NHS braces are free for patients under 18 (with huge waiting lists), but patients over 18 are often left in the dark. But rare circumstances might allow.
To answer the question, “Can you get braces on the NHS over 18” the simple answer is no. According to the National Health Service, adults usually have to pay for private treatment.
In fact, adults are encouraged to seek private treatment to treat orthodontic issues, as even if they opt to go with the NHS, there are long waiting lists – even for those under 18 with a clear health need for treatment. Patients are categorised in grades, with those grading 3 and below being judged on a case-by-case basis.
So, you’re an adult who wants braces and can’t afford thousands up front – what can you do when the NHS refuses to help?
3 Months | Minor Cases | Removable
Finance options:
Deposits are optional – the below figures are with no deposit, but bear in mind a deposit can bring down your monthly payments.
12 Months | Moderate-Severe | Removable
Finance options:
12-18 Months | Mild to Severe | Removable
Finance options:
6 Months | Minor-Moderate Cases | Fixed & White
Finance options:
Based on upper and lower:
6 Weeks | Minor Cases | Fixed Metal Bar
Finance options:
Even if you’re eligible for free braces, it’s not like you can request a treatment like Invisalign, for example, or any other invisible, fast, discreet system.
The NHS will opt for cost-effective treatments that keep production costs low.
So, if you’re looking for fast, innovative treatments that can straighten teeth in as little as 7 weeks, you might want to go independent of the NHS. Only private dental practices will offer such great systems.
Patients going private will find a plethora of beneficial orthodontic systems that were specifically designed for adults. For example, the Invisalign market was made popular by adults looking for cheap, fast and effective brace treatments.
Plus, systems like this offer patients many more benefits like improved comfort, no stigma and a better oral health at the end of treatment.
However, as Invisalign has been made so popular, there’s now thousands of dentists offering the treatment, so you want to be selective in who you choose as with any treatment, the more cases and experience the dentist has, the better the outcome. For example, we’re Platinum Elite Providers, putting us in the top 1% providers. Learn more about provider levels.
It only takes 2 minutes to apply and you’ll get an answer immediately – applying for a loan has never been easier.
0% finance is available for many treatments up to £30,000. Credit decisions will be subject to individual circumstances. You must be over 18 and earn an income to apply.
