Video · Braces

Having braces fitted: the appointment step by step

At a glance

  • The teeth are cleaned and dried, and your lips and cheeks are gently held back to keep them dry.
  • Each bracket is bonded to the tooth surface with a special adhesive.
  • A blue curing light sets the adhesive.
  • A wire is threaded through the brackets and held with ties, and you can choose the colours.
  • We show you how to clean around your braces and give you wax for anything that rubs.

Your fitting appointment

Having braces fitted is usually simpler than people expect. In this video, Dr Sarah Sadek shows how braces are fitted, one step at a time.

Fitting does not usually need an injection. Teeth often feel tender for a few days afterwards as they begin to move, so soft foods are sensible for the first week.

Your questions answered

Does having braces fitted hurt?

The fitting itself does not usually hurt or need an injection. Many people feel pressure and tenderness for a few days afterwards, which usually settles.

How long does a braces fitting take?

It depends on the type of braces and whether both top and bottom are fitted. We will tell you how long to allow.

What can I eat after braces are fitted?

Soft foods such as pasta, soup, yoghurt and scrambled eggs are easiest for the first few days. Avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods throughout treatment.

Save on treatment with an SW3 Dental plan

Student Smile members get 15% off all treatments, including aligners and braces. Smile for Life plan members get 10% off private treatment, including aligners. Both plans also cover your check-ups and hygiene visits.

Student plans from £12.95/month →   Practice plans from £14.95/month →

12-month minimum term. Student plans need a valid student card. The SW3 Essentials plan discount does not include aligners; full details and exclusions are in the terms. Student terms · Practice plan terms.

Seeing us in Chelsea

SW3 Dental is on the first floor at 295 King's Road, London SW3 5EP, a short bus ride from Sloane Square and within walking distance of South Kensington station. Call 020 3474 6302 or book online.

In this video

Presenter
Dr Sarah Sadek
Specialist Orthodontist & Clinical Director
GDC No. 114943 · Chelsea · Waterloo · Croydon

General information only. This video and page give general information and are not personal dental or medical advice. Treatment suitability, results and timescales vary between patients and are confirmed at a consultation. Some videos were recorded at other practices in our group. Last reviewed October 2026.

SW3 Dental, 1st Floor, 295 King's Road, London SW3 5EP · 020 3474 6302. Part of a group of practices with Waterloo Dental & Orthodontics (SE1) and Croydon Dental Practice (CR0). Complaints procedure · Privacy & cookie policy