Teeth straightening: braces, aligners, veneers — what actually works
In short: there are exactly three options — braces, clear aligners and masking with veneers. The first two genuinely move teeth; the third only changes the appearance. Which one suits you depends not on budget but on how complex the case is.
Braces
The most predictable option. Braces are bonded to the teeth and work around the clock — the result does not depend on whether you remembered to put something in. That is why in complex cases, when roots have to be moved seriously or the bite corrected, an orthodontist will almost always suggest them.
Metal ones are more visible, ceramic ones blend in with the tooth. Self-ligating systems allow rarer adjustment visits — once every 8–10 weeks instead of monthly.
Cost in Dnipro: metal ligature braces — UAH 15,900 per jaw, ceramic — 19,500, self-ligating metal — 17,500, self-ligating ceramic — 24,500, self-ligating Performance — 25,000 and 30,000.
Clear aligners
Transparent trays replaced every week and a half to two weeks. They are invisible and come out for eating and brushing. Ideal for adults who work with people.
The key condition is wearing them 20–22 hours a day. That is not a recommendation but the thing the whole result depends on. If you take them out "for an evening with friends" several times a week, treatment drags on and the plan has to be redone.
Aligners handle moderate crowding, gaps between teeth and slight rotations well. With complex bite problems they either do not work or require additional elements.
Cost: from UAH 99,000 for a full course on both jaws.
A detailed comparison is in braces or clear aligners.
Veneers are not straightening
Veneers do not move teeth. They cover the front surface and create the appearance of an even row. It is fast — two or three weeks instead of two years — and that is exactly why it is tempting.
The price is paid in tissue: the tooth is prepared for the veneer. If the teeth are healthy and the problem is purely aesthetic on one or two front teeth, it is an acceptable solution. But if there is real crowding or an incorrect bite, veneers mask it while the cause remains: the load is still distributed wrongly and the teeth keep wearing down.
Cost: a pressed-ceramic veneer — from UAH 17,600 per tooth. More on the prosthetics page.
Straightening teeth as an adult: is it too late?
It is not. Teeth move within the bone throughout life — that is exactly why they shift with age if a neighbouring tooth is lost. There is no upper age limit for orthodontics; people are treated at 50 and at 60.
There is one difference: in an adult the bone is denser, so teeth move more slowly and treatment lasts longer than in a teenager. On the other hand adults wear the appliance more diligently, and that compensates.
Two conditions before starting: healthy gums and treated teeth. Moving teeth during active periodontitis is not allowed — that is how teeth are lost faster. So first hygiene and gum treatment, and only then orthodontics.
Straightening teeth in children
The first orthodontic check-up is at 6–7 years. At that age it is still possible to influence jaw growth with plates and trainers, rather than only rearranging teeth that have already grown. It is simpler and cheaper than the same work ten years later. More on the children's dentistry page.
How long it takes
From six months for mild crowding to two and a half years for a serious bite problem. The exact term is given by the orthodontist after diagnostics: it cannot be judged from a photo on a phone.
After the appliance is removed there is a mandatory stage — a retainer. Teeth have memory and spend years trying to return. The retainer holds the result: constantly for the first two years, then as the doctor decides. Without it the point of the whole treatment is lost — there is a separate article about this.
Where to start
With an orthodontic consultation: examination, X-ray, and a review of the options with prices and timelines for your specific case. At Houston a consultation costs UAH 690 and two orthodontists see patients. You can book on the orthodontics page.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to straighten teeth in Dnipro?
Metal ligature braces cost UAH 15,900 per jaw, ceramic 19,500, self-ligating metal 17,500, self-ligating ceramic 24,500 and self-ligating Performance 25,000 (metal) or 30,000 (ceramic). A full clear aligner course starts from UAH 99,000. A consultation with an orthodontist costs UAH 690.
Can teeth be straightened at 40 or 50?
Yes. There is no upper age limit for orthodontics. In adults the bone is denser, so treatment takes longer, but healthy gums and treated teeth are required before starting.
Do veneers straighten teeth?
No. Veneers cover the front surface and create the appearance of an even row, but they do not move teeth. With real crowding or an incorrect bite the cause remains and the load is still distributed wrongly.
Orthodontic treatment for children and adults: braces and aligners, support at every stage, including the retention period.
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A phone photo is not enough. At the consultation the orthodontist will examine you, take an X-ray and lay out the options.
Or book by phone 067 478 88 78
Choose the right way to straighten your teeth
A phone photo is not enough. At the consultation the orthodontist will examine you, take an X-ray and lay out the options.
Book now