Impress Aligners: What is Smile 2 Impress and What Does it Cost?

If you are looking to straighten your smile with clear aligners, you may be interested in reading about Impress Aligners.

Impress is a Spanish start-up company that has become one of the largest chains of orthodontic clinics in Europe. The company has revolutionised the invisible orthodontic sector and uses fully digital processes.

You may ask how does it all work and are these aligners any good? Well, keep reading and we will tell you a little more about Impress aligners and answer the following questions:

• Who is the Impress company?
• What are Impress aligners?
• How do they work?
• What do Impress aligners cost?
• How do these aligners compare with others?

Deciding on the best orthodontic treatment for you can be difficult with so many choices out there. Even if you can make a decision, you may not be eligible for the treatment.

We hope this article helps you narrow down your choices so you can find the right treatment for yourself and start your journey to a straighter smile.

Who is Impress?

Impress is a fairly new Spanish start-up company based in Barcelona. They were founded in 2019 with the aim of making invisible orthodontics more affordable so that everyone can feel confident in their smile and themselves without money being a barrier.

The company raised £40 million earlier this year and plans to use the money to expand its footprint in Europe and bring orthodontic care into the digital age.

It opened its first UK flagship locations in London and Manchester earlier this year following the success of its clinics in France, Portugal, and Switzerland. And, to further its expansion into the north of the UK the company is opening new partner clinics in Leeds and Liverpool.

Impress works solely with invisible braces with treatment options including clear braces and aligners. Both options are more appealing and can be just as effective as traditional metal braces.

These clear aligners achieve good results and may be a viable option for those who can't afford the prices of aligners such as Invisalign. So without further ado, let's dive into the details of how these aligners work.

What are Impress aligners?

Impress aligners are custom-made removable clear plastic trays that work by gradually moving and aligning teeth towards the desired position by constantly exerting gentle pressure.

They are made from a high-tech medical material called polyurethane, which is both light and rigid, meaning that they'll stay in place. And because they're so durable, you don't have to worry about them breaking or getting lost while they're working their magic on your smile.

The aligners themselves fit right over the gumline making them more comfortable to wear and, because the material they are made from is transparent, they are barely noticeable when worn.

Treatment includes wearing your aligners every day for 22 hours per day, only removing them to eat and drink anything besides water. Every couple of weeks, when your Impress doctor recommends, you change to a new set of aligners to continue your treatment.

How does treatment with Impress work?

To start treatment with Impress you need an online consultation first. An Impress doctor will assess your eligibility and make an approximate estimation of the duration of the treatment needed. 

Next, you will go for an in-person appointment at an Impress dental clinic where the procedure is as follows:

• X-rays of your teeth and gums will be taken to make sure your mouth is in a healthy state for the treatment. This includes checking for any cavities as well as the overall health of your gums.
• Then a 3D scan of teeth and gums will be created. You will be able to watch a video simulating the evolution of your smile through the predicted treatment so that you can decide whether to go ahead with the kit.
• A patient kit includes the Impress aligners for the entire treatment, some rubber cylinders to adapt them to the teeth, and Impress whitening foam. You will also get a cheek retractor that will allow you to take photos of your mouth and monitor virtually, going to the dentist only when necessary.
• Once the treatment is completed and the desired results are achieved you will need to wear retainers overnight to maintain your smile.

The following video from Impress explains a little bit about how Impress aligners can help straighten your smile:

Impress virtual monitoring via the app

Thanks to the Impress mobile app, patients can take regular follow-up scans of their teeth and face with their phone and report their progress to their orthodontist. Photos are sent to the dentist every two weeks and the dentist determines if it is time to move on to the next set of aligners. Plus you can visit your Impress orthodontist when or if you want to.

The images that you send to your orthodontist can be easily paired with 3D images. If a tooth or group of teeth are not moving as planned you will be notified and be able to make an appointment to visit your dentist for an assessment and treatment adjustment.

If you prefer to see an orthodontist more regularly during your treatment consider the Invisalign system. These aligners are much more expensive but you get more frequent face-to-face check-ups with this treatment.

Another alternative with more in-person checkups at the dentists is ClearCorrect. You can read all about these aligners in our full review, or if you want to check out some options read our article on Invisalign alternatives.

Impress reviews

One of the main points that stands out amongst the Impress aligner reviews, in addition to the price, is the friendliness of the team. Convenience is another point that the reviews mention frequently, most notably the ease of getting everything delivered to your doorstep and the remote monitoring and follow-ups.

Great service all the way through the onboarding process and then a zoom video call to answer all additional questions once I received the aligners. Quick e-mail responses from Clecia in Barcelona and quick WhatsApp responses from Mecca in London = Happy customer.

–Kamran Khan

Very helpful and professional team. I lost a one set of aligners and was called into clinic within 24 hrs at no extra cost. Mimi and the dentist on duty were very helpful – they got a solution

–Dr Khuzwayo Jere

Amazing service and amazing staff. Kieran and Ash are the best, super professional and thoughtful. Would highly recommend Impress!

Ines Esteves

Recent Impress aligner reviews

Although most reviews seem positive, some more recent Impress reviews mention a delay in deliveries and appointments, seemingly due to the holidays and the pandemic. But, as a general rule, clients are satisfied with their results. 

Among the virtues they mention are the speed of their treatment and the convenience of checking their progress on their phone via the app.

Who can wear Impress aligners?

The treatment is appropriate for children over the age of six, teens, and adults. The only stipulation is that you must be eligible for treatment (and that kids and teens have their adult teeth in).

To find out if you are a candidate for these aligners, an Impress doctor will check your mouth, teeth, x-rays, and 3D scan to assess eligibility.

In the case of children, it is important to consider their ability to maintain good oral hygiene when deciding whether or not treatment is appropriate.

Children are not always as meticulous about brushing their teeth and wearing aligners, and thus may be more susceptible to tooth decay. If your child has a history of cavities or gum disease, you should consult with their orthodontist prior to scheduling treatment.

In addition, children may not always put their aligners on correctly or they may be more liable to lose or break them. So, parents must be vigilant when their children are undergoing treatment with Impress aligners.

If your case is mild, you can also consider the option of using SmileDirectClub aligners.

What Impress alternatives are there?

If you're looking for the most affordable treatment and don't want to do regular dental checkups, we recommend one of the following brands:

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative then consider SmileDirectClub. They work in a similar fashion to Impress, except you never have to see a dentist or orthodontist. With SDC your dentist prescribes and monitors your treatment remotely. You don't even need to go into the dental office for your initial appointment if you don't want to!

To get started with SDC you can just order an impression kit online and do your own impressions at home, making your treatment 100% remote. Your other option is to head into a SmileShop to get a 3D scan, but there are only currently 21 SmileShops in the UK which may limit your options.

While this option is dentist prescribed and monitored, it is only an option for mild and some moderate cases.

The best part about these aligners is the cost, which is just £1,639. There is also the option to pay in instalments with a down payment of £69.44 and then 25 monthly instalments of £69.43 per month and a total price of £1,805.

Another perk of SDC is that they do a nighttime option where you only wear your aligners for 10 hours a day, but at night when you're sleeping. This is different from their regular treatment where you wear your aligners for 22 hours per day. This may work out better for some people, but it does lengthen the treatment duration.

If you are interested in getting SmileDirectClub aligners, the fastest way to find out if you could be a candidate is to take an online assessment now! Or, if you're still not sure, why not read some SDC reviews?

Where do I get Impress invisible orthodontic treatment?

The brand already has Impress clinics in more than 40 cities in Spain. They are also present in Portugal, Italy, and France and have just opened two flagship clinics in London and Manchester. It should be noted that Impress is not a franchise.

How long do you wear Impress aligners?

It is recommended that you wear your impress aligners for 22 hours per day and only remove them to eat and drink anything besides water. Treatment lasts from six to seven months typically.

When it comes to how long treatment lasts each mouth is different and factors such as age can slow down the process, it usually takes between six and seven months of treatment to obtain the result. They offer a second option with the Impress plus treatment for those with greater difficulties, in which case it will last between 7 and 14 months.

What can I eat with Smile 2 Impress aligners?

It's best not to chew food while you're wearing your aligners because they could get damaged or broken. It's also best not to drink highly pigmented drinks, as they can stain them. Do drink water though!

Don't worry you won't miss out on your favourite food and drinks. Thanks to the fact that they can be removed, you can eat and drink whatever you like while you are not wearing them, as long as you brush and floss your teeth before you put your aligners back in. 

How much do Impress aligners cost?

Impress price varies based on the complexity and duration of your treatment. There are three levels of treatment, Impress Super Light, Impress, and Impress Plus.

Impress Super Light is for the least complex cases with a treatment time of approximately 3 months. It costs a single price of £1,990 or you can pay in 60 monthly instalments of £42 for a total price of £2,498.

The Impress package is for moderate cases with a treatment time of roughly 6 months. This package costs £2,690, or you can pay in 60 monthly instalments of £52 for a total cost of £3,136.

Impress plus is for the most complex cases with a treatment duration of 7 to 14 months. This package costs £3,490 or you can pay a total of £4,144 over 60 monthly instalments of £69.

The following table summarises the different packages, prices and payment plans available:

Impress vs Invisalign – Which is better?

Although these treatments both have good results, it is worth mentioning that Impress includes fewer visits to the dental office. And, while it's true that you can follow up remotely, fewer visits ia not always a good thing.

What features do Invisalign and Impress have in common?

• Advanced programmes for treatment planning
• Scientific studies that guarantee the well-being of their patients
• Personalised and adapted treatments
• Aligners are made of 100% transparent material

How do Invisalign and Impress aligners compare?

The most obvious difference is the number of visits to the dentist or orthodontist. With Invisalign treatment, the patient is looked after by one doctor who makes sure that the treatment is progressing correctly. It should also be taken into account that Impress is much newer to the market.

While Invisalign is a well-known brand, Impress is a new brand in the Spanish market.

If you would like to learn more about Invisalign aligners and find out how much they cost in the UK, read our full article here.

Here is a table summarising the two brands more clearly:

Conclusion

Impress aligners are relatively new to the market but they are growing quickly and are already building a great reputation. They are suitable for all ages over the age of six as long as an Impress doctor finds that you are eligible.

These aligners are not the cheapest on the market, in fact, they are probably one of the more expensive brands. If we compare them to the most expensive aligners on the market, they are not much less expensive.

Impress and Invisalign aligners both achieve good results. The difference between the two is mainly that Invisalign is much more of an in-office treatment whereas Impress can be almost completely remote.

Invisalign is an American brand and Impress is Spanish, which means that Impress has slightly more affordable prices due to lower shipping costs and its own equipment. However, when we take a closer look at the price difference between these two treatments, Impress aligners are at a similar cost.

In fact, if you are on a budget and looking for something a little bit more affordable you are better off looking at SmileDirectClub. With SDC you can be treated 100% remotely, but these aligners only treat mild and some moderate cases. So, if you have a more complex case then you may need to consider paying more for Impress aligners or the Invisalign system.

Regardless of the option you choose, we recommend visiting a dentist for a general checkup before starting any treatment. It's important to address any gum disease or untreated cavities before wearing aligners. Your dentist can also assess your overall suitability for the treatment.

Start your journey toward a beautiful, confident smile! Get your first appointment free at a SmileShop near you. Or order an impression kit for only £10 today.