Orthodontic treatment has advanced significantly during the last decade. The days of traditional metal braces as the only choice for straightening your teeth are long gone.
With all the buzz around at-home aligners, it’s easy to forget that adults have been seeing amazing outcomes from in-office aligners for years; and two companies stand out among the rest: Invisalign and ClearCorrect.
Invisalign, the initial clear aligner system, dominates the market. But ClearCorrect is also trusted by dentists and patients alike. Invisalign vs. ClearCorrect are highly comparable in-office treatments, but not identical. To help you choose between them, below are the key distinctions.
ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign
Most adults who have straightened their teeth say it was one of the most worthwhile transformations they’ve ever made. Straight teeth boosted the self-confidence of more than 90% of adult patients, while 75% indicated they had some positive effects on their lives.
A wide range of alternatives is available if you consider obtaining transparent aligners to straighten your teeth or fix your bite. Check out Invisalign and Clear Correct to determine if either of them could be a fit for you.
Clear Correct
You’ll switch up your ClearCorrect aligners for a new set of clear plastic trays that gradually straighten your teeth every two weeks. Patients looking for a more economical alternative to Invisalign will appreciate that these aligners are produced using the most up-to-date technology.
Using a sequence of digitally generated aligners,
ClearCorrect is a clear orthodontic treatment. As your teeth move into alignment, each tray is somewhat different in shape and form from the one before it. There are no brackets or wires to adjust with these trays, which are hard on the inside and fit securely over your teeth to gradually move them to their new places as recommended (typically every two weeks).
Invisalign
Clear plastic aligners are used to cover your upper and lower teeth when you get Invisalign braces. When you wear the aligners, your teeth will gradually shift into place. The aligners differ from typical braces in that you must remove them before eating or drinking anything that isn’t clear.
In most cases, your dentist will recommend that you wear your clear aligners for 22 hours per day for seven days at a time, depending on how quickly your teeth are moving. After that, a new set of aligners is applied. Patients typically wear their aligners for six to twelve months. However, the treatment timeline might vary.
Needing an orthodontic appointment?
Visit Kumra Orthodontics Washington, DC or Kumra Orthodontics Stafford, VA, and request an appointment with us!
Technology
To build 3D models of dental arches, each company employs software to scan your teeth. 3D scanner iTero and bespoke software ClinCheck, which employs algorithms to estimate optimal movements for each tooth, are used in the Invisalign system. ClinCheck and iTero scanners have lengthy histories of success and are specifically designed to work with Invisalign treatment.
ClearCorrect, including iTero and others, support several in-office scanners. This software, which they name ClearPilot, is not ClinCheck, but it’s a good substitute. ClearCorrect’s dentists have more freedom in the technologies they employ. However, the drawback is that a certain technological arrangement may not be tailored to their aligner treatment.
Aligner Build
Because of this, Invisalign’s aligners are 3D-printed using computerized models of a patient’s teeth. These steps are completed to produce a set of aligner trays custom-made for each patient. To keep your teeth in place while you wear them, the aligners are comprised of strong, transparent plastic. They fit perfectly and perform reliably every time they’re used.
Clear Correct also employs a 3D printer to make models after scanning the patient’s mouth. This rapid and simple process has mostly replaced the traditional method of creating dental molds. After that, the aligners are hand cut to suit your mouth and teeth exactly.
It’s less obvious to wear Clear Correct aligners than Invisalign since they are smaller and don’t employ the same advanced algorithm that Invisalign does to determine your teeth’s development path. They are slightly less exact in their fit and adjusting to the motions of the teeth that Clear Correct aligners are supposed to facilitate.
Cost
Comparing Invisalign and Clear Correct, most people prefer Invisalign because of its lower price. The starting price for Clear Correct is touted to be $2,000, while the starting price for Invisalign is often $5,000 or higher. Clear Correct may appear to be a more affordable alternative to Invisalign in terms of cost.
Invisalign and Clear Correct braces may be partially covered by your dental insurance, allowing you to pay less out-of-pocket for your treatment. Invisalign and Clear Correct both provide payment plans that make the clear aligners more affordable and accessible.
Treatment Timeline
According to Invisalign, the average treatment period is between 12 and 18 months, although your unique situation will determine the exact length of your treatment. On ClearCorrect’s website, they don’t provide any precise timelines, but it’s likely to be somewhat similar. Naturally, this is based on the supposition that you adhere to the suggested usage guidelines. Only take them out to eat and drink, according to both companies’ recommendations for wearing your aligners. Treatment times for Invisalign Express or ClearCorrect Limited (or Flex) can be considerably reduced to a few months if you’re a good candidate.
Comfort
Even if Clear Correct braces and Invisalign aligners may have used the same materials at one point in time, this is no longer the case. In the past, Align Technology used a plastic material that Clear Correct now utilizes.
SmartTrack® is Align Technology’s patented thermoplastic material. After eight years of study and testing approximately 300 different materials, SmartTrack® was created. In addition to making it easier to put on and take off the aligners, the material also provides more comfort for the wearer. Invisalign’s new material is also intended to reduce treatment time and enhance results.
Consult with Kumra Orthodontics to learn more about ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign
ClearCorrect and Invisalign are both great options for orthodontic treatment, but at the end of the day, you will have to make a decision based on your specific needs. If you’re still not sure which option is best for you, we invite you to consult with Kumra Orthodontics. Our team can help you learn more about ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign so that you can make an informed decision about your oral health.
