Invisible aligners: What to know before choosing the clear alternative

Gone are the days of hiding metal wire-and-bracket smiles behind your hands. Instead, a quieter solution to teeth straightening has surfaced: invisible aligners. Transparent, removable and comfortable to wear, they’ve become one of the most popular choices for adults and teens who want a straighter smile without the visibility of traditional braces.

This blog explains exactly what invisible aligners are, how they work, what they cost and whether they’re right for you.

What are invisible aligners?

Invisible dental aligners are custom-made trays that gradually shift your teeth into place. Unlike fixed braces, they’re removable and designed to be almost undetectable. The best invisible aligners are made from medical-grade plastic. They have a soft inside layer, coated by a rigid layer of BPA-free plastic. It’s this unique combination that allows the aligners to gradually move teeth into position using “push force”. Imagine your gums as an elastic band – it can stretch, but it always wants to shrink back into place. That’s how invisible aligners work; by pushing your teeth into a different direction.

Treatment involves wearing a series of aligners, each slightly adjusted from the last, worn for one to two weeks at a time. Over months, these small changes add up to a significant transformation – without the wires or brackets that many people associate with orthodontics. Instead, composite “dot” attachments are strategically placed onto specific teeth for the most precise and predictive micro-movements.

Do invisible aligners really work? 

The short answer: yes. Clinical studies and patient experiences confirm that professional invisible aligners are effective for a wide range of orthodontic needs. Just like with any treatment, patient compliance and consistency is key. You’ll need to wear your invisible aligners for 20-22 hours per day, every day, if you want your teeth straightening treatment to be a success!

Aligner treatments do vary in their timeframes, but most people see results within 6 to 18 months; which is incredible for such an, often life-changing, transformation. If you consider traditional braces, or even invisible braces, you could be looking at a 12 to 24 month process.

What’s the average cost for invisible aligners?

Here’s a price breakdown for invisible aligners in the UK.

Invisible aligners typically cost around £1,500 to £4,500, depending on where you are in the country. For instance, it’s widely acknowledged that London prices are generally higher than most other cities. 

Your bite matters too. If you have any bite misalignment, such as a crossbite, underbite or overbite, these will increase the price of your invisible aligners package. Bite correction requires a dual arch (both upper teeth and lower teeth), and of course, the more aligners you need, the more expensive it’ll be.

A lot of people don’t have a spare couple of thousand laying around, so you’ll find that many aligner companies offer flexible finance plans, making treatment more financially manageable and accessible.

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How much are invisible aligners a month?

Per month, you could be looking at anything from £38 per month for a mild single arch, or £200 per month for a very complex dual arch. Smile White provides professional invisible aligner packages from just £38 to £88 per month based on case complexity. You can see the full price range on our clear aligners page.

Can you get invisible aligners on the NHS?

NHS invisible aligners are very rarely offered, usually only in a medical capacity. It’s unlikely you’ll get free invisible braces, clear aligners or hidden lingual braces on the NHS at all. Instead, you’ll be more likely prescribed traditional metal braces. 

Invisible aligners vs braces: the key differences

How do invisible aligners stack up against braces? We’ll break it down

• Effectiveness: Invisible aligners work really well for mild to severe crowding, for closing gaps between teeth and a range of bite issues. For extremely complex corrections for both teens and adults, traditional braces, lingual braces and invisible braces are generally seen as the better option.
• Compliance: You need to wear your invisible aligners 20-22 hours per day, every day. And because they’re removable, rather than fixed braces, you need to make sure you’re putting your aligners back in. 
• Daily comfort: No wires or brackets mean fewer mouth sores and cleaning is that much easier. In short, aligners suit people looking for a more comfortable, undetectable option that they can remove.

Are invisible aligners right for you?

Invisible aligners, clear aligners, removable aligners; whatever we’re calling them, they’re reshaping how we think about orthodontics. They’re the go-to option for adults and teens looking to feel a little bit more confident in their smile.

Sure, they might not be for everyone, but for many, they bridge a gap between convenience and results. If you’ve ever wondered whether invisible aligners could be the clear choice for you, give us a call and speak to our specialists. Because the answer could be closer than you think…