Braces for teeth: types, eligibility and clear aligners

Straightening teeth involves more choices than most people expect, from fixed metal braces to clear aligners and retainers. This guide describes the main types using NHS and Oral Health Foundation pages. It also marks clearly what could not be confirmed for Northern Ireland, so you know which questions to put to an orthodontist or dentist.

Types of braces

The NHS says braces (orthodontic treatment) straighten or move teeth to improve their appearance and how they work. It says there are several types of braces, but fixed metal braces are commonly used on the NHS.

Fixed braces work as the NHS describes: metal squares (brackets) are attached to each tooth with dental glue, and a wire connects the brackets and applies a small amount of pressure to the teeth. The NHS says fixed braces are usually worn for 1 to 2 years, with check-ups every 6 to 8 weeks for adjustments.

The Oral Health Foundation lists a wider set of appliances:

• Removable appliances: plates that can be taken out for cleaning.
• Clear aligners: a series of clear plastic trays that gradually move teeth.
• Functional appliances: used in growing children to guide jaw development.
• Fixed braces: brackets attached to teeth with wires.
• Headgear: sometimes used with fixed braces to guide jaw and tooth movement.
• Elastics: small rubber bands worn with fixed braces to help move teeth.

The Oral Health Foundation says treatment can range from several months to around two and a half years. An orthodontist makes the initial assessment and gives personalised recommendations. Your dentist can refer you, and our overview of orthodontics in Belfast explains the service.

Braces can feel strange at first. The Oral Health Foundation says they may cause mild discomfort for a few days, and the NHS says teeth may be sore for a few days after fitting. The NHS suggests soft foods and painkillers for that period, and daily interdental brushing. It also advises avoiding hard, sticky or crunchy foods, which risk breaking the braces.

Clear aligners (including Invisalign)

The Oral Health Foundation describes clear aligners as a series of clear plastic trays that gradually move teeth. Names such as Invisalign and Clear Correct are product names used by practices, and the sources checked do not describe them. The official pages checked do not compare brands or rank them, so this guide does not either.

Aligners are not suitable for every case, and an orthodontist or dentist has to assess whether they fit your teeth. The pages checked do not list which problems aligners can or cannot treat, so ask the practitioner to explain this for your mouth.

The NHS says braces are often free on the NHS for children under 18, and that adults usually pay privately. The NHS pages checked do not mention aligners, so do not assume they are available through the Health Service.

The Inman aligner, another name you may see, is not described in the official pages checked. This guide therefore says nothing about how it works.

If you want straight teeth and whiter teeth together, treat them as separate decisions. Our guide to teeth whitening at the dentist or with home kits explains the options and who can legally carry out whitening.

Health Service orthodontics for children in Northern Ireland (sourced)

This section is limited to what could be confirmed from official pages. nidirect says you get free dental treatment in Northern Ireland if you are under 18 years old. It also says orthodontists specialise in moving and straightening teeth by using braces.

The nidirect page checked does not set out who qualifies for Health Service orthodontic treatment, how referral works or how long the wait is. The NHS page on braces describes the rules in England, saying that eligibility depends on how teeth affect daily functioning such as eating and cleaning.

Do not assume that England’s rules apply in Northern Ireland. Ask your dentist whether a Health Service referral is possible for your child, and check the official nidirect and HSC Northern Ireland pages for current criteria. Our children’s dentistry overview is a starting point for finding family-friendly practices.

nidirect also says that once you register as a Health Service patient, you stay on that dentist’s list for 24 months. A practice must tell you exact costs before any private treatment begins, according to the same page.

Retainers after treatment

Once braces are removed, a retainer is needed. The NHS describes a retainer as a device that stops your teeth moving back to their original position. It says the orthodontist will tell you how long you need to wear it.

The Oral Health Foundation says you may need to wear it day and night at first, then usually at night over the long term. It also says that if retainers are not worn as advised, teeth can move back.

Retainers are part of the treatment plan, not an optional extra. Ask at the outset how long you will need one, what it costs to replace if it is lost or broken, and who checks it.

Belfast orthodontists and practices that list braces

Practices in Belfast list braces, aligners and retainers on their own websites, and each describes its services differently. Check the type of professional involved, because an orthodontist is a specialist and a general dentist may also offer some treatment. Confirm registration for any practitioner on the GDC register at gdc-uk.org/check-a-register.

Questions to ask any practice include:

• Which appliance do you propose, and why for my teeth?
• How long is treatment expected to take, and how often are visits?
• What is the full written cost, including retainers and any repairs?
• Is any of this available through the Health Service for my child or me?

Next step

To find practices that mention braces or aligners, browse the orthodontics listings in Belfast and read each practice’s own information before you phone.