Clear Aligners vs Invisalign: What's The Difference?

If you’re thinking about getting Invisalign in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, you may have some questions. First and foremost, what’s the difference between Invisalign and other types of clear aligner therapy, like ClearCorrect? Is one better than the other? Do they work differently? Do they cost the same?

You can get answers to all of your questions during a visit with Dr. Ritu Dhadwal at SmilesHUB, of course. But in this guide to clear aligners vs. Invisalign, we’ll take a deep look into this topic, explore the differences between different types of clear aligner therapy, discuss why we prefer Invisalign at our office, and more. Let’s get into the details!

Understanding Clear Aligner Therapy

Clear aligners are an orthodontic treatment used to straighten teeth, address bite issues, and restore your smile and bite. They work similarly to braces, placing gentle and even pressure on your teeth. Over time, this pressure encourages your teeth to shift into healthier positions.

‍

But unlike braces, clear aligners are nearly invisible. Instead of using metal brackets and wires to move your teeth, clear aligners use smooth, thin, transparent plastic. Each aligner is designed to be worn for 20-22 hours per day, and will move your teeth by about 0.1 to 0.2 millimeters.

‍

You’ll switch to a new set of aligners every 1-2 weeks, and visit SmilesHUB every 6-8 weeks to meet with Dr. Ritu Dhadwal. She will check and monitor your progress, and then give you a few more sets of clear aligners to wear. It usually takes between 20-22 sets to treat most patients, so the average treatment time is about a year.

‍

Compared to braces, clear aligners have lots of benefits. They're invisible when worn, removable for eating and drinking, don’t interfere with oral hygiene, and are more comfortable, too. This is why clear aligners like Invisalign have become so popular as an alternative to braces.

‍

However, Invisalign is not the only type of clear aligner on the market. There are lots of other companies that offer clear aligners, like ClearCorrect, CandidPro, and quite a few more. All of these systems work similarly, but there are some significant differences that you should know about.

Invisalign Is The First Company To Offer Clear Aligners

Invisalign’s long history is one of the reasons why it’s the most popular brand of clear aligners. Its parent company, Align Technology, was founded way back in 1997, which is nearly a decade earlier than ClearCorrect, its closest competitor.

‍

Invisalign’s clear aligner system was first approved by the FDA in 1998, though it didn't become very widespread until the mid-to-late 2000s. Throughout this period, Invisalign made constant advances in its technology, securing hundreds of patents related to digital smile design, advanced thermoplastic polymers, aligner manufacturing methods, and more.

‍

These technological advances allowed Invisalign to create unique treatment approaches for different types of orthodontic patients. Their reputation as an industry leader also allowed the company to build up a wide variety of case studies, reference materials, and training courses for dentists who wanted to learn how to straighten teeth without braces.

Since it has a long history of successful treatments, Invisalign has built up a lot of trust with both dentists and patients. It’s often used as a “generic” term to refer to clear aligners systems, though that’s not technically correct.

‍

Today, Invisalign is offered in more than 40,000 dental offices throughout the United States, making it the most popular brand of clear aligners in the country. As an Invisalign-certified practice, it’s also our preferred alternative to braces at SmilesHUB!

Understanding The Pros and Cons of Invisalign 

Just like anything else, Invisalign has pros and cons that you should keep in mind, both when comparing it to alternative brands of clear aligners and to braces. Here are a few things you should keep in mind when considering Invisalign treatment in Oakbrook Terrace, IL.

Invisalign pros

• Convenient, comfortable, invisible – Invisalign aligners are super thin, fit perfectly over your teeth, and won’t affect your appearance. You can take them out to eat and drink and to brush and floss, too.
  
  
• Advanced materials – Invisalign clear aligners use SmartTrack thermoplastic. This patented material is proven to help move teeth faster and more predictably while still remaining thin and comfortable for daily wear.

‍

• Most trusted clear aligner therapy – Invisalign has been around for longer than any other type of clear aligner treatment. This means that dentists have access to lots of resources, software tools, and training to ensure that they can deliver excellent results.

‍

• Tons of different treatment plans – Over time, Invisalign has developed distinct treatment plans for patients with different orthodontic needs. For example, patients with very minor orthodontic issues can get treatment with Invisalign Express 5, while patients with more severe bite and teeth alignment problems may need the Invisalign Comprehensive Package.
  
  
• Trusted doctors with verified experience – Through the Invisalign certification program, you can find dentists who have verified experience treating patients with Invisalign and achieving excellent results.

Invisalign cons

• More expensive – Compared to other clear aligner brands, Invisalign is usually a bit more expensive. However, it’s usually not too big of a difference, and the cost varies for each patient.
  
  
• Not suitable for every case – Just like any other type of clear aligner, Invisalign may sometimes not work for you. Patients with really severe orthodontic issues may still need treatment with traditional orthodontics like braces.
  
  
• Requires patient diligence – Unlike braces, which are fixed in place and can’t be removed, Invisalign can be taken out. But you need to wear your aligners consistently for 20-22 hours daily. If you don’t remember to wear them enough, your treatment may fall behind.

‍

What Are The Alternatives to Invisalign?

In this part of our Invisalign comparison, we’ll discuss your alternatives. These primarily fall into three categories – in-office clear aligners, mail-order clear aligners, and traditional braces. Let’s get into the details and discuss each one in turn.

In-office clear aligner treatment

Right behind Invisalign is ClearCorrect, the second most popular in-office clear aligner treatment. There are a couple of others, too, like CandidPro and Spark Clear Aligners. 

‍

Just like Invisalign, these clear aligner treatments are delivered by a dentist at a dental office. The treatment process may differ slightly from Invisalign, but this isn’t something you’ll really notice. It’s mostly different for your dentist.

‍

Overall, the results are pretty comparable to Invisalign. But in comparison to ClearCorrect and other alternatives, Invisalign still tends to deliver faster results. It’s also a bit more versatile thanks to their advanced technology.

Mail-order aligner treatment

In recent years, there has been a big growth in mail-order aligner treatment. Companies like Byte, NewSmile, and AlignerCo claim to offer excellent results without the need for in-person dental visits. Typically, you will just need one in-person visit with a dentist, and then you will track your results using virtual consultations and get new aligners in the mail.

‍

The primary draw of mail-order aligner treatment is that it’s faster, more convenient, and less expensive than seeing a dentist. However, mail-order aligner treatment can be incredibly risky, and we do not recommend using any of these companies under any circumstances. 

‍

There are many cases of treatment failure and other complications, including numerous controversies that forced SmileDirectClub, one of the biggest providers of mail-order aligners, to fold its business in 2023.

Traditional braces and orthodontics

If you have severe orthodontic problems, you may not qualify for Invisalign or any other type of clear aligner treatment. Traditional braces may be needed alongside other orthodontic treatments or even surgery to correct your bite, straighten your smile, and restore your oral health.

Choosing the Right Orthodontic Treatment For Your Case

So, should you get Invisalign? A different type of clear aligner treatment? Braces? Here are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.

‍

• Severity of misalignment – Invisalign is suitable for minor-to-moderate misalignment, and it’s more versatile than other types of clear aligner treatment. Even if you don’t qualify for ClearCorrect or a similar clear aligner provider, it may be possible to get Invisalign in Oakbrook Terrace, IL from SmilesHub.
• Treatment budget – Invisalign does tend to be a bit more expensive than alternative providers. However, it’s still typically quite comparable in price to braces, so it’s not a huge difference in price.
  
  
• Lifestyle preferences – If you would prefer to avoid dietary restrictions, care for your teeth more easily, and straighten your smile more subtly, Invisalign is a much better choice than braces.
• Peace of mind – With Invisalign, you can relax knowing that you’ve chosen the most reputable clear aligner provider on the market. As long as you follow your treatment plan, you’ll get great results with no surprises or delays.

‍

Of course, you don’t have to make this decision yourself. With a consultation from Dr. Ritu Dhadwal at SmilesHUB, you can learn more about all of your options for orthodontic treatment including Invisalign, alternative clear aligner therapies, braces, and more.

Answering FAQs About Invisalign And Clear Aligners 

Are all clear aligners the same?

No. They may all work similarly, but each brand of clear aligners is slightly different when it comes to materials, treatment planning, treatment time, total treatment cost, and more.

Is Invisalign worth the cost?

Absolutely. After Invisalign, you can enjoy a straighter, healthier, and more attractive smile for the rest of your life. It may be a little more expensive than alternative clear aligners, but it’s well worth it.

Can I switch from another clear aligner brand to Invisalign?

Usually, the answer is “yes.” If you’re using another clear aligner system like ClearCorrect or Byte, it may be possible to switch to Invisalign. To find out if you can make the switch,

Which aligner is best for minor corrections?

Invisalign has multiple plans that can correct minor cosmetic issues with your smile in just 3-6 months, making it the best option for minor orthodontic corrections.

Schedule Your Visit And Learn More About Invisalign

We hope this guide has helped you learn more about Invisalign vs. clear aligners and braces. But if you still have questions and are wondering if Invisalign is a good fit for your orthodontic needs and your lifestyle, Dr. Ritu and the team at SmilesHUB are here to help.

‍

During your orthodontic visit with Dr. Ritu, you can learn more about orthodontic treatment options including Invisalign, ask any questions you may have, and find out if you’re a good candidate for clear aligner treatment. So don’t wait. If you’re ready to take the first steps toward a healthier smile, you can give us a call at (630) 519-6972 or book your first visit online today.

‍