ClearCorrect vs. 3M Clarity Aligners: How They Really Compare

For decades, orthodontic treatment meant a mouth full of metal braces — not ideal for working adults. Then, in 1997, clear aligners hit the scene and everything changed. People could straighten their smiles without letting the whole world know, and avoid the inconveniences that come with brackets and wires.

Today, there’s no shortage of clear aligner providers, each with unique advantages and disadvantages. 3M Clarity Aligners and ClearCorrect are two of the most powerful options, and both can deliver the smile you want. With a quick glance, they might seem similar, but once you dig in, you’ll discover lots of details that set them apart. So, which is ideal for you? Let’s find out!

Company Overviews

ClearCorrect and Clarity Aligners have both emerged over the past couple of decades as impressive competition for Invisalign. Like the industry giant, they’re treatments that require hands-on attention from a dentist or orthodontist and can correct nearly any type of dental or bite misalignment, even severe ones.

Clarity Aligners haven’t achieved the status of a household name just yet, but their parent company certainly has. With over a century in business, 3M is one of the world’s manufacturing giants. They launched the Clarity brand with Clarity Clear Braces — plastic braces that are as close to invisible as brackets and wires can be. In 2018, they launched Clarity Aligners, then reformulated them in 2021 to add a second type of plastic and new elements for treatment planning.

ClearCorrect got its start over a decade earlier. Dr. Willis Pumphrey launched the system in 2006 when he had 400 patients looking for a clear aligner alternative to Invisalign. While they started small, ClearCorrect has grown into one of the largest in-office clear aligner providers. And since the Straumann Group acquired them in 2017, they’ve only gotten bigger.

Scope of Treatment Comparison

3M Clarity and ClearCorrect are two widely respected aligner systems that, combined, have corrected hundreds of thousands of smiles. But just because these companies have helped others doesn’t guarantee they’ll work for you. To benefit from either, your case must be one they can treat.

What 3M Clarity and ClearCorrect Treat

Both 3M Clarity and ClearCorrect are meant to be alternatives to traditional braces. As such, they aim to come as close to their treatment scope as possible. According to 3M Clarity, their aligners can treat the following conditions:

• Crowded teeth
• Gapped teeth
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Open bite
• Snaggletooth
• Midline misalignment

ClearCorrect’s treatment scope depends on which of their six treatment plans your dentist chooses. Some are for mild cosmetic concerns while others are for complex misalignments. ClearCorrect can usually treat:

• Crowding
• Gaps
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Open bite
• Snaggletooth
• Midline misalignment

The misalignments they can address are more or less the same, though 3M Clarity might have a slightly wider scope due to the way they use attachments. They’re smaller in profile, allowing for multiple attachments per tooth and placement on the backs of the teeth.

What 3M Clarity and ClearCorrect Customers Say

To find 3M Clarity reviews, we suggest heading to Google and TikTok. There are quite a few patients sharing their experiences and results, and overall, they support company claims regarding treatment scope. Some even show how the system changed their jaw position and facial balance.

ClearCorrect has a case gallery where you can see some of their results, use before-and-after sliders, and check out featured patient success stories showing both simple and complex cases. You should also check out independent reviews, which, we’ve found, typically affirm the company’s claims.

Clinical Oversight

As in-office systems, both 3M Clarity and ClearCorrect revolved around doctor oversight and in-person check-ups. 3M only allows orthodontists to administer Clarity Aligners — not general dentists. Plus, 3M encourages orthodontists to engage in continuing education specifically focused on their products, ensuring they are genuine experts and up to date on new developments.

ClearCorrect is offered by both dentists and orthodontists, but you can choose your provider based on the credentials you prefer. With both companies, you’ll see your doctor every 4–10 weeks.

Quality of Materials

While attachments can increase aligners’ range of tooth movement, the majority of an aligner’s strength comes from its plastic. 3M Clarity is interesting in that it has two types it uses: Flex and Force.

Flex is made from five layers, creating the flexibility that gives it its name. Force is stiffer. 3M Clarity notes that the two types of plastic are better at different types of movements:

• Flex is better at correcting rotations and incorrect angles.
• Force is better at expansion, torque, and raising or lowering teeth.

Their planning software lets your orthodontist set the type of plastic each aligner uses, tailoring their choice to the movements you need in each stage of treatment.

ClearCorrect also uses a premium tri-layer plastic, called ClearQuartz. Straumann Group, the makers of the plastic, claim it is more comfortable and durable than previous plastics they’ve made.

Affordability Comparison

Better alignment can lead to improved confidence and overall oral health — fantastic benefits, but not ones that should compromise your financial well-being. Because they require numerous office visits, Clarity and ClearCorrect are usually more expensive than at-home aligners, but just between the two, ClearCorrect is often the cheaper option.

Sticker Price

As in-office treatments, Clarity Aligners and ClearCorrect don’t have a firm price tag. Each dentist and orthodontist sets their own rates, and your price depends on everything from the complexity of your case to your doctor’s overhead costs. So, when evaluating the cost of treatment, you need to think in averages.

Clarity Aligners treatment costs $3,000–$8,000 for most patients, and most pay around $5,000. This is on the high end for aligner treatment and pretty much identical to Invisalign.

ClearCorrect has multiple plans, each with its own pricing structure. The Unlimited model is the most comprehensive, providing as many aligners and revisions as you need for five years. But it’s also the most expensive.

However, if you have a milder condition, your dentist might choose one of their limited plans. Mini is only 12 aligners, One gives you up to 24, Two provides up to 48, and Three gives you up to 72. These plans often cost less than Unlimited, if your dentist offers them. Or, you can opt for the Flex plan, where you’ll pay per aligner, potentially saving money if you only need a few. ClearCorrect Flex typically costs $2,000–$4,000 while Full/Unlimited has a range of $4,000–$6,000.

What About Insurance?

Whether you want to close a small gap or alter the alignment of your jaw, your bill will be thousands of dollars with either treatment. We don’t know your financial situation, but that’s a lot more than pocket change to us. If you have a dental policy with orthodontic benefits, it could reduce or cover your costs. Just make sure the doctor you select is in-network.

Tip: Remember your HSA and FSA accounts! Most will allow you to apply funds to clear aligners. Speak with your account administrator to learn more.

Financing Options

If you have already run through your insurance benefits plus HSA and/or FSA funds and still have steep out-of-pocket costs, you can get financing to break the balance into manageable chunks. Your doctor might have in-office financing plans, and you also have the option of contracting directly with third-party financiers. Just know that third-party financiers often charge high interest rates, so you’ll end up paying a lot more in the long run.

Convenience Comparison

Life is busy. Your to-do list is probably packed with work projects, home improvement, family responsibilities, and time with friends. When you get a rare moment of free time, you want to savor it, not go to a dental appointment. Office visits are essential for Clarity Aligners and ClearCorrect, so in our opinion, they can’t match the convenience of at-home aligners. But there is more to convenience than seeing your doctor.

Getting Started

Whether you choose Clarity or ClearCorrect, you’ll just head to the company’s website and use the doctor directory to find providers near you. With Clarity, confirm that the doctor you select offers the aligners, not just the braces. Both have providers across the country, although based on searching metropolitan areas on both “Find a Doctor” pages, it seems like ClearCorrect might be more prevalent.

Once you choose a doctor and schedule an appointment, they’ll handle the rest for you. Your doctor will diagnose your alignment issues, determine the best treatments, and take the necessary diagnostics. Your only responsibility is examining and approving your projected results.

How Long Does Treatment Take?

Treatment timelines vary no matter which option you choose. They depend on your body’s response to treatment, the complexity of your misalignments, and how well you follow your aligner wear instructions. Still, you can get a picture of what your timeline might be like by looking at averages. Treatment with clear aligners can be as short as six months or as long as 24. Clarity Aligners patients often finish treatment in about 15 months, while ClearCorrect normally takes 12–18.

What About Nighttime-Only Treatment?

Clear aligners let you skip the dietary and hygiene restrictions that come with braces. However, you do need to clean your teeth and aligners multiple times a day and remove your aligners when eating or drinking anything besides plain water.

Nighttime-only wear schedules allow you to wear your aligners for ten continuous hours — mostly while sleeping — instead of the usual 22. This lets you skip the hassles, but at the moment, no in-office aligner provider offers this option. While your doctor might have some flexibility with your wear schedule, most recommend wearing your aligners all day.

Appearance Comparison

There’s a lot to love about clear aligners, and near the top of the list is their appearance. They’re practically invisible in your mouth, which is why they’ve been such a popular alternative to braces. Of course, everyone has their own likes and dislikes, so what makes an aligner attractive is pretty subjective. We think Clarity Aligners and ClearCorrect are both discreet options, but a few subtle differences set them apart.

Aligner Material

The plastic each company uses has a large impact on how clear aligners look. Clarity uses two different plastics, but both have the same look: smooth and matte. The matte finish mimics your enamel’s natural surface, although we think the lack of texture can make them look slightly artificial, since your teeth are porous, not perfectly smooth. ClearCorrect opts for a matte, textured finish, so in our opinion, their aligners more accurately match the natural surfaces of your teeth.

Aligner Cut

Scalloped cuts blend the aligner edge into the gum line while straight cuts overlap the gums, and some people might notice the overlap when you smile. Clarity Aligners and ClearCorrect both use straight cuts, but Clarity can make the overlap as large as six millimeters, which hides the edge behind the lips for most patients. Clarity also has the option for a scalloped cut if your orthodontist feels it is a good choice.

Supplemental Attachments

Elastics, buttons, and engagers boost the control and movement range of clear aligners — while also boosting their visibility. Even when they’re clear or tooth-colored, attachments can be noticeable, especially at certain angles. Both Clarity Aligners and ClearCorrect try to reduce their attachments’ visibility, but Clarity makes theirs smaller, so doctors can attach them to the backs of the teeth when possible.

Patient Experience Comparison

By now, you probably feel like an expert on these companies. You know how well they work, their value, and even their appearance, but there are still a lot of little details that define the patient experience — things like communication, support, oversight, and refinements. Like other in-office options, we think both Clarity Aligners and ClearCorrect come with personalized support, although it depends somewhat on your particular dentist or orthodontist.

Communication Channels

If you have a problem or question during treatment, you won’t want to wait long for help. With Clarity Aligners and ClearCorrect, your primary point of contact is your doctor. Most doctors use the phone as their primary communication channel. But if you’d rather not call, you can often use email or even find an office with a patient portal that supports web chat and texting.

Oversight

Direct oversight might strain your schedule, but we think it also enhances the patient experience. Seeing your doctor every 4–10 weeks means getting a direct audience with your treatment expert. It’s an ideal time to ask questions, get feedback, and discuss your experience. With Clarity Aligners and ClearCorrect, the specifics of your experience will vary by doctor, but we think it’s a big advantage to get support from people who know you and your teeth intimately.

Refund & Warranty Policies

In-office aligner brands like Clarity and ClearCorrect don’t have overarching patient refunds or warranties, because your doctor will handle all your billing and payment. Each dentist and orthodontist has their own policies, but most will do everything they can to ensure that you get the results you want.

If you choose ClearCorrect Unlimited, you get all the aligners you need for five years, including refinements, while you might have to pay extra with their Flex or limited plans. 3M Clarity only has one plan, so you’ll need to discuss the details with your orthodontist.

Which Should You Choose?

if you ask us, it’s hard to go wrong with either Clarity Aligners or ClearCorrect. We think both companies offer high-quality treatment. Still, you might find that one is a better fit for you.

Who Should Consider Clarity Aligners?

People who want:

• Aligners and attachments that can make significant alignment shifts.
• Combination treatment with braces and aligners.
• Attachments your orthodontist can place on the backs of the teeth.

Who Should Consider ClearCorrect?

People who want:

• A choice between paying per aligner or getting a five-year unlimited plan.
• Aligners that blend with the natural teeth very well.
• In-office treatment at a lower price than Invisalign.