Invisalign vs ClearCorrect: which is better in the UK? - Smile Prep UK (2023)

Currently, the latest popular orthodontic treatmentsbright overlays at home- such as Straight Teeth Direct, PlusDent and SmileDirectClub. However, home treatment does not work for everyone, and some people simply prefer the hands-on care of a dentist or orthodontist.

This is where Invisalign and ClearCorrect come into play. These are the two most popular options in the UK for personal light alignment therapy. But how do they compare? And which one to choose? This is your guide to all the key details to help you choose the best option for you.

Informations about company

Invisalign

Pure alignments are older than most people think. The original appeared in 1959! However, they didn't become mainstream until Invisalign came along.

Invisalign introduced its products in the United States in 1998 after obtaining approval from the Food and Drug Administration, and did so thanks to a major advertising campaign. For nearly a decade, it was the only widely available precision alignment system that gave the company a significant competitive advantage and continues to be the world's leading alignment manufacturer.

To date, Invisalign has helped over 15 million patients achieve the smile of their dreams. It works with over 100,000 dentists and orthodontists worldwide, many of whom are based in the UK. No other billing company can match their experience and reputation.

Clear Correct

Invisalign's early competitors were small practices set up by individual physicians, and ClearCorrect was one of them.

In 2006, Dr. Willis Pumphrey wanted to give his patients a cheaper version of Invisalign, so he created his own aligners. He quickly realized that there was a high demand for production on transparent lines and in 2008 he switched to mechanized production.

With this move, ClearCorrect went from a small company to a real Invisalign competitor. Over the years, ClearCorrect has redesigned its product lines, developed better plastics, and expanded its physician network from Invisalign mimic to true competitor.

Efficiency comparison

There are many things to consider when evaluating a teeth straightening procedure, from price to customer service. But most of all, you need to know thisprojects. Good news: both Invisalign and ClearCorrect excel here. Because both procedures require regular, face-to-face care and may involve attachments, the dentist can make significant changes to the arrangement of the teeth and even affect the position of the jaw.

Both are more powerful than services like SmileDirectClub that allow you to administer your aligner treatment from home, but they are not identical.

Leveling material

For many years, Invisalign and ClearCorrect purchased their plastics from the same supplier: Zendura. However, in 2013 Invisalign ended its cooperation with a well-known dental materials company. They then set about creating their own hardware called SmartTrack.

They designed SmartTrack specifically for overlays. According to Invisalign, implementing this change allowed them to offer 50% shorter treatment times, 75% more predictability of tooth movement and greater comfort.

ClearCorrect continued to use the original plastic for several years after Invisalign was discontinued. However, in 2020, they developed their own proprietary material specifically for overlays, called ClearQuartz. According to the company, it provides excellent flexibility while generating the force needed to move the teeth.

Technology

For both companies, dental photographs and digital scans are the basis of the treatment plan (although ClearCorrect also accepts physical impressions in limited cases). Invisalign requires all its providers to use the iTero scanner and gives its providers access to ClinCheck, its own treatment planning software.

ClearCorrect also has their own essential programming software they call ClearPilot. However, they accept 3D images from almost all digital scanners, so the doctor can choose the more affordable iTero alternative. This means that their overhead costs may be lower, which would mean more affordable treatment.

Additional attachments

In-office treatments may require longer adjustments than a clean alignment at home. Why; There are many reasons, but one of the main ones is that doctors can add attachments to the teeth.

Both Invisalign and ClearCorrect come with special attachments if needed. These small appliances attached to the teeth give the aligners something to grip, generating extra strength and encouraging precise movements. While Invisalign calls its attachments SmartForce and ClearCorrect calls its Engagers, there is no significant difference between the two.

Compensating cut

Invisalign adjusts aligners to perfectly match your gum line, reducing their visibility, while ClearCorrect cuts them straight. Simple aligners have the potential to create more force as they overlap and grip the gums. However, accessories can provide the same kind of extra grip and power.

Affordable price comparison

There are many great things about orthodontic care, but cost is not one of them. While in-office treatment is almost always more expensive than Clear Aligners at home, Invisalign and ClearCorrect still offer great value.

No matter how much they offer, you may still worry about how to fit Invisalign or ClearCorrect into your budget. Both can include financing to make the cost more affordable, and in general ClearCorrect is often more affordable, but it depends on the dentist and your specific situation.

Average rating

Treatments in the office are highly personalized. Each provider sets its own rates, so the cost of Invisalign and ClearCorrect varies widely between providers and patients in a given practice. Some factors that may affect how much you pay for treatment include:

• The equipment your doctor needs.
• Company Matching Lab Fees.
• The complexity of your case.
• If you need improvement after treatment.
• Which plan do you choose?
• Your doctor's expenses.

This means you can't get an accurate treatment price just by searching online - instead, you'll need to schedule consultations with providers near you.

You will probably spend between £1,500 and £5,500 on Invisalign treatment. However, if you only need five to ten aligners to achieve final results, your dentist may recommend Invisalign Express. This system usually costs £1300-3000.

On average, ClearCorrect costs between £1,200 and £4,500. Their unlimited plan, which includes all the overlays you need for five years, can sometimes cost a lot more. But most cases fall into this range because ClearCorrect charges lower lab fees than Invisalign, and your dentist can take these savings into account when pricing them.

Alternative designs

Invisalign has two plans for adults: Invisalign Express and Full Treatment (they have separate plans designed specifically for kids and teens). Invisalign Express is significantly less expensive than the full system as it is limited to a maximum of ten aligners which naturally costs less than regular treatment.

ClearCorrect also offers shorter, less expensive treatment options. Their Mini design gives you 12 overlays, One gives you up to 24, Two gives you up to 48 and Three gives you up to 72. In addition, they have a more flexible alternative aptly named "Flex". This plan allows you to pay for alignment, so if you only need 15 overlays, you won't pay anything extra.

The unlimited plan is different. Instead of paying for alignment, you pay one fee and get all the aligners you need for five years, regardless of the complexity of your case or the number of upgrades or replacements you need. At this point, the cost of ClearCorrect may exceed the cost of Invisalign, but they still have more value.

What about insurance?

Social security is quite restrictive in terms of the orthodontic treatment it covers. Acceptable treatments must be medical, not cosmetic. Whether you get insurance depends on the severity of your condition. In addition, National Insurance prefers to cover traditional metal braces over all other devices. You can get coverage for Invisalign or ClearCorrect treatment, but this is rare.

Private dental insurance plans are more flexible. Talk to your provider about the treatment it covers and any criteria you need to meet to qualify.

Financing options

Even the most affordable orthodontic treatments often cost too much to pay out of pocket. Financing is a good way to cut costs by paying a little more in the long run, but through a series of budget-friendly monthly payments.

Like all in-office procedures, Invisalign and ClearCorrect do not offer financing directly to the patient. You need to get a plan from your doctor or work with an outside company. You may need an advance payment, a credit check, or both. Remember to keep an eye on interest rates when evaluating your options.

Compare the benefits

All aligners are more practical than braces. You can take them off to eat, you won't have to change your brushing and flossing techniques, and you won't usually have as many office visits.

Invisalign and ClearCorrect can't compete with convenient home aligners like Straight Teeth Direct - which eliminate office visits entirely - but both companies have taken steps to make treatment as smooth and comfortable as possible.

Getting started

Whether you choose Invisalign or ClearCorrect, getting started is pretty easy. You find a doctor, make an appointment and come for a dental examination. The doctor will evaluate your teeth and decide if you are a suitable candidate for both procedures. If so, they will run the diagnostics needed to create a treatment plan and possibly provide cost estimates.

Invisalign has many more providers than ClearCorrect, so it's probably easier to find one near you.

Treatment time

A full Invisalign system takes about 12-18 months for most patients, although it can sometimes take a little longer if the case is complicated. If you have cosmetic issues, you may be eligible for Invisalign Express, which takes 4-6 months.

ClearCorrect can take as little as six months for simple fixes and up to 18 months for more significant ones. However, like Invisalign, very complex cases can extend beyond the 18-month period. And if you qualify for one of ClearCorrect's limited programs, treatment may only last a few months.

Choose one of the options and you'll need to visit the office every 4-10 weeks so your doctor can assess your progress, give you the next set of aligners, answer your questions and adjust your plan. The time between visits depends on your condition and the doctor's preferences.

Comfort

Both companies use their own plastics and use different types of notches in the upper ridge of their trays, which may affect comfort during treatment.

Invisalign's SmartTrack plastic is slightly more flexible than ClearQuartz than ClearCorrect, so it often causes less pain. However, it does not completely eliminate it, so you may still experience some discomfort.

Invisalign trims them to match your gum line, while ClearCorrect trims them straight. A straight cut can cause gum irritation, but dental trays can dig into the area between your gums and teeth. This is a much more convenient question.

Appearance comparison

Your overlays will accompany you almost everywhere. Every meeting at work. Every trip to the gym. Every time I go out with friends. They will be part of your look, so you want them to be as subtle as possible.

Clear aligners are much less visible than braces, but each manufacturer uses different materials and designs, leading to subtle differences in appearance. Which one you prefer depends on your taste and style.

The thickness of the alignment

Both Invisalign and ClearCorrect use hard plastic. However, the Invisalign SmartTrack plastic is thicker than most plastic aligners, including ClearQuartz by ClearCorrect. This thickness makes the overlays more durable and less prone to premature wear, but also slightly more visible.

Alignment Transparency

Neither Invisalign nor ClearCorrect use completely clear aligners. This may sound strange. shouldn't they be as clear as possible to minimize visibility? However, trays with a matte appearance and textured surface blend better with natural teeth. ClearCorrect overlays are actually a bit more opaque, so they may be less visible.

Compensating cut

Simple aligners overlap your gumline and those around you may notice that they overlap when you laugh or smile broadly. Thanks to the rounded design, the top edge perfectly follows the gum line, so that the top edge blends into the area where the gums and teeth meet.

Because Invisalign uses a serrated incision, their aligners are less visible. However, the top edge of ClearCorrect aligners is usually only visible when you smile broadly or your gums are visible when you smile. As a result, it usually doesn't make much difference.

Attachments

Invisalign's SmartForce aligners and Engagers' ClearCorrect aligners increase the strength of their aligners, allowing for more complex tooth movements. But because dentists fit them to the front surfaces of the teeth, they also increase visibility. Extensions are often tooth-colored so they don't stand out much, but they can be noticed by attentive observers.

Comparison of patient experiences

Starting remedial treatment is like starting a new relationship. It takes commitment, but it pays off in the end. Any healthy relationship requires effective communication and problem solving to create a great overall experience.

As in-office treatments, Invisalign and ClearCorrect provide a highly personalized patient experience. Unlike remote alignment services, you will interact personally with dentists and office staff who know you and your teeth well. Choose any option and you will receive a rapid response, personalized care and strong clinical supervision.

Customer service

No matter how much research you do before starting treatment, at some point you will have questions. When they come up, you need to know who to turn to for answers.

Your dental practice has all the details of your treatment, so contact them instead of Invisalign or ClearCorrect. Offices are usually open during regular business hours and are available on weekends for urgent enquiries. You will usually get a prompt reply. Most service providers will answer your questions the same day you contact them, unless you call after hours or on the weekend. If you have a rare medical emergency, they may even respond outside of business hours.

Control

Visits to the office are not always beneficial. they require a lot of your time, and the simplest cases don't really require them to stay on track. However, they provide peace of mind as they allow your doctor to monitor your progress. While things rarely go wrong unless you deviate from your fitting plan, it is possible and personal supervision can make a big difference. Both Invisalign and ClearCorrect require regular office visits so your dentist can make sure your teeth are moving as planned and correct small problems before they become big ones.

Satisfaction guaranteed

This is rare, but sometimes patients find at the end of treatment that their results do not meet their expectations or initial outline of treatment.

With Invisalign, the dentist may or may not include the improvements in the cost of treatment. With ClearCorrect, it depends more on the plan you choose. Mini and Flex plans do not include upgrades, One includes one, Two includes two and Three includes three. However, if you choose the Unlimited plan, you get all the receivers you need for five years, including updates. And if your teeth keep moving even years after treatment, you can get multiple aligners to correct them.

What should I choose?

Ultimately, Invisalign and ClearCorrect are so similar that you might flip a coin and end up delighted with your results. However, there are cases where one may suit your needs better than the other.