Angel Aligners vs Invisalign: a fair comparison

Angel Aligner and Invisalign are both clinician-led clear aligner systems: custom trays, digital planning and dentist supervision. What usually matters more is the dentist and what the fee includes. At Toothi in Edgware we provide Invisalign only, from £1,495 with retainers, refinements and whitening included. Here’s how the systems compare, so you can choose well wherever you’re treated.

Angel Aligner is a clear aligner brand made by Angelalign Technology. Like Invisalign, it’s prescribed by a dentist or orthodontist, planned digitally from a 3D scan, and delivered as a series of removable trays that move teeth in small steps.

Spark, made by Ormco, is another clinician-led system and often comes up in the same conversation. Invisalign is made by Align Technology, uses its SmartTrack aligner material and is planned in ClinCheck software. All three are legitimate, regulated products used by qualified clinicians, so we’re not sorting them into “good” and “bad”.

Don’t confuse them with direct-to-consumer aligners posted to you without anyone examining you in person. Every system on this page involves a dentist examining you first. For a wider look at other options, see our guide to Invisalign alternatives.

On the basics they’re much the same: a scan, a digital plan you approve, aligners changed on a schedule, small tooth-coloured attachments where needed, and retainers at the end. Where they differ is mostly materials, planning software and how long each has been widely used.

• ✓  Manufacturer. Invisalign is made by Align Technology, Angel Aligner by Angelalign Technology and Spark by Ormco.
• ✓  Planning. Each brand has its own planning software. Invisalign uses ClinCheck, which lets you see the planned tooth movements before treatment starts. More on ClinCheck →
• ✓  Track record. Invisalign has been in use since the late 1990s, so there’s a lot of clinical experience behind it. Angel Aligner and Spark are newer to UK practices.
• ✓  Attachments and IPR. All three may use attachments and gentle tooth polishing (IPR) to help teeth move. See Invisalign attachments and what IPR is.
• ✓  Wear time. Every system relies on you wearing the trays most of the day, typically 20–22 hours. See our 22-hour rule guide.

We don’t publish claims that one brand moves teeth faster or more comfortably than another. Results depend on the case, the plan and how well the aligners are worn.

We use one system so every plan, review and refinement follows the same process and our experience builds up in one place. We picked Invisalign for its planning software, the iTero scanning workflow we run in-house, and the clinical experience behind it.

That’s our choice as a practice. It doesn’t mean the other brands are worse. If you’re already in treatment with Angel Aligner or Spark elsewhere, the right place to carry on is with the dentist who planned it.

We publish three fixed Invisalign fees. Each includes the iTero scan and ClinCheck plan, all reviews, refinement aligners if needed, removable and fixed retainers, an Airflow hygiene clean and Boutique whitening. Nothing gets added on later.

Prices are fixed and taken from our fees page. For a wider look at UK fees, read our Invisalign cost guide.

Whichever brand you’re offered, these questions will tell you whether the quote is complete and the plan suits you.

• ✓  Who plans and supervises my case? Ask about the dentist’s experience with that specific system.
• ✓  Are retainers included, and both kinds? Without retention, teeth tend to drift back.
• ✓  Are refinements included? Extra aligners at the end are common, so they should be in the fee.
• ✓  Can I see the planned movement first? A digital simulation helps you decide, though it’s a plan rather than a guaranteed result.
• ✓  What happens if my case is beyond aligners? At Toothi, complex cases are referred on to an orthodontist.

Ready to see your own plan? Our free Invisalign scan takes a few minutes. You can read more about treatment on our Invisalign in Edgware page.