Clear Aligners vs Invisalign: What's the Difference?

Many patients with orthodontic issues choose to forgo treatment because they don't want to deal with the drawbacks associated with traditional, metal braces, such as discomfort, aesthetic appearance, frequent dental appointments, and potential permanent tooth discoloration. However, orthodontic treatment systems that use clear aligner trays (such as CandidPro, ClearCorrect, and Invisalign) provide patients with a popular treatment alternative that offers many benefits while minimizing the challenges of straightening their smiles. 

As orthodontic treatment with clear aligners has become increasingly popular, more and more companies are offering similar products, and choosing the brand that's right for you can be challenging. Although this is a treatment decision that depends largely on your specific needs and your dentist's or orthodontist's recommendations, this article will compare the Invisalign and CandidPro treatment systems and processes to help you determine which might be best for you. 

Invisalign vs Clear Aligners (CandidPro): What's the Difference?

Invisalign and CandidPro are both orthodontic treatment systems that use clear, plastic aligner trays to correct orthodontic issues, and both were designed as alternatives to traditional braces. While the treatment systems have many similarities, they also differ in some important ways. 

Orthodontic Issues Addressed

Both Invisalign and CandidPro address orthodontic concerns, such as:

• Crooked teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Gapped teeth
• Malocclusion (abnormal bite)
  
  • Open bite
  • Crossbite
  • Overbite
  • Underbite

CandidPro is typically considered an appropriate option for mild to moderate orthodontic issues. Invisalign can sometimes be used to address more complex or severe orthodontic concerns, but often, traditional braces are the best treatment choice for more complicated treatment plans. 

Tooth Attachments

The CandidPro treatment system uses AI-powered technology within its anatomy-evaluation and treatment design tools. As a result, CandidPro minimizes the tooth attachments needed to achieve optimal results. Comparatively, patients undergoing treatment with Invisalign will require more tooth attachments to assist the aligner trays in shifting teeth in the appropriate directions. 

Treatment Approach and Progress Monitoring

Invisalign requires patients to attend in-person checkups for their dental professionals to monitor progress and make adjustments, as needed, throughout the process. 

CandidPro makes use of advanced telehealth technology, enabling patients to take dental scans, submit images, and attend progress monitoring appointments remotely. As a result, patients don't need to visit the dentist's office in person nearly as frequently. These in-person appointments only take place as needed or at the patient's request. 

Due to CandidPro's remote monitoring systems, it is considered the most convenient treatment option. 

Treatment Cost

On average, CandidPro treatment costs range from $2,500 to $5,000, and the average cost of Invisalign treatments ranges from $3,000 to $8,000.

While the average cost of CandidPro is less than that of Invisalign, variances in cost primarily depend on factors other than the brand of clear aligners being used, such as:

• Patient age
• Complexity of treatment
• Severity of orthodontic issue
• Number of clear aligner sets needed
• Insurance coverage

Patients should also note that these treatment costs are comparable to the average costs associated with traditional, metal braces. 

Which Choice Is Right for You?

The type of orthodontic treatment that's right for you will depend on several factors, including your specific orthodontic issues, your treatment preferences, your dentist's recommendation, and what ultimately offers you the best treatment outcome while fitting into your lifestyle. 

CandidPro Clear Aligner Benefits: The Advantages of Orthodontic Treatment With Clear Aligners

Orthodontic treatment with CandidPro clear aligners offers several benefits and advantages, such as:

• Discreet Treatment - Clear aligner trays are virtually invisible. 
• Convenience - CandidPro treatment includes remote monitoring designed to maximize convenience by minimizing in-person visits to the dentist's office. 
• Comfortable Care - Clear aligner trays are made of smooth plastic that won't rub against the lips, cheeks, or tongue, causing soft tissue sores the way traditional braces can. 
• No Dietary Restrictions - Clear aligners are designed to be removed during meals so patients can continue enjoying all of the foods they love, without needing to restrict hard, sticky, or chewy foods. 
• No Lifestyle Adjustments - It's safe to participate in athletic activities while wearing clear aligner trays. 
• Versatile Treatment - Clear aligners can address a wide array of orthodontic issues. 
• Minimal Tooth Attachments - CandidPro's AI-powered technology optimizes treatment plans to minimize the number of tooth attachments needed during treatment. 
• Easy Oral Hygiene and Maintenance - Oral hygiene and maintenance during treatment with clear aligners requires no special tools or products. Simply continue brushing and flossing your teeth in the morning, at night, and after every meal. Additionally, follow the easy instructions for keeping your aligner trays clean and clear with routine rinsing and gentle brushing. 

Are You a Candidate for Treatment With Clear Aligners?

The best candidates for orthodontic treatment with clear aligners have the following qualities:

• You want to correct your mild to moderate orthodontic issues.
• You are responsible, willing, and able to follow treatment instructions.
• You have generally healthy teeth and gums.
• You don't want to deal with the disadvantages of traditional, metal braces. 

The best way to find out if clear aligners are the right orthodontic treatment for you is to schedule a consultation, examination, and evaluation with one of our experienced dentists. 

Invisalign and Clear Aligners Considerations: What to Think About Before Starting Treatment

The process of correcting orthodontic issues with clear aligners can last anywhere from about six months up to two years (with an average treatment length spanning between 12 and 18 months). So, it's a fairly significant undertaking. We recommend that patients consider the following before deciding to begin orthodontic treatment with clear aligners. 

Treatment Compliance

Perhaps the biggest consideration with clear aligner treatment systems is the fact that treatment compliance is entirely the patient's responsibility because the aligner trays can be removed. Patients must wear each set of aligner trays, as instructed. This typically means wearing each set for 22 hours per day for about two weeks, only removing trays during mealtimes. 

For this reason, treatment with clear aligner trays is usually only recommended for adults and older, responsible children. If patients do not follow their treatment instructions, treatment will progress slowly, and they might not achieve the results they desire. 

Treatment Age

As mentioned above, responsibility and patient temperament are key considerations for treatment with clear aligners. Age also impacts the speed of orthodontic treatment. While adults can successfully undergo orthodontic treatment, their treatment plans usually take longer than those of children who are still growing and developing. This is because adults' jawbones are already finished growing and developing, so they are not as dynamic as those of children.

This simply means that grown adults can expect their treatments to require longer than children with orthodontic issues of similar complexity and severity. 

Potential Side Effects

Whether using metal braces or clear aligners, orthodontic treatment causes some discomfort when orthodontic appliances put pressure on the teeth and push them toward proper alignment.

With clear aligners, patients typically experience some minor pain or discomfort for the first day or two of wearing a new set of aligners. This pain usually wears off quickly, and it can be alleviated with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. 

Get a Beautifully Straight Smile With Clear Aligners in Gig Harbor

At Cedarbrook Dental, we're proud to provide orthodontic treatment with CandidPro clear aligners, and our team of dental professionals is here to help you every step of the way. From your initial consultation through the end of your treatment plan, we will be here to answer your questions, check in on your treatment progress, and support you in your oral health journey. 

To learn more about clear aligners and to find out if CandidPro is the right treatment option for you, we invite you to contact our dental office to request an appointment with one of our experienced dentists in Gig Harbor, WA. We look forward to helping you create a beautifully healthy and straight smile! 

‍