Invisalign UK Review

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment based on a system of clear aligners. 

Clear aligners are transparent plastic trays that apply gentle pressure to slowly reposition teeth. No brackets or wires are involved, and the aligners are removable. This makes them a popular alternative to braces.

Since its introduction in 1998, Invisalign has treated 12 million people, which has made it the world’s leading clear aligner brand.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Here’s how Invisalign works:

1. Invisalign treatment begins with a (usually free) in-person consultation with an Invisalign-trained dentist or orthodontist. During this consultation, your dentist or orthodontist will digitally scan your teeth. 
2. Next, they’ll design a personalized treatment plan for you. This involves a series of clear aligners based on both your current and desired teeth alignment. Over time, these aligners will slowly move your teeth into their correct positions.
3. You'll wear your Invisalign aligners for 22+ hours a day, only removing them to eat, drink, brush, and floss your teeth. The aligners will straighten your teeth by 0.25 to 0.3 millimeters every 2 weeks.⁵
4. After 2 weeks, you’ll return to your dentist or orthodontist for a check-up appointment. They’ll review your treatment progress, and you’ll receive your remaining sets of Invisalign aligners. 
5. After that, appointments occur every 6 to 8 weeks, and you’ll continue switching your aligners every 2 weeks.
6. After treatment ends, you’ll wear a retainer at night to keep your teeth straight.

Invisalign is our #1 recommendation because they provide comprehensive, in-person care and can treat more severe cases of teeth misalignment. 

Treatment costs up to £5,500 and takes between 3 and 12 months, on average. We recommend Invisalign for almost all mild to severe cases.

Pros of Invisalign 

• Well-established clear aligner brand
• Can fix a large variety of teeth alignment issues
• Discrete
• Removable
• Oral hygiene is easier than with braces
• No food restrictions
• Fewer appointments than with braces

Cons of Invisalign

• NHS may not cover its costs
• Can’t fix as many issues as braces
• Expensive
• Removable aligners means treatment effectiveness depends on the person wearing them

What Orthodontic Issues Can Invisalign Fix?

Invisalign is an effective treatment for many mild-to-severe cases of teeth misalignment.

These include:

• Crowded teeth
• Crooked teeth 
• Gapped teeth
• Overbites
• Underbites
• Crossbites
• Open bites 

Invisalign treatment for these issues ranges between 12 to 18 months. For minor issues, treatment may last as short as 3 months. A more severe issue, or a combination of issues, may increase treatment time.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

Invisalign’s cost in the United Kingdom varies according to treatment length, where you live, and your treatment provider. 

It can also vary depending on which form of Invisalign you get:

• Invisalign Full (also known as Invisalign Comprehensive) is the original Invisalign plan, meant to treat moderate to severe misalignment. It costs between £2,500 and £5,500.
• Invisalign Express treats minor crowding or spacing issues. There are 3 different levels to Invisalign Express, costing between £1,800 and £3,000, with £2,500 being the average.
• Invisalign Lite is also meant for minor teeth alignment issues. It costs between £1,800 and £3,500. 

Many dentists and orthodontists offer payment plans to finance Invisalign treatment. These plans vary in their terms, with some being interest-free and not requiring a credit check.

Does the National Health Service (NHS) Cover Invisalign?

The (NHS) covers orthodontic treatment for those under the age of 18. Invisalign is available for children and teenagers, so this is an option.`

For adults, Invisalign treatment may be covered depending on their specific needs. The NHS uses a 1-to-5 rating system called the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) to determine this. 

Those who receive a grade of 3 may be covered on a case-by-case basis. Those with a grade of 4 or 5 are usually covered. Those who score a 1 or a 2 are usually not covered.

Invisalign vs. At-Home Aligners

Invisalign is an in-office aligner. This means treatment involves mandatory visits to the dentist’s or orthodontist’s office.

Most aligners in the United Kingdom, besides Invisalign, are at-home aligners. 

At-home aligners allow treatment to occur with minimal or no visits to the dentist’s or orthodontist’s office. This is convenient for those with minor teeth alignment problems. But, Invisalign can be more precise due to in-person care.

Invisalign Cost vs. At-Home Aligner Brands

The cost of Invisalign in the UK ranges between £2,500 and £5,500. 

Here are some of the at-home aligners available in the UK and how their cost compares to Invisalign:

Invisalign vs. PlusDent

PlusDent is a clear aligner company based in the UK. It offers affordable treatment for minor teeth alignment issues.

Highlights of PlusDent include:

• Hybrid care model — like Invisalign, PlusDent has a variety of physical studios from which dental professionals conduct an initial teeth scan and consultation. They then monitor treatment remotely.
• GDC-certified — all PlusDent providers are registered with the General Dental Council, meaning they are qualified dental professionals. 
• Well-reviewed — according to TrustPilot, 79% of users gave PlusDent a score of “good” or “excellent.” Four percent of users said their experience was “average,” and just 10% said it was either “poor” or “bad.”

PlusDent can treat mild cases of teeth misalignment in 3 to 10 months. Treatment costs £1,390 as a one-time payment.

Invisalign vs. Straight Teeth Direct

Straight Teeth Direct is another UK-based clear aligner company that offers the convenience of at-home teeth straightening at an affordable price. 

The company has additional attractive offerings, such as:

• Strong reviews —  consumer reviews consistently praise Straight Teeth Direct for its treatment results, responsive customer service, and lack of hidden fees.
• More guarantees — Straight Teeth Direct offers more guarantees than other brands. These include free refinements for post-treatment issues and free replacements for lost or broken retainers.
• Affordable price — treatment is 70% more affordable than Invisalign and braces. It’s also the second-lowest price for UK-based, at-home aligners.

Treatment with Straight Teeth Direct is £1,350 and takes between 5 to 9 months, depending on the issues involved. 

Invisalign vs. SmileDirectClub (SDC)

SmileDirectClub pioneered at-home aligner treatment. It first introduced the idea in 2014. 

Despite multiple companies since entering the industry, SDC still has useful features, such as:

• More payment plans than competitors, two of which are interest-free
• Physical locations in multiple Canadian cities, including Toronto and Vancouver
• Payment plans with no credit checks required

SmileDirectClub treatment costs £1,539 and takes on average 6 months. We recommend it for mild cases of teeth misalignment.

Invisalign vs. Straight My Teeth

Straight My Teeth has made a name for itself by offering highly affordable treatment. The company is based in Ireland but also operates in the UK. 

Some of Straight My Teeth’s pros include:

• Low treatment cost
• Available for teenagers ages 14 and up
• Physical locations available

Straight My Teeth can correct minor teeth alignment problems in between 6 to 8 months. The cost for treatment is £999.