Wondering how ClearCorrect and Invisalign clear aligner treatments compare? With an increasing array of orthodontic options available, making the decision between popular clear aligner brands can be confusing. What material are they each made from? Do they work equally well at straightening smiles? Is one more affordable or faster-acting than the other?
In this comparison, we’ll analyze the materials used in ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign aligner trays, their effectiveness at handling various orthodontic issues, pricing and treatment times, and more. Read on to learn how two of the leading clear aligner brands on the market measure up against each other across these factors.
What is Invisalign
Invisalign comprises a series of removable, clear plastic aligners, developed by Align Technology, to gradually shift teeth to their desired positions. It offers a discreet alternative to traditional braces, tailored and managed by dental professionals for each patient. The aligners are crafted from proprietary SmartTrack material, a thermoplastic resin designed for comfort and effective force application, and FDA-approved for long-term internal use.
Enhancing the system, Invisalign includes features like SmartForce attachments. These small, tooth-colored components attached to the aligners provide precise control over tooth movement. These attachments are low-profile and barely noticeable, ensuring they work seamlessly with the aligners for both effectiveness and aesthetics. Over more than two decades, Invisalign has successfully treated around 16 million patients globally.
Who Is the Candidate for Invisalign
Invisalign can benefit a wide range of patients seeking straighter teeth. The system is suitable for teens and adults with fully developed permanent teeth. Younger patients between ages 6-10 may also be candidates with Invisalign First, which is tailored for early orthodontic guidance.
Invisalign is highly versatile in what it can treat, from purely aesthetic issues like crowded, gapped or crooked teeth to more complex functional problems including overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites.
See: Invisalign vs. Byte: Choosing the Right Treatment
PROs and CONs of Invisalign
Let’s explore the pros and cons of undergoing Invisalign treatment.
PROs of Invisalign
- Highly Trusted and Recognized Brand: With over 25 years of experience, Invisalign is the leading brand in clear aligners with a reputation for reliable and successful treatments.
- Patented SmartTrack Material: This proprietary material offers improved comfort through gentle and steady force application while achieving efficient teeth movement.
- Effective for a Broad Spectrum of Dental Issues: Invisalign can treat simple misalignment as well as more complex malocclusions including overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites.
- Comprehensive Professional Oversight: Treatment begins with thorough planning and assessment by an experienced orthodontist including scans and x-rays to develop the custom treatment plan.
- Consistent Support and Management: Patients receive continuous monitoring and support from their dentist/orthodontist throughout the treatment for optimal comfort and results.
- Suitable for Kids: Invisalign offers products like Invisalign First specifically for young patients as young as 6-10 years old.
CONs of Invisalign
- Higher Price Point: Invisalign costs more than some competing clear aligner brands on the market.
- Need for Regular Dental Visits: Despite remote monitoring options, in-person appointments are required periodically for progress checks and adjustments.
- Not Suitable for All Complex Cases: While versatile, Invisalign may not work for certain severe misalignments where traditional braces would be better.
How Invisalign Works
The first step in the Invisalign treatment process is selecting an Invisalign provider and visiting them for a comprehensive dental evaluation. This involves undergoing digital scans and x-rays of the teeth and mouth which are used to develop a tailored treatment plan. The orthodontist works with Invisalign to map out the step-by-step process, factoring in the patient’s unique anatomy and goals. A 3D animation is then shown to the patient, previewing how their smile will be transformed over the course of treatment.
Once approved, the patient receives their first set of custom-made clear aligners from their orthodontist. They are instructed to wear these 22 hours a day, changing to a new aligner set every 1-2 weeks. The patient must attend regular monthly appointments to monitor their progress and make any necessary adjustments. Additional tools like attachments or elastics may supplement the aligners when needed to achieve the desired tooth movements.
This cycle repeats itself as the patient transitions through their series of aligner sets over the full treatment timeline. Once the teeth have reached the final intended position, the orthodontist provides customized retainers to be worn post-treatment.
See: 3M Clarity Aligners vs Invisalign
Treatment Options
Invisalign offers a range of treatment options tailored to adults, teens, and children depending on the type and severity of the malocclusion.
Treatment of Adults and Teenagers
For adults and teens with very minor tooth issues, the Express 5 option provides up to 5 aligner trays focusing on small tooth movements and relapse prevention. Invisalign Express allows for up to 7 trays for slightly more extensive needs.
Invisalign Go caters to mild to moderate malocclusions like Class I cases, providing up to 20 trays for non-extraction and pre-restorative treatments. Invisalign Lite offers up to 14 trays for mild to moderate issues with mild crowding or spacing.
For more varied mild to moderate cases involving some Class II malocclusions, Invisalign Moderate offers up to 20 trays. Finally, Invisalign Comprehensive provides an unlimited number of trays for moderate to severe malocclusions including Class I, II and III.
Treatment of Children
For child patients, Invisalign First Comprehensive delivers early interceptive treatment focused on Phase 1 care without tray limits, followed by Invisalign First Comprehensive Phase 2 which continues into Phase 2 treatment. This approach is specialized for developing teeth.
What is ClearCorrect
ClearCorrect, a provider of clear dental aligners, was established in 2001 by Willis Pumphrey Jr. and later acquired in 2017 by Straumann, a medical company known for its dental innovations. This acquisition marked Straumann’s entry into the clear orthodontic aligner market. ClearCorrect Aligners are uniquely crafted from ClearQuartz, a tri-layer material combining durable polymers with an elastomeric inner layer, ensuring resilience, tear resistance, and consistent force application for effective dental alignment correction.
In the orthodontic market, ClearCorrect Aligners stand out due to their advanced materials and precision engineering. The ClearQuartz material not only applies gentle force but also offers stain resistance, enhancing patient comfort.
These aligners also offer features customizable options such as engagers and bite ramps, making them versatile for various orthodontic needs.
Who Is the Candidate for ClearCorrect
ClearCorrect aligners, suitable for adults and teens with fully erupted permanent teeth, are designed to correct a variety of malocclusions and dental misalignments. They are capable of moving all types of teeth, including molars.
ClearCorrect effectively treats tooth crowding, open bites, overbites, rotated teeth, and crossbites. It’s also suitable for addressing large spaces between teeth, works well with existing dental implants or restorations, and can correct midline discrepancies. This makes ClearCorrect a versatile option for various orthodontic corrections.
See: Review of Clear Correct Aligners
PROs and CONs of ClearCorrect
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of undergoing Byte treatment.
PROs of ClearCorrect
- Doctor-Directed Approach: Treatment involves professional supervision, ensuring that each stage of the orthodontic process is closely monitored by a qualified dentist or orthodontist for optimal results.
- Force Retention: ClearCorrect aligners are designed to maintain a higher level of initial corrective force for longer periods of time compared to other aligner brands. This feature contributes to more effective and efficient tooth movement. Consistent application of force also increases the predictability of treatment outcomes.
- Performance Trimline: They are designed to extend past the gum line, a feature that has been clinically validated to optimize the transmission of force. This ensures precise tooth movement and better control of the tooth root.
- Resistant to Staining: The ClearQuartz material used in ClearCorrect Aligners is notably stain-resistant, maintaining a clearer, more aesthetic appearance throughout the treatment.
- Cost-Effective: ClearCorrect is generally more affordable than Invisalign, making it a more budget-friendly option for those seeking clear aligner treatments.
- Wide Range of Treated Malocclusions: With ClearControl™ Clinical Features, such as engagers, bite ramps, aligners are capable of treating a broad spectrum of dental misalignments, making them suitable for a variety of orthodontic cases.
- Durable ClearQuartz™ Tri-Layer Material: Made from a tri-layer material, ClearCorrect Aligners are more durable and less prone to cracking or tearing.
B – Elastomeric layer, applies gentle, consistent, and continuous force
CONs of ClearCorrect
- Regular Doctor Visits Required: Patients need to visit their dentist or orthodontist every 4 to 10 weeks.
- More Expensive Than At-Home Aligners: While cheaper than Invisalign, ClearCorrect is still more costly compared to many at-home aligner options like Byte.
- Mixed Customer Experiences: Reviews of ClearCorrect vary, with some users reporting less comfort due to the trays being thicker and less flexible than those of competitors.
How ClearCorrect Works
The ClearCorrect aligner treatment starts with an initial appointment, where your suitability for the treatment is assessed through a smile evaluation and a discussion of financial options. Once you’re deemed a suitable candidate, ClearCorrect and your doctor collaborate to create a digital treatment plan. This plan not only outlines the strategy for moving your teeth but also allows you to preview your future smile.
Following the development of your treatment plan, your custom aligners are prepared. At this stage, your doctor ensures they fit correctly and provides you with detailed instructions, emphasizing the importance of wearing the aligners for around 22 hours daily for successful treatment.
Regular orthodontist visits, typically every 4 to 10 weeks, are integral to the treatment process. During these visits, your orthodontist tracks your progress and makes any necessary adjustments.
After you complete the treatment, you’ll receive a set of retainers. Wearing these retainers is crucial in the post-treatment phase to maintain the alignment of your teeth and secure the long-term stability of the treatment results.
Treatment Options
ClearCorrect offers a range of treatment options:
FLEX: Designed for minor orthodontic adjustments, the FLEX plan is suitable for cases needing fewer than 15 aligners. It is ideal for minor rotations, crowding, spacing corrections, and other subtle tooth movements. This plan operates on a pay-per-aligner basis.
MINI: Targeted for very mild cases, the MINI plan includes up to 12 aligners plus one revision. It’s perfect for minor relapses or enhancing the Aesthetic Zone (Social Six). The plan works well for small corrections in crowding, spacing, and minor tooth adjustments with a flat-rate payment.
ONE: Suited for moderate needs, the ONE option covers cases needing between 12 to 24 aligners. It’s effective for simple crowding and spacing issues, overbite reductions, and aligning rotated teeth.
TWO: The Two plan addresses moderate orthodontic needs, with more than 24 but fewer than 48 trays. It handles moderate crowding, spacing, overbite, and overjet issues, provided as a flat-rate package.
THREE: Designed for moderate to severe cases, the THREE option includes more than 48 but fewer than 72 trays. It tackles a range of complex issues like class II and III malocclusions and significant crowding or spacing, offered as a flat-rate package.
UNLIMITED: The most comprehensive plan, UNLIMITED, is for complex and extensive needs, offering an unlimited number of trays over five years. It is ideal for complex treatments, including those requiring extractions or addressing skeletal conditions, and includes replacements, revisions, and retainers.
ClearCorrect vs Invisalign – Main Differences
Effectiveness
Both systems demonstrate proficiency in treating a wide range of malocclusions and dental misalignments, but there are nuances in their capabilities.
ClearCorrect aligners are designed to effectively address various orthodontic conditions. They are capable of moving all types of teeth, including molars. They successfully treat crowded teeth, open bites, overbites, rotated teeth, crossbites, large spaces, and midline discrepancies. Attachments are often used to provide a sufficient grip for alignment in cases like tooth crowding.
Invisalign, similarly, is effective in treating a broad spectrum of dental issues. Its aligners are also capable of moving all types of teeth, and the system is known for its versatility in handling everything from simple alignment corrections to more complex bite problems. Invisalign’s effectiveness is attributed to its patented SmartTrack material and features like SmartForce attachments, which enhance the aligner’s ability to control tooth movement accurately.
Treatment Process
Both ClearCorrect and Invisalign are in-office, doctor-driven systems, meaning they are administered and overseen by licensed dentists and orthodontists. For both types of aligners, regular visits to the dental office are necessary to monitor progress, make adjustments, and ensure the treatment is proceeding as planned.
Patients using either ClearCorrect or Invisalign are required to wear their aligners for approximately 22 hours per day. After the active treatment phase, both systems require patients to wear retainers.
A key difference between the two lies in the use of technology for patient monitoring. Invisalign offers integration with DentalMonitoring, a remote monitoring app, in some dental offices. This app allows for more frequent monitoring of treatment progress remotely, potentially reducing the number of in-office visits.
On the other hand, ClearCorrect provides an app primarily for educational purposes. While this app offers valuable information and guidance, it does not facilitate remote monitoring of treatment progress like the DentalMonitoring integration available with Invisalign.
Price
Invisalign treatment costs range from $3,000 to $7,000, fluctuating based on the severity of each case. Complex orthodontic issues, such as overbites, overjets, and crossbites, often require more aligners and a longer treatment duration, leading to higher costs. These costs are not standardized and are determined by the individual orthodontist or dentist.
ClearCorrect aligners, on the other hand, typically range in cost from $2,000 to $6,000, depending on the chosen treatment plan, from Flex to Unlimited. This pricing structure positions ClearCorrect as generally more affordable than Invisalign, though still more expensive than at-home options like Byte.
Treatment Time
ClearCorrect aligner treatment typically ranges from 12 to 24 months. Patients with mild malocclusions often experience a quicker progression, with many completing their treatment in a shorter period, often between 12 to 18 months. This faster timeline is usually associated with less complex orthodontic cases.
In contrast, Invisalign treatment durations vary more broadly, from 6 months up to 2 years. This range can be perceived as a disadvantage compared to some at-home aligners, which tend to promise results in 4-6 months. However, it’s important to note that Invisalign is often chosen for more complex bite problems, which naturally require a longer treatment duration.
| Invisalign | ClearCorrect | |
| Prospective Patients | Adults, Teenagers, Children | Adults, Teenagers, Children |
| Procedure | Technicians create 3D setups according to prescriptions and records; doctor approves or modifies using 3D controls and digital tool or communicate changes to technician | Technicians create 3D setups according to prescriptions and records; doctor approves or modifies using 3D controls and digital tool or communicate changes to the technician |
| Material | Invisalign SmartTrack (multilayered polymer) | Specially formulated polyurethane plastic |
| Standard Change Interval | One week | Two weeks (option for one and three weeks) |
| Attachments | SmartForce attachments: Automatically played by software, minimum movement thresholds for placement, removed at any time. Conventional attachments: Variety of shapes and sizes, placed or removed at any time | Rectangular engages horizontal or vertical and beveled occlusally; typically placed on facial surface but lingual placement possible; placed or removed any time |
| Elastics | Precision cuts for use of elastics, designed to eliminate need to manually cut alligners | The doctor makes cuts in aligner; can also accommodate buttons |
| Retention | Invisalign single- or dual-arch retainers: purchased separately Vivera single- or dual-arch retainers: purchased separately in sets of four | Included in Unlimited plan |
ClearCorrect vs Invisalign: Choosing the Right Treatment
ClearCorrect and Invisalign both provide clear aligner treatments using customized thermoplastic trays to gradually realign teeth. A key distinction between them lies in their material composition: ClearCorrect uses its durable, force-retaining ClearQuartz material, while Invisalign employs the biocompatible SmartTrack thermoplastic.
Invisalign caters to a wide audience, including teens, adults, and children aged 6-10 with its Invisalign First program. It’s effective for a range of dental issues, from cosmetic to functional problems. Despite its higher cost and requirement for regular dental visits, Invisalign is effective for various dental issues, from simple alignment to more complex bite problems.
Suitable for adults and teens with fully erupted permanent teeth, ClearCorrect can treat various orthodontic conditions, including crowding and bite issues. While more affordable than Invisalign and featuring stain-resistant material, ClearCorrect might be less comfortable than its competitors for some users.
Sources
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Alansari, R. A., Faydhi, D. A., Ashour, B. S., Alsaggaf, D. H., Shuman, M. T., Ghoneim, S. H., Linjawi, A. I., Marghalani, H. YA., Dause, R. R>, Adult Perceptions of Different Orthodontic Appliances, Patient Prefer Adherence. 2019; DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S234449. Available online at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6916694/
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