Quick answer: The cost of clear aligners in Beckenham depends on the complexity of your case, the number of aligners needed and whether refinements or retainers are required. At Beckenham Smiles Dental, clear aligner treatment starts from £1,850 . A personal quote is only given after an assessment, because every set of teeth is different.
Most people asking about clear aligners want a number first and the detail second. That is fair, but a single figure rarely tells the whole story, because the cost of straightening teeth depends on what your teeth and bite need. This guide explains what affects the price of clear aligners in Beckenham, what a quote may and may not include, which extra costs to ask about, and how payment through Tabeo works. It is written for adults and teenagers who want to understand the cost before booking an appointment.
What are clear aligners?
Clear aligners are a series of thin, removable plastic trays, each shaped to move your teeth by a very small amount. You wear one set for the period your dentist advises, then change to the next in the sequence. The movements are planned in advance from digital scans or impressions of your teeth, and progress is checked at review appointments.
Many people like them because they are discreet and can be taken out to eat, drink and clean your teeth. They do not suit every bite, which is why an examination comes before any price is discussed. You can read more about clear aligners on our website. Invisalign is one system that patients often ask about, and whether it or another type of aligner is appropriate is something to talk through at your consultation.
How clear aligner treatment works
Treatment varies from person to person, but it usually follows these steps.
- Consultation and examination. Your dentist looks at your teeth, gums and bite, and asks about your medical history and what you would like to change.
- Records. This may include photographs, digital scans or impressions, and X-rays where clinically needed.
- Treatment plan and quote. If aligners seem suitable, your dentist explains the plan, the likely length of treatment, the risks and the alternatives, then gives you a personal quote.
- Fitting. You are shown how to insert, remove and clean your trays, and how many hours a day to wear them.
- Wearing and reviews. You change trays as instructed and attend review appointments so progress can be checked.
- Refinements, if needed. Teeth do not always move exactly as planned, so a further set of aligners is sometimes required.
- Retainers. Once your teeth are in their new position, retainers help to hold them there.
What affects the cost of clear aligners?
No two mouths are the same, so no two treatment plans cost the same. These are the main factors.
Complexity of your case
A small amount of crowding or a minor gap usually needs less movement than a significant bite problem. The more work your teeth need to do, the more aligners and appointments may be involved, and that generally affects the fee. Your dentist can only judge this after looking at your teeth, gums and bite.
Number of aligners and length of treatment
Each case needs a different number of trays. A shorter plan may use fewer aligners and fewer reviews, while a longer plan uses more. Treatment time also depends on how consistently you wear the trays, so the number can vary quite widely between patients.
Refinements
After the first set of aligners, teeth sometimes need a little extra adjustment, which may involve additional trays. Ask whether refinements are covered in your quote or charged separately, and get the answer in writing before you start.
Retainers
Retainers are worn after treatment to help keep teeth in position, and many people need to wear them long term. Some quotes include a first set while others list them separately, so check how many you receive and what replacements cost.
Appointments and monitoring
Review visits allow your dentist to check that teeth are moving as expected and that your gums remain healthy. The number of visits depends on the plan, and more complex treatment may need more of them.
What a clear aligner quote may and may not include
A quote is only useful if you know what sits behind the figure. At Beckenham Smiles Dental, clear aligner treatment is priced from £1,850 , and your personal quote is given after assessment. Before agreeing to treatment, ask for a written breakdown that shows what is covered. Worth asking about:
- the initial consultation and any scans or X-rays
- the full set of aligners in your treatment plan
- review appointments
- refinements, if they are needed
- retainers, and replacements if they are lost or damaged
- any work needed before aligners can start
Some items sit outside the aligner fee because not every patient needs them. A patient with gum inflammation, for example, may need a scale and polish before starting, and a patient with decay may need a filling first.
Other costs to expect alongside aligners
Before aligners begin, your dentist may recommend appointments or scans to check that treatment is suitable. The table shows from prices for services that may be relevant. You will not necessarily need all of them, and our Fee guide lists charges across the practice.
| Item | Price | When it may be needed |
| Clear aligners | from £1,850 | The aligner treatment itself |
| New patient adult exam | from £75 | A first assessment of teeth, gums and bite |
| Routine adult exam | from £50 | Regular check-ups |
| Intra oral X-ray | £19 to £22 | To check for decay or problems not visible in the mouth |
| OPG scan | from £125 | A wider view of the jaws and all teeth |
| CBCT scan | from £250 | A 3D scan, only when more detail is clinically needed |
| Scale and polish | from £70 | To clean teeth before treatment where appropriate |
| Airflow | from £89 | Additional surface cleaning, where recommended |
These are from prices. Your dentist will tell you which, if any, apply to you, and a personal quote is given after assessment.
Paying for treatment
Many people prefer to spread the cost of orthodontic treatment. Finance is available through Tabeo at 0% APR, subject to status, and terms apply. Tabeo is a separate finance provider, and the decision to lend is theirs, not the practice’s. Credit is a commitment, so read the terms carefully and only borrow what you are confident you can repay. Details are on our page for Tabeo interest-free credit.
Why a price is only given after assessment
It can be frustrating to hear “it depends”, but a figure given without an examination would be a guess. Aligners work by moving teeth through the supporting bone, and that depends on healthy gums and teeth, the space available and how your upper and lower teeth meet. An examination also shows whether another approach, such as fixed braces, may suit you better. A quote given after assessment reflects the treatment you would actually receive rather than an average that may not match your situation.
Who may be suitable for clear aligners, and who may not?
Suitability is decided after an examination, but a few general points may help you know what to expect.
People who may be suitable
Many adults and teenagers with mild to moderate crowding, spacing or minor bite concerns may be able to consider aligners, provided their teeth and gums are healthy. Teenagers are assessed individually, including whether their adult teeth have come through. Wearing the trays as directed matters just as much as the plan itself.
People who may need something different
Aligners may be less suitable for some complex bite problems, heavily restored teeth, significant decay or gum disease that has not been treated. In those cases other work may come first, such as general dentistry or preventive care, to bring your mouth to a healthy starting point. Fixed braces or other options are sometimes the better choice for a particular case, and your dentist can explain why.
Benefits, risks and limitations
Possible benefits
Aligners are removable, which may make eating and cleaning your teeth more straightforward than with fixed appliances. Many people also find them less noticeable, and treatment is planned in stages that you can follow on a digital plan.
Risks and limitations
Treatment has downsides. Teeth can feel sore after a new tray, and speech may be slightly affected at first. Aligners only work if worn for the recommended hours, so they rely on your commitment. Teeth can drift back without retainers. Some cases need refinements, small attachments on the teeth or other adjustments, and results cannot be guaranteed. Alternatives, including fixed braces or no treatment, should be discussed before you decide.
Aftercare, retainers and common mistakes
Looking after your aligners and teeth
Clean your trays as your dentist advises, and brush before putting them back in so food and plaque are not trapped against your teeth. Take them out before eating and before drinking anything other than water. When they are not in your mouth, keep them in their case rather than wrapped in a tissue, where they are easily thrown away.
Retainers
After the active phase, retainers help hold teeth in their new position. Teeth can move back if retainers are not worn as advised, which may mean further treatment and extra cost. Your dentist will tell you how long and how often to wear them.
Common mistakes
- wearing trays for fewer hours than advised
- missing review appointments
- forgetting retainers once the aligners finish
- chewing on trays or leaving them uncovered
- stopping early because teeth already look straighter
Why choose Beckenham Smiles Dental
Beckenham Smiles Dental is at 122-124 High Street, Beckenham BR3 1EB, and is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. We are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. The practice provides general, preventive, children’s, emergency, restorative and cosmetic dentistry, along with orthodontics, implants, periodontics, prosthetics and specialist dentistry, so any dental work you need alongside aligners can be discussed with the same practice.
If you live in Penge, Anerley, Elmers End, Eden Park, West Wickham, Sydenham, Crystal Palace, Shortlands or New Beckenham, you are welcome to book an appointment with us.
What to expect at a consultation
Your appointment starts with a conversation. Your dentist asks about your medical history, any previous orthodontic treatment and what you would like to change about your smile. They then examine your teeth, gums and bite, and may recommend X-rays or scans. If aligners seem suitable, you will be talked through the options, the likely length of treatment, risks, alternatives, retainer wear and what is expected of you. Your personal quote follows, and you are welcome to take time to decide. A new patient adult exam is from £75.
Ready to find out if clear aligners may suit you?
The cost of clear aligners in Beckenham depends on your teeth, the length of your plan and what is included, which is why a personal quote follows an assessment rather than a price list. To start, you can book a consultation online, call us on 0203 805 2380, or reach us through Contact us. Beckenham Smiles Dental is at 122-124 High Street, Beckenham BR3 1EB, open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Frequently asked questions
The price depends on the complexity of your case, the number of aligners and what the quote includes. At our practice, clear aligners start from £1,850 . A personal quote is given after assessment, once your dentist has examined your teeth.
Not necessarily. The cost of either option depends on how complex your case is and how long treatment takes. Your dentist can explain which approach may suit your teeth and bite, and give you a quote after an examination.
Finance is available through Tabeo at 0% APR, subject to status, and terms apply. Tabeo is a separate finance provider, so approval is their decision. Ask the practice how monthly payments might work for your treatment plan before you commit.
This depends on the quote, so ask for a written breakdown. Retainers are usually needed after treatment to hold teeth in place, and some plans list them separately.
It varies. Some plans last several months, while more complex cases can take a year or longer. Your dentist can give an estimate after examining your teeth, though the actual time also depends on how consistently you wear your aligners.
In many cases your dentist will want to check the teeth and the bone around them, so X-rays or scans may be recommended. An intra oral X-ray is £19 to £22, an OPG scan is from £125 and a CBCT scan is from £250, where needed.
Many people feel pressure or mild soreness for a few days after starting a new tray, which usually settles. Everyone responds differently. If discomfort is strong or does not ease, contact your dentist so they can check your aligners and teeth.
A new patient adult exam at Beckenham Smiles Dental is from £75. Your dentist will confirm costs before you go ahead
