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Orthodontics

Braces in Sharjah for teens and adults

Metal and ceramic braces that straighten crooked, crowded or gappy teeth and correct your bite. The orthodontic consultation is free and you can pay monthly.

Metal and ceramicTeens and adultsPay monthly

A straighter smile at any age

Whether it’s crowded front teeth that bother you in photos, a gap you have always disliked, or a bite that doesn’t feel right, braces are a reliable way to move teeth into a healthier, better-looking position. Modern brackets are smaller and more comfortable than ever, and tooth-coloured options are hard to notice.

This guide explains who braces are for, the types, how treatment works, how long it takes, daily life, retainers and what affects the cost at Al Jazeera Dental Clinic in Al Majaz, Sharjah.

Dentist discussing braces and aligners with a patient in Sharjah
Honest advice
Young woman holding a clear aligner tray at a dental consultation
X-ray and planning
Dentist showing a model of teeth to a smiling child while a parent watches
Regular adjustments

Who are braces for?

Braces straighten crooked, crowded or gappy teeth and correct how the upper and lower teeth bite together. They work for teenagers and adults; there is no upper age limit as long as the teeth and gums are healthy.

Straight teeth aren’t only about looks. Crowded teeth are harder to clean, so they are more prone to decay and gum disease. A poor bite can wear teeth unevenly, chip front teeth and strain the jaw. Treatment can make your teeth easier to care for and more comfortable to use, as well as giving you a smile you are happy to show.

For children, an early check around age seven to nine lets us spot bite problems that are easier to guide while the jaw is still growing. Most full orthodontic treatment starts once the adult teeth are through, usually around 11 to 14.

Common reasons for treatment

  • Crowded or overlapping teeth
  • Gaps between teeth
  • Protruding upper front teeth
  • Overbite, underbite or crossbite
  • Teeth that have drifted after extractions
  • Relapse after previous orthodontic treatment
Your options

Types of braces

Metal braces

Small stainless-steel brackets with a wire. The most robust and often the most affordable choice, and very effective for complex movements. Coloured bands are popular with teenagers.

Ceramic braces

Tooth-coloured or clear brackets that blend in with your teeth, so they are much less noticeable. A favourite with adults who want discreet treatment.

Clear aligners

Removable clear trays instead of brackets. Suitable for many mild to moderate cases. See our clear aligners page to compare.

The process

How treatment with braces works

Free orthodontic consultation

We examine your teeth, bite and jaw, take X-rays and photos, and explain whether treatment is needed and which options suit you.

Treatment plan and cost

You receive a written plan with the expected time, the number of visits and the full cost before you decide.

Fitting

Brackets are bonded to your teeth and the wire is placed. It’s painless and takes about an hour to an hour and a half.

Adjustments and retainers

You visit every four to eight weeks for adjustments. When the teeth are straight, retainers keep them there.

How long do braces take?

Most treatment takes between 12 and 24 months. Simple cases, such as closing a small gap or straightening a few front teeth, can be quicker. Complex bites, severe crowding or adult cases where the jaw has stopped growing can take longer.

Your timeline depends on how far the teeth need to move, how your body responds, and how well you look after the brackets. Missed appointments and broken brackets are the most common reasons treatment takes longer than planned, so we work with you to keep things on track.

Making treatment quicker and easier

  • Keep every adjustment appointment
  • Avoid hard and sticky foods that break brackets
  • Wear elastics exactly as instructed
  • Keep teeth and brackets very clean

Living with braces

The first few days after fitting, and after each adjustment, your teeth may feel tender and the brackets may rub your cheeks. Soft food, an ordinary painkiller and orthodontic wax over any sharp spots help. This settles within a few days.

Cleaning takes a little longer with brackets. Brush carefully around each one, above and below the wire, and use small interdental brushes or a floss threader to clean between teeth. Good cleaning prevents white marks and decay around the brackets. We will show you the technique and the best tools.

Avoid hard foods such as nuts, ice and hard sweets, and sticky foods such as toffee and chewing gum. Cut foods like apples and carrots into small pieces rather than biting into them. If you play contact sports, wear a mouthguard.

Foods to avoid

  • Ice, nuts and hard sweets
  • Toffee, caramel and chewing gum
  • Biting directly into hard fruit
  • Chewing pens or nails

Retainers: keeping your new smile

Teeth naturally try to move back towards their old positions, especially in the first year after treatment. Retainers stop that happening. You may have a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth, a clear removable retainer, or both.

At first, removable retainers are usually worn full-time, then at night. Long-term night-time wear is the best way to protect your result. We check retainers at your regular visits and can make replacements if one is lost or damaged.

Adult orthodontics

More adults than ever are straightening their teeth. Ceramic brackets or clear aligners make treatment discreet, and evening appointments until 10 PM fit around work. Healthy gums are essential, so we check and treat them first.

Choosing a treatment

Braces or clear aligners?

Choose brackets if

You have complex crowding, bite problems or rotated teeth, or you prefer not to be responsible for wearing removable trays 22 hours a day.

Choose aligners if

Your case is mild to moderate, you want something almost invisible, and you are disciplined about wearing and changing trays.

Not sure?

That is what the free consultation is for. We tell you honestly which option suits your teeth, even if it’s not the one you expected.

Staying healthy

Common problems and how to avoid them

White marks

Plaque left around brackets can leave chalky white spots on enamel. Thorough brushing, fluoride toothpaste and cutting down sugary drinks prevent them.

Broken brackets

Usually caused by hard or sticky food. Call us if one comes loose; it isn’t an emergency, but it should be fixed before your next adjustment.

Poking wires

As teeth move, a wire end can poke the cheek. Cover it with orthodontic wax and let us know so we can trim it.

Swollen gums

Gums can become puffy if cleaning is difficult. Interdental brushes and regular professional cleaning keep them healthy.

Orthodontic checks for children

Some bite problems are easier to correct while a child is still growing. An early orthodontic check, around seven to nine years old, lets us spot issues such as a crossbite, severe crowding, protruding front teeth or habits like thumb-sucking that affect how the jaws develop.

Most children do not need treatment that early, and we’ll say so honestly. When early treatment does help, it’s usually short and simple, and it can make later treatment quicker or even unnecessary. Our children’s dentistry team sees young patients from around age three.

Signs worth an early check

  • Upper front teeth that stick out a lot
  • Lower teeth biting in front of the upper ones
  • Crowding as adult teeth come through
  • Mouth breathing or thumb-sucking after age seven

How much do braces cost in Sharjah?

The price depends on whether you choose metal or ceramic brackets, how complex your bite is, how long treatment will take, and the retainers you need afterwards. That is why we don’t put one number on this page that could be wrong for you.

Your orthodontic consultation is free and you get the full cost in writing before anything starts. Orthodontic cover varies a lot between insurance plans, so send us your card and we’ll check. Many families spread the cost in monthly instalments with Tabby, Tamara or Toothpick. Insurance and payment options.

Braces near you in Sharjah

  • Open Sunday to Friday 9 AM to 10 PM, Saturday 12:30 PM to 10 PM
  • Free consultation and X-ray
  • Written cost before treatment
  • Insurance: FMC, NGI, Inayah, Aafiya, SAICO / Damana, GlobeMed, MSH, Fazaa, Esaad
  • Pay later with Tabby, Tamara or Toothpick

We’re on Al Khan Street, Al Majaz 3, a short drive from Al Qasba, Al Nahda, Al Taawun, Rolla, Abu Shagara and Buhairah Corniche, with parking in front.

Get directions
FAQ

Questions about braces

Who will look after my braces?
Braces are planned and adjusted by Dr Anija Sreekumar, a general dentist with a Master’s Certificate in Orthodontics (MCO). If your case needs a specialist orthodontist, we will tell you at the free assessment.
What types of braces do you offer?
Metal braces, tooth-coloured ceramic braces and clear aligners. Coloured bands are available with metal braces. We explain which suits your teeth at the assessment.
Do braces hurt?
Fitting does not hurt. Teeth feel tender for a few days after fitting and after adjustments, which soft food and an ordinary painkiller usually manage.
Am I too old for braces?
No. Adults of any age can have orthodontic treatment if their teeth and gums are healthy.
How often do I need appointments?
Usually every four to eight weeks for adjustments. Appointments are short and we are open until 10 PM.
Can I eat normally with braces?
Mostly, yes. Avoid hard and sticky foods and cut harder foods into small pieces.
Can I straighten my teeth if some are missing or crowned?
Often, yes. Teeth with crowns and fillings can be moved, and orthodontics can open or close gaps to prepare for a bridge or implant. We assess each case at the consultation.
Do I have to wear a retainer?
Yes. Retainers keep your teeth straight after treatment. Long-term night-time wear protects your result.

Thinking about straightening your teeth?

Free orthodontic consultation. Honest advice and a written cost before you decide.