NHS Orthodontic Care for Teens and Children
The NHS have set out guidelines on the conditions which orthodontic treatment will be funded by the NHS.
In general only moderate to severe orthodontic conditions will be funded by the NHS.
If you have any specific questions or just want more info, please contact us here
Transformations
Before and afters
NHS
+
+
+
NHS Orthodontic Care for Teens and Children
The NHS have set out guidelines on the conditions which will be funded by the NHS.
In general only moderate to severe orthodontic conditions will be funded by the NHS.
Following an assessment visit we will advise you whether you will qualify for treatment under the NHS.
The range of braces and techniques available on NHS funding is limited but your dentist will advise the best treatment options.
.jpg)
.jpg)
How do I know if my child qualifies?
Only a dentist can decide if your child qualifies for treatment. They will be assessed on the index of orthodontic need, which is a standard measure used throughout the NHS. The grades are as follows:
- Grade 1 means you have good alignment and don’t need treatment
- Grade 2 means you have minor misalignments, but it won’t be problematic
- Grade 3 means you have misalignments, but they are not medically problematic
- Grade 4 means there are extensive irregularities and treatment is required
- Grade 5 means there are severe irregularities that will impact your oral health if left untreated.
Generally, only children deemed to be a grade 4 or 5 will qualify for treatment. Only your dentist can decide if they qualify for treatment. It can be very stressful for parents of children with Grade 3 teeth, as they often feel that it is simply a matter of opinion.
However, there is a checklist that all dentists will go through, and they won’t exclude a child from orthodontics if they need treatment. If your child is a grade 3 case, you might consider private treatment to ensure the issue doesn’t get any worse.
The ideal age to have braces is usually around 12 or 13, while a child's mouth and jaws are still growing, but it can be earlier or later.
Many children don't require a brace, but those who do need to be referred to an orthodontist by their dentist. By law, only registered specialists can call themselves a specialist orthodontist.
There are many different types of brace. Some are fixed and stay in all the time. These are the standard brace for NHS treatment in under-18s. NHS braces are made of metal, but clear ceramic braces, which are less visible, are also available privately. Removable aligners such as Invisalign® are also available privately at Milngavie Orthodontics.
Orthodontic treatment usually works very well, but you need to stick with it for it to be successful. You'll need to wear a retainer for some time after your treatment has finished to stop your teeth moving back to the position they were in before treatment.
Proudly partnered with
Creating beautiful smiles is what we do best
.webp)
Contact Us
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join our newsletter to keep up to date with all our news and offers