“Which braces should I get?” Once patients decide to straighten their teeth, this is the question we hear most at Smile Arch Dental in Folkestone. It’s a fair question, because there are far more options now than there were ten or twenty years ago.
The short answer is that it depends on your teeth, your daily routine and your budget. The longer answer is below. We’ve kept it honest and included the downsides. A brace you’re unhappy with for eighteen months isn’t a good brace, however clever it is.
First, Why Does Your Choice of Braces Matter?
Straight teeth look great, but appearance is only half the story. Crowded teeth are harder to brush and floss properly, so plaque builds up in the gaps you can’t reach. Over time, that can lead to more fillings and more gum problems. A bite that doesn’t meet evenly can also wear teeth down faster than normal.
So choosing your braces isn’t only a cosmetic decision. You’re choosing the tool that will protect your oral health for the next year or two.
The Four Options at a Glance
Brace Type | How Visible? | Usual Treatment Time | Often Suits | Removable? |
Metal | Very noticeable | 12–24 months | Complex cases, children and teens | No |
Ceramic | Subtle | 12–24 months | Adults who want fixed braces that blend in | No |
Lingual | Hidden behind teeth | 18–24 months | People who want no visible braces at all | No |
Invisalign | Barely noticeable | 6–18 months | Mild to moderate cases, organised adults and teens | Yes |
These are rough guides only. Everyone’s teeth move differently, and we’ll give you a realistic timeline once we’ve examined you at our Folkestone practice.
Metal Braces
If you picture braces as a mouthful of shiny metal, you’re thinking of the old style. Today’s metal brackets are smaller, smoother and much kinder to the inside of your cheeks.
Metal braces are still the workhorse of orthodontics for good reason. They handle difficult cases well, including severe crowding, rotated teeth and bite problems, and they’re usually the most affordable option. Because they’re fixed, they work day and night without you having to remember anything.
The trade-off is that people will notice them. You’ll need to avoid toffees, crusty bread and other foods that can snap a bracket off. Your teeth may also ache for a couple of days after each adjustment. Younger patients rarely mind, and many of them enjoy picking new coloured bands at each visit.
Ceramic Braces
Think of ceramic braces as metal braces in disguise. They work in exactly the same way, but the brackets are tooth-coloured or clear, so they’re easy to miss at normal talking distance.
They’re a popular middle ground for adults who need the strength of a fixed brace but would rather not have it on show at work. The downsides are that they usually cost more than metal, the brackets are slightly more delicate, and the small elastic ties can stain if you drink a lot of coffee, tea or red wine.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are fixed to the back of your teeth, on the tongue side. Nobody looking at you will know you’re wearing them, which is the main appeal.
They’re usually custom-made for each tooth, and they can treat many cases that clear aligners struggle with. To be upfront, though, they take some getting used to. Your tongue will notice them straight away, your speech may sound slightly different for the first few weeks, and cleaning around them takes more effort. They’re also typically the most expensive option.
We don’t provide lingual braces ourselves at Smile Arch Dental, but we’re happy to refer you to a trusted specialist if they’re the right fit for you.
Invisalign
Invisalign uses no brackets or wires at all. Instead, you wear a series of thin, clear, custom-made aligners and switch to a new set every one to two weeks. At Smile Arch Dental, every Invisalign journey starts with a free consultation and a 3D digital scan, so you can often see a preview of your new smile before treatment begins.
Most people like two things about Invisalign straight away: it’s almost invisible, and it’s removable. That means no food restrictions. You take your aligners out, eat what you like, brush, and put them back in.
That freedom is also its weak spot. Aligners only work while they’re in your mouth, ideally for 20 to 22 hours a day. If they spend too long in a pocket or on the kitchen table, treatment slows down. In our experience, Invisalign works brilliantly for organised, motivated patients and less well for anyone who knows they’ll forget.
Learn more about Invisalign at Smile Arch Dental
Three Honest Questions to Help You Decide
How complicated is my case? You can’t answer this one at home. Some teeth can be straightened with any of the four options, while others really need a fixed brace. A quick examination settles it.
Will I actually wear aligners? Be honest with yourself. If you lose your sunglasses every summer, fixed braces might save you some frustration.
What does my everyday life look like? Contact sports, playing a wind instrument or giving presentations at work can all tip the balance one way or another. Tell us about your routine and we’ll take it into account.
How Much Do Braces Cost in Folkestone?
Prices depend on the type of brace and how much your teeth need to move. As a rule of thumb, metal braces sit at the lower end, lingual braces at the top, and ceramic braces and Invisalign somewhere in between.
At Smile Arch Dental, Invisalign treatment typically starts from around £2,500, depending on the complexity of your case. To make treatment more affordable, we offer:
- 0% interest-free finance over 6–12 months
- Low-interest plans over up to 5 years
- Finance on treatments over £500, with quick online decisions
After your consultation, you’ll receive a detailed written treatment plan and quote, so there are no surprises later. See our Fees & Finance page for more details.
Can You Get Braces on the NHS?
For under-18s, NHS braces are available if the teeth meet a set level of clinical need. This is measured with a scoring system called the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). NHS treatment normally uses metal braces and is provided by NHS orthodontic practices. Adults usually go private, although NHS treatment may occasionally be offered where there’s a strong clinical reason.
Smile Arch Dental is a private practice, so we don’t provide NHS orthodontics. If you’re unsure whether your child might qualify, we’re happy to talk it through and point you in the right direction.
Keeping Your Teeth Healthy While They Straighten
Braces don’t cause decay, but they do make it easier for food and plaque to hide. A few simple habits make a big difference:
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, spending extra time around brackets or cleaning your aligners
- Use interdental brushes or floss once a day
- Keep sugary snacks and fizzy drinks as occasional treats
- Keep up with regular check-ups and hygienist visits
Your Questions Answered
Will braces hurt?
Expect some tenderness for a few days after fitting and after each adjustment or new aligner. It feels more like pressure than pain, and it fades quickly. Soft foods and over-the-counter painkillers help if needed. If you’re a nervous patient, let us know, as supporting anxious patients is something we specialise in.
Am I too old for braces?
Not unless your gums say otherwise. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, and many of the patients we treat are well into adulthood.
Do I need a retainer afterwards?
Yes, and please don’t skip this step. Teeth naturally try to drift back to where they started. A retainer, whether fixed, removable or both, keeps your new smile in place.
Come and Talk It Through
Reading about braces helps, but the right choice comes from looking at your teeth together. Smile Arch Dental was founded by the team behind Warwick Lodge Dental and Implant Centre, and we bring that same experience to every patient in Folkestone and across Kent.
Book your free Invisalign consultation or a teeth-straightening assessment today.