
Compare the complete treatment fee rather than the monthly payment alone.
The Brace
Editorially SelectedAddress: 15 Artillery Passage, London E1 7LJ
Phone: 020 7247 5768
Format: Specialist-led orthodontic practice
Treatments: Fixed braces, clear aligners, children’s orthodontics and remote monitoring
Published finance signal: Treatment advertised from about £131 per month, with interest-free options subject to terms
Website
The Brace is a central London orthodontic practice led by specialist orthodontists. Its current clinical team includes Dr Murtuza Hasnaini and other orthodontic professionals working across adult and children’s treatment.
The practice offers metal and ceramic fixed braces, Invisalign and other clear-aligner options, children’s orthodontics, retainers and remote monitoring. The range makes it suitable for patients who want several appliance options considered within one specialist-led service.
Remote monitoring allows selected patients to submit smartphone images between appointments. This can reduce unnecessary visits, but it does not replace in-person reviews where attachments, wires, gum health or tooth movement need physical assessment.
The practice publishes monthly-payment examples rather than one universal treatment price. The complete quote should state the appliance, diagnostic records, refinements, emergency visits, retainers and aftercare.
Patients should also clarify whether all routine visits are with a specialist orthodontist or whether some appointments are delegated appropriately to an orthodontic therapist under prescription.
Pros
- Specialist-led orthodontic team
- Adult and children’s treatment
- Fixed braces, clear aligners and remote monitoring
- Flexible payment options are advertised
Best for: Adults and children wanting a specialist-led practice close to Liverpool Street.
What to confirm: Ask who will plan the case, what is included in the fee and how often in-person reviews will be required.
West London Orthodontist
Editorially SelectedAddress: 89 Hammersmith Grove, London W6 0NQ
Phone: 020 8129 6868
Lead clinician: Dr Chaw-Su Kyi, GDC-registered specialist orthodontist
Treatments: Invisalign, adult and children’s fixed braces, retainers and associated restorative care
Published prices: Invisalign from £4,500; children’s fixed braces from £5,000; adult fixed braces from £6,500
Website
West London Orthodontist is led by Dr Chaw-Su Kyi, who is listed by the General Dental Council as a specialist in orthodontics.
The clinic treats adults and children with clear aligners and fixed appliances and also provides selected restorative and cosmetic dental services. This can be useful where orthodontic alignment is being coordinated with bonding, periodontal treatment or other finishing work.
Its fee guide is unusually clear at the higher end of the market. Invisalign begins at £4,500, children’s fixed braces at £5,000 and adult fixed braces at £6,500. These starting prices are above many London alternatives, so patients should compare what is included rather than looking only at the appliance name.
The clinic uses digital scanning and staged treatment planning. Digital scans improve records and appliance production but do not eliminate biological uncertainty, compliance requirements or the risk of relapse.
Patients should ask whether retainers, refinements, whitening or restorative finishing are included, as these items can materially change the total.
Pros
- Led by a GDC-listed specialist orthodontist
- Publishes clear starting prices
- Adult and children’s orthodontics
- Orthodontic and restorative services can be coordinated
Best for: Patients seeking specialist continuity in Hammersmith and comfortable with premium private fees.
What to confirm: Request the total cost including records, refinements, retainers and any restorative finishing.
ODL Dental Clinic
Editorially SelectedAddress: Unit 1, Salisbury House, 31 Finsbury Circus, London EC2M 5QQ
Phone: 020 7739 3345
Opening: Monday to Thursday, 8am–8pm; Friday, 8am–6pm; Saturday, 9am–3pm
Format: Multidisciplinary dental clinic providing orthodontic and general dental care
Published price signal: Teeth-straightening options commonly advertised from about £850 to £3,550 depending on appliance and complexity
Website
ODL Dental Clinic provides orthodontics within a wider City dental practice. Its menu includes metal, ceramic and lingual braces, clear aligners and shorter cosmetic-alignment options.
The clinic publishes appliance-level starting prices more openly than many competitors. Current pages list examples such as metal braces from £999 for one arch and £1,349 for both, while broader orthodontic treatment is advertised from about £850 to £3,550.
Low starting prices may refer to limited treatment rather than comprehensive bite correction. Patients should ask whether the proposed plan addresses only the front teeth or the full occlusion, and whether the quoted fee covers both arches.
ODL’s team includes dentists working with orthodontics, orthodontic therapists and clinicians with extensive orthodontic training. Patients who specifically want a GDC-listed specialist orthodontist should verify the status of the individual planning their case.
A dental examination and hygiene visit may be required before treatment and can carry separate fees.
Pros
- Central City location with long weekday hours
- Broad range of fixed and removable appliances
- Publishes several useful starting prices
- General dental care can be coordinated in the same clinic
Best for: City patients wanting orthodontics and general dental care through one clinic.
What to confirm: Ask who will diagnose and plan the case, whether treatment is limited or comprehensive and which preparatory fees are separate.
Orchard Orthodontics Brixton
Editorially SelectedAddress: 8 Brixton Hill, London SW2 1EG
Phone: 020 8649 7500
Opening: Monday, Wednesday to Friday, 8am–6pm; Tuesday, 8am–7pm; Saturday, 8am–3pm
Lead clinician: Dr Kalim Sadiq, GDC-registered specialist orthodontist
Treatments: Private and NHS children’s orthodontics, fixed braces, clear aligners and retainers
Website
Orchard Orthodontics is a specialist practice with a Brixton clinic serving children and adults.
Dr Kalim Sadiq is listed by the practice as a specialist orthodontist, and the service includes fixed braces, clear aligners, children’s treatment and retention. The Brixton clinic also assesses eligible children referred for NHS orthodontics.
NHS treatment is based on clinical need and the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need. A referral does not guarantee NHS eligibility, and waiting times can apply. Families who do not qualify may choose private treatment.
Orchard’s private pricing is quotation-led. Its current fee information states that treatment packages include appointments, emergency care, bonded and removable retainers and twelve months of aftercare. This is useful because retainer and aftercare costs are often separated elsewhere.
The practice offers remote monitoring for selected cases. As with any remote system, patients still need in-person care when clinically required.
Pros
- Specialist orthodontic practice
- Children’s NHS assessment and private treatment
- Retainers and twelve months of aftercare are described as included in private packages
- Saturday appointments
Best for: South London families and adults wanting specialist orthodontics in Brixton.
What to confirm: Ask about NHS eligibility, waiting time, the full private fee and the retention schedule after the included year.
London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic
Editorially SelectedAddress: Harmont House, 20 Harley Street, London W1G 9PJ
Phone: 020 7486 2883
Lead clinician: Dr Asif Chatoo, GDC-registered specialist orthodontist
Main focus: Lingual braces positioned behind the teeth
Published price: Quote required
Website
London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic is a Harley Street specialist practice focused on braces fitted behind the teeth.
Dr Asif Chatoo is listed as a specialist orthodontist and has a long-standing clinical focus on lingual systems. This makes the clinic materially different from practices where lingual braces are one smaller part of a broad menu.
Lingual appliances can treat a wide range of cases while remaining hidden from the front. They are also more technically demanding, commonly more expensive and can initially affect speech or irritate the tongue.
The practice is most relevant to adults who strongly prioritise appliance visibility and are prepared for the additional cost and adaptation period. Patients should still compare lingual treatment with ceramic braces and clear aligners because the least visible option is not automatically the most suitable.
Pricing is provided after assessment. Ask whether the quote covers customised appliances, emergencies, replacement brackets, refinements and retainers.
Pros
- Specialist practice with a clear lingual-brace focus
- Led by a GDC-listed specialist orthodontist
- Suitable for complex adult cases seeking a hidden appliance
- Harley Street location
Best for: Adults who specifically want fully hidden fixed braces.
What to confirm: Ask about total cost, expected speech adaptation, emergency repairs and the retainer package.
Knightsbridge Orthodontics
Editorially SelectedAddress: 168 Brompton Road, London SW3 1HW
Phone: 020 7584 0733
Format: Part of The London Orthodontic Group
Treatments: Children’s and adult fixed braces, Invisalign, lingual appliances and early treatment
Published prices: Adult metal braces from £3,650; clear braces from £4,000; Invisalign from £2,650; lingual braces from £9,870
Website
Knightsbridge Orthodontics is part of The London Orthodontic Group, which is led by specialist orthodontists Dr Richard Hennebry and Dr Vivi Grigoriou-Hennebry.
The practice treats children and adults and offers fixed metal and ceramic braces, Invisalign, lingual appliances and early-intervention services. The group also operates a thumb-sucking clinic for selected children over seven.
Its fee guide is one of the most detailed in this selection. It separates consultations, imaging, records, retainers and appliance options, allowing patients to see where additional costs may arise.
Adult metal braces currently start at £3,650, Invisalign at £2,650 and lingual braces at £9,870. Children’s private treatment and diagnostic fees are also listed separately.
The group provides both NHS and private treatment at selected locations, but availability differs by practice. Patients should not assume that every service or funding pathway is available at Knightsbridge.
Pros
- Specialist orthodontist-led group
- Detailed public fee guide
- Broad adult and children’s treatment range
- Lingual, clear-aligner and fixed-brace options
Best for: Families and adults wanting a broad specialist service with detailed published pricing.
What to confirm: Ask which records, retainers and aftercare are included and whether NHS assessment is available at the chosen location.
London Orthodontic Clinic
Editorially SelectedCentral London clinic: Confirm the current appointment address through the official booking page
Format: Private orthodontic clinic
Treatments: Invisalign, fixed metal and ceramic braces, lingual braces and retainers
Published prices: Invisalign from £1,800 for minor movement; two-arch lingual braces £3,500; one arch £2,500
Website
London Orthodontic Clinic provides private orthodontic treatment with unusually visible starting prices.
Its current pages advertise Invisalign from £1,800 for minor movements and lingual braces at £3,500 for upper and lower arches or £2,500 for one arch. These figures are materially lower than several premium specialist practices.
A low starting price usually reflects limited complexity or a defined treatment package. Patients should ask whether the plan is comprehensive, whether bite correction is included and how many aligners, refinements or visits are covered.
The clinic also offers fixed braces and payment by instalment for selected treatments. Before proceeding, verify the GDC status and specialist-list status of the clinician who will diagnose and plan the case.
Published price transparency is useful, but clinical suitability should remain the deciding factor.
Pros
- Clear published starting prices
- Fixed, clear-aligner and lingual options
- Central London access
- Instalment options are advertised
Best for: Patients comparing transparent central-London prices across several appliance types.
What to confirm: Ask whether the quote covers comprehensive bite correction, refinements, retainers and every required review.
Specialist orthodontist, dentist and orthodontic therapist
Specialist orthodontist
A specialist orthodontist is a dentist whose name appears on the GDC specialist list for orthodontics.
Dentist with an orthodontic interest
A registered dentist may lawfully provide orthodontic treatment within their competence without being on the specialist list. They must not imply that they are a specialist if they are not listed.
Orthodontic therapist
An orthodontic therapist works to a dentist or orthodontist’s prescription and can carry out defined treatment tasks. Diagnosis and treatment planning remain with the prescribing clinician.
Patients should ask who holds responsibility for the overall plan.
Fixed braces, clear aligners and lingual braces
Metal fixed braces
Metal brackets and wires provide detailed control and are widely used for simple and complex treatment.
Ceramic braces
Ceramic brackets are less visible from the front but may cost more and still use a wire.
Clear aligners
Aligners are removable and discreet. They require consistent wear and may use tooth-coloured attachments. They are not automatically suitable for every case.
Lingual braces
Lingual brackets are fitted behind the teeth. They are highly discreet but more expensive and can initially affect speech and tongue comfort.
The most suitable appliance depends on the bite, tooth movement, age, lifestyle and ability to follow instructions.
Children’s orthodontics and NHS eligibility
NHS orthodontics is generally available to eligible patients under 18 where there is sufficient clinical need.
Assessment commonly uses the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need. Cosmetic concern alone may not meet the threshold.
A child usually needs:
- Dentist referral
- Good oral hygiene
- Appropriate dental development
- Attendance at reviews
- Cooperation with treatment
Private treatment is available where a child does not qualify or the family chooses another route.
Diagnostic records
Orthodontic planning may include:
- Clinical examination
- Photographs
- Digital scan or impressions
- Panoramic X-ray
- Cephalometric X-ray
- Bite assessment
- Gum-health review
- Jaw-joint history
- Growth assessment
- Medical and dental history
Three-dimensional imaging should be used only where clinically justified because it involves radiation.
What should the treatment fee include?
Ask whether the quote covers:
- Consultation
- Records
- X-rays
- Appliance
- Routine adjustments
- Emergency appointments
- Replacement parts
- Refinements
- Interproximal reduction
- Attachments
- Extractions
- Hygiene
- Retainers
- Retainer checks
- Aftercare
- Transfer or cancellation
A package described as “all-inclusive” should define its exclusions.
Retainers and relapse
Teeth can move after active orthodontic treatment. Retention is therefore a long-term part of care.
Common retainers include:
- Removable clear retainers
- Hawley retainers
- Bonded fixed retainers
- Combined fixed and removable retention
Ask how long each retainer should be worn, how it is cleaned and what replacement costs.
No retainer lasts forever, and bonded wires can detach without being immediately obvious.
Extractions and jaw surgery
Some cases require extractions to create space. Others involving major jaw discrepancy may need combined orthodontics and orthognathic surgery.
Ask:
- Why extraction is recommended
- Whether non-extraction options are reasonable
- Who performs the extraction
- Whether the fee is separate
- Whether a surgical opinion is needed
- How treatment length changes
- What risks apply
A second specialist opinion may be useful before irreversible treatment.
Clear-aligner refinements
Refinements are additional aligners used where movement has not matched the plan or further adjustment is required.
Ask:
- How many refinement rounds are included
- Time limit
- Additional scan fee
- Replacement aligner cost
- What happens if wear has been insufficient
- Whether retainers are delayed until refinement ends
The initial digital animation does not guarantee that every tooth will track exactly.
Oral hygiene and gum health
Braces and attachments increase plaque-retention areas.
Before and during treatment:
- Attend routine dental checks
- Maintain professional hygiene where advised
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- Clean around brackets
- Follow interdental-cleaning advice
- Limit frequent sugary intake
- Report bleeding or swelling
Active gum disease or untreated decay may delay orthodontic treatment.
Remote monitoring
Remote monitoring can support selected fixed-brace and aligner cases through regular smartphone images.
It can help identify tracking or appliance issues, but it does not replace all physical examinations.
Ask:
- How often images are reviewed
- Who reviews them
- Response times
- What requires an in-person visit
- Data protection
- App fees
- What happens during travel
Finance and payment plans
Orthodontic finance may involve:
- Clinic instalments
- Interest-free credit
- Regulated consumer credit
- Deposit
- Monthly direct debit
- Early-settlement discount
Compare the total payable, not only the monthly amount.
Read the consequences of missed payments, treatment interruption and early cancellation.
Transferring treatment
Moving practice during treatment can be difficult.
The new clinician may need:
- Full records
- Treatment plan
- Appliance details
- Progress notes
- X-rays
- Payment history
- New assessment
The receiving practice may charge a new fee or decline to continue the existing appliance.
Discuss likely relocation before starting treatment.
Common warning signs
Be cautious if a provider:
- Guarantees a perfect result
- Does not examine gum and dental health
- Cannot identify the planning clinician
- Avoids discussing retention
- Offers treatment without appropriate records
- Pressures immediate payment
- Presents the digital simulation as certain
- Gives no complaints procedure
- Encourages stopping general dental care
- Cannot explain what the fee includes
Complaints and second opinions
Raise concerns with the practice first and keep copies of treatment plans, consent forms, photographs and invoices.
Private dental complaints may be eligible for support through the Dental Complaints Service after the practice’s procedure has been used.
A second opinion can be useful where the proposed treatment involves extraction, surgery, major cost or a substantial change in plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is Invisalign better than braces?
Not universally. Suitability depends on the required movements, bite, compliance and clinical plan.
Does orthodontic treatment hurt?
Pressure and tenderness are common after fitting or adjustments. Severe or persistent pain should be reported.
How long does treatment take?
Many cases take 12–24 months, but limited treatment can be shorter and complex treatment longer.
Are retainers included?
Sometimes. Ask whether fixed and removable retainers, checks and replacements are included.
Can adults have orthodontic treatment?
Yes, provided the teeth and gums are healthy enough.
Can I have braces on the NHS?
Eligible under-18s may receive NHS treatment based on clinical need. Adult NHS orthodontics is uncommon outside specific hospital pathways.
Do I still need a regular dentist?
Yes. Orthodontic care does not replace routine dental examinations and hygiene.
Can treatment be completed remotely?
Not entirely in most cases. Remote monitoring may reduce visits but physical appointments remain necessary.
Choosing with confidence
The Brace and West London Orthodontist offer specialist-led treatment in central and west London. ODL provides a broad City dental model with visible starting prices, while Orchard Orthodontics combines specialist private treatment with children’s NHS assessment in Brixton.
London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic is the clearest specialist choice for hidden fixed appliances. Knightsbridge Orthodontics offers broad children’s and adult care with a detailed fee guide, while London Orthodontic Clinic provides useful published starting prices across aligners and braces.
Choose according to the planning clinician’s registration, the diagnosis, complete fee, retention plan and suitability of the appliance rather than branding or a promised treatment time.
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Sophie Brown
Health and wellness writer
Sophie covers private clinics, dental care, therapists, physiotherapy, gyms and wellness providers.
