Invisalign - how much did yours cost and was it worth it?

[WinkyTinky]

I'm thinking about getting my teeth straightened. I spent two years with a fixed brace when I was younger but have been back at square one for years, and now am wanting to sort them out. I've seen figures of £4000, but is this typical?

Mine are weekly ones. I have a cupboard full of them!

Ooo, I've just been to see my dentist and he reckons it will only take 9 months! Still 3 grand, but done quickly, so that's a positive. Still not sure what to do as all I can think of is when I go and get my hair done and feel excited to get a lovely new look but then when I get home I realise I'm still left with the same old silly face 🙈

I find this really weird. When did the advice change? When I was younger you wore your fixed braces for however long it took to straighten them, then a retainer for a period afterwards (I think it was 6 months to a year) then nothing. I've not worn a retainer since then and my teeth haven't moved at all. And lots and lots of my friendshad braces and I don't recall them having issues with their teeth moving or having to have the work redone or anything.

Also my DS had braces not that long ago. He was supposed to wear a retainer for a while afterwards but didn't (however much I reminded him!!) and so his teeth did move a little (because he more or less skipped the retainer stage), but then they stopped and haven't moved since. Why do they think they'll keep moving years later?

The advice about retainers changed a couple of decades ago . When I first qualified we just told people to wear retainers for 6 months.

However now the advice is to be sure wear retainers for life. You might be lucky and have no relapse but a lot of adult braces is redoing the work where people haven’t worn retainers.

certain orthodontic problems are more likely to relapse and retainer system treatment like Invisalign is more likely to relapse because of the way it moves teeth.

I am still debating this, been to the dentist and told I'll need 16 trays but I am slightly sceptical that it can be done that quick and also very worried about committing to it.

DD is £4k for comprehensive. Will need some IPR. 31 trays starting tomorrow, reckon approx 14 months. Not sure if her younger age will make a difference.

our ortho is a specialist and he said metal vs braces are just the same result, metal may be quicker, it’s just whether or not you’re up for the faff of invisible aligners or now. It’s more about the looks

Good luck to your DD - the first few days are painful (stock up on ice lollies, paracetamol & lip balm!) but after that it’s a breeze. My DD had them at the age of 14/15 and we were so impressed with the whole system and results. She got on really well with them, definitely worth the extra investment

I needed to hear this. Thank you!!! She’s 13. I can’t sleep not knowing how the reality of them is going to go down. She will never refuse an ice lolly or lip balm though 😂

Yes.

But make sure you check out the dentist too. Some dentists aren't as reputable as others when it comes to this. Don't necessarily go for the cheapest option.

I’ve been quoted 7k. My teeth aren’t that bad; had train tracks as a teen. In outer London. My DS has had NHS funded fixed braces at same place.

I should have asked more about the permanent retainer. I've had a look online, and it looks like a wire fixed to the back of your teeth that stays there forever - is this irritating to feel it always there rather than the feeling of the back of your teeth?!

I don't know about the feel of it because I don't have one. But I did read that it can be harder to clean round, because you can't floss those teeth as obviously the floss can't get past the wire.

Oh now everyone at work is telling me my teeth are lovely and not to bother spending all that money 😫

That’s the highest quote I’ve read! Do get other opinions!! We had one ortho try to charge us 1.5k more and an unnecessary extraction , so I’m so glad I didn’t accept the first one we visited.

Agreed. And go to an actual orthodontist, not an average dentist.

DD’s doesn’t bother her whatsoever. She initially just had the Invisalign retainers but ended up needing something a bit stronger + more permanent as the gap in between her two front teeth would very slightly open up again during the day. She actually prefers having the permanent one as it means she can be a bit more relaxed re: her other retainers. Obviously she’s aware of the wire when she consciously thinks about it but you do get used to it being there after a few days and your brain begins to ignore the feeling.

@YellowHairband the flossing issue is easily fixed with a WaterPik

I do know some people who finish their invisalign plan in less than a year, but if you have the comprehensive package it takes as long as necessary. Lite is max 20 aligners and no further refinement. I had 35 aligners starting Nov 22 and with the refinements I am still not finished. My teeth weren't horrendously misaligned either!

This. Check what the package includes.

You don't want a limited plan and need to buy extras if they then find you need more treatment.

100% agree. Invisalign really isn’t the thing to cut costs with - if you’re going to get it done then do things properly and get the Comprehensive package.

Took 18 months, cost 3.5k, then more for whitening and bonding but absolutely totally worth it (and I lost more than 4 stone -was of course already trying to lose weight but definitely helped!) this is my before and after if it helps show the difference

Thanks everyone, all these responses are very helpful! I'm a bit wary of the having to take it out for eating as I'm an all-day nibbler. And as I'm already skinny as a rake I don't want to be losing any weight or collapsing from hunger. I need to be fed every two hours 😫

I paid 3k for just my top teeth (bottom are straight). I was told it would take 6 months, it took over a year. I am so happy with my results and so happy I did it. Best money I have ever spent

As poster said be slightly wary as this photo is after at least the top four teeth have had their shape altered quite a lot by bonding so the effect is not just braces.

I agree with PP. I would look for a orthodontist rather than a dentist. Orthodontists have additional training.
i have Invisalign and it cost £4,500. My teeth were really bad! You have to be disciplined and wear them 12 hours a day, and you have have more trays then you expected. I think I had over 100 in the end. It’s so worth it tho. I never thought people would comment on how nice my teeth are, but a few people have and it’s the best feeling. I can now smile in photos and feel confident. Look on YouTube, there’s SO many Invisalign journeys. That’s partly why I decided to go with Invisalign.