Do braces hurt? Your frequently asked questions - answered

Yes! In fact, for certain cases, Invisalign® treatment may even be the more efficient option. Invisalign® clear aligners are moulded with machine precision, allowing each set of aligners to gently guide your teeth into proper alignment with stunning and predictable results.

What’s more, Invisalign® clear aligners are comfortable, convenient and discreet. You can take them out for meals, sports and brushing or flossing - allowing more flexibility in your treatment programme.

BeClear Orthodontics offers the following Invisalign® treatment plans including:

• Invisalign® Comprehensive - This is the full Invisalign® treatment option for adults and teens alike.
• Invisalign® First - Designed specifically for small smiles, Invisalign® First helps guide jaw growth in children aged 7-11.
• Invisalign® Express - The fastest Invisalign treatment plan, Invisalign® Express can fix minor issues in the front six teeth in just 3 months!

Treatment time may vary depending on the complexity of the case. Comprehensive Invisalign® treatment can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months. For some milder cases, it can even be as fast as 3 to 6 months!

Since each smile is unique, you won’t know the exact length of your treatment until your free consultation with us.

No, your aligners shouldn’t hurt. However, it’s completely normal to feel some tenderness for the first few days of wearing a new set of aligners. You may take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed until your teeth adjust to their new positions.

For children, you might think about braces if their teeth are crowded or not lined up right, or if they have a noticeable overbite or underbite. Losing baby teeth too early or too late can also be a sign. For adults, it's often more clear—if your teeth are crooked or you're having a hard time cleaning them properly, braces might be a good idea. Also, if you find you're often biting your tongue or inside of your cheek, braces could help.

There's no one-size-fits-all answer for when to start braces. Children often get them somewhere between 8 and 14 years old, as their mouths are still growing. For adults, it's never too late to consider braces because teeth can shift at any age.

Not at all. You can come to us directly for a free initial consultation about your teeth. If we need to work with your dentist for other dental issues, we'll take care of talking to them.

Your family dentist might be able to straighten teeth, but here at BeClear Orthodontics, our specialists have extra training to make sure you get the best care and treatment outcome possible, especially for trickier teeth issues.

It varies, but most people have braces for about 8 to 24 months. We'll be able to tell you a more precise time after we've had a chance to look at your teeth.

Yes, you can. Even if the NHS hasn't approved you for treatment, we can still explore options to straighten your teeth. Plus, we don't have a waiting list, so you can start orthodontic treatment right away!

Invisalign works for a lot of people. It's a clear, comfy way to straighten teeth that many of our patients love. We can tell you if Invisalign is a good fit after we see you for an initial consultation - which doesn't cost you anything.

Absolutely. We offer payment plans that let you pay for your treatment in smaller, monthly amounts. We can talk more about how this works and find a plan that fits your budget during your free consultation.

A functional appliance is a type of brace we use mainly for kids and teenagers. It helps to correct the growth of the jaw. The best time to check if this is needed is earlier rather than later because it's really good at fixing jaw problems before they become more complicated.

Yes, absolutely. It's really important to keep up with your regular dentist visits while you have braces. Your dentist will make sure your teeth stay healthy, checking for things like cavities and making sure your gums are in good shape. We focus on the position and alignment of your teeth and jaw.

Retainers are what you wear after your braces come off to keep your teeth in place. If you don't wear them, your teeth might move back to where they started. If you lose your retainer or it breaks, you should tell us as soon as you can so we can help keep your teeth straight.

Not always. Many people get braces without having any teeth removed. We always look at every possible way to straighten your teeth. If we think that taking out a tooth is the best way to get the results you want, we'll explain why and go through everything with you.

No, you won't need any needles or sedation for getting braces. We attach the braces to your teeth with a special glue that's not painful at all.

Most of the time, braces don't hurt. When you first get them, your teeth might feel a bit sore as they start to move, but this usually goes away quickly. We'll give you all the tips on how to make things as comfortable as possible.

Yes, you'll be able to talk normally with braces. You might notice it feels a bit different when you first get them, but you'll get used to it quickly, usually within a few days.

With Invisalign, we'll see you less often than with braces. We use modern technology to check on your progress remotely, which means fewer visits to our practice. We can keep an eye on how your teeth are moving with scans you can do from home using your smartphone. We'll let you know how often you need to come in based on how your treatment is going.

The cost of Invisalign depends on what kind of treatment you need and how complex it is. Our prices range from £3250 to £4395. We also offer payment plans to help spread out the cost, which we can discuss during your free consultation.

Invisalign costs more because the aligners are made just for you, using advanced technology and materials. It's not just a product; it's a whole treatment that includes the expertise of our specialists, the custom aligners, and the technology that goes into making and planning your treatment.

Braces and Invisalign are both really good at straightening teeth, but they work a bit differently. It used to be that Invisalign was just for simple cases, but now it can do so much more. We'll help you decide which one is best for you based on what your teeth need.

The time it takes to straighten your teeth can be about the same for both braces and Invisalign if you wear Invisalign as instructed. The key to quick treatment is to follow the plan, keep your teeth clean, and wear any extra pieces we give you, like rubber bands.

Remember that the best option depends on your specific needs, lifestyle, and the complexity of your case. It's always best to discuss with a Specialist Orthodontist which treatment would be more effective for your unique situation.

It's a good idea to have an orthodontist look at your child's teeth by the time they're 8. This way, we can spot problems early and sometimes prevent bigger issues later on. It could mean your child won't need as much treatment when they're older.

Invisalign treatment can take anywhere from 6 months to 24 months, depending on what we need to do for your teeth. We can give you a better idea of the time frame after we meet you and see what you need.

Dentists can provide Invisalign, but Specialist Orthodontists like us specialise in moving teeth. We have extra training to make sure your teeth not only look good but fit together well. If you're thinking about Invisalign, it's a good idea to see an orthodontist to get the best care. If things get too complicated for your dentist, they might send you to us anyway!