Are you dealing with gapped or overcrowded teeth? Maybe you have an over, under, or crossbite? If your teeth are crooked, it impacts your self-confidence.
Fortunately, orthodontic treatments like Invisalign and ClearCorrect can straighten your smile. They are excellent alternative treatments to braces, with clear plastic instead of metal on your teeth.
This post looks at the two leading orthodontist-approved aligner systems: ClearCorrect vs Invisalign.
ClearCorrect vs Invisalign – How Do They Work?
ClearCorrect and Invisalign both require the same assessment and fitment process. To start, you’ll need to visit your orthodontist. The doctor takes impressions of your teeth, using them to build a 3D model of your mouth.
The doctor also takes scans and x-rays of your teeth to construct a virtual replica of your mouth. Once they have the data, they send it to the aligner company, and the team works on building your aligners.
When your aligners are ready, the orthodontist calls you to their office to customize the device. From there, you’ll progress through your aligners in series, with each one pulling your teeth into a new position.
By the time you finish with the last aligner, you have a perfectly straight set of teeth.
ClearCorrect vs Invisalign – What’s the Difference?
Dr. Willis Pumphrey developed the ClearCorrect aligner system back in 2006. After a career spanning 25-years, Dr. Willis saw a “gap” in the market for alternatives to traditional orthodontic solutions like braces.
Pumphrey launched his ClearCorrect braces to dentists and orthodontists across America, and it was an overnight success. ClearCorrect is a market leader, along with Invisalign. The company uses polyurethane resin when molding your retainers, making it easier to fit and remove the aligner than with Invisalign.
The ClearCorrect braces material also speeds up your treatment time, straightening your teeth faster than the Invisalign system.
Both Invisalign and ClearCorrect aligners feature design and construction with materials free from phthalates and BPA. Both aligner systems also have FDA approval and registration as a Class II medical device.
The ClearCorrect system comes in four available options.
- ClearCorrect Limited 6 – Suitable for mild cases. You get six aligners included with your treatment.
- ClearCorrect Limited 12 – This system is like the Invisalign Express 10 or Light packages. You get 10 to 12 aligners included with your treatment.
- ClearCorrect Unlimited – This system is comparable to the Invisalign Full system, offering you as many aligners as you need to get your teeth straight.
ClearCorrect and Invisalign also have a notable design difference in the thickness of the aligner. ClearCorrect aligners are thinner than Invisalign, and the company claims it to provide a comfortable fit.
The lighter and thinner material makes them less visible than Invisalign. However, the thinner material also makes them more predisposed to breaking than the Invisalign option.
Align Technology manufacture Invisalign aligners from a thermoplastic material, known as “SmartTrack.” The company claims that the material provides a better fit than competitors, with less irritation and comfortable wear. The SmartTrack aligner system is FDA-approved, and the aligners are free from BPS and BPA.
Other than these basic differences, the aligners and the treatment is similar. We recommend going with the option your orthodontist recommends.
ClearCorrect vs Invisalign – How Much Does the Treatment Cost?
Both ClearCorrect and Invisalign are expensive orthodontic treatments. If you want the most affordable option, we recommend going with the full treatment from ClearCorrect. The package costs $4,000 to $5,500.
You also have options to go with the limited treatment, dropping the cost to $2,500 to $3,500. The type of treatment you require depends on your dental needs, and ClearCorrect and Invisalign can only resolve minor issues involving overcrowding and gapping of teeth.
Invisalign is typically more expensive than the ClearCorrect aligner system. However, the Invisalign Express 5 system starts at $1,500, which is $500 lower than the best ClearCorrect package, but you get one less retainer.
Invisalign offers four packages for your treatment.
- Full: $3,500 to $8,500
- Express 10: $2,500 to $5,000
- Express 5: $1,500 to $3,000
- Teen: $3,000 to $6,500
Your orthodontist will go through your options with you, making recommendations on the best system for your treatment.
ClearCorrect vs Invisalign – The Pros and Cons
ClearCorrect Pros
- More affordable than Invisalign
- More affordable and comfortable than braces
- Established brand with a track record since 2006
- Slimline construction for a comfortable fit
- More aligners included with your treatment than with Invisalign
ClearCorrect Cons
- More expensive than at-home systems like Candid
- Thinner materials than the Invisalign model makes it more fragile
Invisalign Pros
- Four treatment options to suit your needs and budget
- Household brand name in teeth aligners
- More convenient than braces
Invisalign Cons
- More expensive than ClearCorrect
Smile Direct Club vs Invisalign vs ClearCorrect
Smile Direct Club is another option that can be worth considering if you want to work with one of the original companies in the clear aligners space. Smile Direct Club has an average treatment time of 4-6 months and includes an ability to get an impression kit delivered to your door.
ClearCorrect vs Invisalign vs Smile Direct Club: Which Do I Choose?
Whether you go with one or the other, both ClearCorrect and Invisalign do a good job of straightening your teeth. However, if we had to pick one, we would go with ClearCorrect.
According to ClearCorrect reviews, the costs of the treatment are more affordable than Invisalign. Since ClearCorrect uses a thinner aligner material, they also feel more comfortable to wear, and the polyurethane resin makes it easy to fit and remove the aligner.
Both systems require you to visit your orthodontist for a checkup to see if you qualify for the treatment. Both Invisalign and ClearCorrect offer a range of aligner systems to suit adults and teens.