Invisalign UK Review

Key Takeaways

• Invisalign launched its in-office aligners in 1998
• It can treat mild to severe teeth misalignments
• Treatments usually last 6 to 18 months
• Invisalign UK typically costs £3,500 to £5,500

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.

Pros & Cons of Invisalign UK

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.

Invisalign Pros

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

• It’s an effective treatment. Most people who try Invisalign say it either improves the appearance of their smile or resolves their teeth alignment issues.
• Your treatment may be shorter than expected. Many customers reported faster treatment times and visible results within 6 months of starting.
• Dental insurance may cover its costs. Depending on your insurer and its policies, they could help pay for your Invisalign treatment—partially or in full.
• Many Invisalign providers offer flexible payment options, which allow patients to divide the treatment cost into affordable monthly installments.
• It’s comfortable and discreet. Invisalign aligners feel snug, have little to no impact on speech and daily activities, and are barely visible when worn.
• It’s easier to use and maintain. Unlike traditional metal braces, you can remove Invisalign aligners when you eat, brush, or floss your teeth.
• Treatment plans are personalised. Your provider will customise your Invisalign journey from start to finish. They may offer adjustments and refinement aligners if needed.
• It requires fewer appointments than metal braces, making it a more convenient option for those who want to straighten their lower and upper teeth.

Invisalign Cons

[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

• It lacks transparency when it comes to cost. Additional fees may apply if you extend your treatment, switch providers, or request to replace your aligners or retainers.
• Prices vary across providers. Each Invisalign provider has a unique pricing structure, financing options, insurance partners, and treatment policies that affect the overall cost.
• The quality of its products is inconsistent. You may get ill-fitting clear aligners or retainers that can cause cuts and discomfort or break easily.
• Getting help can be difficult. Many people receive late responses or unhelpful information from Invisalign’s customer support and their local providers.
• It has different effects on people’s teeth. It depends on your compliance and the skill of your assigned dentist or orthodontist. Treatments may also last longer than expected. 
• It isn’t covered by the NHS. If you want to cut on treatment costs, you’ll need an insurance plan with qualifying dental coverage.
• Its treatments aren’t accessible to everyone in the UK. This depends on the availability of providers in your area and which treatment options they offer.
• The cases it can treat are limited. While it can treat more teeth misalignments (malocclusions) than at-home clear aligners, it can’t fix as many issues as braces.

Which Invisalign Is Right For You?

Invisalign offers various teeth straightening treatments in the UK:

Invisalign Full

• What’s included: 20 to 50 aligners
• Average treatment time: 12 to 24 months

This treatment addresses complex orthodontic issues in teenagers and adults. It helps with severe crowding, spacing issues, and bite problems.

Invisalign Lite

• What’s included: Up to 14 aligners
• Average treatment time: 6 to 8 months

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.

Invisalign Express (i7)

• What’s included: Up to 7 aligners
• Average treatment time: 3 to 6 months

Teenagers and adults requiring minor corrections (like slight crowding or small gaps) may opt for this quick and affordable option.

Invisalign Teen

• What’s included: 20 to 50 aligners
• Average treatment time: 12 to 24 months

These Invisalign aligners are designed for teenagers aged 13 to 19. It has features that ensure they’re being worn as prescribed.

Invisalign First

• The number of aligners included may vary
• Average treatment time: 6 to 18 months

It addresses early orthodontic problems in children as young as 6 to 10 years old, ensuring a good foundation for their permanent teeth.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost in the UK?

Invisalign typically costs £3,500 to £5,500 in the United Kingdom. Here is the price range of Invisalign treatments as of 2024:

• Invisalign Full ⁠— £3,500 to £5,500
• Invisalign Lite — £2,500 to £4,000
• Invisalign Express — £1,500 to £2,500
• Invisalign Teen — £3,500 to £5,500
• Invisalign First — £2,000 to £3,500

The actual cost will depend on your Invisalign treatment, where you’re located, and your provider.

Does Invisalign UK Offer Financing?

Many UK dentists and orthodontists offer payment plans. Each provider will have different options available, such as:

• In-house payments — Pay a fixed cost at different stages of the treatment. The remaining balance is divided into affordable monthly payments.
• Payment terms — Pay the agreed monthly costs (such as £85 to £325 per month) until you fully cover your treatment costs.
• Interest rates — Choose from zero-interest and low-interest payment plans.

Some Invisalign providers offer discounts if you pay for your entire treatment upfront. It can help you cut costs on your Invisalign treatment.

Can You Get Invisalign On the NHS?

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:

• Grade 1 to 2 — Invisalign treatments aren’t covered
• Grade 3 — Your treatment may or may not be covered
• Grade 4 to 5 — Treatments are usually covered

How Invisalign Works

Here’s a step-by-step of our Invisalign experience so you know what to expect:

Step 1: Consult an Invisalign provider

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:

• Which treatment they recommend (e.g., Invisalign Lite or Express)
• How many Invisalign aligners you’ll need for the treatment (e.g., 14 trays)
• How long your treatment will last and how much it will cost you

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.

Step 2: Review your Invisalign treatment plan

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.

Step 3: Wear your prescribed Invisalign aligners

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:

• Wearing your Invisalign aligners for at least 22 hours a day
• Removing your aligners when eating or drinking hot beverages
• Flossing and brushing your teeth in between
• Caring for your invisible aligners

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.

Step 4: Check in with your Invisalign doctor

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:

• Adding SmartForce attachments to your teeth — To increase the force of your aligners without attracting unwanted attention (they’re small and barely visible)
• Shaving certain teeth (interproximal reduction or IPR) — To create spaces in between, giving your teeth enough room to move throughout the aligner treatment

Step 5: Finish your Invisalign treatment

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.

Invisalign vs. Other Clear Aligners in the UK

Here’s how Invisalign compares to UK’s clear aligners:

Our Invisalign Rating

Overall user experience

4

Treatment process

4.5

Pricing and financing

3.9

Customer service and aftersales support

3

Brand reputation

4.1

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.

Why Trust Our Invisalign Review?

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:

• Spent 80+ hours researching the Invisalign treatment process
• Scanned over 100+ customer reviews on Invisalign UK
• Consulted dental professionals and industry experts
• Reviewed 20+ studies on the safety and effectiveness of invisible aligners
• Had our writers try Invisalign treatment from start to finish
• Compared Invisalign to other at-home and in-office treatments we tried
• Asked in-house dentists to fact-check our review for accuracy

How We Rated Invisalign UK

We had in-house writers undergo Invisalign treatment. While testing its clear aligners, our team assessed and scored them based on five traits:

• Overall user experience (30%)
• Treatment process (30%)
• Pricing and financing (20%)
• Customer service and aftersales support (15%)
• Brand reputation (5%)

Each trait was assigned a “weight” so we could calculate their individual rating and weighted average scores on a scale of five.