How much do braces cost in Northern Ireland?
A clear guide to private fees, health service treatment and paying over time.
Your £155 assessment fee comes off your treatment price. If you go ahead with private treatment after your private assessment, we take the £155 you paid off the total cost of your braces or aligners. On our payment plan, the £155 comes off your £900 deposit, so you pay a £745 deposit and your monthly payments stay the same. This does not apply to the cross-border (HSE) scheme.
Updated 18 October 2026
The cost of braces depends on whether you have health service (NHS) or private treatment, and on the type of brace or aligner you need. Here is a plain-English guide to what you will pay with us, and the costs people often forget about.
In short: metal braces and Smartee clear aligners cost the same at our clinic: from £2,900, from £3,900 or from £4,900, depending on how complex your case is. You can spread the cost over 12 months: a £900 deposit, then the rest in 12 monthly payments (a £150 plan fee is added to the balance and spread across your monthly payments). Our full fee list is on the costs page.
Under 18 and did not qualify for health service braces? Private braces or Smartee clear aligners cost £2,900 with our under-18s offer (usually £3,900) while the patient is younger than 18. See private braces for under-18s.
Health service or private?
If you qualify
- Braces are paid for by the health service only when your teeth are significantly out of position. The orthodontist checks this using 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.
- You can still choose private treatment while you wait for the health service.
Our private fees
The orthodontist will tell you which option suits your teeth, and the fee, at your assessment.
Prices at a glance
| How complex your case is | Metal braces | Smartee clear aligners |
|---|---|---|
| Super mild (usually less than 2 months) | from £2,900 | from £2,900 |
| Moderate (usually up to 12 months) | from £3,900 | from £3,900 |
| Complex (usually more than a year, may involve extractions) | from £4,900 | from £4,900 |
Your orthodontist confirms which band applies to you at your assessment. Private treatment usually takes 2–24 months, depending on complexity. Mild cases can often be quite straightforward to fix.
We are also an Invisalign provider. Invisalign aligners cost £1,000 more in each band: from £3,900, £4,900 or £5,900.
What is included
Two sets of retainers are included. Aligner prices include refinements, so you do not pay more if treatment takes longer. Extractions, if needed, are done by your own dentist and are not included. Later replacement retainers are not included.
How much does an assessment cost?
A private assessment costs £155. The orthodontist checks your teeth and bite, explains your options and tells you the fee. See your first visit and our rapid teen assessment.
Paying monthly: £900 deposit and 12 payments
Pay a £900 deposit, then 12 monthly payments. A £150 plan fee is added to the balance and spread across your monthly payments, so the total is £150 more than the standard price.
| Treatment price | Deposit | 12 monthly payments of | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| £2,900 | £900 | £179.17 | £3,050 |
| £3,900 | £900 | £262.50 | £4,050 |
| £4,900 | £900 | £345.83 | £5,050 |
Monthly amounts are rounded to the nearest penny.
Prices for cross-border (HSE) patients
For children under 16 on the cross-border scheme: assessment (including IOTN assessment to determine eligibility for the cross-border scheme) £100, metal braces £2,630 and retainers £170 – £2,900 in total. See cross-border braces for how the HSE scheme works.
Is there a waiting list for private treatment?
No. There is no waiting list for private treatment. You can refer yourself – you do not need a dentist referral.
Comparing options? Read clear aligners or braces: which is right for you? and health service (NHS) braces: who qualifies.
What affects the price?
- The type of treatment. Metal braces and Smartee clear aligners cost the same: from £2,900 for super mild cases, from £3,900 for moderate cases and from £4,900 for complex cases. Invisalign costs £1,000 more at each level (from £3,900, £4,900 or £5,900).
- How much your teeth need to move. Small changes cost less than complex cases, which usually take more than a year and may involve extractions. This applies to braces and aligners alike.
- Whether you qualify for the health service. If you do, and you are happy to wait, the health service pays for your braces.
Spreading the cost
You do not have to pay for private treatment all at once. 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 balance and spread across your monthly payments. We will explain the payment options when you decide to go ahead.
Costs to plan for
These are the extra costs that people often do not think about before treatment:
| Item | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Extractions | If teeth need to be taken out to make space, this is done by your own dentist. It is not included in our fee. |
| Replacement retainers | £105 per retainer, or £210 for upper and lower. Your own dentist may also be able to make them. |
| Straightening teeth again | If you stop wearing your retainers and 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. The health service never pays for a second course of treatment. |
The best way to protect what you have paid for: wear your retainers every night (8 to 10 hours), for life. Read about retainers.
Questions and answers
How much do braces cost in Northern Ireland?
At Belfast Orthodontics, private metal braces and Smartee clear aligners cost the same: from £2,900, from £3,900 or from £4,900, depending on how complex the case is. Health service (NHS) treatment is paid for by the health service if your teeth qualify. See our costs page.
Are braces free on the health service?
Health service (NHS) braces are only provided when your teeth are significantly out of position, using a scoring system called IOTN. We normally only treat patients younger than 18 for health service treatment. 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. If you do not qualify, private treatment is available.
Can I pay for braces monthly?
Yes. Pay a £900 deposit, then the rest in 12 monthly payments. A £150 plan fee is added to the balance and spread across your monthly payments – for example, £2,900 becomes 12 payments of £179.17 (£3,050 in total).
Are clear aligners more expensive than braces?
No. At our clinic, metal braces and clear aligners cost the same. The price 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 private only.
Is the cost of extractions included?
No. If teeth need to be taken out as part of your plan, this is done by your own dentist and is not included in our fee.
How much does an assessment cost?
A private assessment at Belfast Orthodontics costs £155. Cross-border (HSE) assessments are £100.
How much does Invisalign cost?
We are an Invisalign provider. Invisalign costs £1,000 more in each band than metal braces or Smartee clear aligners: from £3,900, £4,900 or £5,900, depending on complexity.
Is there a waiting list for private treatment?
No. There is no waiting list for private treatment, and you can refer yourself.
Questions about your treatment?
Our friendly team is happy to help. Call us on 028 9045 1303 or send us an email.
The same prices wherever you live
Our private fees do not change with your postcode. Patients come to us for private braces and aligners from Belfast neighbourhoods such as Ormeau, Malone and Knock, and from Newtownards, Ballywalter, Moira, Antrim and Larne. Find out about all the areas we serve.