What is invisalign?

Removable clear aligners that straighten teeth in stages.

What is invisalign?

Removable clear aligners that straighten teeth in stages.

Also known as

Quick facts

12–18 months
typical treatment time for moderate cases
22 hrs/day
minimum wear time for predictable results
Lifelong
retainer wear required

Common reasons people choose this procedure

Approaches and motivations vary by surgeon and patient anatomy. Compare techniques and real outcomes on the main Invisalign page.

Alternatives

Traditional metal braces

More predictable for severe cases, especially complex rotations and bite changes. Visible; less convenient; often less expensive.

Lingual braces

Behind the teeth — invisible from the front. More expensive ($8,000–$13,000) and more uncomfortable than Invisalign.

Spark, Byte, Candid (alternative aligner brands)

Some are doctor-supervised in office (Spark); others are mail-order (Byte). Mail-order has higher rates of unmet expectations and unmonitored complications.

Veneers

If alignment is mostly OK and the goal is shape/color, veneers achieve a 'finished smile' faster — at the cost of irreversibly grinding tooth structure.

More on invisalign

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