Dra. Cléo Salustiano In this article
SummaryWhat changes between Invisalign and other aligner brands?How to choose between Invisalign and another aligner brand?FAQRead nextInvisalign vs. other clear aligner brands: differences, cost factors and how to choose
Quick summary of this article+
Invisalign and other aligner brands work on the same principle: clear trays changed in sequence to move the teeth. The differences lie in the material (SmartTrack for Invisalign; PETG, polyurethane or multilayer plastics for the others), the planning software (ClinCheck or proprietary systems), the attachments, the predictability in complex cases, the refinements included, the production lead time and the manufacturer coverage for defects. What does not change is the weight of the dentist's diagnosis and planning. Mild cases respond well in any system; moderate and complex cases call for more resources. The cost depends on the number of aligners, the complexity, the refinements and the follow-up. Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients in Mooca, Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Invisalign and other clear aligner brands, including the ones made in Brazil, move teeth the same way: a sequence of removable trays, changed every one or two weeks. What changes between them is the material, the planning software, the resources for difficult cases, the refinements, the production lead time and the manufacturer coverage for defects. What does not change is what weighs most on the result: the diagnosis and the planning done by the dentist.
Invisalign is the most widely known brand, but today there are Brazilian brands and dental labs that produce aligners with digital planning. That is why the question comes up so often: does the brand make a difference, or will a locally made aligner do the job? There is no single answer: it depends on the case.
In this article, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) explains what a clear aligner is, what changes from one brand to another, when each type is indicated, what defines the cost of treatment and which questions to ask before choosing. At the Mooca office, where care is also offered in English, treatment with aligners is done with Invisalign, and the assessment defines whether the case is suitable.
This article comes from Dr. Cléo Salustiano's dental office in Mooca, São Paulo (care in English, Portuguese and Spanish). See the braces and clear aligners page to learn how the treatment is done here and book your assessment.
What changes between Invisalign and other aligner brands?
What changes between Invisalign and another aligner brand comes down to six points: material, planning software, attachments, predictability in complex cases, included refinements and production lead time. A clear aligner is a thin plastic tray, custom-made from a scan of the teeth. Each tray moves the teeth a little; the sequence of trays, worn in order, takes the teeth to the planned position, whatever the brand.
The material is the most cited difference. Invisalign uses SmartTrack, a multilayer plastic developed by the company itself to apply force more steadily and adapt more easily to the teeth. Other brands use plastics such as PETG or polyurethane in a single layer, and some already use multilayer materials from other manufacturers. In practice, this shows up in how comfortable each change of tray is, in how the tray fits and in how long each aligner lasts.
The planning software is the second difference. With Invisalign, the plan is built in ClinCheck, which shows the movement of each tooth, stage by stage, and lets the dentist adjust every detail before production. Other brands use their own or third-party software; some give the same kind of control, others deliver a simpler plan. Attachments, small bumps of composite bonded to the teeth to help with specific movements, exist in every system, but their design and placement vary from one to another.
In mild cases, these differences matter little. In complex cases, with large rotations, teeth that need to move up or down, space closure or bite correction, the system makes more of a difference, because of the track record of treated cases, the movement resources and the ability to predict what the tray can do. Even so, no brand replaces the experience of the person planning: a poorly designed plan does not work in any system.
Refinements, lead time and manufacturer coverage complete the list. A refinement is a new series of aligners made at the end of treatment to correct what did not respond as planned, and it is common. Depending on the package, Invisalign includes additional aligners for a set period; with other brands this varies, and some labs treat each refinement as a new order. Invisalign trays are produced outside Brazil and usually take a few weeks to arrive; Brazilian brands tend to deliver faster. Invisalign also has manufacturer coverage for manufacturing defects; with the others, it is worth asking whether it exists and what it covers.
| Criterion | Invisalign | Other brands and labs |
|---|---|---|
| Material | SmartTrack, the brand's own multilayer plastic | PETG, polyurethane or multilayer materials from other manufacturers; varies by brand |
| Planning software | ClinCheck, with each movement adjusted by the dentist | Proprietary or third-party software; the degree of control varies |
| Attachments | Design suggested by the software and reviewed by the dentist | Also used; design defined by the dentist or the lab |
| Complex cases | More movement resources and a track record of cases | Can handle them well; depends on the system and on who plans |
| Refinements | Additional aligners included for a set period, depending on the package | Varies: some include them, others treat them as a new order |
| Production lead time | Made outside Brazil; usually takes a few weeks | Made in Brazil; lead time is usually shorter |
| Manufacturer coverage | Exists, for manufacturing defects | Varies by brand; worth asking about coverage and period |
How to choose between Invisalign and another aligner brand?
The choice between Invisalign and another aligner brand starts with the diagnosis, not the brand. The dentist assesses the bite, the position of the teeth, the health of the gums and bone and what the person wants to correct; only then is the case classified as mild, moderate or complex, and the aligner indicated or not. Mild cases, such as slight crowding or small gaps, usually respond well in any system. Moderate cases call for good planning resources. Complex cases demand more predictability and, at times, fixed braces for part of the treatment.
What defines the cost of treatment is not just the brand. It includes the number of aligners, which depends on the complexity and the expected duration; the refinements, included or not; the number of follow-up visits; the associated procedures, such as attachments, slight polishing between the teeth and the retainer at the end; and the clinical time of the person who plans and follows the case. Two treatments with the same brand can have very different costs. The cost is presented after the assessment, together with the plan.
The daily routine is the same for every brand and weighs more than any technology. The aligner needs to stay in the mouth 20 to 22 hours a day, removed only to eat, to drink anything other than water and to brush the teeth. Trays are changed on the schedule set by the dentist, usually every 7 or 14 days, with follow-up visits every 6 to 8 weeks on average.
Hygiene does not depend on the brand either. The teeth are brushed before the tray goes back in, and the tray is washed with cold or lukewarm water and a soft brush, without abrasive toothpaste or hot water, which warps the plastic. Eating or drinking colored liquids with the aligner in place stains the tray and raises the risk of cavities, because sugar gets trapped under the plastic. Inflamed gums or cavities do not rule out treatment: they are treated first, as an earlier step in the plan.
Before committing to any brand, it is worth asking direct questions: who plans the case, the dentist or the lab? Can I see the digital plan before starting? How many aligners are expected? Are refinements included, and for how long? What is the delivery time? Is there manufacturer coverage for defects? How is retention handled at the end? The answers say more about the treatment than the name on the box. To see how it works at the office, read about Invisalign in Mooca and, if the question is the type of appliance, about fixed braces or aligners.
Do other aligner brands work as well as Invisalign?
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In mild cases, they usually work well, as long as the planning is done properly and the trays are worn 20 to 22 hours a day. In moderate and complex cases, the system matters more, because of the planning resources and the predictability. The assessment decides that, not the brand.
What is Invisalign's SmartTrack?
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It is the multilayer material Invisalign developed for its own aligners, designed to apply force more steadily and adapt more easily to the teeth. Other brands use plastics such as PETG or polyurethane, in a single layer or multilayer.
What is ClinCheck?
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It is Invisalign's planning software. In it, the dentist sees the expected movement of each tooth, stage by stage, and adjusts the plan before production. What appears on the screen is a preview of the work, not a certainty about the result.
How many hours a day does the aligner need to be worn?
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20 to 22 hours a day, with any brand; it comes out only to eat, to drink anything other than water and to brush the teeth. Wearing it less than that is the main reason teeth fall behind the plan and extra refinements become necessary.
What is a refinement in aligner treatment?
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It is a new series of aligners made at the end of treatment to correct movements that did not respond as planned; it is common in most cases. With Invisalign, some packages include additional aligners for a set period; with other brands this varies and should be asked about beforehand.
Do clear aligners work for complex cases?
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They can, depending on the type of movement needed and the system used. Large rotations, teeth that need to move up or down and bite corrections are less predictable with aligners. In some cases, the plan combines aligners with fixed braces or other resources.
What defines the cost of aligner treatment?
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The number of aligners, the complexity of the case, the refinements included, the number of follow-up visits, the associated procedures and the retainer at the end. The brand is one of the factors, not the only one; the cost is presented after the assessment, together with the plan.
Where can I get Invisalign in Mooca?
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Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients at Rua Hipódromo, 1141, in Mooca, a 6-minute walk from Bresser-Mooca metro station, Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The assessment takes about 30 minutes and defines whether the case is suitable for aligners.
