Teeth Straightening in London
Maida Smiles Dental Clinic, London
There is more than one way to move teeth into a better position, and the right one depends on what is wrong, how visible you want treatment to be and how you like to live with it. Clear aligners, fixed braces and the retainers that follow all have a place.
Here is how the main routes differ, who each one tends to suit and what to ask before you choose. Each route links through to the full detail, and a short free conversation with our team is a good way to start.
Is teeth straightening for you?
People come to us for many different reasons. Some have never had a brace and want to fix teeth that have always overlapped. Others wore braces as a teenager and have noticed their teeth drifting since. Common starting points include:
- Crowded or overlapping teeth that are hard to clean.
- Gaps between teeth that you would like closed.
- Teeth that do not meet comfortably, such as an overbite, an underbite, a crossbite or an open bite.
- A front tooth or two that sit out of line, when the rest of your smile is fine.
- Teeth that have moved back after earlier treatment.
Teeth move best when the gums and the bone around them are healthy, so your dentist will look at those first. Where something else needs treating before teeth are moved, you will be told and the plan is written down.
The main ways to straighten teeth
Almost every approach uses gentle, continuous pressure to move teeth through the bone over time. What changes is how that pressure is delivered and how visible and removable the appliance is. There are two families, aligners and fixed braces, followed by a retainer in both cases.
Clear aligners
Clear aligners are a series of thin, transparent trays made for your teeth. You change to the next tray as your teeth move, and you take them out to eat and to clean your teeth. Our Invisalign treatment begins with a digital scan and a preview of the planned result, so you can see where your teeth are meant to end up. Invisalign Lite is described for milder alignment problems, while Invisalign Full is for bite problems and more movement.
Fixed braces
Fixed braces are brackets attached to the teeth with a wire running through them. According to the NHS, they are the type usually offered on the NHS. Because they stay on, they work whether or not you are good at wearing something, and they can handle a wide range of tooth and bite movements. There are three kinds on offer here.
- Metal braces are the traditional choice. Brackets and wire are visible, but coloured options are available.
- Ceramic braces use tooth coloured brackets so they blend in more. The brackets can chip under a heavy bite.
- Self ligating braces hold the wire with a built in clip instead of small elastic ties, with metal or clear brackets.
Retainers
Straightening is only half the job. After treatment your teeth need holding in their new position, which is what a retainer does.
Why patients choose Maida Smiles
We offer every route under one roof, so the recommendation you hear is based on your teeth rather than on the one system a clinic happens to sell.
GDC and CQC
Registered clinic
Registered with the GDC and CQC.
iTero
Digital scanning
A digital scan is used to plan Invisalign and preview the expected result.
Free consultation
Advisory appointment
An advisory appointment with our treatment coordinator, who is not a clinician and does not carry out a clinical assessment.
0%
Dental finance
0% finance over 12 months is available on eligible treatment, subject to status.
Mon to Sat
Open six days
Open 09:00 to 18:00 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and until 20:00 on Tuesday and Thursday.
2 minutes
From Maida Vale tube
A two minute walk from Maida Vale tube station, with ParkBee paid parking on Lanark Road.
What happens when you start
Most people begin with one of two appointments. The free consultation is an advisory conversation with our treatment coordinator, who can explain the options, take a 3D scan and talk through timescales and finance. It is not a clinical assessment. For a clinical opinion, a new patient examination with a dentist is £110 and an existing patient examination is £95, with a £50 refundable deposit at booking.
Your dentist will look at your teeth, gums and bite, explain which routes are realistic for you and why, and give you a written plan with costs before anything begins. Useful questions to bring are how long you will be in treatment, how often you will be seen, what the retainer plan is and what happens if your teeth do not move as expected.
Keeping teeth straight: retainers
According to the NHS, a retainer is a device that stops your teeth moving back to their original position, and you need one after braces come off. The British Orthodontic Society says that if you stop wearing your retainers there will be some tooth movement, and that the only way to keep teeth permanently straight is to wear a retainer part time for life.
We fit fixed wire retainers bonded behind the front teeth, removable clear retainers and base plate retainers, as well as Vivera retainers made by Invisalign. Your dentist will advise which suits you and how often to wear it.
Aligners or braces: how the routes compare
| Route | Visibility | Removable | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear aligners | Very discreet | Yes, for eating and cleaning | Rely on you wearing them as advised; scan and preview at the start |
| Metal braces | Most visible | No | Long established and widely used, with coloured options |
| Ceramic braces | Blends with teeth | No | Brackets can chip and elastic ties can stain |
| Self ligating braces | Metal or clear brackets | No | Built in clips instead of elastic ties |
| Retainers | Usually hidden | Fixed or removable | Needed after every route to hold the result |
No route is better in every case. Aligners suit people who want discretion and are happy to wear them consistently, and fixed braces suit those who prefer not to manage something removable or whose teeth need more complex movement. If you are an adult starting for the first time, our adult braces are a useful next read, and the full set of options sits in our braces and orthodontics section.
Google reviews
4,8
I could not be more satisfied with my experience at Maida Smiles - A special mention to Dr Gurteurez who is one of the most friendly and professional dentists I have ever met
Adam
I had my first visit and the team was very warm, caring and professional. The online booking platform makes it very easy to arrange your appointment. Doctor Pedro made me feel comfortable despite this being my first appointment since Covid. He is incredibly knowledgeable and offers you the best treatment for your specific condition. I would highly recommend them
Gian Paolo Ziletti
Professional. Friendly. Informative. Maida Smiles offers great dental services including cleanings, oral surgery and realignment. I feel very lucky to have them so close by. I had an appointment just this week that was quick, thorough and safe.
Emily Chmura
Being very nervous about using dentists after a terrible experience when I was younger, I came to Maida Smiles and loved the calm patient demeanour of Pedro. You can clearly see Pedro and the team take pride in what they do and are perfectionists. The whole experience was great and I will never go to another dentist again.
Reena Nathwani
Delighted with the outcome of my treatment by Pedro. Meticulous attention to detail explaining exactly how the procedure would be carried out from first consultation to completion backed up with supporting guidance notes. Clearly an expert in his field and someone who cares passionately about the outcomes for his patients. Highly recommended.
George Jones
I loved my first visit to Maida Smile Dental Clinic. The staff member at reception was very warm, welcoming and professional. My dentist, Priscilla, and her assistant were fantastic. I have quite sensitive teeth near my gums and I can find the probing and investigation quite uncomfortable during a consultation, but this wasn’t the case at all. I didn’t experience discomfort and felt in very safe hands. This also applied to the hygienist work. I didn’t even have to ask Priscilla to avoid using the ultra sound cleaner on the sensitive areas of my teeth. I’m looking forward to going back, and that’s not often you can say that about going to the dentist!
Simone Gibson
Since I first had the luck to be recommended and book an appointment with Dr. Pedro Gutierres over 8 years ago, I have never trusted my dental health nor my family’s to anyone else. It’s very hard to find a dentist who ticks all the boxes and even goes beyond any expectations you may have, from service, sympathy, professionalism, and expertise, etc., 5 stars are not enough to rate him. I was so happy when he opened his own clinic and surrounded himself with the best professionals you can find, I cannot recommend Maida Smiles Dental Clinic enough.
Sofia Gouveia
Maida Smiles Dental Clinic is excellent!! The staff is very friendly, professional and always aiming for the customers best experience! A special thank you to Dr. Pedro Gutierres who is truly amazing. I am absolutely satisfied with the results and highly recommend this great dental clinic!
Ana Cruz
Dr. Pedro Gutierres is the best Implantologist I have come across. His work is amazing and of very high quality! I would highly recommend him and Maida Smiles to all my friends and family. If you want the perfect smile this is the place to go.
Blossom
“Pedro was so patient and professional throughout my treatment for my implants.. I chose to have my treatment with a local anaesthetic rather than any sedation and have a very bad gag reflex when anything touches the back of my throat. His patience throughout the experience was wonderful, completely putting me at ease and he also gave me a technique to help me in the future. I have seen him for my follow up and fully intend to book an annual visit in 2020. which is no small thing as I live 60 miles away.I can thoroughly recommend him for any treatment.”
Denise Gilbert
I was very nervous to pull my ingrown wisdom tooth. Dr Pedro Guiterres made me feel really comfortable and the job was completed very professionally. It didn’t take long at all and I didn’t feel any pain. I would definitely recommend his service at this practice.
Jihan Daoud
From the day I made my first appointment. The team at Maida smile were amazing. They didn’t treat me like a customer but more like family. They have been great in every step in FINALLY GETTING MY DREAM SMILE from the receptionist to my dentist Pedro Laranjeira I can’t thank you enough and of course Pedro Laranjeira beautiful wife…… they are very professional and understand that I had to change my appointment now and then for work commitments and they were very understand. I will defo recommend them 100% not forgetting how chic the office is
Tracy Mensah
I was very nervous about having a dental implant but was immediately put at ease by Dr Pedro Gutierres. The procedure was explained in full and the care both during and after treatment has been of the highest standard. I received advice on how to look after my implant and have had no problems. I highly recommend.
Dawn Briggs
I had 7 implants installed by Dr Pedro Gutierres, including one which required a bone graft. In my 70 years I’ve had some bad experiences with dental treatment so it takes a lot for me to relax but, from my initial consultation, through to the end of the treatment, I had complete trust in Pedro’s expertise: preparations for the treatment and after-care were extremely thorough and fully explained, the treatment itself was surprisingly endurable (considering what was involved) and the implants have made a major difference to my life. If you are considering implants then I would whole-heartedly and sincerely recommend Pedro for this work.
Russ Hickman
I couldn’t recommend Maida Smiles enough: the care, attention to detail and the way Dentists and Nurses made sure I felt comfortable and safe throughout the treatments was incredible. Dr Pedro explained the treatments in detail to me and I have never felt under pressure to proceed… but I am very glad I did as I am happy and confident to smile again!
Mariana Pinheiro
Highly recommend this place to anybody looking for a friendly and trustworthy practice with an incredibly friendly and patient staff. Dr Pedro has been one of the best dentists I’ve ever had, he made me feel comfortable and were very knowledgeable in explaining every step of what he was doing and answering all of my questions. Amazing thorough the procedure, excellent communication, superb and professional treatment. I hope they keep it this way for a long time.
Joas Souza
Dr Pedro is a very good, confident and experienced professional. I’ve known him for some years now and always felt well cared for, either for small or bigger treatments.The facilities of the clinic are amazing and all the staff are very friendly. Highly recommended.”
Nelson Cafruni
I went to different clinics before, and nobody could really convince me until Maida Smiles did. The team here makes you comfortable , shows you different options and different budgets , and doesn't try to make you go only for one plan. I felt that the team was knowledgeable and wanted to help me , so that's why I decided to start
Diogo
I was referred to Dr. Pedro who did such a wonderful job with my teeth. The staff was extremely professional, they put you at ease, and it just made the whole experience easier. I've never looked back since
Theresa
"I told him, 'I want beautiful teeth, beautiful but natural, I don't want fake looking teeth.' Now I smile, I talk... it just makes you more confident. If you wear a beautiful nice suit... you have beautiful teeth, then it's like a perfect."
Louca
"I went to my hygienist a little while ago, and she said to me they were the best implants that she'd ever seen and she would never have known that they weren't my real teeth."
Sharon
Dr. Pedro explained the process of Invisalign to me. It sounded easy, it was quite a quick process, and the end result is my teeth moved back, so I'm quite happy.
Soula
I feel like I've not just developed a professional relationship with my dentist and the staff... they become more like friends as well, because of the kind of compassion and sympathy that they give you during treatment.
Alvin
"After a friend recommended the clinic, I was referred to Dr. Pedro, who did such a wonderful job with my teeth. The staff was extremely professional; they put you at ease, and it just made the whole experience easier. They have more than met my expectations. I have to have a few more implants, and I'm not afraid anymore. Now, finally, I can live again."
Lesley
"After not having a great experience with previous dental treatments, I was desperate for someone that I trusted. I broke a tooth, and even before I saw Dr. Pedro, he reassured me that I was going to be fine. He made me feel very comfortable and at ease. It was an amazing experience, from not only Dr. Pedro but also all the staff in the clinic, and I would definitely recommend [them] ".
Mariana
I chose Maida Smiles because of the reviews and a friend who was really happy with the results. The results definitely met my expectations. My expressions are much more smooth than before and it really makes the difference
Carolina
I’m very grateful for the quick and efficient service I received when I needed an emergency appointment. The staff were kind and accommodating, and the dentist provided clear, helpful advice that made a real difference. The whole experience was reassuring. Highly recommend their professionalism and expertise!
Safiya Guled
I am always anxious when having to see the dentist and this was one of my first experiences with Maida Smiles. The dentist, Benedict Harrison was very reassuring and immediately put me at ease. He was quite lucid in his explanations of what had to be done, etcetera, and is making good progress with the ongoing treatment. Also, the rest of the staff were friendly and just plain nice.
John Jacobs
Wow wow Dr Claudia is the best dentist in London, my kid adores her and it is always a pleasant visit. Can’t recommend her enough
Bel Cohn
I am delighted with the results of my replacement veneers.
Dr Benedict Harrison was very good at talking me through the whole process and keeping me informed during the treatment if there were any issues - which there weren’t.
He has a charming demeanour which is an added advantage in a dentist, who I think we all agree are not our favourite people, overall a 5 star experience.
Karen Shepherd
I went to the Maida Smiles Clinic for the first time and had the most wonderful experience! I am dentist phobic but strangely left the place with a big smile on my face (literally!). The receptionist was super kind, Susan was impeccable and very helpful, and I had my appointment with the most amazing dentist Dr Mafalda Vilhena. Couldn’t recommend her enough. She explains the whole procedure and is very rigorous in her work. Congratulations to Dr Pedro Gutierres for creating such an excellent working environment and to all the team. I will be back and bringing my family along and we don’t even live in Maida Vale. Thank you for such an impeccable job on my teeth and for taking my fear of dentists away. Note: they don’t cover NHS, only private bookings or with insurance.
Maria Monteiro
Teeth straightening FAQs
What are the main ways to straighten teeth?
There are clear aligners, which are removable, and fixed braces, which stay on and come in metal, ceramic and self ligating forms. Either route is followed by a retainer to hold the new position.
Which is better, clear aligners or fixed braces?
Neither is better for everyone. Aligners are more discreet and come out for eating and cleaning, but they only work if worn as advised. Fixed braces do not depend on you remembering, and suit a wide range of movements. Your dentist will recommend one after looking at your teeth and bite.
Can adults have braces on the NHS?
According to the NHS, braces are usually only available free to people under 18 with a tooth problem, and adults usually have to pay privately. We are a private clinic, and we offer options for adults as well as for children and teenagers.
Why do I need a retainer afterwards?
Teeth tend to drift back towards where they started, so a retainer holds them in place. The NHS describes it as a device that stops your teeth moving back to their original position.
Do I have to wear a retainer for life?
The British Orthodontic Society says the only way to keep teeth permanently straight is to wear a retainer part time for life, and that teeth can change position with age. Your dentist will give you a plan that suits your teeth and explain how wear usually reduces after the first few months.
What happens at the first appointment?
You can start with a free advisory conversation with our treatment coordinator, who can scan your teeth and talk through options, or with an examination with a dentist for a clinical opinion. Either way you leave knowing which routes are realistic.
How should I compare quotes from different clinics?
Ask what the fee covers, including check ups, adjustments, retainers and any replacement aligners or brackets. Ask whether the price is for one arch or both, who plans and supervises treatment, and what happens at the end. A written plan with costs makes quotes easier to compare.
Your next steps
Free consultation
Find out what the free consultation involves.
Dental examinations
Find out what is included in a dental examination.
Braces for children and teens
Read about braces for children and teenagers.
Dental finance
See how the cost of treatment can be spread.
What affects the cost of teeth straightening
The fee depends on the route you choose, how much movement your teeth need, how many arches are treated and what is included, such as adjustments and retainers. You will be given a written plan with costs before treatment starts, so you can compare it with any other quote you have.
We offer 0% finance over 12 months on eligible treatment, subject to status. We are a credit broker, not a lender. Longer terms may carry interest, and we accept major dental insurers, so check your own policy.
Start with a free conversation
If you are not sure which route to ask about, book the free consultation. You will talk through the options, see a scan of your teeth and leave with a clearer idea of what each route involves.
Finding us in Maida Vale
Maida Smiles is a private dental clinic at 207 to 209 Sutherland Avenue, London W9 1RU, two minutes on foot from Maida Vale tube station. Paid parking is available through ParkBee on Lanark Road, and we welcome new patients from across London. If you would like the local details, you can read about teeth straightening in Maida Vale.
Book your free teeth straightening consultation: call 020 3583 9809 or book online.
Directions From St John’s Wood
Address: 207-209 Sutherland Ave, London W9 1RU. Get directions.
Paid parking is available using ParkBee on Lanark Road (the road right next to the practice). For public transport users, we are a two-minute walk from Maida Vale tube station.
