ClearCorrect aligners and Invisalign aligners are used to treat misaligned teeth, crooked teeth and a variety of bite issues.
Both Invisalign and ClearCorrect offer teeth straightening treatment using clear aligners that are an alternative to traditional braces. These aligners are made from clear plastic, which makes them almost invisible and hardly noticeable. Apart from the appeal of being able to wear a form of invisible braces, clear aligners are also popular because they are removable. That means you can take them out to brush and floss your teeth, or to eat a meal.
Orthodontic treatment using clear aligners uses a series of plastic trays that you wear, which are customised for your exact dental issues, to incrementally shift your teeth into alignment according to your individual treatment plan.
Invisible Braces Quick Comparison
Find out if you’re eligible today
There are a variety of different treatment options to straighten teeth, which include traditional metal braces, lingual braces and ceramic braces – as well as aligners. There are many aligner brands, many of which have come into existence quite recently. Invisalign and ClearCorrect are two aligner brands, each offering various treatment options.
Despite the fact that these two aligner brands are very similar in many ways, there are also important differences which will be factors in helping you to decide which brand is right for you. Points of comparison include brand reputation, treatment options, treatment times, cost, the brand’s dental network, aligner thickness, and comfort.
Invisalign has a long-standing reputation as being a leading aligner treatment brand, boasting over a million patients around the world. ClearCorrect, which was founded in 2006, has a growing customer base and can be a less expensive option.
Below we provide a comprehensive review of both these aligner brands by providing a brief overview of each as well as the pros and cons of both brands. We also answer some frequently asked questions.
ClearCorrect aligners: an overview
ClearCorrect was founded in 2006 by Dr. Willis Pumphrey who was a practising dentist with many patients requiring clear aligner treatment. Due to high demand for aligners, he decided to develop his own brand of aligners and the ClearCorrect company was born. Soon thereafter thousands of other dentists joined their network, offering ClearCorrect aligner treatment.
ClearCorrect developed their own brand of clear aligners that are FDA-approved and made from polyurethane resin. They are also free from BPA and phthalates.
The ClearCorrect treatment options and treatment process
Just like Invisalign, ClearCorrect aligners can be used to treat cases of crossbite, overbite, underbite, crooked or skew teeth, crowded teeth, gaps or big spacing between teeth.
ClearCorrect offers different treatment options, depending on the severity of your dental issue and how long it will take to correct. They have a ClearCorrect Limited option which provides you with either 6 or 12 sets of aligners. These shorter and cheaper treatment options are comparable with Invisalign’s Express treatment. ClearCorrect Unlimited treatment, which is similar to the Invisalign Full treatment, provides as many aligners as you need to complete your treatment.
In terms of ClearCorrect’s treatment process, the first step is to visit a ClearCorrect dentist or orthodontist to see if you’re eligible for treatment. They will take x-rays and a 3D impression or scan which is used to make your aligners. At your consultation you will be able to get details about the cost and duration of your treatment plan.
Costs and payment options
The cost of ClearCorrect treatment ranges depending on whether you require 6, 12, 24, or unlimited sets of aligners to straighten your teeth. That means that you are looking at paying anywhere between $2000 to $8000 for treatment. ClearCorrect Limited 6 is the cheapest option at around $2000.
ClearCorrect’s pricing is quite similar to Invisalign, especially as the costs also range depending on the complexity of your case and how long treatment will take. However, ClearCorrect is on average a little less expensive than Invisalign.
ClearCorrect do offer a flexible pay-as-you-go option (called Flex), which allows you to pay for each set of aligners. This can translate into savings if you are planning to use one of their limited treatments that comes with 6 or 12 aligner sets.
Otherwise you can opt for a flat fee for their Unlimited plan which includes all the aligners you need for 5 years, plus your retainers. The other alternative is ClearCorrect ONE which provides you with 24 aligner sets for a flat fee, including one set of retainers, which is suited to moderate cases. Your dentist will quote you on their flat rate, which may vary depending on the dentist you go to.
Average treatment time
Your treatment time depends on the nature of your dental issue and how long it takes to correct. Your dentist will give you an estimated timeframe when you have your first consultation, which is generally in the same region as Invisalign at 12 to 18 months. If your dental issue is much milder, then this timeframe may be reduced.
Invisalign aligners: an overview
Invisalign’s aligners are made from a patented SmartTrack material, which is FDA-approved and BPA-free. They are also free of gluten and latex. Align Technology, the company behind Invisalign, has invested many years into research and technology to create its SmartTrack aligner material and various other components of their products and services.
Invisalign treatment options and treatment process
Invisalign is a well-known brand of aligners that can treat severe cases of malocclusion, making them an alternative to braces in many instances. Like ClearCorrect, they can treat cases of overbite, underbite, crossbite, gaps, and a variety of alignment issues.
The start of the treatment process is a visit with an Invisalign certified dentist to assess your eligibility for treatment and to give you an indication of your estimated treatment time and cost.
If you have a minor malocclusion then you may be eligible for Invisalign Express, which is the shortest and cheapest of the Invisalign treatment options. Alternatively you will need to have the Invisalign Full treatment. Invisalign also has treatment options specifically for teens.
Costs and payment options
Invisalign can cost anywhere in the region of around $3000 to $8000, although if you’re eligible for their Express treatment then it may be less – starting from around $1500.
Like ClearCorrect, the cost of Invisalign depends on how complex your dental issue is and how long it will take to treat it. If you have a very minor crowding or alignment issue, then you may be eligible for Invisalign Express which could cost as little as $1500, which is less expensive than the ClearCorrect Limited 6 option. However, Invisalign is generally a bit more costly than ClearCorrect, averaging from around $3000 to $8000.
Average treatment time
Invisalign Express can be used to successfully treat patients in just 4 to 6 months, whereas the average treatment time with Invisalign is around 12 to 18 months.
ClearCorrect vs Invisalign: comparing the pros and cons
Both Invisalign and ClearCorrect can be used to treat a variety of mild, moderate and severe cases of bite and alignment issues. And both Invisalign and ClearCorrect offer in-person treatment and consultations with trained dentists or orthodontists.
Invisalign and ClearCorrect are also quite similarly priced, and both have similar treatment times. It’s therefore useful to look at a list of pros and cons of each brand to uncover some subtle differences.
The pros and cons of Invisalign
Pros
- Globally recognized reputation with over 24 years of experience
- Over 1 million Invisalign patients and many positive customer reviews
- Large dental network of over 100,000 trained dentists and orthodontists in over 90 countries
- In-person consultations
- Invisalign Express treatment is an option for mild cases, and is typically more affordable than the ClearCorrect limited treatment options
- Aligners designed for comfort and durability
- Many years of research and technology behind the Invisalign aligners and other associated products
- Can be used to treat complex cases of malocclusion
- Aligners are FDA approved and BPA-free
- Slightly thicker aligners, designed for comfort and durability
Cons
- Can be quite costly compared with other aligner brands
- No option for remote teledentistry like some other aligner brands
- Treatment times are longer on average compared with other aligner brands (partly owing to the fact that Invisalign can treat more severe cases which require longer treatment times)
- Slightly thicker aligners can make them less comfortable than thinner aligners
- Free retainers are not included in their Full treatment, so those are an additional cost you need to budget for
The pros and cons of ClearCorrect
Pros
- Good brand reputation and many positive customer reviews
- Over 15 years of experience with aligner treatment
- Global network of several thousand dentists
- In-person consultations and check-ups
- Offers a limited option of 6 or 12 pairs of aligners for shorter treatment at a lower cost; or 24 aligner sets at a flat rate; or an unlimited option with as many aligner sets as you need
- Aligners are made from a thinner plastic than Invisalign’s aligners, making them very comfortable and less noticeable
- Ability to treat complex cases of malocclusion
- Less expensive than Invisalign on average
- Unlimited option includes retainers and all aligners for 5 years
- Pay as you go Flex option allows you to only pay for the aligners that you use
- Aligners are FDA approved and BPA free
Cons
- Because the aligners are very thin, they may also be more prone to breaking
- No option for remote teledentistry like some other aligner brands
- Treatment times are longer on average compared with other aligner brands (partly owing to the fact that Invisalign can treat more severe cases which require longer treatment times)
- Dental network is not as extensive as Invisalign
FAQs: ClearCorrect vs Invisalign
What’s better: traditional metal braces vs clear aligner treatment
There are many aligner brands to choose from, but they don’t all offer the same quality of products and services and there are many differences between them. Only a select few aligner brands like ClearCorrect and Invisalign are able to treat complex and severe cases of malocclusions, which makes them a suitable alternative to traditional metal braces for most cases.
Metal braces can treat most cases of malocclusion, but the drawbacks are that they are not removable like aligners so you can’t take them off to brush teeth, floss, or to eat. Metal braces are also visible, which makes aligners such a popular alternative as they are made from clear plastic and are therefore hardly noticeable.
Do I have to wear retainers after treatment?
Yes. Aligners are used to shift your teeth into new positions, but to maintain your new smile you will need to wear aligners at night while you sleep to prevent your teeth shifting out of position. You will need to budget for these, as they generally need replacing every 6 months.
Some companies like ClearCorrect offer free retainers as part of their Unlimited offering for several years. Other companies require you to purchase your aligners from them every 6 months.
How do I choose between ClearCorrect vs Invisalign?
Ultimately your choice of aligner brand will depend on what factors are most relevant and important to you, whether it be price, treatment time, reputation, comfort, the dental network locations or some other factor.
Invisalign and ClearCorrect aligners are very similar in many ways, making it tricky to find points of comparison and therefore to determine which brand to opt for. In general, if you are motivated by brand experience reputation and their investment in research and development, and you don’t mind perhaps paying slightly more, then you may want to opt for Invisalign.
If however you are looking for an aligner brand that has a significant amount of experience, slightly cheaper on average (and the option of paying just for the aligners you use), despite having a smaller dental network and fewer patients, then you may want to opt for ClearCorrect.
Final thoughts on ClearCorrect vs Invisalign
There are many aligner brands available nowadays to choose from, making it important to know the distinct and unique benefits of each so that you can decide on a brand that suits your requirements and needs.
ClearCorrect and Invisalign both have a relatively long history of treating patients with aligners and both are able to treat more complex and severe cases of malocclusions compared with many other aligner brands.
The two brands are actually very similar in many regards. However the subtle differences in price, experience, reputation, and the size of their dental networks are distinguishing factors that set them apart.