Clear Correct vs. Invisalign

Clear aligners enable adults and teens to straighten teeth without wires and bands. Multiple companies produce clear aligners today, and knowing their differences can help you decide which to choose.

Beyond function and aesthetic benefits, many patients choose clear aligners for their long-term oral health advantages. After all, straight teeth are easier to clean than crooked ones. When teeth are easy to keep clean, there’s less risk of plaque buildup, which can lead to cavities, gum disease, periodontal disease, and other dental issues.

At 209 NYC Dental, we’re committed to helping you find the best solution for your situation. Dr. Sang (Ben) Ahn is a Diamond Plus Invisalign provider who can start you on the road toward a straighter, more confident smile. We invite you to call us to see if clear aligners suit you. Here’s an in-depth look at ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign, the two leading options for clear aligners.

• Invisalign Overview
• Invisalign Treatment Options
• ClearCorrect Braces Overview
• ClearCorrect Treatment Options
• ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign
• Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Invisible Braces?
• Clear Braces — Before and After
• Is Invisalign the Best Option?

 

ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign: Which Is a Better Option?

Orthodontic treatment has seen many positive developments in the recent decade. Gone are the days when traditional metal braces were the only option to straighten your teeth. For example, those who engage in physical activities or athletes, such as those who play contact sports, could risk severe cuts and irritation after an impact injury involving the mouth while wearing metal braces. The smooth surface of clear aligners makes them less likely to cause oral injuries after sustaining a blow.

Today, you have several options for clear plastic aligner trays that move your teeth, including Invisalign, ClearCorrect, and SmileDirectClub brands. However, you still want to make sure you choose the right option for your treatment plan. There is a lot of information about ClearCorrect versus Invisalign and how their clear aligners differ.

Another recent change to orthodontic treatment is how many more adults choose it. Adult patients account for as many as one-quarter of all orthodontic procedures. The convenience and discretion of clear aligners may be partially responsible for the trend of adults seeking more orthodontic treatments than in previous years. Another reason could be that cultural norms influence more adults to pursue healthy, confident smiles.

When surveyed, almost 80% of adults who have straightened their teeth stated that it was one of the most valuable transformations they have ever done. Over 90% of adult patients said that their confidence was positively impacted by having straight teeth, while about 75% said that straightening their teeth had some positive benefits. Having straight teeth can improve your self-confidence, giving you a radiant smile you’ll always want to show off.

Many options are available if you are considering ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign to straighten your teeth or correct your bite. Compare these two clear aligner options and see which could work for you.

What Is Invisalign?

When you get Invisalign braces, you will be fitted with clear plastic aligners over your top and bottom teeth. Invisalign teeth aligners gradually shift your teeth to straighten them. The aligners differ from traditional braces because you need to remove them before eating or drinking any non-clear liquid.

Treatment plans typically call for you to wear your clear aligners for 22 hours every day, using each set for intervals of five to seven days based on your dentist’s evaluation of your tooth movement. After that, you switch to a new set of Invisalign teeth aligners. Although treatment time frames vary, on average, patients usually wear their aligners for six to 12 months.

Align Technology manufactures Invisalign trays, which are FDA-approved. These clear aligners are made of BPA—and BPS-free plastic that does not contain gluten or latex. This material is called SmartTrack®. It is thin, flexible, and made exclusively for use in Invisalign teeth aligners. SmartTrack® is known to provide a more secure and comfortable fit compared to other types of aligner materials.

Invisalign treatment always starts with a consultation with an Invisalign-certified dentist. The dentist who provides it does not have to be an orthodontist. However, they must be a registered Invisalign provider and a licensed dentist. The dentist must pass a comprehensive Invisalign training course and have treated patients with the aligners. The provider’s status is determined by experience and the number of patients the dentist has treated with clear aligners, i.e., VIP, silver, platinum, diamond, and plus.

The provider will review your bite during the consultation and explain the process. The doctor will propose a treatment plan. You can also use this opportunity to ask questions about ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign. The treatment plan will detail how your smile will change while you wear the aligners. You will also find out how long the treatment process will take and how much a particular Invisalign option will cost. We’re also available to answer any other questions you might have about ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign.

Are Invisalign Teeth Aligners? The Benefits

For many reasons, Invisalign is one of the most prominent types of clear aligner trays. Here are some of the advantages of choosing Invisalign:

• Invisalign is inconspicuous: The clear trays let your natural smile shine.
• Invisalign is removable: You can remove your Invisalign trays to enjoy your favorite foods and drinks.
• Invisalign is comfortable: Invisalign trays stop at the gums for mouth comfort.
• Invisalign is durable: Invisalign trays feature resilient plastic.
• Invisalign is reliable: Invisalign has a long and successful history as a top aligner tray brand.
• Invisalign works: Invisalign treats numerous types of bites, earning favorable reviews from past patients.

For more on the benefits of Invisalign or how ClearCorrect compares to Invisalign, contact 209 NYC Dental to speak with our Diamond Plus Invisalign provider, Dr. Ahn.

Invisalign Treatment Options

Your options for Invisalign teeth aligners include:

• Invisalign Full: This is the most common treatment option, delivering excellent results and focusing on the mouth. It includes unlimited aligners and is meant to correct malocclusions ranging from mild to severe. These malocclusions might involve gaps, crowding, an open bite, a crossbite, an overbite, or some combination of these issues.
• Invisalign Lite: This shorter treatment option includes up to 14 aligners and is suitable for mild malocclusion cases.
• Invisalign Express 10 is a more affordable option for less complicated ortho treatments. It is appropriate for minor malocclusion issues like crowding and spacing and may be helpful as a primary treatment for restorative or cosmetic procedures. Invisalign Express 10 includes up to 10 sets of aligners.
• Invisalign Express 5, Invisalign i7: This is the least expensive Invisalign option meant for very minor crowding and spacing issues. Express 5 provides up to five sets of trays. Invisalign i7 offers up to seven Invisalign teeth aligners.

Book an Appointment

Whether you choose ClearCorrect or Invisalign, either option typically involves seeing your provider for checkups every six to ten weeks. Patients who have questions or concerns between checkups are encouraged to call their doctor to discuss them.

After completing treatment, patients are strongly advised to wear a retainer to maintain their teeth alignment. Align Tech also produces a line of retainers called Vivera Retainers. They are made of the same material as the clear aligners. Other retainers are available but tend to be made from less durable materials, such as acrylic.

ClearCorrect Braces Overview

ClearCorrect is similar to Invisalign in many ways. It is a method of straightening teeth that involves wearing a clear plastic aligner for a set period. Usually, a person must wear the ClearCorrect aligners for at least 22 hours daily. The ClearCorrect trays are also transparent.

ClearCorrect invisible braces require periodic replacement of the clear aligners. The severity of the problem and the type of treatment determine how frequently and how many ClearCorrect aligners are needed during treatment.

The treatment setups with ClearCorrect are similar to those with Invisalign. They start with a consultation with the ClearCorrect provider. The length of treatment will depend on the treatment option and your needs, though most patients require at least a year to see results.

ClearCorrect Treatment Options

ClearCorrect has three treatment options:

• ClearCorrect Limited 6 treatment: This option provides a patient with six ClearCorrect aligners. It is typically offered to correct a minor alignment issue.
• ClearCorrect Limited 12 treatment: With the Limited 12 plan, a patient gets 12 sets of aligners.
• ClearCorrect Unlimited: The unlimited plan provides patients with as many aligners as needed to correct the issue. Patients with severe malocclusion issues will get the best ClearCorrect results with this option. This plan also costs the most of the options.

ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign: 5 Crucial Factors to Consider

Although Invisalign and ClearCorrect are clear plastic aligners designed to move teeth, they are not identical. There are several crucial differences between the two. Understanding the differences between ClearCorrect braces and Invisalign can help you decide.

1. ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign: Price

The top perceived advantage between Invisalign and ClearCorrect is the cost. ClearCorrect’s price is advertised at $2,000, while Invisalign is typically known to start at $5,000 or more. ClearCorrect may seem like the more budget-friendly pricing option compared to Invisalign, but you should compare the two and the price ranges of each:

• ClearCorrect Cost: The heavily advertised ClearCorrect cost of $2,000 typically refers to the less costly option, ClearCorrect Limited 6, which includes six ClearCorrect aligners. ClearCorrect unlimited treatment will be closer to $4,000 to $7,000 and more in line with the “Invisalign Price.”
• Invisalign Price: The higher price of Invisalign treatment, on the other hand, refers to Invisalign Full, the unlimited option. Thus, remembering that you get considerably less with ClearCorrect Limited treatment is worth remembering. Read the article “Invisalign Cost NYC” to learn about the average price of Full Invisalign in NYC.
• ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign cost: With the recent introduction of Invisalign Express 5, i7, Express 10, and Lite, the different costs of ClearCorrect versus Invisalign are no longer relevant. Now, patients have the same orthodontic treatment options at the same price points available through either company.

Depending on your dental insurance, your policy may offer partial coverage for either Invisalign or ClearCorrect braces, helping to reduce your out-of-pocket costs. You can also sign up for a payment plan with either Invisalign or ClearCorrect, which helps make the clear aligners affordable and accessible.

2. ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign: Aligner Thickness

Another difference between Invisalign and ClearCorrect braces is the thickness of the aligners. ClearCorrect aligners are thinner than Invisalign teeth aligners, and the lighter material of ClearCorrect may appear less visible.

The thinner material of ClearCorrect aligners can also mean that they are not as sturdy or durable as Align Technology aligners and are sharper at the edges. That means they might break more easily, which can interfere with your aligner treatment progress.

Visiting 209 NYC Dental can help you determine whether ClearCorrect and Invisalign are the right options for you.

3. ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign: Comfort in Mouth

Although they might have been at one point, the materials used to produce ClearCorrect braces and Invisalign aligners are different today. Today, ClearCorrect uses a plastic material that Align Technology used many years ago.

Align Technology has since developed its patented thermoplastic material, SmartTrack®. SmartTrack® was developed after eight years of research and testing nearly 300 materials. The material makes the aligners easier to take on and off and more gentle and comfortable when worn in the mouth. The material is also designed to speed up the treatment time and improve the results you get from Invisalign.

4. ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign: Company Experience and Expertise

Align Technology is the older of the two companies by nearly 10 years. The company that produces Invisalign was founded back in 1997. Invisalign teeth aligners were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998. By 2001, it had produced around one million aligners. Meanwhile, ClearCorrect was founded near the end of 2006 and received approval from the FDA in 2009.

Align Technology has been around longer than ClearCorrect. It has also developed and patented more processes than its competitors, giving it an edge in expertise. The company holds several hundred patents covering the material used in its aligners and the processes providers use to map out patients’ teeth and create a treatment plan that offers the best overall improvement.

5. ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign: Aligner Build

Invisalign creates its aligners using computerized models of a patient’s teeth and 3D printing technology. This process results in a set of aligner trays calculated to fit the patient’s teeth. The aligners are clear but made of thick material to hold teeth securely. They fit accurately and work reliably well.

Another factor to consider when comparing Invisalign vs. ClearCorrect is the level of customization available in each option. Invisalign utilizes SmartTrack® material to provide a precise and comfortable fit. This snug fit offers excellent control over future teeth movements.

Invisalign also uses advanced 3D mapping technology, which makes it well-known for its efficiency and precision accuracy. However, due to manufacturing and similar factors, ClearCorrect, while using digital 3D scans, may not offer the same customization level as Invisalign.

ClearCorrect also scans the patient’s mouth and uses a 3D printer to create the models. This quick and simple technique has largely replaced the older method of making molds of a patient’s teeth. ClearCorrect aligners are then manually cut to fit over your teeth.

ClearCorrect aligners are slimmer than Invisalign, making them less noticeable. Still, they are created without relying on the same advanced algorithm that Invisalign uses to calculate the progression path of your teeth. Because of this, ClearCorrect aligners are slightly less accurate in their fit and in adapting to tooth movements that the aligners are designed to encourage.

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign?

For the most part, almost any adult with an issue with the alignment of their teeth or bite can be a good candidate for invisible braces. Invisalign and ClearCorrect can fix the same problems with the bite or alignment of the teeth. A few of the particular issues that invisible braces can help correct include:

• Overbite
• Crowding
• Gaps and spaces
• Crossbite
• Open bite

ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign— Before and After

If you live with minor tooth or jaw misalignment, invisible braces can make a difference.

ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign for an Overbite

When a person has an overbite, the top front teeth overlap the front lower teeth. Most people have some overbite, which is not a problem. An overbite can become an issue when it is severe, and the top teeth are too far forward over the bottom teeth. If that is the case, a person can experience discomfort in the jaw.

The teeth can also become worn because of an uneven bite pattern. Invisible braces help to move the top teeth back, correcting an overbite with Invisalign. Your dentist will prepare trays that apply pressure inward to push your upper jaw backward gradually. Each new tray will move your jaw closer to a more ideal position than the last.

ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign for Crowding

Sometimes, a person’s jaw is too small for permanent teeth to fit correctly. Crowded teeth can overlap each other, twist to one side or another, or push toward the front or the back of the mouth. Proper oral hygiene can be difficult when teeth are bent or too close together.

Brushing and flossing may not be sufficient to eliminate the bacteria between teeth, which increases the risk of dental decay or gum disease. Clear aligners can help correct crowding by realigning the teeth. Your trays will urge your teeth away from each other. When you complete your treatment, your once-crowded smile should fall uniformly.

ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign for Gaps and Spaces

Sometimes, people have space between their teeth, creating a small gap between them. Food can get stuck in these gaps. Some people also feel self-conscious about having spaces between their teeth.

Choosing Invisalign for gaps gently pushes the teeth closer together. You’ll wear a tray representing a slightly tighter version of your smile. The tray will coax your teeth closer together until you move to a new tray closer to your end goal.

ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign for Crossbite

In a properly aligned mouth, the upper teeth cover the lower teeth. A crossbite occurs when some of the lower teeth cover some of the upper teeth. A crossbite can cause excessive wear on the teeth and even lead to chipping or breakage over time. It can also contribute to receding gums, which can increase the risk of gum disease.

Under the treatment of an experienced doctor, Invisible braces can be used to help correct some types of crossbite by repositioning the affected teeth. Gentle pressure from the aligner tray will move all your teeth, creating space for crooked teeth to go and then moving them into a healthy position.

ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign for Open Bite

When a person closes their jaw and part of the upper and lower teeth do not come into contact, they have an open bite. An open bite can make it difficult to chew. It can also affect a person’s speech and self-esteem.

Receiving Invisalign for an open bite under the supervision of an expert provider. Over time, the invisible braces will push your top teeth downward and inward while pushing upward on your bottom teeth. The process will align your jaw so that your teeth close together while resting.

Is Invisalign the Best Option?

Is Invisalign or ClearCorrect right for you? For several reasons, Align Technology comes out on top. They were the first to develop and introduce clear aligners to treat misaligned teeth. The company has been working on developing and improving its aligners for the past couple of decades and now offers one of the most comfortable materials available.

The patented material used in Invisalign aligners helps to shorten the treatment by as much as 50%. Since the procedure was introduced, more than 17 million people have corrected their teeth with Invisalign.

Schedule a Consultation to Learn About ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign

At 209 NYC Dental, Dr. Sang (Ben) Ahn is a Platinum VIP Invisalign dentist. He treats hundreds of patents with Invisalign in NYC annually. Dr. Ahn is a highly skilled diagnostician with over 15 years of experience. He also has a master’s in creating proper orthodontic treatments and treating malocclusion with clear aligners. To learn more about ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign or see if it is the appropriate treatment for you, contact 209 NYC Dental at 646-493-6891 to schedule a consultation today.

Our dental office is located in the heart of NYC, Midtown Manhattan, and we’re open 7 days a week with services ranging from dental hygiene to cosmetic dentistry and implant dentistry. We accept most PPO insurance plans to make payments for Invisalign or other treatments affordable. Schedule your consultation with 209 NYC Dental.

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Author: Dr. Benjamin Ahn