Invisalign or fixed braces? The Teddington professional’s guide to straightening up discreetly

03 / 07 / 2026

For most adults wanting straighter teeth, the choice comes down to Invisalign or fixed braces. Invisalign uses clear, removable aligners that are barely visible, while fixed braces use brackets and wires fixed to the teeth. At Kirby Dental in Teddington, Invisalign is provided by Dr Saara Majid. As of June 2026, both routes are worth understanding before you decide.

If you spend your days in meetings and on calls, the look of the treatment probably matters as much as the result. So let’s compare them properly.

Why so many Teddington adults are straightening their teeth now

Teddington runs on professionals. Plenty commute into London or work client-facing roles from home, and a confident smile is part of how you show up. For a lot of people, crooked or crowded teeth are the one thing they’d quietly change if it didn’t mean a mouth full of metal for two years.

That’s the bit that’s changed. Adult orthodontics today, especially clear aligners, is discreet enough to fit around a working life. Think of it less as teenage braces and more as a considered upgrade you can get on with quietly.

What Invisalign is, in plain terms

Invisalign straightens teeth using a series of clear, custom-made aligners. Each one nudges your teeth a little closer to their planned position, and you swap to the next set roughly every week or two. They’re removable, so you take them out to eat and to brush.

Because they’re clear and fit snugly, most people won’t notice you’re wearing them. For client-facing professionals, that’s often the deciding factor. Dr Saara Majid, who provides Invisalign at Kirby Dental, is known for making patients feel calm and at ease, which helps if the idea of any orthodontics makes you nervous.

What fixed braces still do best

Fixed braces haven’t gone away, and for good reason. Brackets bonded to the teeth, linked by a wire, give the orthodontist very precise control over individual tooth movement.

For complex cases, severe crowding, or significant bite problems, fixed braces can sometimes achieve things aligners find harder. They’re also impossible to lose or forget to wear, since they’re not coming out until treatment ends. Modern tooth-coloured and ceramic brackets make them far less obvious than the metal trainlines of old.

Invisalign versus fixed braces, side by side

Neither is simply better. The right answer depends on your teeth, your case, and how you live.

The honest trade-off most people miss

Here’s the thing about Invisalign that the glossy ads skip. It only works if you wear it. The aligners need to be in for 20 to 22 hours a day, which means most of your waking hours plus all night.

For a disciplined adult, that’s straightforward. If you suspect you’d leave them in a coffee shop or forget them for whole afternoons, fixed braces quietly do their job without relying on your willpower. Being honest with yourself about this at the start saves disappointment later.

How the scan makes the decision easier

You don’t have to guess at any of this. Kirby Dental uses an iTero scanner to take a detailed digital impression of your teeth, no goopy putty trays involved. From that scan, you can see a digital preview of how your teeth could look once treatment finishes, before you’ve committed to anything.

For someone weighing up the time and cost, seeing the likely outcome on screen is a genuine help. It turns an abstract decision into something you can look at and react to with Dr Saara Majid.

What treatment actually involves week to week

With Invisalign, life carries on much as normal. You wear the current aligner, take it out for meals, brush and refit it, and switch to the next set on schedule. Occasional check-ins track progress.

With fixed braces, you’ll have periodic appointments to adjust the wires, and you’ll adapt your eating slightly to protect the brackets. Either way, treatment for adults commonly runs somewhere between six and eighteen months, depending on how much movement your teeth need.

What it costs

Adult orthodontic fees in the UK vary with the complexity of the case. Invisalign typically ranges from around £2,000 for a simple correction to £5,000 or more for a fuller case, and fixed braces fall in a broadly similar range, sometimes a little lower. Your exact fee is confirmed after assessment, since it depends entirely on how much work your teeth need. You can review the practice fees and ask about spreading the cost.

FAQ

Is Invisalign as effective as fixed braces?

For mild to moderate cases, Invisalign achieves excellent results and is far more discreet. For complex crowding or significant bite problems, fixed braces can sometimes give the orthodontist more precise control. The honest answer depends on your specific teeth, which is why an assessment with Dr Saara Majid at Kirby Dental in Teddington, including an iTero scan, is the best way to know which suits you.

Will people notice I’m wearing Invisalign?

In most cases, no. The aligners are clear and fit closely over your teeth, so they’re very hard to spot in normal conversation or on a video call. That discretion is exactly why so many professionals choose them over fixed braces. You remove them to eat and to clean your teeth, then slip them straight back in.

How long does adult orthodontic treatment take?

It depends on how much your teeth need to move. Many adult cases run between six and eighteen months, with simpler corrections finishing sooner. Invisalign relies on you wearing the aligners 20 to 22 hours a day to stay on schedule. Dr Saara Majid will give you a realistic timeframe for your case once she’s assessed your teeth.

Can I switch from braces to Invisalign or the other way round?

Sometimes, though it’s far better to choose the right option from the start. A proper assessment, including a digital scan that previews your likely result, helps you commit with confidence rather than changing course midway. If your circumstances genuinely change during treatment, talk to Dr Saara Majid about whether an adjustment to the plan makes sense.

Do I need a specialist orthodontist for Invisalign?

Not necessarily. Invisalign and similar alignment can often be provided well by an experienced general dentist trained in the system, which is the case at Kirby Dental. If your case is unusually complex or involves the jaw, a referral may be discussed. The simplest step is an assessment, where your case is matched to the right level of care honestly.

What to do next

If straighter teeth are on your mind but you’re not sure whether Invisalign or fixed braces fits your life, start with an assessment. Dr Saara Majid will scan your teeth with the iTero scanner, show you a preview of the likely result, and talk through both options and the fee before you decide anything.

Call Kirby Dental in Teddington on +442089775939, learn more on the Invisalign page, or get in touch through the contact page. You can also read patient reviews from people who’ve been through it.