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Invisalign has treated over 15.7 million people since its launch and is one of the most trusted clear aligner brands in the UK. While it works for many people, some aren’t satisfied with its results considering how much it costs.
We tried Invisalign aligners to see if these claims were true. Our team also reviewed dozens of reviews on Trustpilot UK and Consumer Affairs and compared them with our personal insights on the brand.
Many of our experiences with Invisalign matched what people say about it online. We used these reviews as a baseline and gave it a 4-star rating in five categories:
Below are some Invisalign reviews and a summary of its pros and cons.
I love the quality service and the treatment received and most importantly the amazing transformation of my smile. Well worth it and I would definitely recommend Invisalign.
Invisalign Review on Sensu
[The] appearance of my teeth has improved, but it hasn’t sorted the overbite which… I wanted treatment [for]… When queried, [I] was told it would settle. Twelve months later [and it still] hasn’t. I wish I’d have had fixed braces instead.
Invisalign Review on Trustpilot
Invisalign offers various teeth straightening treatments in the UK:
This treatment addresses complex orthodontic issues in teenagers and adults. It helps with severe crowding, spacing issues, and bite problems.
It’s best for teens and adults with mild to moderate orthodontic cases that can be corrected with fewer aligners and a shorter treatment time.
Teenagers and adults requiring minor corrections (like slight crowding or small gaps) may opt for this quick and affordable option.
These Invisalign aligners are designed for teenagers aged 13 to 19. It has features that ensure they’re being worn as prescribed.
It addresses early orthodontic problems in children as young as 6 to 10 years old, ensuring a good foundation for their permanent teeth.
Invisalign typically costs £3,500 to £5,500 in the United Kingdom. Here is the price range of Invisalign treatments as of 2024:
The actual cost will depend on your Invisalign treatment, where you’re located, and your provider.
Many UK dentists and orthodontists offer payment plans. Each provider will have different options available, such as:
Some Invisalign providers offer discounts if you pay for your entire treatment upfront. It can help you cut costs on your Invisalign treatment.
No, Invisalign isn’t typically covered by the National Health Service (NHS). It only covers dental treatments that have been prescribed for health reasons.
Invisalign is generally considered a cosmetic treatment, although some people get approved on a case-by-case basis.
If you request to be covered, the NHS will use the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) to grade your case on a scale of 1 to 5. It will help them determine your coverage:
Here’s a step-by-step of our Invisalign experience so you know what to expect:
First, you need to book an in-person consultation with an Invisalign provider in your area. These are UK-registered dentists or orthodontists who have partnered with Invisalign.
It’s usually a free consultation. However, some providers may charge a small fee.
During this initial consultation, your provider will evaluate your teeth to see if you’re a good fit for Invisalign. If you qualify, they will lay out your treatment plan, including:
From here, you can decide whether to continue with treatment or not. This would be a good time to ask questions about financing options and accepted insurance.
Keep in mind that your Invisalign doctor may adjust your treatment time and suggest additional refinements on top of your initial treatment. It all depends on how your teeth move along.
If you have poor oral health or other dental problems preventing you from qualifying, you may need additional treatments. Your provider may offer these services.
Once you agree to the treatment, your provider will take intra-oral scans (or teeth scans from inside your mouth). They’ll use a tool called the iTero Element Scanner.
Digital teeth scanning is a fast, convenient, and mess-free alternative to taking dental impressions on your own. It provides an accurate 360-degree view of your teeth.
This helps them create an accurate treatment plan and well-fitted aligners.
For this step, your provider will gently probe the scanning tool inside your mouth. The device will take high-resolution images of your teeth from different angles.
The images are used to create a 3D model of your teeth within minutes. Your provider will then design your treatment plan using a program called ClinCheck.
They’ll show you before-and-after images of what your teeth may look like. This includes the step-by-step changes your teeth will undergo as you switch from one aligner to the next.
You can review your treatment plan, request changes, and approve it. After approving the plan, your provider will have your custom-fit aligners made.
Invisalign will ship your custom aligners in sets and not all at once. Your dentist or orthodontist should receive the first set within 3 to 4 weeks, though it can take longer.
When your clear aligners arrive, your provider will schedule a fitting appointment. They’ll ensure it fits your teeth before sending you home with the rest of your aligners.
Your provider will give you instructions on their proper usage, such as:
It’s important that you wear your aligners as prescribed so the treatment will work. Your teeth and gums may feel sore at the beginning. The pain should go away after a few days.
You have to visit your provider every 4 to 6 weeks so they can watch your treatment progress. This is also when you’ll pick up your next set of aligners.
During a follow-up appointment, the dentist or orthodontist could adjust your treatment. They might tell you to switch to your next aligner sooner or ask you to wait a few more weeks.
Your provider may also perform procedures that encourage teeth movement, such as:
You and your doctor will work together on your final appointment to evaluate your final results. They will see if you’ve achieved your smile goals.
Those who don’t like their results may opt to get more clear aligners and refinements until they’re satisfied. However, this will cost you and extend your treatment time.
Patients who are satisfied with the treatment may proceed with wearing Vivera retainers. These retainers will keep teeth straight and help maintain a perfect smile.
A retainer prevents your teeth from moving back into their original positions.
Here’s how Invisalign compares to UK’s clear aligners:
Clear Aligner Brand | Treated Cases | Average Treatment Time | How To Start Treatment | Treatment Monitoring | Treatment Cost |
Invisalign | Mild to complex | 6 to 18 months | In-person visit | In-person | £3,500 to £5,500 |
NewSmile | Mild to moderate | 4 to 10 months | Impression kit | Remote | £1,849 to £1,949 |
SmileWhite | Mild to complex | 2 to 7 months | Online consultation and in-person | In-person | £1,695 |
Straight Teeth Direct | Mild to moderate | 5 to 9 months | Online consultation or impression kit | Remote | £1,790 |
Dr. Smile | Mild to complex | 4 to 7 months | In-person visit | Remote | £1,390 to £2,090 |
Virtuoso | Mild to complex | 6 to 9 months | Online consultation and in-person | Remote and in-person | £1,999 |
Invisalign is our top choice for in-office teeth straightening. The brand has many dental partners across the UK and provides comprehensive orthodontic care.
It has treatments for children, teenagers, and adults with crooked teeth. Unlike most clear aligner brands, it can treat a wider range of teeth misalignments and bite problems.
People usually opt for Invisalign because it’s removable and discreet. There are no metal brackets or wires—just plastic dental trays that you wear on your upper and bottom teeth.
Many providers offer financing and accept insurance to help you save on treatment costs. But it’s an expensive option (you can get clear braces for about the same price).
If you have minor teeth misalignment, there are cheaper alternatives in the UK.
We have a dedicated team of medical writers, expert researchers, licensed dental professionals, and medical reviewers who curate and approve content for NewMouth.
Before publishing this article, our team:
We had in-house writers undergo Invisalign treatment. While testing its clear aligners, our team assessed and scored them based on five traits:
Each trait was assigned a “weight” so we could calculate their individual rating and weighted average scores on a scale of five.
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