Choosing between Invisalign® and ClearCorrect® can be challenging when you’re considering clear aligners to straighten your teeth. Both options offer nearly invisible ways to align your teeth — a discreet alternative to traditional metal braces. Is there a difference?
The good news is that you don’t have to make the decision on your own. Both Invisalign and ClearCorrect are available at Dr. Darj Dental in El Paso, Texas, and Mehrnoosh Darj, DDS, can help you determine which system is the right choice to straighten your teeth.
Here’s our guide to what sets Invisalign and ClearCorrect apart to help you understand the differences and choose the option that’s best for you.
Developed in the late 1990s, Invisalign has become one of the most well-known brands for clear aligners. It uses custom-made plastic trays to gradually shift teeth into alignment.
Launched in 2006, ClearCorrect provides a similar approach to teeth straightening with clear plastic trays. They’re slightly newer to the market but have quickly grown as a popular alternative to Invisalign in the United States.
Both Invisalign and ClearCorrect use a system of clear aligners to straighten your teeth, close gaps, correct crowding, and address bite problems. Both also use BPA-free plastic aligners to achieve those goals, but the materials and thickness can differ.
Invisalign uses a proprietary thermoplastic material called SmartTrack. Eight years of research and development — and over 260 materials tested! — went into the engineering of SmartTrack.
It’s designed to be flexible and durable yet still strong enough to shift your teeth with controlled movements. The best part of SmartTrack is that this material adapts well to the shape of your teeth, which can make the aligners easier to wear and remove.
ClearCorrect aligners are made from a tri-layer plastic, ClearQuartz™. These aligners are slightly thinner, which makes them even less noticeable than Invisalign.
Keep in mind, though, that thinner aligners may be more prone to breaking or damage and may not be the best choice for everyone. Regardless of brand, you want to commit to handling your aligners with care to avoid any accidental damage that would require replacement.
When it comes to the customization of aligner trays and treatment plans, each brand has unique features.
Invisalign offers several treatment options, including Invisalign Express for mild corrections and Invisalign Teen. Over 5 million teens have used Invisalign to achieve their dream smiles!
Special features, such as blue indicators, make Invisalign a dream for parents, too. The indicator dots allow parents to monitor how vigilant their teens are with their aligner tray usage — the more you wear the trays, the more the dot fades away.
Dr. Darj can also make adjustments throughout treatment using SmartForce attachments and power ridges to help guide the movement of your teeth.
ClearCorrect provides four treatment plans — Limited 6, Limited 12, Flex, and Unlimited — based on the number of aligners you need.
Like Invisalign, ClearCorrect also allows for attachments to be used in specific cases to aid tooth movement, but it may be less comprehensive in terms of customization options for specific needs.
As with any orthodontic treatment, the cost can vary significantly depending on the length of treatment and the complexity of your case — and this is true of both aligner systems. Several options can make clear aligners more affordable, including using insurance, tax-free dollars, and payment plans.
Both Invisalign and ClearCorrect are designed to be worn 20-22 hours a day, but there are slight differences in the average length of treatment. Regardless of which aligner you use, you need to wear your trays as directed to stay on track with your timeline.
For mild to moderate cases, Invisalign treatment usually takes between 12 to 18 months.
Invisalign also offers SmartForce attachments. Made from a composite resin, these attachments are affixed only to certain teeth to apply targeted pressure, and they can help with complex moves such as rotating or turning teeth. Using SmartForce attachments may help shorten treatment time in more complex cases.
ClearCorrect treatment times can be slightly longer — ranging from 12 to 24 months. This system offers vertical and horizontal engagers, small shapes of composite material placed on the tooth to assist with certain tooth movements in correcting alignment.
Because the plastic material is thinner, ClearCorrect may require more frequent adjustments for some patients.
When it comes to choosing between Invisalign and ClearCorrect, Dr. Darj may focus on factors such as:
Ultimately, both options can help you achieve your orthodontic goals without any metal brackets or wires. Call Dr. Darj Dental at 915-213-3767 and get started with your clear aligner consultation.
