Updated on February 22, 2024
12 min read

Invisalign Reviews

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What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is the most established and trusted brand of FDA-approved clear aligners (invisible braces or invisible aligners). They’re a great orthodontic treatment option for teenagers and adults who want to straighten their teeth comfortably and discreetly.

Unlike metal braces, Invisalign can be removed anytime for eating, cleaning, and brushing. They’re also made of a patented thermoplastic material (called SmartTrack®). Invisalign claims this material is more accurate, comfortable, and discreet.

Invisalign Product Shot

To start Invisalign treatment, you’ll visit an Invisalign-certified dentist who will track your progress throughout the treatment course. This allows your Invisalign doctor to make changes at any time, resulting in more accurate teeth alignment.

Invisalign vs. At-Home Aligners

At-home aligners (like Candid and byte) tend to cost thousands less than Invisalign. Treatment is monitored remotely, and you will not visit a dentist or orthodontist for in-person checkups.

With at-home aligners, there is a slightly higher risk for error because treatment isn’t monitored as closely. Also, remote aligners are only recommended for people with minor to moderate bite problems.

Invisalign braces don’t touch your gums. They’re trimmed to sit along your gum line in a ‘scalloped fashion,’ making the trays more comfortable. Most at-home aligners aren’t cut precisely, increasing the risk of irritation and discomfort.

Straighten your teeth at a fraction of the cost. Learn about clear aligners.

What Orthodontic Issues Can Invisalign Fix?

Invisalign can fix minor to severe bite issues, including:

Those with severe jaw alignment issues are better candidates for traditional metal braces. Braces typically take longer than Invisalign but cost about the same.

Open Bite

However, if you only have minor to moderate crowding/gapped teeth, at-home aligners might work for you. These aligners are thousands cheaper than Invisalign and braces. However, not everyone is a candidate.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign treatment is a straightforward and hands-on process. It consists of the following steps:

Schedule a Consultation

To begin treatment, you’ll need to set up a consultation with an Invisalign-trained doctor.

An in-depth consultation with your orthodontist will usually involve:

  • Getting a full scan of your teeth
  • Ensuring your eligibility as an Invisalign candidate
  • Discussing your treatment plan
  • Consulting about payment plans
  • Learning more about Invisalign braces and the Invisalign treatment process

They will also examine certain factors to determine if you’re a good candidate, including:

  • Jaw alignment
  • Cranial base
  • Root systems
  • Tooth inclination

Take Impressions

If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, the next step is to take impressions and make your digital treatment plan. Your doctor will take the impressions to ensure the trays fit perfectly.

After you approve the treatment plan, your doctor will send the impressions to a dental technician. From there, they will make your first set of aligners.

Receive Your Aligners

You will receive your first set of aligners. You won’t receive all the aligners necessary for your treatment immediately because some Invisalign patients require mid-treatment adjustments.

Some people may need special attachments or tooth-colored buttons to help the trays effectively move their teeth. This is typically necessary for moderate to severe cases.

Wear Your Aligners

Each set of aligners should be worn for 22+ hours daily for best results. The aligners move your teeth in small increments, and you’ll switch them out every 1 to 3 weeks.

Invisalign treatment takes between 6 and 24 months. After treatment, you’ll buy a custom Vivera® retainer to keep your teeth straight.

Find the best at-home clear aligners for mild misalignment. See our expert recommendations.

How is Invisalign Different from Other Clear Aligners?

Invisalign treatment stands out in the industry for the following reasons:

SmartTrack®

The aligners are made of SmartTrack® material, making them more comfortable and easier to remove. They are also more ‘invisible’ than other leading aligner brands.

Advanced Technology

The consultation and treatment plan process is also very advanced. Your Invisalign provider will use an iTero Element® scanner to take 6,000 images of your mouth per second. This tool results in fewer impression rejections and better-fitting aligners.

In addition, your doctor will use Invisalign’s ClinCheck® software to map out your smile. This technology uses mapping software to help calculate the right amount of force for every tooth. The tool ensures your teeth move in the right order at the right time.

SmartForce® Attachments

Invisalign also uses SmartForce® Attachments. These small, tooth-colored handles (or buttons) are fixed to your teeth.

The aligners attach to these buttons to help with precise tooth movements. Invisalign can fix more complex orthodontic issues with the use of attachments.

Comprehensive Treatment

Your doctor will assess your progress during routine appointments and make adjustments as necessary. This is why you only receive one set of aligners at a time.

With at-home aligners, you’ll receive all of them at once, making it more difficult to request changes. The Invisalign treatment process ensures you get a comprehensive treatment for the best results.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

According to the Consumer Guide to Dentistry, the average cost of Invisalign is around $2,500 to $5,500. Some place the cost as high as $9,000.5 An oral care professional can tell you what the cost will be.

There’s no single cost for Invisalign braces. The cost can depend on factors including:

  • Treatment length
  • The severity of dental issues
  • The dental or orthodontic office

Does Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Dental insurance can partially cover Invisalign treatment costs (if orthodontics is included in your plan). Check with your provider to determine if you qualify or not.

Another way to pay for Invisalign treatment is with a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). You can also set up a payment plan with some Invisalign doctors, where you’ll pay a downpayment and make monthly payments until treatment is complete.

Straighten your teeth conveniently at home. Compare the best clear aligner brands.

Pros and Cons of Invisalign

Here are the pros and cons of Invisalign treatment:

Pros of Invisalign

There are a variety of advantages to getting Invisalign aligners. These include:

  • Low profile — Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign is almost unnoticeable. This makes it ideal for teenagers and young professionals who are image-conscious.
  • Convenient — Invisalign treatment involves fewer follow-up appointments than braces. The appointments also take less time. Overall, treatment time is often faster as well.
  • Removable — Invisalign aligners allow for normal brushing and flossing without difficulty.
  • No wires or brackets —The lack of delicate metal wires or brackets means you can eat the foods you want without worry. Maintaining good oral hygiene with Invisalign aligners is also easier than with traditional braces.
  • Comfortable — According to a 2014 study, Invisalign treatment features significantly less discomfort and irritation than braces.17
  • Safe — Invisalign clear aligners are made with FDA-approved, medical-grade plastic, which is free of toxins like BPA or BPS.
  • Low maintenance — The aligners are easy to keep clean. Simply scrub with a toothbrush and some soap. You can also let them soak in antibacterial mouthwash overnight.

Cons of Invisalign

Possible cons of this orthodontic treatment are:

  • Expensive — Before insurance, the national average cost of Invisalign is between $2,500 and $8,000.
  • Compliance — Invisalign must be worn between 20 and 22 hours daily. Anything else will diminish its effectiveness.
  • Tooth discomfort — While less painful than braces, Invisalign aligners can still cause pressure and discomfort. These feelings will pass as your teeth adjust.
  • Attachments — Invisalign attachments are tooth-colored dots or knobs made of composite material. They’re meant to increase treatment effectiveness but can also make the aligners more visible.

Invisalign Customer Reviews

We reviewed hundreds of Invisalign reviews to see what customers were saying. Here’s what people think about Invisalign treatment:

Pros

Some pros we’ve seen in Invisalign reviews are the following:

The aligners are unnoticable, and they haven’t changed the way I talk or move. While I find them a bit uncomfortable at the start, I eventually got used to them.

The app is very helpful. It makes it easier to monitor my tooth movement see whether Invisalign works.

Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign treatment can be completed in a shorter amount of time. I’m impressed with the results.

Cons

Some cons we found in the Invisalign reviews include:

They have poor customer service. I can’t reach out to anyone from the team, so I don’t know the next steps.

Invisalign cost is very expensive. I don’t recommend this treatment to someone who’s trying to save money on straightening teeth.

They’re very delayed in sending my next set of aligners. It makes my treatment less effective.

Invisalign vs. Other Orthodontic Treatment Options

Some teeth straightening alternatives to Invisalign include at-home aligners (minor cases), other in-office aligners (ClearCorrect), and traditional braces.

 InvisalignByteCandidNewSmile
Cost$3,000 to $8,000$1,999 to $2,399$3,300 (on average)$2,399 to $1,595
How to StartVisit a certified Invisalign doctorOrder an at-home impression kitVisit a certified CandidPro providerOrder an at-home impression kit
Financing OptionsDepends on providerStarting at $70/monthDepends on providerStarting at $55/month
Treatment Time12 to 18 months4 to 6 months4 to 12 months4 to 10 months
Treatable CasesMild to severeMild, some moderateMost mild to severeMild, some moderate
Progress MonitoringIn-person visits every 6 to 8 weeksRemoteRemote with a licensed orthodontistRemote

Read below to compare and determine which treatment is right for you:

Byte vs. Invisalign

Byte is a brand of at-home aligners that costs between $1,999 and $2,399. Treatment is monitored remotely and takes between 3 and 6 months (on average). Invisalign costs up to $5,000 more than byte, and treatment is longer (between 6 and 24 months).

Read our full review of byte here.

Candid vs. Invisalign

Candid costs $3,300 on average. The company provides detailed care and has advanced technology for remote monitoring. They only work with highly qualified orthodontists when designing and monitoring your treatment.

Candid only requires one in-person visit for the initial consultation and a final post-treatment check-up. The rest is monitored remotely with your assigned Candid orthodontist.

Invisalign aligners also use buttons and/or elastics to treat more severe cases. These are small hooks that attach to the tooth surfaces. They act as anchors for interarch bands that apply additional pressure to gradually reposition the jaw, providing more precise results. Candid doesn’t offer buttons.

Candid treatment takes between 4 and 12 months, whereas Invisalign can take up to 18 months.

Read our full review of Candid here.

ALIGNERCO vs. Invisalign

ALIGNERCO is one of the most affordable remote aligners available. They cost between $895 and $1,095. Although cheaper, this brand does not offer extensive remote monitoring, which may affect the quality of care.

Invisalign treatment is more intensive and accurate. However, ALIGNERCO is a great option if you are on a budget and only have minor orthodontic issues.

Read our full review of ALIGNERCO here.

NewSmile vs. Invisalign

NewSmile is a newer at-home aligner company that offers the most affordable treatment $1,495 to $1,595. Similar to Invisalign, NewSmile aligners are scalloped to rest along your gum line, providing a more comfortable fit.

Read our full review of NewSmile here.

ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign

ClearCorrect is an advanced aligner system that uses digital technologies to treat various types of misalignment, ranging from simple to severe. Similar to Invisalign, ClearCorrect is an in-office aligner that requires in-person monitoring. Treatment costs between $1,500 and $8,000.

Read our full review of ClearCorrect here.

SmileDirectClub vs. Invisalign

SmileDirectClub is a brand of at-home clear aligners.

The company announced its bankruptcy liquidation on September 2023, ceasing aligner treatments and ending its lifetime guarantee. 

Its global operations closed on December 2023 after failing to secure the funds needed to buy itself out of bankruptcy.

How this affects you will depend on which stage of the treatment process you’re in. You can read our customer guide for SmileDirectClub

Traditional Braces vs. Invisalign

Traditional metal braces are typically necessary over Invisalign in severe teeth/jaw misalignment cases. Children and teens may require braces if they need headgear, space maintainers, or palate expanders. These add-on treatments are not possible with Invisalign.

Is Invisalign Worth It?

Invisalign is worth it if you want a discreet and effective way to straighten your teeth without traditional braces. The treatment can correct mild to moderate orthodontic issues, and it requires minimal to no interruption in your daily life.

Many customers have achieved their desired results with Invisalign. They talk about how the treatment can be completed in a shorter time, especially thanks to the app. 

However, keep in mind that the cost of Invisalign treatment can be higher than other aligners. This means you must carefully weigh your options to see whether Invisalign is your best option. 

At the end of the day, it’s important to do your research and consult with an orthodontist to find the right treatment for you.

Why Trust Us?

As a trusted website for dental health, NewMouth ensures all reviews are honest and unbiased. 

We believe in educating people about their oral health and helping them make informed decisions regarding their dental care needs.

For this review, we did the following to ensure a well-rounded review:

  • Spent several hours researching clear aligners and Invisalign
  • Read contemporary scholarly articles about orthodontic treatment and its advancements
  • Consulted industry experts like dentists and orthodontists to know about Invisalign’s safety and effectiveness
  • Compared Invisalign to other clear aligner brands to see how it measures up
  • Read customer feedback and reviews about Invisalign on different platforms

Summary

  • Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional metal braces. 
  • The treatment has various benefits, such as its low profile, convenience, and comfort.
  • However, Invisalign can also be expensive if insurance doesn’t cover it. 
  • If Invisalign cost is a concern, several affordable alternatives to Invisalign are available.

Common Questions on Invisalign

Does Invisalign Hurt?

Invisalign shouldn’t hurt (as long as the trays fit properly). You may experience discomfort during the first few days of starting a new set. However, the pain is typically mild and only noticeable while eating and chewing.

Can Invisalign Damage Your Teeth?

Invisalign treatment won’t damage your teeth. However, make sure you clean the aligners a few times daily to prevent plaque and bacteria build-up.

Is Invisalign Right for You?

Invisalign is not right for those with severe dental issues. An example would be a tooth gap exceeding 0.6 mm, or serious jaw misalignment problems.

In addition, Invisalign’s effectiveness depends on wearing the aligners as directed. Aside from removing them to eat or drink, Invisalign aligners should be worn almost constantly.

Braces are a better option for those with severe dental issues or who can’t follow directions (ex: young children).

What’s Next?

Discover the best fit for your smile.

Explore top at-home clear aligner brands.

Last updated on February 22, 2024
16 Sources Cited
Last updated on February 22, 2024
All NewMouth content is medically reviewed and fact-checked by a licensed dentist or orthodontist to ensure the information is factual, current, and relevant.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only cite from current scientific research, such as scholarly articles, dentistry textbooks, government agencies, and medical journals. This also includes information provided by the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
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  4. Nguyen, V., and Dunn, L. “’Things Didn’t Feel Right’: Some SmileDirectClub Customers Report Problems.” NBCUniversal News Group, 2020.
  5. How Your Aligners Are Made.” Invisalign.
  6. Wexler et al. “Direct-to-Consumer Orthodontics: Surveying the User Experience.” The Journal of the American Dental Association.
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  11. ClearCorrect Treatment of an Anterior Crossbite by Julie Ann Staggers, DDS, MS Orthodontics.” Orthotown.
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  15. Teeth Straightening: Invisible Aligners.” Alignerco.
  16. Cardoso, P.C. “Pain level between clear aligners and fixed appliances: a systematic review.” Progress in Orthodontics, 2020.
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