How much for braces.

[Myownwendyhouse]

My son is going to see an orthodontist about his really wonky teeth.

I'm aware that unless they think they are really bad he doesn't get them on the NHS.
So If I have to pay for them how much are they. I'm really worried about this. We don't have much spare cash and he is really keen to get them.

We were on the nhs waiting list, was around 12-18 months from referral to when treatment would have started, that's why we decided to use a private orthodontist

Two of my daughters had them free on the NHS, and so did I. I was 32 when I had my braces for four years!
In thought all children under 14 were eligible for free braces.

@SugarIsAmazing the criteria is incredibly strict for NHS eligibility

12-18 month wait, further hampered by baby teeth which wouldn't fall out and had to be pulled otherwise we'd still be waiting and he's nearly 16!

I worry about this. My 10 year old has really wonky teeth but probably not had enough for nhs braces. Hopefully they will get straighter as he grows like mine did. My 5 year old has had an orthodontist since before he was born (that was really weird having an appointment with an orthodontist for a baby who I was still pregnant with at the time!) and his baby teeth are really crooked so goodness knows what his adult teeth will be like. The orthodontist said his treatment would be free on the nhs but I don't know if that will still be the case when the time comes.

talk about post code lottery.
recently moved to East Sussex. it took exactly 4 weeks for a referral and she started treatment the following week.

Both my sons have braces and were seen about 6 weeks after referral.

Neither have particularly noticeable problems (though obv enough for free treatment) but were seen quickly. 10 year old has removable brace he now only has to wear at night and 13 year old has top and bottom train tracks.

I'm in Scotland - I don't know if it works any differently here?

Your dentist usually has a pretty good idea.My DD was referred by ours early because of the waiting list.Her teeth looked good from the outside but she got free treatment for an overbite(9mm) and impaction.She had twin blocks and then fixed braces.I thought she wouldn't be eligible as they looked good but functionally they would have caused problems.

If you go private it could be up to £6000.
Depending on lots of things obviously but I reckon the NHS route is wiser.
Wait time tho could be months