When it comes to dental health and getting straighter teeth, home teeth straightening kits are the best option for people compared to traditional braces.
Having the option to straighten your teeth at home without going to the dentist’s office regularly saves a lot financially.
Aside from being a cheaper treatment, home teeth straightening kits also allows you to avoid having a “metal mouth” – a not so desirable look that you have to endure with metal braces.
In the UK, there are several brands of home teeth straightening kits that you can get. But how can you choose the best one?
Here is a list of the top UK brands in the market that you should consider:
Straight My Teeth
How it works
You will have to start with an impression kit. The Straight My Teeth team will assess the condition of your teeth first to see if you qualify to be a candidate.
If you qualify for treatment, a treatment plan will be made by UK-licensed dentists. Once you approve the treatment plan, Straight My Teeth will start making your aligners and they will be delivered to your home in one package.
Your first two retainers will be included in the aligner package to help you maintain your straighter smile after treatment. If you want to get a constant supply of custom-made retainers, the Straight My Teeth WorryFree Plan will give you 6 years supply of retainers for £359.
Treatment time
The all-day clear aligners should be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day. The treatment duration is 4 to 6 months, depending on the severity of your case.
The night-only clear aligners should be worn for 8 to 10 hours per day. The treatment duration is 6 to 8 months, depending on the severity of your case.
Price
The all-day aligners cost £999 upfront. For the installment plan, you will be asked to give a down payment of £359 and you will be paying £45 for 12 months.
The night-only aligners cost £1149 upfront. For installment, the down payment is £399 and you will be paying £50 for 12 months.
The impression costs £44.99 but if you qualify as a candidate for treatment, the cost will be included in the total cost.
Pros
- Two sets of retainers are included in the package.
- Straight My Teeth is known for their responsive and professional customer service.
- Good quality – the plastic material comes from Raintree Essix, a reputable dental supply company.
Cons
- If you have reached the end of your treatment and you still need more work, you will have to pay an extra £150 for refinements.
WonderSmile
How it works
You can order an impression kit online. If you are not comfortable making your own teeth impressions, you can make an appointment at a WonderSmile clinic near you so they can do a 3D scan of your teeth.
Once confirmed as a candidate, the WonderSmile team will work on your treatment plan. A digital presentation will be made showing you how your teeth will straighten over time.
Once you approve the treatment plan, they will start making your aligners and will deliver the complete set to your home.
Treatment time
The all-day aligners have to be worn for 22 hours each day. The average treatment time is 6 months.
The night aligners have to be worn for 10 hours each day. The average treatment time is 9 months.
Price
The all-day aligners cost £1399. The installment plan requires a deposit of £139 and then you will be paying £98.75 per month.
The nightclear aligners will cost £1449. The installment plan will require a deposit of £145 and then you will be paying £102.42 per month.
The impression kit costs £12.50
Pros
- You can save money by just ordering a top or bottom aligner if you only have your dental problems in those areas.
- The WonderPay installment plan will not require a credit check and there is no interest.
- WonderSmile has great feedbacks and reviews from their customers.
Cons
- The WonderSmile package does not include a free set of retainers.
Straight Teeth Direct
How it works
To start, you have to go to the Straight Teeth Direct website to start a free e-consultation. You will answer a few questions and will be asked to upload clear photos of your teeth. A dentist or orthodontist from the Straight Teeth Direct team will review your answers and pictures and will get back to you as soon as possible.
If the dentist confirms that you are eligible for treatment, you will be asked to order a Straight Teeth Direct impression kit and then send back the molds of your teeth. You will be also asked to share your medical and dental history and some will be asked to get dental records, gum scores, or x-rays from your regular dentist.
If you are not confident making the mold yourself, you can make an appointment and drop by the Straight Teeth Direct headquarters to get a professional 3D scan. The location is in central London.
Unlike most home straightening kits that deliver all your aligners in one package, Straight Teeth Direct will deliver your clear teeth aligners in stages. This makes room for any adjustments to be made in the fit of the aligners, based on your monthly progress.
Treatment time
The Straight Teeth Direct aligners should be worn for 22 hours a day. The average treatment time is 5 to 9 months, depending on your progress.
Price
The Straight Teeth Direct aligners cost £1350. The monthly installment plan needs a downpayment of £350 and you will be paying £150 for 8 months. The three-installment plan needs a downpayment of £500 and you will pay £500 in the next 2 months and on the next 4 months after that.
You can also choose a finance installment plan where you will be getting your financing from a third-party credit provider. If you choose this option, you can look at a payment that is as low as £40 per month.
The home impression kit costs £42. If you take a 3D scan in the Straight Teeth Direct central London office, you will be paying £42 as well.
Pros
- Has a Lost and Broken Aligner Replacement Guarantee that replaces any damaged aligner for free.
- Straight Teeth Direct has multiple payment options for you to choose from.
- Aligners will be sent to you by stages so that adjustments can easily be made.
Cons
- Only has one physical location in the entire UK and that is in central London.
PlusDent
How it works
To start, you will have to visit a PlusDent-affiliated dentist to get a 3D scan and they will take photos of your teeth. This appointment is free of charge and you will also get a free initial consultation with a dental professional.
The PlusDent team will then create your aligner treatment and will send it to you, along with a 3D simulation of how your teeth should be moving during the treatment.
Once approved, your treatment plan will be sent to the PlusDent lab in Berlin, where they will create your invisible aligners. The aligners will then be sent to your home once they are done.
Treatment time
PlusDent invisible aligners should be worn for 22 hours a day. The average treatment time is 4 to 10 months, depending on the severity of your case.
Price
PlusDent has a unique pricing method. The prices are different depending on the severity of your case. The short treatment costs £1390. The normal treatment costs £1890. And the complex treatment costs £2190.
Installment plans are available. You can choose installment payment for 12 months up to 60 months.
Pros
- Has multiple financing plans so you can surely find an installment plan that fits your budget best.
- The PlusDent app is easy to use and is very interactive, giving you constant updates and making follow-ups.
- The required in-office consultation to start treatment is free of charge.
Cons
- No impression kits are available. You will have to do an in-person visit to start treatment.
Smile Direct Club
How it works
You can order an impression kit online or check if there is a SmileShop near you to start treatment. After receiving your molds or 3D scans from the SmileShop, a dentist will review if you qualify for treatment or not. If you do, an aligner treatment will be created for you.
You will be getting a preview of how your teeth will straighten during the treatment and the end result. If you are satisfied, you will have to let them know that you approve of the aligner treatment. Then, the invisible aligners will be created and shipped to your home.
Treatment time
The daytime aligners should be worn for 22 hours each day. The average treatment time is 4 to 6 months.
The nighttime aligners should be worn for 10 continuous hours every night. The average treatment is 10 months.
Price
The cost for the daytime and nighttime invisible aligners are the same.
The one-time payment is £1539. For installment, you will make a down payment of £70.10 and then pay £70.00 per month for the next 23 months.
Pros
- There are over 20 SmileShops all over the UK. It will not be hard for you to access one.
- SmileDirectClub is an established international clear aligner brand.
- The daytime and nighttime invisible aligners have the same price.
Cons
- Smile Direct Club’s invisible aligners can only handle mild dental issues.
FAQs
Can you straighten teeth at home?
Remote treatment works for straightening teeth! Basically, once you are clear for treatment, you will be asked to make an online account on a website or an app. The progress of your treatment will be monitored by a dentist or orthodontist online and you will be communicating with each other through the website or app.
The invisible aligners will be sent to you directly at home. All you have to do is wait for the kit to arrive before you start your treatment. No need to see a dentist personally or visit the company’s office!
Every few weeks, you will be required to submit clear photos of your teeth. The one in charge of your case will check how your treatment is progressing through these photos and will inform you whether it is time to move on to the next set of invisible aligners in your home teeth straightening kit.
If you need to contact the dental professional, you can do it directly through the website, app, or call customer support.
What is the most affordable way to straighten teeth?
Home teeth straightening kits are the most affordable way to get a better and straighter smile. If you have a mild dental issue, you should not be spending so much money when you can fix it for more than half the price!
The total costs of invisible braces are lower compared to Invisalign or traditional braces because of the fact that the treatment is done remotely.
Professional fees and office visit fees involved in dental practice will no longer be a factor in the total cost. Without those two factors, it takes a huge chunk of money out of the total cost.
If you want to get your teeth straightened without having to go bankrupt, invisible aligners is the cheapest way to do so!
Can I skip a set of invisible aligners or switch to the next one early?
Your invisible aligners are formulated to be worn for a specified period and stage. This means that the tooth movement is arranged in small steps.
If you skip a stage or instantly move to the next one, this can affect the progress and you will get a different result than what was shown to you during the planning process.
To get straight teeth, the invisible aligners gently force your teeth to move to a proper place and will need time for the tooth involved to get used to the new position.
You must follow the instructions of the dentist or orthodontist handling your case. Otherwise, straight teeth can not be assured if you fail to follow the aligner treatment plan.
Are there food restrictions with clear aligners?
You do not have to worry about the food you eat or what you drink since invisible aligners are removable. They are not permanently lodged on your teeth like braces.
You can eat anything you want! All you have to do is take them off every time you eat something!
Make sure to keep your invisible aligners in a secure container so that you do not lose them and they do not get dirty while you are eating. Of course, you will have to brush your teeth properly before you put the invisible braces back on.
Conclusion
Your teeth straightening journey does not have to be complicated or expensive!
As you can see, home teeth straightening kits provide more convenience for you and they come with cheaper rates compared to traditional orthodontic treatment. Invisible aligners are also removable so you do not have to worry about food and drink restrictions.
If you only have a mild to moderate case of crooked teeth to deal with, you really should consider checking out these remote treatment kits before you go for a more expensive orthodontic treatment like traditional braces or Invisalign.