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Orthodontics · Braces and appliances
Orthodontics at Sardinia House in Holborn covers the full range of ways to straighten teeth for adults and teenagers: conventional fixed braces, Damon self-ligating braces, the Inman Aligner for front teeth and lingual braces fitted behind the teeth, alongside Invisalign®. Every case is planned from an iTero™ scan you see on screen. Consultations are from free; treatment from £2,500.
Guide fee
From £2,500
Options
Fixed, Damon, Inman Aligner, lingual
Planning
iTero scan, shown on screen
With
Dr Amit Patel
Who it is for
Some rotations and larger movements are more predictable with a bracket fixed to each tooth. Where that is the case we say so at the scan, rather than starting with clear aligners and changing course halfway.
When the upper and lower teeth do not meet as they should, fixed or Damon braces give the control needed to move whole groups of teeth together. Planning begins with how the jaws close, not only how the front teeth look.
The Inman Aligner is a removable appliance that uses gentle springs to align the front six teeth. For the right case it is usually quicker and less costly than a full course of treatment, and it comes out for meals.
Lingual braces are fixed behind the teeth, so they are hidden when you smile. They suit people whose work makes visible braces impractical and who want the control of a fixed appliance.
The difference
An iTero scan of both arches replaces impression trays. We study the bite digitally, show you the model on screen and plan the movements before any appliance is chosen, so the choice is made on evidence rather than preference.
We do not sell one system. Fixed, Damon, Inman Aligner, lingual and Invisalign are all available here, which means the recommendation follows the case. The same clinicians plan Invisalign and braces, and often use both.
Teeth move most predictably through healthy gums and clean enamel. Before any appliance is fitted we check for decay, gum disease and wear, and our hygienists help you keep teeth clean around brackets and wires throughout.
Straightened teeth drift unless held. Vivera™ or Essix retainers and fixed wires are written into your plan and quoted from the outset, and are made from a fresh scan on the day the appliance comes off.
The process
We look at your teeth, gums and bite, take photographs and an iTero scan, and listen to what you would like to be different. If orthodontics is suitable, you leave with a clear idea of the options and their likely cost.
The scan and any X-rays are used to plan the movements and select the appliance. Before any brace is fitted you have, in writing, the fee, how long treatment should take and how the result will be held afterwards.
Brackets are bonded to the teeth and the first wire placed, or your Inman Aligner is fitted and adjusted. We show you how to clean around the appliance and what to expect in the first few days.
You return at regular intervals for wires to be changed or the appliance to be adjusted. Each visit is short, and progress is compared against the plan so that treatment stays on track.
Once the teeth are where we want them, the brace comes off, the enamel is polished and we scan again to make your retainers. Fixed retainers are placed where appropriate and your retainer routine is explained in writing.
Afterwards
Teeth are tender for a few days after fitting and after each adjustment; soft food and ordinary painkillers usually see that through. Brush after every meal, clean between the teeth with the brushes we provide and keep your hygiene visits. Once the appliance comes off, your retainers are the part of treatment that lasts, so wear them as prescribed.
Guide fees
Guide fees. Nothing is started until your plan, with every fee written down, is in your hands. See all fees
Good to know
Guide fees here start at £3,500 for fixed braces, £4,000 for the Damon system, £2,500 for the Inman Aligner and £9,500 for lingual braces. The consultation is from free, and your written plan gives the exact fee before treatment begins. Finance is available subject to status.
No. There is no upper age limit; what matters is that the gums and supporting bone are healthy. A large share of the orthodontic treatment we carry out is for adults, many of whom are returning to finish or correct treatment they had as teenagers.
It depends on the appliance and how far the teeth need to move. The Inman Aligner can complete mild front-tooth cases in a matter of months, while fixed and lingual braces usually take longer. Your written plan sets out the expected duration for your case.
Having a brace fitted does not hurt, though the teeth are tender for a few days and for a short while after each tightening. Damon braces use lighter forces and tend to feel gentler. Any rubbing from brackets usually settles quickly, and we provide wax for the first week.
Damon brackets hold the wire with a small sliding door instead of elastic ties. That allows lighter, more continuous forces and usually means fewer adjustment visits. Both are fixed appliances and both can produce an excellent result when well planned.
Often, but not always. Invisalign suits most adult cases and is close to invisible, while some bite corrections and rotations are more predictable with a fixed appliance. Because we offer both here in Holborn, we recommend whichever will give the better result for you.
Yes, for as long as you want the teeth to stay straight. Retainers are quoted in your written plan and made from a scan taken on the day your appliance is removed. Most people wear removable retainers at night, sometimes with a fixed wire behind the front teeth.
Fixed braces at Sardinia House are from £3,500 and Invisalign from £4,500, so braces are usually the less expensive route to a comparable result. The gap narrows for complex cases, and Invisalign includes retainers and whitening in its care package. Your written plan sets out both options with exact fees so that you can compare.
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Dental Group