Updated January 2026. Independent clinical review. Written by Dr MJ and Dr Masters.
Six Month Smiles is a short-term orthodontic system designed to straighten the front teeth only. It’s aggressively marketed as a quick cosmetic alternative to Invisalign or Spark Aligners.
Many patients in Liverpool search for Six Month Smiles (6MS) because they want faster results without wearing traditional braces. In this unbiased clinical review, we explain exactly how 6MS works, how much it typically costs, what results you can realistically expect, and how it compares with more modern clear aligner systems.
We also share our honest orthodontic opinion on the limitations of short-term cosmetic braces. We’ll tell you if it’s right for you and why many orthodontists now recommend alternative treatments that straighten the whole bite rather than just the visible front teeth.
In our practice we usually recommend modern clear aligners such as Invisalign or Spark instead, as they are more predictable and treat the whole bite rather than just the front teeth.Compare with Invisalign, Spark or book an orthodontic consultation.
6 Month Smiles Reviewed
In this article our Smileworks dentists (Dr Eduardo & Dr Ana) and specialist orthodontists give a detailed and unbiased review of the Six Month Smiles system.
Six Month Smiles is popular here in Liverpool and certainly has some benefits. But time and again we see patients who are confused about the pros and cons, and whether correcting only the front teeth is really a sensible alternative to correcting the bite and the way the teeth meet.
Here at Smileworks we have no commercial affiliations and are free to make clinical judgements based purely on what we consider is in your best interests.
Our dentists and orthodontists have seen every conceivable type of conventional and short-term orthodontic treatment on hundreds of patients. That means we can give you an even and unbiased review so you can decide whether Six Month Smiles is for you.
Six Month Smiles Pros & Cons (TL;DR)
Here’s a quick summary for those of you who don’t have much time:
Six Month Smiles moving the social six (front six teeth) into position
What is Six Month Smiles?
Six Month Smiles® are braces with clear brackets used mainly by general dentists rather than specialist orthodontists to align the front six teeth. Costing around £2,150, they are designed for simple cases and are not suitable for more complex alignment.
The name “Six Month Smiles” is misleading. Teeth do not move faster. The dentist simply chooses cases that can be completed in six months or less.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Quick (2-9 Months) | No quicker than any other STO treatment. 6 Months is the average treatment time |
| Discreet Brackets | Clear brackets more likely to come off teeth causing problems |
| Discreet White Wires | Only for simple cases |
| Inexpensive (second cheapest treatment at Smileworks) | Wires can discolour on brushing |
| No need for a specialist orthodontist | You might not be suitable |
| Can take longer than six months (patient expectations) |
What is Short Term Orthodontics (STO)?
STO means your treatment is carried out by a general dentist, not a specialist orthodontist. The system is designed so non-specialists can correct simple cases. Any dentist can use Six Month Smiles and you don’t need orthodontic training to provide it.
The manufacturers claim it is innovative because:
- Average treatment times of six months
- Clear brackets and tooth-coloured wires are barely visible
- Braces provide predictable final results
- Appointments are fast and comfortable
- Low forces improve comfort and hygiene
- Typically cheaper than other systems
Here at Smileworks we gathered our team of experts to see whether we actually agree with these claims.
Average treatment times of only six months
Six months is an average, not a guarantee. Some cases finish in two months. Some take ten. Statistically your case has a 50 percent chance of taking longer than six months. If your case is not straightforward, there is a zero percent chance of it taking six months.
“Teeth can only move so fast. The rate of movement is not determined by the type of braces… orthodontics can only be ‘accelerated’ by setting limited goals and accepting a less than ideal outcome.”
So the reason it takes six months on average is simple. The cases are simple. There is no magic technology moving your teeth faster.
These systems are faster only because they move the front teeth only, what dentists call the “social six”.
Calling them “fast” is like saying one runner is faster because she ran 100 metres quicker than someone else ran a mile.
Clear brackets and tooth-coloured wires are barely visible
Here are some unedited images from Google. Judge for yourself.
Although whether you would consider them “barely visible” is a matter for you. Compared with Invisalign and lingual braces, fixed brackets are still visible.
Lucid-Lok®, although a trademark, is simply a ceramic bracket. These exist across many systems and often cost extra.
“They are plastic brackets and don’t stick as well as metal. They come off all the time and slow treatment. This is why most orthodontists prefer metal wires.”
Use of braces provides predictable final results
This one we agree with. Braces are excellent. But there is nothing unique here. Six Month Smiles has no special conservative feature. You simply choose simple cases. End of story.
Patient tray kits and comfort claims
We opened one of the patient tray kits. There is nothing original inside. It is dentist equipment, not a patient goodie bag. The only useful thing for patients is brace wax. Ours comes in all the colours of the rainbow.
Safety and low forces
Shorter cases have fewer risks. But there is nothing safer about Six Month Smiles than any other system. All braces use low forces in simple cases. Claiming they are “safer” is misleading. It’s like selling the world’s safest car because it only drives at 10mph.
Cost
Six Month Smiles is cheaper than many systems. Typical cost is around £2,150. It is inexpensive because the cases are simple and short.
Six Month Smiles Cost Compared (in Liverpool)
| Braces Systems (whitening Included) | Invisible? | Cost (for upper & lower) | Speed (Months) | Cases: S=simple M = Moderate D = Difficult |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fastbraces® | No | From £2,500 Max £3,500 | 8-24 | E, M |
| Invisalign® | Discreet & removable | From £3,500 Max £4,000 | 6-18 | E, M, D |
| Six Month Smiles | Discreet / tooth coloured brackets | From £2,150 Max £3,250 | 6-9 | E |
| Cfast | No | From £2,150 Max £3,250 | 6-9 | E |
| Deltaforce | No | From £2,000 Max £3,500 | 8-24 | E, M |
| Conventional braces | No | From £1,500 Max £4,000 | 6-24 | E, M, D |
| Incognito® | Completely Invisible | From £5,000 Max £8,000 | 12-24 | E, M, D |
| Inman Aligner | No: but Removable | From £1,299 (one arch only) | 2-7 | E |
Our Professional Review of Six Month Smiles
In our opinion Six Month Smiles is a perfectly reasonable system. But it has nothing that sets it apart from other short-term orthodontic treatments. If this were revolutionary, orthodontists would be using it. They are not. We have jokingly renamed it “Straight Forward Smiles”. Straight teeth. Straightforward. Geddit?
“Short term orthodontics puts orthodontics in the hands of less qualified practitioners. Many dentists forsake function for quick cosmetic goals. This is Alignodontics.”
Dr Eduardo says: “These types of services were for dentists who required advice from a company on where to fit the brackets and which wires to use (think “gusto meals” but for braces. Nowadays general dentists less experienced with ortho use aligners instead. That’s been the trend for the last 5 years. That’s why people now hardly hear of this type of options.”
Who is suitable for Six Month Smiles?
Short term orthodontics only works for mild cases. Most patients have crowding at the back as well as the front, even if they cannot see it. This is why the most common complaint is:
“My Six Month Smiles took 14 months.”
If you want a perfect result, Six Month Smiles is probably not for you. If you want a subtle and inexpensive option for very mild crowding, it may be suitable.
Is Six Month Smiles right for me?
You can only know after a proper orthodontic assessment. Be wary of clinics that only offer one system. Choice matters. Ideally you should see a practice with specialist orthodontists as well as dentists so that complex cases are not forced into simple systems.
To explore all orthodontic options visit our main page here: Braces Liverpool.
To book an orthodontic consultation book online here or call 0151 236 5166.