Treatments
Invisalign & Teeth Straightening in Bow
Invisible treatment with visible results, here in Bow, East London. Clear aligners — often called clear braces — including Invisalign® and 32Co®, from £50.29 a month.*
Straighter teeth, without the metal
Have you always wanted straighter teeth but don’t want the hassle or appearance of fixed braces? Clear aligners are a discreet, comfortable alternative.
Made from lightweight, transparent plastic, they gently and gradually move teeth into position. Each set is custom-made for your smile at our practice in Bow, East London, using digital scanning rather than traditional impressions, so the fit is precise from the start. They’re designed for patients with permanent teeth, including second molars.
At William Place Dental Aesthetics we use trusted systems including Invisalign™ and 32Co™.
What it costs
Invisalign™ GO is £3,996, and clear aligners range from £2,274 to £4,999 depending on the complexity of your case.
You don’t have to pay it all at once. Finance through Tabeo is available on treatments over £1,000, with terms from 12 to 60 months — so £2,274 of clear aligner treatment spread over 60 months costs £50.29 per month. On shorter terms, 0% finance is available: spread the cost with no interest at all. Ask us for a personalised illustration at your consultation.
*Representative example: borrowing £2,274 over 60 months at 12.9% APR representative (fixed) means a first payment of £50.40 followed by 59 monthly payments of £50.29, a total cost of credit of £743.51 and a total amount payable of £3,017.51. Finance is subject to status; we act as a credit broker, not a lender. See the full fee guide.
Clear braces, clear aligners, invisible braces — what’s the difference?
None — they’re different names for the same treatment. “Clear braces” and “invisible braces” are what most people search for; “clear aligners” is what dentists call the removable transparent trays that do the work. Whichever name you arrived with, it’s the same thing: discreet, removable teeth straightening without metal brackets or wires, fitted and supervised by a dentist here in Bow, East London.
(True fixed braces with clear ceramic brackets do exist elsewhere, but for most adult cases aligners achieve the result without anything glued to your teeth.)
Clear aligners, explained
Virtually invisible
An exclusive manufacturing process means the aligners are not cloudy and have no visible lines, letting your natural teeth shine through.
Silky, comfortable feel
Hand-finished for velvety edges, the smooth aligner trays feel comfortable throughout treatment.
Fewer attachments needed
Designed to reduce the need for attachments, so treatment stays genuinely discreet.
Uniquely clear
The material is crystal clear and guaranteed not to discolour or stain.
Achieve your best smile
Pioneering technology gives your clinician uncommon control over how the teeth move, which makes treatment more efficient and the result more predictable.
How treatment works, step by step
1. Consultation. Your dentist talks through what you’d like to change and checks whether clear aligners, and which system, suit your teeth.
2. Digital scan and plan. A 3D scan replaces traditional impressions. Your treatment plan shows how your teeth will move, stage by stage, and what the finished result should look like.
3. Your aligners are made. A laboratory makes each set from your scan, every one slightly different, so your teeth move gradually into place.
4. Wearing them. You wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day, taking them out only to eat, to drink anything other than water, and to clean your teeth.
5. Check-ups. We see you every 6 to 8 weeks to check progress and adjust the plan if needed. Some progress checks can be done remotely.
6. Retainers. When treatment finishes, retainers hold your teeth in their new position. Wearing them as advised is what keeps the result.
Invisalign™ or 32Co™ — which should I choose?
Think of two brands of bottled water: both quench your thirst equally well, but they come with different labels, prices and distribution. Invisalign and 32Co are the same: two brands of clear aligner, with very similar treatment and results. The differences are the brand, the price and the kind of case each one suits.
- Invisalign™ GO (£3,996) is Invisalign’s option for mild misalignment and small gaps. It gives excellent results within those limits.
- 32Co™ clear aligners (£2,274 to £4,999) treat mild to moderately complex cases and are often the more cost-efficient choice. The price depends on how complex your case is and how many aligners you need.
Whichever you choose, success depends on the same three things: careful planning, a precise fit, and wearing your aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day.
Not every dentist works with both systems. If you already know you’d like Invisalign, mention it when you book so we can match you with the right dentist. Very complex cases may still need a specialist orthodontist, and we’ll refer you if so.
Attachments and IPR, explained
Attachments are small, tooth-coloured bumps of composite bonded to some teeth during treatment. They give the aligners extra grip for harder movements, such as rotating a tooth or moving it up or down. They’re barely noticeable, bonding them is painless, and they’re polished off at the end, leaving your teeth smooth.
IPR (interproximal reduction) makes a little extra room by polishing a fraction of a millimetre of enamel from the sides of selected teeth. It’s quick and painless, and it can relieve mild to moderate crowding without taking any teeth out. The amount removed is within safe limits and, with good brushing and flossing, doesn’t raise the risk of decay or sensitivity.
Not everyone needs either. Your treatment plan shows exactly where, if anywhere, they’re used.
Healthy teeth and gums come first
Aligners move teeth through the gums and bone, so those need to be healthy before you start. Moving teeth while gum disease or decay is active can make both worse, so we treat any problems first, usually with fillings and a hygiene clean.
During treatment your aligners cover your teeth for most of the day. That keeps saliva away from them and lets plaque build up more easily along the gum line, so we recommend a hygienist visit every three months while you’re straightening. It keeps your teeth and gums healthy and your treatment on schedule.
After treatment
Retainers keep your result. Teeth naturally try to drift back, so you’ll wear retainers as advised once your aligners are finished. Vivera™ retainers are £659.
Finishing touches. Once your teeth are straight, many patients choose to whiten them, and composite bonding can smooth small chips, uneven edges or slight gaps. Ask your dentist what would suit you.
Your questions answered
Straight answers to the questions we’re asked most often about clear aligners.
Clear aligners — your questions answered
How long does treatment take?
Usually between 3 and 18 months, depending on how far your teeth need to move. Your treatment plan gives you an estimate before you start.
Do aligners hurt?
They’re more comfortable than fixed braces, with no wires or brackets. You may feel some pressure for a few days each time you move to a new set, which usually fades quickly.
Can I eat and drink with them in?
Only water. Take them out to eat or drink anything else, otherwise they can stain or get damaged.
How do I clean my aligners?
Every day, with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water or an aligner cleaning product. Avoid toothpaste, which can scratch the plastic.
Will they affect my speech?
Some people notice a slight lisp for the first few days. It usually disappears as your mouth adjusts.
What if I lose or break an aligner?
Let us know straight away. Depending on where you are in treatment, we’ll tell you whether to go back to your previous set or move on to the next one early.
How often will I see the dentist?
Usually every 6 to 8 weeks. Some progress checks can be done remotely.
Can I whiten my teeth during treatment?
It’s usually best to wait until treatment has finished. If you’d like to whiten sooner, ask your dentist which options are compatible with aligners.
Am I suitable for clear aligners?
Clear aligners suit many mild to moderate cases, including crowding, gaps and some bite problems, in adults with all their permanent teeth. A consultation is the only way to know for sure.
How much do clear aligners cost?
Clear aligners are £2,274 to £4,999 and Invisalign™ GO is £3,996. Finance is available on treatment over £1,000; see the fee guide.
What it can correct
Cases treatable with clear aligners
Aligners can correct the full range of mild to complex orthodontic misalignments. Which cases are treatable depends on your own bite, so the honest answer comes from a consultation rather than a website.
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What is crowding?
Crowded teeth are a very common and obvious problem. Teeth overlap and can even become twisted when there isn't enough room for them in the mouth.
Causes
Crowding can be caused by a jaw that is smaller than ideal for all your teeth, but often it also comes down to tooth angles, or molars that aren't rotated correctly. Crowding tends to worsen with age if it isn't corrected.
If you don't fix it
Crowded teeth are hard to clean between, so they collect debris and are at greater risk of decay and gum disease. They are also prone to premature wear and fracture.
How clear aligners correct it
Clear aligners can correct crowding by adjusting the angle and rotation of the teeth as well as their position within the jawbone.
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What are crooked teeth?
This is when the front teeth are mis-angled and need levelling. It often comes with some degree of crowding.
Causes
Crooked teeth can be either a cause or a result of crowding.
If you don't fix it
Like crowded teeth, they are hard to clean between, which raises the risk of decay and gum disease, and they wear and chip more easily.
How clear aligners correct it
Clear aligners are a safe and straightforward way to correct crooked teeth and the crowding that often accompanies them.
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What is spacing?
A little space between teeth is healthy. Too much gives a gap-toothed appearance.
Causes
Excessive spacing can be caused by a jaw that is larger than ideal for the teeth, by tooth angles or incorrectly rotated molars, or it can develop after gum disease or tooth loss.
If you don't fix it
Some people feel self-conscious about the gaps. Others find biting and chewing certain foods harder, or struggle to speak clearly.
How clear aligners correct it
Treatment with clear aligners straightens the teeth and closes unwanted gaps.
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What is an overjet?
An overjet is when the upper teeth protrude forward and sit in front of the bottom teeth. As well as affecting appearance, it can make chewing, drinking and biting difficult.
Causes
Often called "buck teeth", an overjet is frequently caused by a habit such as thumb-sucking that has pushed the front teeth out of healthy alignment.
If you don't fix it
Moderate cases can cause uneven tooth wear; severe cases can lead to jaw pain. Many people are also self-conscious about this type of bite.
How clear aligners correct it
Clear aligners can be very effective at correcting an overjet and bringing the teeth back into healthy alignment.
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What is a crossbite?
Your upper teeth should close slightly over the outside of your lower teeth. In a crossbite, one or more lower teeth overlap the outer surface of the upper teeth instead. It can affect front or back teeth.
Causes
Crossbites are usually down to a discrepancy in jaw position, tooth position, or both.
If you don't fix it
A crossbite at the front puts those teeth at risk of chipping and gum recession. At the back it causes uneven wear and damage.
How clear aligners correct it
Clear aligners can treat a crossbite caused by tooth position. Where the cause is jaw position, a referral to a specialist orthodontist may be needed.
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