Now I don’t have to worry.  I spent over two years with train track braces and perfected my smile with cosmetic dentistry once the braces were off.  In total I spent over £6000 to fix my smile, but this was with around half the cost on train track braces and half on two bridges and teeth whitening at a private dentist.

I had a lot of issues with my teeth as I still had baby teeth, as no adult teeth ever formed, so I had to have teeth removed, moved around and then false teeth to get my perfect smile.  It was a big cosmetic dentistry job to fix my smile!

You can read my full braces as an adult story here.

And check out whether I think my cosmetic dentistry was worth it, along with photos!

It won’t be this expensive or take so long for most people.  Many people are simply bothered by a twisted tooth, slight overcrowding, a gap or two, or maybe the colour of their teeth.  These issues can be much quicker, simpler and cheaper to fix.

For an idea of how much a smile makeover costs in the UK to fix your smile, read on.  I’ll share the approximate costs of various treatments so you can get an idea of the price you might be looking at to improve your teeth and smile with confidence.

How much does it cost to fix your smile?

The consultation £0 to £100

It’s common practice for dentists to charge for a consultation to discuss your options about fixing your smile.  The fee for these can cost around £100, however you can get a free e-consultation with this cosmetic dentist and receive a free estimate for your treatment.

If there is a charge then some dentists will deduct this from your final bill, so I suggest doing your research thoroughly so you are aware of your options and have an idea in mind of what you want before going for a consultation. Likewise, research the cosmetic dentists too so you don’t waste your time paying for consults with dentists with bad reviews who you likely won’t choose.

Otherwise, pick a dentist like I mentioned above who offer a free e-consult so you are aware of your options and pricing before going in person.

NHS or private?

Cosmetic dentistry is not performed by the NHS.  They only offer necessary treatments to keep your teeth and gums healthy and pain free.

As I did have an issue with my teeth - I still had baby teeth with no adult teeth to replace them, and my baby teeth were getting wobbly - I could get my bridges a lot cheaper on the NHS.

However, I did get a temporary partial denture from the NHS whilst waiting for my NHS bridges and it was awful! 

It was more a matter of just getting anything and settling for it, rather than having something custom made for my teeth.  I didn’t really realise it would be like this and ended up going private which was a much better experience.  I was very nervous about how my bridges would look from the NHS and wanted the assurances that going for a private cosmetic dentist would bring.

It was costly, but they made my false teeth to my specifications and gave me so many follow-up appointments as they wanted to check everything was OK with the teeth and that they were perfect.  They were happy to tweak and tweak again until I was happy with them and they were happy with them.

Even if you qualify on the NHS for some dentistry work to fix your teeth, you might prefer to pay for a private dentist to get exactly what you want if it’s more about improving your smile and making it perfect. 

Braces £1000 to £7500            

Braces can fix overcrowding, close gaps, untwist twisted teeth and generally straighten and align the teeth into an optimal position, giving a perfect smile with natural teeth.

Adult braces can vary wildly in cost depending on the type you need and whether you opt for an online service or in-person service at a private dentist. 

I’ve seen clear braces available online for around £1000, often cheaper if you can find discount codes or deals.  However, I’ve no idea how effective a brace would be without seeing a dentist in person.

My braces cost £3000 for train track braces on both rows from a private orthodontist and I had many appointments to tighten the braces and adjust them over two years.

Incognito hidden braces can cost £7500 for two arches - these are braces behind your teeth that people can’t see.  Or Invisalign braces can cost from £1500.

The price of braces really is dependent on the complexity of your teeth issues and the type of braces you qualify for and go on to choose.

Porcelain veneers £400 to £800 per tooth

A veneer is a cover for your tooth made from porcelain to look like the outer edge of your tooth and is a quick way to cover stained, chipped or crooked teeth.  They can even cover gaps in teeth.

Many private dentists adopt a per-veneer pricing model, and while the cost can add up, especially for veneers in London, the investment yields a radiant and confident smile.

Tooth whitening £250 to £500

Many cosmetic dentists offer a home teeth whitening system and they’ll show you exactly what to do, as well as provide custom made trays for the solution which fit your teeth perfectly.

If your teeth are stained then you can have them cleaned in a hygienist appointment which can often remove superficial stains and discolouration from tartar and plaque build-up.  Expect to pay around £50 to £100 for a hygienist appointment - the cost sometimes depends on the legth of the appointment which will be dependent on how much your teeth need to be cleaned.

Another option for teeth whitening is to combine it with alignment.  As Dentalbe, a dentist in Barnet explain, you can actually whiten your teeth while straightening them using Invisalign: "Our most popular teeth whitening option is Invisalign, a virtually invisible clear aligner system that gradually shifts your teeth into the proper position while also whitening them."

Crowns £700

A crown costs around £700 at most private cosmetic dentists.  They can be made from porcelain, zirconia or ceramic (called cerec crowns) and each material is around the same price.

A crown is a tooth shaped cap which can cover your entire tooth and protect a damaged tooth as well as improving the appearance.

Bridges £500 to £3000+

If you have missing teeth then a bridge can transform your smile by placing a false tooth in the gap, attached to the two surrounding teeth.

Bridges vary in price quite greatly between private dentists and the type of bridge you choose.  They can last from five to 15 years.

Implants £2450 per tooth

If you have missing teeth or need a tooth removed, then dental implants can be a permanent solution to replacing the missing tooth.  Many other options, such as bridges, are temporary and although they can last a decade or two, they will likely need replacing at full cost again in the future.  Dental implants, on the other hand, are expensive but a permanent solution.  They are designed to last a lifetime!

Final thoughts

Your smile makeover will really depend on the cosmetic dentist you choose and the services you opt for.  It can be a few hundred pounds if you simply want to whiten and add a veneer to cover a bothersome tooth, or in the thousands if you have more complex issues or several teeth which need addressing.

 

Need to make extra money to fund your smile makeover?  Here are 60 ways to make money onlineand check out my favourite side hustle to make money in my matched betting blog!