Home clear aligners are incredibly convenient, so it’s no surprise they’ve garnered a lot of popularity in recent years. After all, who doesn’t want to straighten their smile with easy-to-use aligners that don’t require regular doctor’s visits?
If you’ve done any research into the UK’s clear aligner scene, you’ve probably seen Straight My Teeth. And maybe you’ve wondered, should I use their clear aligners? Or are there better options? With all the aligners on the market, it’s hard to sift through all the choices.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything there is to know about Straight My Teeth, including how their treatment works, how customers review them, and more. By the end, you’ll know for sure whether or not Straight My Teeth is the aligner for you.
How Does Straight My Teeth Work?
Straight My Teeth is a pretty straightforward process from start to finish. Here’s a flyby of what you can expect:
- Step 1: Kickstart your treatment with either an at-home impression kit or a scan appointment at Straight My Teeth’s retail location in Staines. The scan is a convenient and simple way to begin treatment—so if you’re nearby Staines, this could be a great option for you. The impression kit can be a little trickier, but you can always set up a video call with the Straight My Teeth team if you’d like some extra assistance. Once your impressions are dry, you can ship them back for free, thanks to a prepaid shipping label.
- Step 2: Straight My Teeth’s team will analyze your scans or impressions and craft a personalized treatment plan. Once you give the treatment plan your seal of approval, they’ll get started manufacturing your aligners.
- Step 3: Pay for your treatment all in one go, or sign up for one of Straight My Teeth’s financing options. These plans don’t require a credit check, so there won’t be anything standing in between you and your new smile.
- Step 4: In just a few more weeks, your entire Straight My Teeth aligner kit will arrive on your doorstep. You’ll wear each aligner for roughly two weeks and regularly take pictures of your progress.
See! We told you it was a simple process!
What Sets Straight My Teeth Apart?
Straight My Teeth has the most affordable aligners in the UK; hands down. Not only that, they run frequent sales that bring their industry lowest pricing even lower.
But don’t worry: “affordable” doesn’t mean “cheap.” Straight My Teeth offers high quality aligners made by a reputable manufacturer, frequent remote oversight, and much more.
They’ve only been in business a short time, but Straight My Teeth has still managed to receive hundreds of glowing reviews (as has their US version, AlignerCo). With Straight My Teeth, it’s clear that you can have quality treatment at a fraction of the cost.
Product Quality
You’re going to be wearing your clear aligners for many hours a day, it stands to reason you want to know what these things are made of. Let’s take a closer look at the quality of Straight My Teeth’s aligners.
Materials
Straight My Teeth’s aligners are manufactured by Raintree Essix; a respected dental supply company that’s been making clear aligners since 2005. Their clear aligners are made from medical-grade, BPA-free plastic. You can rest assured that your Straight My Teeth aligners are safe, effective, and made from quality materials.
Appearance
There are two main ways to cut the tops of clear aligners: straight across, or scalloped to match the gumline. It’s a bit of a tradeoff no matter which aligner cut your provider offers; since the straight cut can exert more force, but the scalloped cut is more discreet since it doesn’t overlap with the gums. Straight My Teeth uses aligners that are scalloped, so you can be sure your treatment will have a low profile.
This may seem a little counterintuitive, but crystal clear-looking aligners aren’t necessarily the lowest profile. Some providers (like Invisalign and Smile Direct) opt to make their aligners out of slightly frosted plastic, which blends in better with the matte surface of your teeth. Straight My Teeth makes its aligners out of clear shiny plastic, so they may be a touch more noticeable than competitors using frosted plastic.
That being said, appearance is subjective; all that’s important is you choose the clear aligners that work for you!
Treatment Oversight
Every 10-14 days of your treatment, you’ll send in photos of your progress (via email) for the Straight My Teeth team to review. This helps them keep an eye on your treatment progress, and make sure everything is going as planned. This is much more frequent oversight than many of Straight My Teeth’s competitors; some ask for photos every 3-4 weeks, and others only require these updates every 90 days.
Straight My Teeth offers a standard approach to treatment, and one other: nighttime clear aligners, or NightOnly. If you choose that method, you’ll get to wear your aligners for just 10 hours per day. But you can always use the daytime ones if you prefer (they’ll help you finish treatment faster if you do). Daytime treatment usually wraps up in 5 to 6 months, and nighttime only wear takes about 6 to 8 months.
In stark contrast, traditional options like braces and Invisalign can take anywhere from 18-24 months to complete. Not only that, but these treatments also require in-person appointments every 4-8 weeks of your treatment. For most busy adults, squeezing a dozen or so appointments into a packed schedule is no small feat. By comparison, Straight My Teeth’s 5-8 month treatment lengths, and simple photo check-ins every 10-14 days make for a much less daunting commitment.
If you need anything outside of your regular photo check-ins, you can reach out to Straight My Teeth’s customer support.
Straight My Teeth can be reached by phone, email, and online chat. While they don’t have any fancy extras like an app, they do get the job done. If you’re in a rush to get answers, we recommend calling. That gets the swiftest response, in our experience. They have representatives available every day by phone who can help address your concerns.
Bang For Your Buck
One of the main appeals of at-home clear aligners is that they’re more affordable than traditional options like braces and Invisalign. Even among these affordable options, Straight My Teeth still manages to stand out for their industry’s lowest pricing. Let’s take a look at what treatment will set you back when you choose Straight My Teeth.
Startup Costs
There are two different ways to kickstart your Straight My Teeth treatment: an in-person scan, or an at-home impression kit. Straight My Teeth only has one retail location, so it’s likely that many of its customers will need to opt for the impression kit based on proximity.
The in-person scan is a more convenient option, but Straight My Teeth offers video calls to help advise you through the sometimes tricky process of taking your own impressions. Both startup options cost £45.
Aligner Kit
Straight My Teeth’s all-day treatment costs just £999, and NightOnly treatment costs £1149. These are the lowest prices in the industry, but Straight My Teeth regularly runs sales bringing the cost even lower, so keep your eyes out for a deal. We’ve seen prices dip as low as £699 for all-day treatment and £749 for NightOnly.
Straight My Teeth doesn’t include lots of extra bells and whistles like whitening (as some other companies do), but they do include a set of post-treatment retainers for free.
Potential Add-Ons
Unfortunately, Straight My Teeth doesn’t offer a whitening kit in their store; but sometimes they offer a free bottle of whitening when you attend an in-person scan. This promotion comes and goes, so if you’re looking to whiten your smile while you align, then just be prepared that you may need to look elsewhere for whitening.
If you do buy whitening from another company, just be sure that you opt for a formula that is safe to use in conjunction with aligners; since not all of them are.
Financing
Don’t want to pay the £999 or £1149 for your treatment all at once? Straight My Teeth offers payment plans called SmileFlex Easy and NightFlex Easy. Both require a downpayment of £359-399. After that, you’ll need to make 12 monthly payments between £45-50. Neither of these plans requires a credit check, so everyone is approved for financing.
Post-Treatment Costs
The best way to keep your new smile aligned is with aftercare retainers. Luckily, Straight My Teeth includes your first set for free in your treatment bundle. Sometimes they even run a promotion that throws in a second set of retainers for free; so keep an eye out for that.
These retainers are durable, but they don’t last forever. You’ll need to replace your retainers about every 6 months or so.
Straight My Teeth sells their retainers in bulk through their WorryFree program. Here’s how it works: for £459 you’ll get a new set of retainers mailed to your doorstep every 6 months, for 6 years. £459 may cause some sticker shock, but this puts the cost of each retainer at £38.25 each, which is significant savings compared to competitors who charge £80 per set.
Which treatment plan is right for me?
At-home clear aligners are way more convenient than traditional treatment options, but they still require some maintenance. You’ll need to remove them at mealtimes, then brush your teeth and clean your aligners before wearing them again. If your days are already stuffed to the gills, even minor upkeep like this can be difficult to squeeze in.
With nighttime only treatments, you won’t have to think about your treatment until the evening. Just carry on with your day as usual, then pop in your aligners a few hours before you go to sleep and dream your way to a new smile!
Once Straight My Teeth reviews your impressions, they’ll be able to let you know which treatment options are available to you. Though clear aligners can treat mild to moderate cases, nighttime only options are best suited for conditions on the milder side. So if you’ve got a packed schedule and some minor crowding/spacing, then Straight My Teeth’s NightOnly treatment could be a great fit for you!
Customer Experience
Of course, affordability and quality are priorities when choosing a clear aligner provider, but how you’re treated during treatment is just as important. Let’s take a look at what you can expect when you choose Straight My Teeth.
Reviews
Online shopping is really convenient, but the savvy online shopper checks reviews before hitting that “Order Now” button. Straight My Teeth is a relatively new company, so they’re still growing their online review base. But they do have a decent number so far, and odds are, you don’t want to read through them all yourself.
We’ve done the legwork for you, sifting through reviews so you can get a better picture of what real people like and dislike about Straight My Teeth. We prefer to look at third party review sites to get an unedited picture. And even on those external review sites, Straight My Teeth gets a pretty positive score across the board. Granted, there are some complaints, but the majority of their reviews are positive.
Here are some of the things customers like about Straight My Teeth:
Top Loves:
- Great shipping times
- Aligners are affordable and effective
- Process is easy
And now, for the top dislikes:
Top Complaints
- Impression kits are tricky and can require repetition if you don’t get them right
- Refinements are a hassle and cost extra
- Communication isn’t always their strong suit, with some messages falling through the cracks and long waits for responses
Straight My Teeth could stand to improve their communication channels with customers, since some reviewers report long waits for responses to their questions about treatment. Some customers even report their requests falling through the cracks completely, which is clearly concerning.
However, all told, the vast majority of customers love their experience with Straight My Teeth. We’ll have an even higher level of confidence once they get some more reviews, but for now, the signs are pretty good.
Comfort
Just to be clear: teeth alignment (no matter what kind) will always involve some aches and pains. That being said, with clear aligners the discomfort is usually just for a few days when you switch to a new set of aligners; since they have a snugger fit than the previous set. Fortunately, you won’t need to deal with abrasion from metal brackets like you would with braces treatment; you’ll just be navigating soreness from the alignment itself.
If the edges of your aligners are ever sharp, just check in with the Straight My Teeth and they’ll likely give you the go ahead to file down any uncomfortable areas with an emery board. This is a cheap and simple fix to make your treatment as comfortable as possible.
Guarantees
Some providers offer lifetime guarantees on the results of your treatment—as long as you keep up on wearing and replacing your aftercare retainers. Unfortunately Straight My Teeth doesn’t offer any comparable guarantees, so if your teeth ever shift post-treatment, you’ll be responsible for paying for additional aligners.
Refinement Policy
Hopefully, your treatment goes off without a hitch and your smile is exactly as you’d hoped when you finish wearing your last aligner. But sometimes stuff happens; teeth can be a bit more stubborn than expected, and it’s possible to reach the end of your treatment and still need a bit more movement. If that happens, you’ll need refinements (extra aligners).
Some providers offer refinements for free, but unfortunately Straight My Teeth charges £150 for these extra aligners. Paying extra fees is never fun, but since Straight My Teeth’s pricing is so low, to begin with; this policy is a little easier to take.
Best Straight My Teeth Alternatives
Straight My Teeth has a lot to offer, but that doesn’t mean they’re the right fit for everyone. Let’s take a look at some alternatives to consider.
Straight Teeth Direct
Straight Teeth Direct is our #1 ranked at-home aligner provider in the UK. Their start as a traditional orthodontic practice influences their individualized customer service, and their comprehensive treatment guarantees can’t be beat. They balance affordable pricing with high quality offerings; they’re our favorite provider for a reason!
PlusDent
PlusDent organizes their treatment into 3 tiers based on your condition’s severity: light, medium, or complex. Each tier offers a wide array of financing options, so you can find the option that works best for you. PlusDent doesn’t offer an impression kit; you can only begin treatment by visiting their clinics for a scan. These appointments are convenient and quick, but this does limit who can choose PlusDent for treatment; due to location.
Should You Use Straight My Teeth?
Straight My Teeth is a great option, but are they right for you?
✔ When to use Straight My Teeth:
If you have a mild or moderate case of misalignment, then you’re likely a perfect candidate for Straight My Teeth. If your primary concern with orthodontic treatment is the sheer cost of it, then Straight My Teeth is your best bet; no other company is cheaper. Add to that Straight My Teeth’s sales—while we’re writing this guide, the sticker price is on sale down to just £699—which is basically impossible to compete with.
✖ When NOT to use Straight My Teeth:
If your condition is on the more severe side, you’re probably not a good candidate for any at-home alignment system—Straight My Teeth or otherwise. But if you’re curious about our favorite at-home clear aligner provider in the UK, then check out Straight Teeth Direct.
Final Verdict
All things considered, Straight My Teeth is a great option for at-home clear aligner treatment. They have the industry’s lowest pricing, frequent treatment oversight, and a friendly support team. They’re our #2 ranked provider for a reason!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does clear aligner treatment even work?
Clear aligner treatment works, no question. But it only works when you wear your aligners as prescribed. If you fail to wear them like you should, your teeth won’t shift into straighter positions; they might even become more crooked than they were in the beginning. Likewise, your treatment results will only last provided you wear your retainers as prescribed.
Is clear aligner treatment safe?
You bet! Clear aligners are a perfectly safe way to straighten your teeth as long as you adhere to your prescribed treatment. It’s when people don’t wear their aligners like they should that they run into trouble; if you wear them for too short a time each day, your teeth don’t get the chance to heal enough between aligner switches, which hurts your teeth in the long-term. Similarly, if you don’t clean the aligners faithfully, remove them when you eat, and brush your teeth before reinserting them, you run the risk of tooth decay (or at the very least, some questionable bad breath).
How is Straight My Teeth different from Invisalign?
On the surface, Straight My Teeth and Invisalign seem identical to each other. After all, their aligners look very similar: clear tooth-shaped trays. And both treatment regimens will get you the smile of your dreams.
Invisalign, however, is different from Straight My Teeth because of one key distinction: Invisalign is an in-office treatment, and Straight My Teeth is administered remotely. Invisalign requires direct, in-person oversight to be successful, and in return, that lets Invisalign treat the full array of cases, from mild to extremely severe. Straight My Teeth can only treat mild to moderate cases because severe cases require in-person oversight.
Does Straight My Teeth offer any discounts?
Straight My Teeth offers discounts on a somewhat regular basis, which is kind of surprising since they’re already the most affordable on the market. They often offer sales for both their aligner kits and their impression kits. That said, the sales don’t last forever, so if you see a good one, jump on it.
Is Straight My Teeth the fastest home aligner?
There are faster treatment options out there, but they aren’t currently available on the UK market. Most UK aligner companies—Straight My Teeth included—take close to 6 months to correct a smile. Straight My Teeth is a tiny bit faster than some other UK companies, but it’s not an appreciable difference.
Is Straight My Teeth the cheapest home aligner?
Straight My Teeth is easily the cheapest home aligner in the UK. Thanks to their £999 price point (and fairly common sales), it’s hard for other companies to compete. The only other company that comes close is Straight Teeth Direct, but they’re several hundred pounds more expensive than Straight My Teeth.
What about nighttime treatment?
Some customers find that it’s more convenient to do nighttime treatment, or aligners that you only wear for about 10 hours per day. Nighttime aligners are available with some online clear aligner companies. And Straight My Teeth is one of those companies. Whether you want a 10-hour wear schedule or a 22-hour one, Straight My Teeth has your back.
How do I know when to switch aligners?
We highly recommend establishing a routine for when you switch your aligners. It’s best to switch them before you go to bed. So you might decide to switch them every Monday night before bed, or maybe Thursday works better. The important thing is that you wear them for the proper amount of time so your treatment stays on track.
Can I drink coffee while using Straight My Teeth?
Technically you can, but you shouldn’t. For starters, hot drinks can warp your aligners, making them ineffective. Plus, dark foods and beverages can permanently stain your aligners. You should remove your aligners every time you eat or drink anything besides cool water.
Can I smoke while using Straight My Teeth?
It’s physically possible, but you shouldn’t. Any dentist will tell you that smoking will stain your teeth and can deteriorate your overall oral health. But when it comes to wearing your aligners, smoking with aligners on can stain them.
Is there an age requirement for Straight My Teeth?
Straight My Teeth will treat anyone ages 14 and up. Minors need parental consent to obtain treatment.
Does Straight My Teeth offer whitening?
Straight My Teeth does not offer any extras like whitening treatments. They give you the basics only (aligners and one set of free retainers). Keeping their kit so simple allows them to keep their prices low. They’ll occasionally give out free whitening at their in-person scans, but that’s only a promotion.
What’s up with retainers?
When you finish your treatment, Straight My Teeth will send you trays that look a lot like your aligners. But there’s one key difference: they’re thicker than treatment aligners. And their purpose is to hold your teeth in their newly-perfected positions.
After treatment, your teeth have a natural tendency to relapse, or shift back to their original positions. Even years afterwards, teeth still shift; it’s a natural part of aging. Wearing retainers—usually full-time for a few weeks and then only at night indefinitely—prevents that from happening, preserving your investment.
How often should I replace my retainers?
Retainers are designed to be more durable than aligners, but they still don’t last forever. Straight My Teeth recommends that you replace your retainers every six months. Your first set is free, but after that, you’ll pay £99 for each. You could instead opt for their WorryFree Protection Plan, and pay £459 for a six year supply of retainers (a new set shipped to you every six months, twelve sets total).