If you are thinking about straightening your teeth in 2026, chances are you have already searched one question over and over again: Should I get braces or Invisalign? Is one of the most common orthodontic questions on Google, TikTok, Reddit, and YouTube right now. Patients want to know which option is faster, less painful, more effective, more affordable, and better for long-term results.

In reality, free NHS orthodontic treatment at Aligned Orthodontics is limited to under 18s. Even then, it’s not automatic, you must be referred by a general dentist (GDP) and assessed by a specialist. Treatment is only approved if you meet the NHS clinical criteria, meaning your case has to be considered medically necessary rather than cosmetic (using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need). For adults, NHS braces are very rarely available, regardless of being on Universal Credit, unless there’s a serious health or functional issue and this would be carried out at the hospital from a referral from your general dentist not Aligned Orthodontics.

If you have been researching ways to improve your bite, facial balance, or correct jaw-related issues, you may have come across jaw surgery as a potential solution. One of the most common questions people ask is whether it is possible to have jaw surgery for free on the NHS. The answer is yes, but only under specific clinical circumstances and through the correct referral pathway.