As a recent grad who’s trying to enter the workforce for the first time, you want to look as professional as possible. While it’s not always easy to feel confident when you have crooked teeth, you don’t want to get braces and look like a nerdy teenager again. Fortunately, there’s actually more than one option to straighten your smile without wearing a mouthful of metal: Invisalign and ClearCorrect. Both of these clear aligners can discreetly shift your pearly whites, but how can you tell which one is right for you? Let’s examine the difference between ClearCorrect and Invisalign to help you make the decision.
How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Both Invisalign and ClearCorrect are types of clear trays that you wear over your teeth. Instead of uncomfortable metal brackets and wires, these treatments use a series of translucent aligners to help you achieve a straight smile.
Each new set of aligners exerts a gentle pressure on a specific part of your smile to gradually correct crowded, gapped, or crooked teeth. The aligners must be worn for at least 22 hours a day, and can be removed for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing.
Are Clear Braces Right for You?
The majority of adults and older teenagers who wish to straighten their smile without compromising their professional appearance can do so with ClearCorrect or Invisalign. Both treatments can correct a variety of orthodontic issues, such as:
- Crowded teeth
- Gapped teeth
- Generally misaligned teeth
- Mild underbite, overbite, or crossbite
Not everyone is a candidate for clear aligners. Patients with more serious issues – like a severe overbite or extremely rotated teeth – may benefit more from traditional braces.
Key Differences Between Invisalign and ClearCorrect
If these treatments are so similar, how can you choose between them? Here are a few factors to consider:
Cost
ClearCorrect generally costs less than Invisalign because they charge dentists less. In most cases, your dentist will then pass those savings onto you.
Comfort
Not all clear aligners are made of the same material. While some patients report that Invisalign’s trays are more comfortable than ClearCorrect’s, the difference is negligible at best.
Discreetness
Invisalign’s aligners are made from the patented material SmartTrack. However, this material is notably thicker than the plastic used to create ClearCorrect aligners. Because of this, ClearCorrect aligners are usually more transparent.
Ultimately, your dentist is the best person to make this decision for you. Schedule an appointment with them to find out which is the best way to achieve the beautifully straight smile you deserve!
About the Author
Dr. Charles Walker earned his dental doctorate at the University of California at San Francisco School of Dentistry in 1987 and has practiced in Salt Lake City ever since. In addition to being a Fellow of the American Dental Implant Association, he is also a certified ClearCorrect provider. To learn more about how this treatment can benefit your smile, visit Dr. Walker’s website or call 801-467-6886.