How much do braces cost in Northern Ireland?
A straightforward guide to private fees, health service treatment and spreading the cost.
Going ahead with treatment? Your £155 assessment fee is deducted. When you choose private treatment after your private assessment, the £155 already paid is taken away from your overall treatment cost. If you use our payment plan, we take it off the £900 deposit, so your deposit is £745 and the monthly amounts do not change. Cross-border (HSE) patients are not included.
What you pay for braces depends on whether you have health service (NHS) or private treatment, and on the type of brace or aligner you need. This plain-English guide sets out what treatment with us costs, plus the extra costs people often overlook.
In short: metal braces and Smartee clear aligners cost the same at our clinic: from £2,900, from £3,900 or from £4,900, according to how complex your case is. You can spread the cost over 12 months with a £900 deposit followed by 12 monthly payments (a £150 plan fee is added to the remaining balance and divided across your 12 monthly payments). Our full list of fees is on the costs page.
Under 18 and not eligible for health service braces? Private braces or Smartee clear aligners cost £2,900 through our under-18s offer (usually £3,900) for as long as the patient is under 18. See private braces for under-18s.
Health service or private?
If you qualify
- The health service only pays for braces when teeth are significantly out of position. The orthodontist assesses this with a national scoring system called IOTN.
- You need a referral from your dentist.
- Waits are usually 6–12 months for assessment, then 3–6 months to start treatment, depending on the case.
- Clear aligners are not available on the health service.
You choose when to start
- Private treatment has no waiting list.
- You can refer yourself – no dentist referral needed.
- Choose metal braces or clear aligners, if they suit your teeth.
- While you are waiting for the health service, you can still opt for private treatment.
Our private fees
At your assessment, the orthodontist will explain which option is right for your teeth, and the fee.
What affects the price?
- The type of treatment. Metal braces and Smartee clear aligners are priced the same, by complexity: from £2,900 for super mild, £3,900 for moderate and £4,900 for complex cases. Invisalign is £1,000 more in each band (from £3,900, £4,900 or £5,900).
- How much your teeth need to move. Smaller changes cost less than complex cases, which normally take over a year and may involve extractions – whether you choose braces or aligners.
- Whether you qualify for the health service. If you qualify and are happy to wait, your braces are paid for by the health service.
Spreading the cost
Private treatment does not have to be paid for in one go. You can spread the cost over 12 months: pay a £900 deposit, then the rest in 12 monthly payments. A £150 plan fee is added to the remaining balance and divided across your 12 monthly payments. We will explain the payment options when you decide to go ahead.
Costs to plan for
Extra costs that people often forget to think about before treatment:
| Item | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Extractions | If teeth have to be taken out to create space, your own dentist does this. It is not part of our fee. |
| Replacement retainers | £105 per retainer, or £210 for upper and lower. Your own dentist may be able to make them too. |
| Straightening teeth again | If you stop wearing your retainers, your teeth move and we did your original braces, treatment costs £1,245 per arch (£2,490 for upper and lower). Otherwise, our standard private prices apply. A second course of treatment is never paid for by the health service. |
The best way to protect your investment: wear your retainers each night (8 to 10 hours), for life. Read about retainers.
Questions and answers
What do braces cost in Northern Ireland?
At Portadown Orthodontics, private metal braces and Smartee clear aligners are priced the same: from £2,900, from £3,900 or from £4,900, according to how complex the case is. If your teeth qualify, health service (NHS) treatment is paid for by the health service. See our costs page.
Are braces free on the health service?
Health service (NHS) braces are only provided when teeth are significantly out of position, measured with a scoring system called IOTN. We normally only treat patients younger than 18 for health service treatment. Your dentist needs to refer you, and you can normally expect to wait 6 to 12 months for an assessment and then 3 to 6 months for treatment to begin, depending on the case. Private treatment is available if you do not qualify.
Can I pay for braces monthly?
Yes. You pay a £900 deposit, followed by 12 monthly payments for the rest. A £150 plan fee is added to the remaining balance and divided across your 12 monthly payments – so a £2,900 treatment works out at 12 payments of £179.17 (£3,050 altogether).
Are clear aligners more expensive than braces?
No. Metal braces and clear aligners are the same price at our clinic. What you pay depends on how complex your case is: from £2,900 for super mild cases, from £3,900 for moderate cases and from £4,900 for complex cases. Aligners are only available privately.
Is the cost of extractions included?
No. If your plan involves taking teeth out, your own dentist does this, and it is not part of our fee.
Questions about your treatment?
Our team in Portadown is always happy to help. Ring us on 028 3870 2623 or drop us an email.