Orthodontic treatment takes time and regular visits to the dentist's office. Added to this is the cost, which is a common argument not to start treatment. However, with braces you can get rid of malocclusion, pronunciation problems, enjoy a beautiful and straight smile and avoid more serious health consequences. What are the other advantages and disadvantages of orthodontic treatment and is it worth opting for a Polish orthodontist in the UK?
When to opt for treatment from an orthodontist?
Many people do not opt for orthodontic treatment because they are unaware of the consequences of malocclusion. A few of these are headaches caused by constant tension, and crumbling or cracking of teeth. Crooked teeth are not just a matter of appearance. They are associated with many consequences. Find out which ones: "Crooked teeth - causes and how to get rid of an embarrassing smile" and find out more.
Some also struggle with diastema. This one can cause pronunciation problems, and some people want to get rid of it for aesthetic reasons. You can read more about this in our other article: "Gap between teeth - where it comes from and how to remove it".
Even if you are not struggling with the above problems crooked teeth mean a greater risk of tooth decay. The reason for this is the difficulty of cleaning hard-to-reach tooth surfaces thoroughly.
Therefore, whether it is an aesthetic or health issue, do not delay treatment - today make an appointment for your first visit to a Polish orthodontist in the UK.
Also remember that if you decide to fight for a beautiful smile, you need to be prepared for several changes. Frequent visits to the office, a complete change in your oral hygiene routine are just a few of them. Find out what to prepare for by reading our articles: Orthodontic treatment in the UK and How do I look after my teeth with braces?
And now we will get right to the main topic and discuss the pros and cons of orthodontic treatment in the UK.
Polish orthodontist in the UK - disadvantages
The main factor why Poles choose to receive treatment in their home country is the price. It is said that the one in Poland is much more favourable. But is this really the case?
Price for fixed metal braces in Poland ranges from £1,500 to £3,000 per arch, which is around £300 - £600. Of course, it all depends on the city and the specific surgery, so it is possible that the price could be even lower.
In comparison, in English dental practices you already have to pay between £1500 and £2500 for the same braces. If you opt for a Polish orthodontist in the UK the price will be between £600 and £1100.
Indeed, the cost of braces alone is the most favourable in Poland. However, orthodontic treatment involves not only braces, but also check-up visits. And these, if the braces are fitted in Poland, will involve travelling (most orthodontists do not continue treatment which they themselves have not recommended). Here, there are expenses for the ticket, travel, possible accommodation plus the cost of the visit itself.
A frequent "no" argument is also the lack of a Polish orthodontist in the area. If there is no Polish dental surgery in your town, you may want to consider travelling a little further afield. A train or bus will certainly be cheaper than a plane ticket - and you will get help more quickly if you need it.
Polish orthodontist in the UK - advantages
The advantage of using a Polish orthodontist in the UK is that he or she is on site. Making an appointment does not involve fitting it into your flight and holiday schedule. Why is this so important?
Orthodontic treatment can last up to several months. During this time, minor damage may occur in the braces, the bracket may come loose, the ligature may break or the arch may shift. In such situations, a quick visit to the orthodontist is a must. As the current situation has shown, a trip may not always be possible.
As we have already mentioned, an orthodontist in the UK will not always want to continue a treatment recommended and started by another doctor. Very often in such situations, he or she is not able to guarantee an outcome because he or she is not taking care of the patient from the beginning.
And if you want to take care of your teeth in the UK , but have previously had treatment in Poland and you already have a dental treatment plan - come to us. Not only will you be able to continue treatment, but you may also be positively surprised financially. This was the case of our patient, whose full treatment in Poland was valued at 28,000 zlotys, or more than £5,500. In our office, based on the Polish dental treatment plan, we made a new cost estimate. The amount - £1730, which is over £3,800 less. You can read more about this in our article "A dental treatment plan, i.e. a cost estimate for your teeth".
What other advantages are associated with choosing a Polish orthodontist in the UK? First and foremost - the language. Sometimes it is much easier to convey what we mean using Polish. Especially as it is not uncommon for some terms to be moderately understandable in English. Choosing a doctor with whom you can communicate freely is a great convenience.
Orthodontic treatment in the UK - what costs do you have to face?
We realise that the cost of orthodontic treatment can be a considerable expense, but at our practice we have found a solution to this. We have decided to allow our patients to pay in instalments.
The price depends on the type of braces. With the instalment scheme, for example, you will pay less than £50 per month (with 12 instalments) for fixed metal braces for one arch. You can read more about the types of braces and their prices in our article "Types of braces in the UK - what to choose". On the other hand, if you are interested in our instalment system, we recommend the text "Teeth on credit: dental treatment on hire purchase".
It is worth adding that our system is 100% secure and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 619628).