Clear Aligners to Become Subject to VAT from September 2026: What It Means for Patients
Updated: Aug 31
If you've been considering straightening your teeth with clear aligners, you may have heard about a significant change that will affect the cost of treatment across the UK.
Following a recent legal ruling, 20% VAT will be applied to applicable clear aligner supplies from 7 September 2026. This is an industry-wide change resulting from a UK tax decision and is not a price increase introduced by Devon Dentists.
Here is everything you need to know.
Why is VAT being introduced?
For many years, clear aligners have generally been treated as VAT-exempt in the UK.
However, in 2023, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) challenged this position. Align Technology, the manufacturer of Invisalign®, contested HMRC's interpretation through the courts on behalf of dental professionals, patients and the wider digital dentistry industry.
On 7 July 2026, the Upper Tribunal ruled that clear aligners do not qualify for VAT exemption under UK legislation.
As a result, aligner manufacturers will now be required to apply 20% VAT to applicable clear aligner supplies.
What does this mean for patients?
The introduction of VAT means that the cost of supplying clear aligners to dental practices will increase.
Both of our clear aligner providers have confirmed that from September 2026, applicable invoices aligners and retainers will include 20% VAT.
As a result of the new VAT rules, the clear aligner appliances supplied to dental practices will now be subject to 20% VAT. However, the professional dental treatment and clinical care provided by your dentist remain exempt from VAT. This means the full cost of your treatment does not increase by 20%.
At Devon Dentists, we understand that affordability is an important consideration when choosing clear aligner treatment. Although the VAT change will increase our costs, we have chosen to absorb a portion of this additional cost ourselves to keep the impact on our patients as low as possible.
Our clear aligner treatment fees will therefore increase by just 5%.
We hope that by absorbing part of the additional cost, we can continue to make clear aligner treatment as accessible and affordable as possible for our patients, while maintaining the high standard of clinical care and support you expect from Devon Dentists.
As always, we will continue to offer transparent pricing, 0% finance (subject to status) and honest advice, helping you achieve the smile you have always wanted in the most affordable way possible.
This is not a price increase introduced by Devon Dentists, but the result of a UK government tax ruling that affects clear aligner providers nationwide.
What does this mean at Devon Dentists?
At Devon Dentists, we believe in being open and transparent with our patients.
We have carefully reviewed the impact of the new VAT rules and, rather than passing the full additional cost on to our patients, we have decided to absorb a portion of the increase ourselves.
As a result, our clear aligner treatment fees will increase by just 5% from September 2026.
We hope this approach will help to keep clear aligner treatment as affordable as possible for our patients, while allowing us to continue providing the high standard of clinical care and support you expect from Devon Dentists.
Our aim, as always, is to provide clear advice, transparent pricing and exceptional care every step of the way.
Thinking about straightening your teeth?
If you have been considering clear aligners, we would be delighted to discuss your options with you.
Align Technology has confirmed that VAT will be added to applicable invoices from 7 September 2026. As we have no remaining consultation appointments available before this date, our clear aligner prices have now been updated to reflect the change and will apply from September onwards.
For transparency, our starting prices have changed as follows:
ClearCorrect: £3,090 → £3,250
Invisalign: £3,350 → £3,550
We remain committed to providing clear, transparent pricing, with no hidden costs. If you are considering clear aligners, please get in touch to arrange a consultation and find out which treatment option may be right for you.
By booking your consultation now, you will have the opportunity to:
Learn whether clear aligners are right for you.
Receive a personalised treatment plan.
Understand the costs involved.
Stay informed about how the VAT changes will affect your treatment.
Why choose clear aligners?
Clear aligners have transformed orthodontic treatment for millions of people worldwide.
They offer many benefits, including:
Nearly invisible appearance
Comfortable, custom-made fit
Removable for eating, drinking and brushing
Easier oral hygiene than fixed braces
Suitable for many mild, moderate and complex cases
Using advanced digital scanning technology, we can even show you a preview of how your new smile could look before treatment begins.
Flexible ways to pay
We understand that investing in your smile is an important decision. To help make treatment more accessible, we offer:
0% finance (subject to status)
Denplan payment options for ongoing dental care
Transparent treatment costs with no hidden fees
Our team will be happy to discuss the payment option that is right for you.
Book your consultation
If you would like to find out whether clear aligners are right for you, our experienced team would be delighted to help.
During your consultation we will:
Assess your smile and bite
Discuss your treatment goals
Explain your treatment options
Provide a personalised treatment plan and quotation
Answer any questions you may have about the upcoming VAT changes
Whether you are looking to straighten a single tooth or transform your entire smile, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
Call us on 01271 44 66 99 or book your consultation online to start your smile journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will all clear aligner treatments become more expensive?
The introduction of VAT is expected to increase the cost of applicable clear aligner treatments supplied in the UK. The exact impact may vary depending on the aligner provider and the treatment being provided.
At Devon Dentists, our starting prices have been updated to reflect the change:
ClearCorrect: £3,090 → £3,250
Invisalign: £3,350 → £3,550
Is this only affecting Invisalign®?
No. The change relates to the VAT treatment of clear aligners generally, rather than Invisalign® specifically. It is therefore expected to affect clear aligner treatments across the industry, although individual providers and practices may implement the changes differently.
Can I avoid the VAT increase?
The VAT change takes effect from 7 September 2026. At Devon Dentists, we honoured our existing prices for patients who had started their clear aligner treatment before 7 September 2026, even where the applicable aligner invoice was received after the VAT change came into effect.
Our prices have now been updated to reflect the new VAT treatment for treatments starting from September 2026.
Is Devon Dentists increasing its prices?
The change in our clear aligner prices is not a discretionary price increase introduced by Devon Dentists. The additional cost reflects the application of VAT to applicable clear aligner supplies following the relevant tax ruling.
We have updated our prices to reflect this change from September 2026.
If I start treatment before 7 September, will I avoid paying VAT?
Yes. At Devon Dentists, we honoured the existing treatment price for all patients who started their clear aligner treatment before 7 September 2026. This means that patients who commenced treatment before the VAT change were not subject to a price increase from us, even where the applicable aligner invoice was received after 7 September.
Should I book a consultation now?
If you have been considering straightening your teeth, you can still book a consultation with us to explore your options and find out which clear aligner treatment may be suitable for you.
Our updated clear aligner prices apply from September 2026, and we are committed to keeping our pricing clear and transparent.
We would love to help you smile with confidence
Whether you are looking to correct minor crowding, close gaps or achieve a straighter smile, our experienced team is here to help.
We will guide you through every stage of your journey, explain all your treatment options and answer any questions you may have about the upcoming VAT changes.
Call us on 01271 44 66 99 or book your consultation online to begin your smile journey today.
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