The cost of treatment has always been a barrier between adults in the UK and the orthodontic care they need. While National Insurance offers dental coverage, orthodontic benefits are highly restricted past the age of 18. And when adult cases are approved, the National Health Service leans towards metal appliances, not clear aligners.
This has left millions of adults in the UK dreaming of straighter smiles without the funds to cover private treatment with Invisalign.
If you’re an adult looking to make cosmetic corrections to your dental alignment, you’re in luck; there are more affordable options than Invisalign or even traditional metal braces. At-home clear aligners can cut your costs in half — and sometimes more — when compared to in-office treatment. Plus, they offer financing options to make the price even more accessible.
As you would expect, each company has its own price tag and payment plans, so some are more affordable than others. This is your guide to the three most budget-friendly options.
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Why Are At-Home Clear Aligners So Affordable?
The high cost of traditional orthodontic treatment centers on factors like the base rates the companies offer doctors, the complexity of the cases they treat, and even their level of brand recognition. However, the single greatest factor behind their higher costs is the required in-office visits.
With traditional treatments, you get started by setting up a consultation with a dentist or orthodontist. They visually inspect your teeth and gums and take diagnostics — which can include photographs, X-rays, digital scans, or molds — that help them set the foundation of your treatment.
Next, your doctor carefully plans out your treatment, ordering your appliances after getting your approval. Once the aligners arrive at the office, you’ll schedule another appointment to try on the first set and get wear and care instructions. After that, you visit the doctor every 4–10 weeks, so they can monitor your progress and make adjustments.
Your doctor’s time and effort aren’t free, so they’ll include office visit fees in the price of your treatment. But at-home clear aligners rarely require any office visits, and when they do, it is just one — to capture digital teeth scans for their treatment planning software. This means all those fees are absent from the total cost of treatment, driving the price down while also freeing up your schedule.
The Most Affordable Clear Aligners in the UK
At-home clear aligners can deliver an amazing smile transformation at a fraction of the cost of traditional treatments. However, when looking at affordability, you need to go beyond just “cheap.” You want a genuine value: an effective, patient-friendly treatment that won’t drain your bank account. Based on our research, these three companies fit the bill.
1st Place: Straight My Teeth
At just £1,199 for the full course of treatment, no other at-home clear aligner company matches Straight My Teeth. Plus, they frequently offer discounts that drive down the price by as much as £300. While you might expect that to equate to lower quality, Straight My Teeth doesn’t cut corners, earning high marks on efficiency and quality — and up until very recently, customer satisfaction.
Pros:
- Their low price is pretty inclusive — you get all the aligners you need, some tools to make it easier to get them in and remove them, plus one set of aftercare retainers.
- They will discount the cost of your impression kit from the price of treatment, further lowering the amount you pay.
- Their aligners use plastic from Raintree Essix, one of the biggest and most reputable dental supply companies.
Cons
- They don’t include refinements in the cost of treatment, so if you want to make more changes after using all your aligners, it will cost you.
2nd Place: NewSmile
NewSmile only recently joined the UK clear aligner scene, but they’re already making a name for themselves thanks to their effective, value-driven treatments. Their all-day system costs just £1,495, and their nighttime-only treatment is £1,495. NewSmile’s low pricing doesn’t stop them from offering high-quality treatments with compelling extras.
Pros:
- NewSmile packs your aligner bundle with extras, like an impression kit, aftercare retainers, and free whitening. That’s over £150 in bonuses.
- NewSmile’s financing doesn’t require a credit check. Anyone will be eligible to break up their total into 12 monthly payments, regardless of credit score.
- If your results don’t match your treatment preview, NewSmile will make extra aligners to make it right.
Cons:
- Unlike some of their competitors, NewSmile doesn’t offer free in-person scans, so you’ll need to purchase an impression kit to start treatment. You can buy it for £130, or if you’re sure NewSmile is the right fit for you simply purchase the aligner package outright and the impression kit will be included.
- NewSmile only recently joined the UK clear aligner scene, so most of their online reviews are from US and Canadian customers.
3rd Place: Straight Teeth Direct
Straight Teeth Direct works hard to mimic the experience of in-person treatment in a remote setting. In addition to having virtual check-ins, they are one of the only at-home aligner companies that doesn’t give you all your aligners up front. This lets them re-evaluate your smile during treatment and alter the plan to deliver the best results.
Pros:
- Straight Teeth Direct can make mid-treatment adjustments when necessary, making the experience similar to in-person treatment.
- They offer multiple payment plans, two of which do not require a credit check.
- You do not need to pay for refinements.
Cons:
- Straight Teeth Direct is focused on delivering a remote service and only partners with one physical location (in London) where you can get your teeth scanned. If you don’t live in London, you’ll need to purchase an impression kit to get started.
Other Clear Aligners Worth Considering
If you are on a tight budget, you might struggle to look beyond the three cheapest options. However, you could find that other companies are a better fit for your overall needs, even if they aren’t the cheapest. Here are a few other companies we think are worth considering.
SmileDirectClub: £1,739
SmileDirectClub is one of the most experienced at-home aligner companies and is perhaps the most well-known worldwide. While they’re pricier than some of their peers, their wealth of experience makes them a company to consider.
Virtuoso: £1,999
By incorporating both in-person appointments and remote oversight, Virtuoso combines the convenience of remote oversight with the robustness of hands-on care. They give every customer a Smart Dental Scope for remote check-ins and their app provides direct access to experts. Their price is higher than many of their peers, and they don’t offer in-house financing — so you’ll have to rely on your dentist’s office — but you get a lot for your money.
ClearCorrect: £1,200–£2,500
ClearCorrect is an in-office treatment, developed as a competitor to Invisalign. This means it can treat a wider range of conditions than at-home aligners. On the lower end of its price spectrum, ClearCorrect can even be cheaper than remote treatment since you can choose to pay per aligner rather than a flat rate. But it can also be a lot more expensive.
Invisalign: £1,500-£5,500
Finally, while it will typically be the most expensive option, you should consider Invisalign. If you have a complex case, it might even be one of the only options available to you. Not only can it treat a wide range of severe misalignments, but it is also the most well-established clear aligner company, having treated more than 15 million patients worldwide.
What Other Factors Should I Consider?
Affordability of treatment is easily one of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a clear aligner system, but it isn’t the only one. There are many factors that contribute to treatment quality. No two companies are exactly the same and not all will meet your unique needs.
For example, the most affordable option might not match your ideal treatment timeline or it might lack the guarantee that inspires your confidence. Besides affordability, we suggest you also consider these four factors:
- Effectiveness: Think which conditions it can correct, aligner material, and technology.
- Convenience: Think treatment times, wear schedules, and the start-up process.
- Appearance: Think aligner cut, clarity, and texture.
- Customer Support: Think response times, communication channels, and oversight.
Ultimately, selecting an aligner system is a highly personal decision and the most important factors depend on your goals and lifestyle. Our recommendation: don’t base your decision on price alone. Instead, look for the company that offers the balance you need, whether or not it is the most affordable.
Final Thoughts
While selecting one company might feel overwhelming, a little research will give you all the information you need to make a confident and informed decision. Just understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution with clear aligners. It’s all about finding the right company for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do aligner companies offer discounts?
Many of those on this list do, but they may not be consistent. Look out for the best deals with the changing seasons and around holidays, like Boxing Day.
Can affordable clear aligners correct my condition?
This all depends on what your misalignments are and their severity. You can either complete an impression kit or get an in-person scan, depending on the company, and they will tell you if you are suited to their treatment or not.
Can Invisalign be an affordable option?
In general, Invisalign is one of the most expensive clear aligners on the market — it has name recognition and stellar results that allow it to charge more. However, if you have a mild-to-moderate misalignment and get Invisalign Express from a doctor who gets top-tier discounts, you might find that the price is similar to at-home aligners.
How significant are the savings when you choose at-home aligners?
There are many variables at play here, from the companies you are looking at to your unique smile. However, you can easily save thousands of pounds with at-home clear aligners.
How do I get started with affordable teeth alignment?
You go to the website of the company you’re interested in and either order an impression kit or schedule an in-person scan. Just keep in mind that not every company will offer both options, so if you have a preference, screen providers based on this.
How long does treatment take?
Affordable clear aligners are usually remote, which means they treat mild-to-moderate misalignments. As a result, treatment usually takes 4–6 months.
Can I use insurance to help reduce the cost?
In rare cases, a private insurance policy might offer partial coverage for remote clear aligners. Public insurance will not.
What is the most effective clear aligner company?
It’s tough to beat the power and versatility of in-office options like Invisalign, ClearCorrect, SureSmile, and 3M Clarity Aligners. They can all treat severe misalignments and even bite issues.
Do clear aligners usually hurt?
They aren’t exactly painful but they do place pressure on the teeth to move them, causing temporary soreness. This is strongest with the first set you wear, and with each new set may return for a few hours.
Are at-home aligners actually safe?
Yes! Home aligner companies use licensed dentists and orthodontists to create your treatment plan and design your aligners and have delivered excellent results for nearly a decade.
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