How Much Do Teeth Aligners and Braces Cost in the UK For Adults?

Table of contents

1. 1. Problems with traditional braces
   2. Oral hygiene issues and discomfort
   3. Advantages of clear plastic aligners
   4. How do clear aligners work?
   5. What problems can clear aligners fix?
   6. Are clear aligners painful?
   7. Dangers of DIY teeth straightening
   8. How professional home teeth straightening works
   9. Benefits of home teeth straightening
   10. Advantages of Straight My Teeth home aligners

When it comes to adult orthodontic treatment in the UK, there is good news and bad news…

The good news is that there are many adult orthodontic options available, but the bad news is NHS funding is only available in exceptional cases. (1) Therefore, how much you’ll have to pay to straighten teeth privately depends on the complexity of the problem and the type of orthodontic appliance you need.

While traditional metal braces are the most effective in correcting badly misaligned teeth, clear aligners can treat less severe cases of tooth gaps, tooth crowding, and bite problems.

The fact remains that whether you get braces or aligners, orthodontic treatment in a UK dental clinic is likely to cost upwards of £1,500 (2) or even more, depending on the specific type of appliance.

For example:

• Metal braces – £1,500 to £3,000
• Ceramic braces – £2,000 to £6,000
• Self-ligating Damon Braces – £1,500 to £6,000
• Lingual braces – £2,000 to £10,000
• Clear plastic aligners – £1,500 to £5,500

The cost of direct-to-consumer plastic aligners for teeth straightening at home varies so much that we’ll look at this in some detail a little later.

First, though, a quick word about clear braces and clear aligners, which can be confusing when comparing teeth straightening costs.

Are clear braces and clear aligners the same?

Clear braces and clear aligners are not the same, although they share one thing in common – both are relatively inconspicuous.

The term “clear braces” typically refers to ceramic braces. These are simply traditional, fixed braces similar in shape and size to metal braces but with tooth-coloured or clear brackets instead of visible stainless steel. As we’ve seen, ceramic braces generally cost more than metal braces.

Clear aligners, on the other hand, are dental trays made from medical-grade plastic. You can remove them for meals and when cleaning your teeth. They’re more discreet than clear braces because they contain no brackets or wires. Pricing of in-clinic plastic aligners is generally a little lower than that of clear braces.

Cost of aligners for straightening teeth at home

A more affordable alternative to in-practice orthodontic treatment is provided by custom aligners mailed to you at home. They significantly cut the cost of orthodontic treatment because the system eliminates the need for repeated trips to the dentist.

However, the cost of home aligners can vary by hundreds of pounds, so it pays to shop around and watch out for hidden fees.

We searched around home aligner companies operating in the UK and found these different prices:

• £1,990
• £1,539
• £1,450
• £1,350
• £999

As you can see, there’s a difference of almost £1,000 between the lowest and highest teeth aligner prices. With a little more research, you can find home aligners costing a lot less than these prices.

Straight My Teeth clear aligner costs

Home aligners from Straight My Teeth are the most affordable teeth straightening option in the UK.  Costs involve a one-time payment of £1199 or a £739 down payment and monthly instalments of £110.00.

For this, you get:

• A free online evaluation to make sure clear aligners are right for you.
• Impression trays delivered to your home, with disposable gloves, cheek retractor, and a pre-paid return label. Alternatively, you can get a free 3D scan at an Straight My Teeth’s Smile Studio, along with a virtual visualisation of your treatment.
• Customised aligners sent back to you, made from your impressions.
• Free retainers – these are crucial to prevent your teeth from reverting to their original position.

Night aligner options and prices

Straight My Teeth regular aligners must be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day for optimal results. However, If you would like the extra convenience of not wearing aligners during the day, you can opt for Straight My Teeth’s NightOnly aligners instead.

As the name suggests, these aligners straighten teeth while you’re sleeping, so you won’t have to remember to remove your aligners when you eat or drink. Eating with aligners can damage them, and to avoid staining, the only recommended drink when wearing aligners is plain water.

Straight My Teeth’s night-time aligners currently cost £699 – or £50 a month with a £399 down payment.

Affordable home aligners backed by dental expertise

With the price of Straight My Teeth aligners so low, you may be wondering whether they’re effective and safe to use.

Absolutely, and here’s why:

Straight My Teeth aligner treatments are devised and monitored by licensed dentists registered by the General Dental Council (GDC) – so you know you’re in safe hands. In fact, the GDC applauds innovations such as remote dentistry when carried out by qualified experts.

Reputable online aligner providers like Straight My Teeth believe any opposition to direct-to-consumer aligners is to keep the price of orthodontic treatment artificially high.

Can “DIY orthodontics” save me money?

Some individuals are tempted to try do-it-yourself measures to avoid the cost of proper orthodontic treatment. Cramming household objects into your mouth won’t work to straighten teeth. Besides, it can also pose a severe health risk.

Straight My Teeth clear aligner treatments in no way resemble the “do-it-yourself orthodontic tips” you may see online. Their patients are guided throughout the entire aligner process by dental professionals.

If Straight My Teeth believes at-home aligners are not the best treatment for you, you’ll be told so. That’s why you are asked to complete an online questionnaire about the condition of your teeth.

Aligners primarily focus on aesthetic enhancement. So certain conditions may rule out aligner treatment, including severely misaligned teeth, untreated cavities, or gum disease. If Straight My Teeth dental experts determine that aligner treatment isn’t right for you, you’ll be refunded the total cost of your impression kit.

Many people have already benefitted from Straight My Teeth’s low-price, high-quality clear home aligners. If you’re looking to join the smile revolution and transform your smile, get started.