Invisalign & Clear Aligners

Typically £1,500–£5,500 depending on complexity. Minor corrections (Invisalign Express/i7-style, around 3–6 months) sit around £1,500–£2,500; moderate cases (Invisalign Lite) around £2,500–£3,500; comprehensive treatment £3,500–£5,500. Quotes should include retainers — ask, because they're essential and not always bundled.

At-home brands (typically £1,100–£1,800) remove most in-person appointments — you're monitored remotely via photos or an app. That works only for genuinely mild cases. The GDC has made clear aligner treatment is dentistry: there should be a full assessment of your suitability and a named GDC-registered dentist or orthodontist responsible for your treatment. If a provider can't tell you who that is, walk away.

Effectively no. NHS orthodontics is limited to under-18s with a qualifying clinical need (IOTF grade 4–5, or 3 with significant impact) and uses fixed braces, not aligners. Adult NHS orthodontics is approved only in exceptional cases. Cosmetic straightening for adults is private.

Mild cases: 3–6 months. Moderate: 6–12 months. Complex: 12–24 months. Aligners must be worn 20–22 hours a day — compliance is the biggest factor in staying on schedule. Most providers include a few refinement rounds if teeth need extra correction at the end; check whether refinements cost extra.

Fixed braces handle complex movements (rotations, large bite corrections) more predictably and don't rely on you wearing them; aligners are near-invisible, removable for eating and easier to clean around. For mild-to-moderate crowding results are comparable. Costs overlap: metal braces typically £1,500–£3,000, ceramic £2,000–£3,500, Invisalign £1,500–£5,500. A consultation with a dentist or orthodontist settles which suits your case.

Yes, indefinitely — teeth drift back without retention regardless of how they were straightened. Expect removable retainers worn nightly (replaced every year or two, roughly £50–£150 per set) or a bonded wire behind the front teeth. Budget for retainer replacement as an ongoing cost of any straightening treatment.