Invisalign - is it worth the money?

[Sunflower1650]

I am 34 and I’ve been self conscious about my teeth my whole life. Never smile with my teeth, cover my mouth when I laugh. I have an overbite and my teeth are wonky and overcrowded, more so on the top than the bottom. At the min I’m feeling like life is too short to feel worried about laughing and I need to do something about it.

For comprehensive Invisalign I’m probably going to be looking at £4-5k in my area. Has anyone had Invisalign and was it worth it? How bad were your teeth prior to having it? I need to schedule a regular dentist visit first because I think I need a couple of fillings before I can even consider it. I have had a look at other companies like Smile White but I think my teeth are too wonky to achieve any decent results with them. I’m not looking for completely perfect teeth, but definitely an improvement to how they are now.

Invisalign has its limitations . The best thing is to see an orthodontist who is someone trained in braces who will offer many different types and can talk you through the pros and cons of each.

Invosalign and all retainer systems are limited in what movements they can achieve. “Train track” type braces are normally cheaper and can tackle more difficult problems .

First , you are right , get your teeth and gums healthy and learn how to keep them healthy. Ask your dentist what orthodontist they recommend.

You will need to commit to wearing a retainer at night for life to keep the teeth in place.

All the adult patients I have had have been delighted with results of braces and wish they had done it sooner.

Best 4k I have ever spent. Really mean that. I deliberated for ages and then just went for it. My lower teeth were crowded at the front, my upper teeth all leaned in making my smile really narrow. My two front teeth overlapped. Invisalign has sorted it all out. I had them for 15 months, changed them every fortnight. I had a textbook experience. I had permanent retainers fitted at the back of my upper and lower teeth, plus a plastic retainer I wear every other night. Also had them whitened and continue to whiten using trays every other week. The best of it was I went through the whole thing from March 2020 to October 2021, so right through the pandemic where I didn’t have to see people regularly. Made it easy. You will be given a computer generated before and after so you will see what your teeth will look like once it’s done. I found that so motivating. Do it.

I just did my bottom teeth, made a huge difference as I had one set so far back from the others.

Here's my photos

Totally worth it for me. I don’t mind wearing the retainer at night and I committed to it fully. I keep my teeth in really good condition and they look fresh and natural. I felt it was completely worthwhile to feel confident- after all your teeth have a huge impact on your smile and facial appearance. I took out a loan to cover the cost which is now paid off- no regrets

Just to add- I had this done at age 39

I had braces as a teen but my teeth reverted and I was soo self conscious about it. Same as you, never smiling with my teeth, always covered them, avoiding photos etc. Spent about £4.5k on Invisalign in 2022 and it’s been amazing, I’m so so happy with my teeth now.

Admittedly I didn’t actually wear the retainers as much as you’re meant to but I was still amazed at how quickly they worked. It is a bit of a bind having to go to the orthodontist every 4 weeks or so but totally worth it.

I had to have two fillings repaired before I could have treatment, so that did also add to the price.

Tell me more about the whitening trays please

Best 3k I ever spent too. The whitening works like this - you have the retainer you sleep in at night. You buy whitening gel, for example Boutique, and put it in the retainer overnight to whiten your teeth. I do it for 4 or 5 nights every 6 months or so. I got 2 tubes of whitening gel free with my invisalign treatment, but you can buy it online.

Thanks all, it’s given me a lot to think about. Interesting about seeing an orthodontist, I thought that any orthodontist treatment was generally much more expensive

Just a standard retainer? I wear a guard to stop me grinding and I wondered if that would mean I couldn’t do the trays but it sounds like I could just either use that or swap it out for a whitening tray occasionally

It is illegal for anyone to sell whitening gels to the public , unless it is a dentist in the U.K., EU etc

when you buy whitening gels from the internet you are buying from people who are knowingly breaking the law . You have no guarantee the gels are what they say they are as they have no legitimate way of sourcing them. You have no guarantee they are safe . You should only buy gels from a dentist who prescribes them for you. https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/dont-buy-teeth-whitening-products-from-online-marketplaces-agxQc7m2V4ow

Invisalign is very expensive , the laboratory fees they charge are huge so it is inherently expensive .

Most general dentists are on,y trained in one or two systems , an orthodontist has done postgraduate training in all types of braces so is better placed to advise you what is best for you out of many options.

I saw a proper orthodontist and was initially told I had to have fixed braces, but then after being scanned and having two teeth out managed to get it done on Invisalign, but tbh I was so self conscious I would have done the fixed route if needed.

Cost me all my bonus that year, so £5.5k but the results are amazing and it's the best money I have ever spent!

I totally second seeing an orthodontist rather than a cosmetic dentist as it's important to get your bite right.

Oh really - I didn't know this! I've seen them for sale online but I get mine from the dentist that did my invisalign. Good to know!

I think technically its a 'tray' as it's the same as the ones you use whilst your treatment is ongoing.

For me, yes it was worth it. I’d hated my teeth for years, didn’t smile, hated all pictures.

Mine was a fairly simple case. I’d had braces as a teen but not worn my retainers (like a fucking idiot) so it was just moving the teeth back to that position, so didn’t need to take any teeth out or anything.

I know it’s a cliche thing to say, but I regret not doing it sooner.

My result theyre not perfect and that bugged me for ages but now im happy

Yes it was worth it. Although I didn’t use Invisalign, it was another brand (I can’t remember the name) but it did the same thing. With Invisalign you’re paying for the brand name so look at the other brands too.

I used to have absolutely awful teeth! I had to do a lot to get them in shape before Invisalign.
then when I did it - best thing I have ever done in my life. Even the dentist was amazed with my results for turning out better than he expected! I’m quite bad at wearing my retainer now, but I make sure I wear it at least every 3rd day.
its made such a difference to my daily life and confidence!!!!

If you are a tooth grinder then teeth whitening may not work as well and , depending on the type of bite guard you have , you might have to have different type of trays made.

I am just coming to the end of my invisalign treatment and I would 100% recommend, I feel much more confident when I smile, my teeth look great

My son is having it now. It’s definitely worth it.

I had it done and took over 2 years. I wished I'd just had the train tracks and been done with it sooner. Wearing the Invisalign made me feel nauseous sometimes so I did struggle to wear them all day.

I’m nearing the end of my Sure Smile treatment and have no regrets.
You have to be committed to the routine though, as you need to wear aligners for 20-22 hours per day. Can drink water with them in but otherwise they have to be removed for eating and drinking and teeth brushed before putting back in.