When it comes to brand power and reputation, it’s tough to beat Invisalign. After all, they’re the longest-standing company in the clear aligner business. But if you have a minor teeth misalignment, you might be intimidated by Invisalign’s high price and lengthy treatment time. After all, shouldn’t it be easier and cheaper to correct a minor case? Yes, and it can be.
The solution? Invisalign Express. This abridged treatment uses 5, 7, or 10 aligners rather than the 25+ included in Invisalign’s full treatment. While dentists and orthodontists only choose Invisalign Express for very minor changes, it can be a more affordable option that still provides personal dentist oversight.
Here are all the important similarities and differences between these two Invisalign treatments.
Table of Contents
Treatment Overviews
Invisalign’s full treatment is similar to the one it originally released in the late 90s. It includes direct oversight from your dentist and as many clear, removable aligners as are required to correct your specific condition. After scanning your teeth, your dentist will develop a custom treatment plan and create your aligners. Then, you’ll make regular office visits so they can monitor and adjust your treatment (if necessary). The aligners will gradually shift your teeth over 12–18 months on average.
To reduce costs for patients who just need minor adjustments, Invisalign introduced their Express option in 2012. This treatment includes many of the same procedures, just dialed back. Your dentist will still scan your teeth and create your aligners, and you’ll still need to make office visits, but the timeline is much shorter — typically just a few months. There are three different Express options: Invisalign Express 5, Invisalign Express 10, and Invisalign i7. Depending on the severity of your condition, these options deliver 5, 10, or 7 aligners, respectively. Be aware, though, that not every provider offers all three.
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Scope of Treatment Comparison
Think about your ideal smile. How does it look? That’s your end goal, and you want to choose a treatment that can get you there. This means choosing the one best suited for your specific condition, and that’s where you’ll find the most significant difference between Invisalign’s Comprehensive and Express options.
Invisalign Treatment Scope
Invisalign Express Treatment Scope
- Can treat almost any condition that braces can, including severe jaw misalignments.
- Uses 25+ aligners over 12–18 months to make drastic changes to your smile.
- Aligners can incorporate attachments to make more complex and detailed changes.
- Only suitable for minor crowding and spacing in the front six teeth.
- Only uses either 5, 7, or 10 aligners for the entire treatment.
- Can incorporate some attachments, but not elastics and expanders because of the short treatment time.
What Can They Treat?
Invisalign’s Comprehensive treatment can correct just about any condition out there. According to the company, their aligners have “demonstrated success in treating Class I, II, and III malocclusions,” including:
By comparison, Invisalign Express is only intended for minor cosmetic dental shifts. Align Technology’s breakdown of Invisalign options says it’s best for the following misalignments:
- Relapses: This refers to cases where patients had previous orthodontic treatment, but didn’t wear their retainer enough, causing their teeth to shift slightly back. Typically, these misalignments are very minor.
- Anterior, Aesthetic Alignment: This means minor, cosmetic changes to the front 6–8 teeth.
According to some providers, this often means gaps or crowding of 2mm or less. Most often, dentists will recommend Express as a quick fix for patients whose teeth have started to shift back after completing a full course of clear aligner or braces treatment. So if you have a more severe case, or one that involves a bite issue like underbite or crossbite, your dentist will probably prescribe Invisalign’s comprehensive treatment.
How Many Aligners Are Included?
As a longer, more intensive treatment plan, traditional Invisalign usually uses 25+ aligners over the course of 12–18 months. In contrast, Invisalign Express uses either 5, 7, or 10 aligners over just a few months. For this reason, your dentist or orthodontist will only recommend Express if they’re confident that they can fully correct your misalignment with a small number of aligners. If your case will take more than ten, full treatment is the better option.
Other Orthodontic Appliances
Traditional Invisalign’s longer timeframe and additional office visits allow your dentist to supplement your aligners with attachments like elastics and more. Plus, Invisalign has its own proprietary SmartForce attachments — tiny, tooth-colored shapes that can provide “better control and a higher range of tooth movement,” according to this 2023 study. With all of these resources at their disposal, your dentist can correct a wide range of conditions.
The more severe a tooth’s misalignment, the longer it takes to adjust. So, milder conditions take less time to treat. Because Express has a shorter treatment window and doesn’t work with severe cases, it doesn’t use elastics, expanders, etc. It can, however, incorporate SmartForce attachments if your dentist sees fit.
Affordability Comparison
Orthodontic treatment isn’t cheap, and Invisalign has traditionally fallen at the higher end of the price spectrum. If your budget is already tight, Invisalign treatment might not seem like a realistic option.
Invisalign Express is one way the company has made its treatment more affordable and widely accessible. The price tag for each plan can vary significantly depending on your condition and dentist. There are multiple factors in play when it comes to cost, but as a less-intensive treatment, Invisalign Express is almost always the cheaper option.
Invisalign Affordability
Invisalign Express Affordability
- No set sticker price, average cost is $3,000–$8,000.
- Financing varies depending on the dentist and may require a credit check or down payment.
- Insurance coverage depends on your carrier/plan, but treatment is usually not covered in full.
- No set sticker price, average cost is $1,500–$4,000.
- Financing varies depending on the dentist and may require a credit check or down payment.
- Insurance coverage depends on your carrier/plan, but treatment is usually not covered in full.
Sticker Price
This is the total upfront cost of your treatment. Unfortunately, if you’re looking for a flat rate, you won’t find one. That’s because it depends entirely on your individual case and dentist. However, on average, traditional Invisalign costs $3,000–$8,000, and Express usually costs between $1,500 and $4,000. To find out what it will cost you, visit your dentist for a consultation.
What About Insurance?
Insurance companies often consider Invisalign aligners “alternative” or “specialty” appliances, and if your case is relatively minor, there’s a chance that they might consider it cosmetic and not medically necessary. Still, if your dental insurance includes orthodontic coverage, there’s a decent chance that you’ll receive partial coverage for Invisalign or Invisalign Express.
But don’t just assume! Be sure to speak with both your insurance company and your dentist’s office before diving into treatment. If you’re covered, the office will handle insurance payments and paperwork on your behalf.
Financing Options
In short, yes, you can receive financing for your Invisalign or Invisalign Express treatment. Invisalign doesn’t work with one specific financing provider, and it doesn’t provide its own. Your dentist, on the other hand, may work with a particular financing company or have recommendations for reliable third-party options. As you consider your monthly budget and the cost of Invisalign, consult your dentist to weigh your payment plan options.
Convenience Comparison
At times, fitting clear aligner treatment into your schedule might seem impossible. In a world focused on time management and productivity, it’s not always an easy task. This is why many adults prioritize convenience when pursuing clear aligner treatment.
But convenience isn’t just about saving time. It also encompasses ease of application, office visit frequency, and more. Given its shorter treatment time and fewer office visits, we think Invisalign Express often presents the more convenient option. But as always, it’s important to consult your dentist for more details about each option and which might be a better fit for your teeth and smile goals.
Invisalign Convenience
Invisalign Express Convenience
- Average treatment time is 12–18 months.
- Office visits required once every 4–10 weeks on average.
- May incorporate elastics or other attachments, which make them more cumbersome to remove and re-insert.
- Average treatment time is around 3–6 months.
- Office visits are required once every 4–10 weeks on average, but the treatment time is shorter so you’ll have fewer office visits to schedule.
- Don’t often use supplemental attachments, so the aligners are easy to remove and re-insert.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
If you want to flash your transformed smile at a special occasion coming up, you’ll want to consider each treatment’s timeline. Invisalign Express is a simplified version of full Invisalign treatment, and it only treats minor cases. So, its timeline is typically just six months.
That’s significantly shorter than traditional Invisalign’s 12–18 month average timeframe. Of course, both depend almost entirely on the severity of your specific condition, so you’ll need to get it checked out for a more precise estimate.
Frequency of Office Visits
The frequency of your appointments also depends on your specific dentist. A typical course of treatment requires an office visit once around every 4–10 weeks, although some dentists may spread them out to as much as twelve weeks. This is true whether you’re using Invisalign’s full or Express treatment. However, because the overall timeline is shorter for Express, you’ll have fewer office visits to schedule.
Daily Wear
You’ll be wearing your clear aligners most of the time, both day and night. To achieve the desired results, Invisalign recommends wearing them for at least 22 hours per day, removing them only to eat and drink (other than water). This applies to both their traditional and Express treatments.
The difference comes in how you actually insert and remove them. Traditional Invisalign aligners may incorporate elastics or other attachments, which make them more difficult to remove and re-insert. Express aligners don’t often incorporate these attachments, so they don’t run into the same issue.
The good news is that, by all accounts, Invisalign’s aligners are quite comfortable to wear. According to their website, you might experience slight discomfort when you first start wearing a new aligner set, but it subsides fairly quickly.
Appearance Comparison
When Invisalign introduced their clear aligner system in 1997, the primary draw was its discreet appearance compared to traditional braces. Since then, the company has developed more ways to improve its aligner aesthetics. However, aesthetic preferences vary from person to person, so comparing aligner appearance is a subjective process.
Invisalign’s traditional and Express aligners are both produced by the same company and manufacturer, so they’re nearly identical in appearance. Still, there are a couple of slight discrepancies to consider.
Invisalign Appearance
Invisalign Express Appearance
- Uses a frosted, textured plastic that matches your natural tooth surfaces.
- Scallops their aligners to match your gum line.
- Supplemental attachments will make aligners more visible.
- Uses a frosted, textured plastic that matches your natural tooth surfaces.
- Scallops their aligners to match your gum line.
- Supplemental appliances are typically not included in treatment, so aligners are less noticeable.
Aligner Material
Invisalign’s aligners aren’t completely clear. Instead, they’re slightly frosted and textured. This might seem counterintuitive, but we think it’s actually a smart move.
Your teeth are covered in tiny pores, giving them a naturally-matte appearance. In our opinion, frosted, textured aligners better mimic the natural surfaces of your teeth, which can make them less noticeable. Some of Invisalign’s competitors use fully translucent, smooth plastic that we think can look artificially shiny.
Invisalign uses the same material in all of its aligners, whether for full or Express treatment.
What About Elastics/SmartForce Attachments?
As we mentioned earlier, Invisalign’s full treatment can incorporate traditional orthodontic appliances like elastics as well as proprietary ones like SmartForce attachments.
Unfortunately, this additional hardware can make the aligners more visible in your mouth. Express treatment can use SmartForce attachments but doesn’t often use other types, so they can be slightly more discreet. Additionally, the lack of attachments can make Express aligners easier to pop out on the spot for photos, dates, etc.
Patient Experience Comparison
Invisalign has a long history of excellent reliability, so you can be confident that it will deliver the results you want. However, you still might have questions or concerns throughout the process. Fortunately, both versions of Invisalign provide regular office visits during which your dentist can address them. And if anything urgent comes up, you can always contact the office directly for assistance.
Invisalign Patient Experience
Invisalign Express Patient Experience
- Personalized, hands-on patient care.
- Dedicated, in-person oversight.
- Free refinements, pending your provider’s approval.
- Personalized, hands-on patient care.
- Dedicated, in-person oversight.
- Refinements typically cost extra.
Customer Service
Invisalign accepts email inquiries from patients and providers, and they have a “Smile Concierge Team” that can offer help. However, your dentist’s office can field all of your questions and issues in-house. This way, you’re dealing with someone who knows you and your teeth personally, rather than a remote customer support team. This process is exactly the same whether you’re using traditional Invisalign or Invisalign Express.
Although the quality of service will vary according to which dentist you choose, we think in-person options typically offer highly personalized and hands-on care. You can check with your dentist to learn about their availability and preferred modes of communication.
Oversight
Both Invisalign plans require direct oversight from a dentist or orthodontist, so you’ll have a professional monitoring your progress every step of the way. Standard Invisalign requires more total office visits, but just because it’s typically a longer treatment. And, of course, you can schedule an office visit any time something seems off so that your dentist can examine your teeth.
Either way, you’ve got a professional by your side for the entire treatment to help you get the results you want and stay safe in the process.
Warranty & Refund Policies
What if you’re dissatisfied with your treatment progress? Fortunately, this isn’t often a problem with Invisalign, because you’re routinely checking in with your dentist. So, they will have a chance to evaluate your teeth and make adjustments.
However, issues can still arise. If by the end of your treatment, your smile isn’t what you expected (assuming you followed the necessary wear schedule), your dentist may approve you for a “refinement.” They will reassess your teeth and issue additional aligner sets to fine-tune your smile. Invisalign Full allows you to get as many refinements as necessary as long as they’re approved by your dentist or orthodontist. Because Express only provides a set number of aligners, refinements usually cost extra, which isn’t ideal.
Invisalign doesn’t have any overarching return or refund policies. Instead, they defer to each individual provider, so contact your dentist’s office to see what they offer.
Which Should You Choose?
Most people don’t have a choice. For example, if your condition is too severe for Invisalign Express, you’ll likely need the full treatment. However, if you just have a minor case of crowding or spacing in your front six teeth, you could be a candidate for the faster and more affordable Express plan.
Summary
Whether you end up with Invisalign’s full or Express plan, you can be confident that you’re getting a high-grade treatment from the industry’s most experienced and widely trusted clear aligner company.
Regular face-time with your dentist will allow you to address any questions, concerns, or issues as they arise. With Invisalign, you have a personal guide for your entire teeth straightening journey, ensuring that you end up at the desired location. So traditional or Express, we think you’re on your way to a dazzling transformed smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose Invisalign or Invisalign Express?
The two are designed for different purposes, so it depends on your condition. Standard Invisalign treatment can handle just about any misalignment and typically uses 25+ aligners. Invisalign Express, on the other hand, is intended for very minor corrections, typically small gaps in the front six teeth.
Most of the time, your condition and your dentist’s evaluation will dictate which option is best for you. Get to know both options better in our full reviews for Invisalign and Invisalign Express.
How do I get started with Invisalign or Invisalign Express?
You’ll need to visit your dentist or orthodontist for a consultation. They will make impressions or take scans of your teeth to create your treatment plan and aligners. After evaluating your teeth, they can let you know whether Invisalign or Invisalign Express is the better option. Keep in mind that not all Invisalign providers offer the Express option.
What’s the difference between Invisalign and Invisalign Express?
While they’re created by the same overarching company, these treatments are quite different. Invisalign’s full treatment often consists of 25+ aligners and can correct severe misalignments over the course of 12–18 months. Invisalign Express, however, uses 5, 7, or 10 aligners to correct very mild conditions in 3–6 months.
How much do Invisalign and Invisalign Express cost?
Because Invisalign Express requires fewer aligners and office visits, it’s often cheaper than Invisalign’s standard treatment. Depending on your condition, your dentist’s rates, insurance, and other factors, Invisalign can cost anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000 while Invisalign Express often costs $1,500–$4,000. See our guides on the true cost of Invisalign and Invisalign Express for more info.
How long do Invisalign and Invisalign Express take?
It depends almost entirely on your condition, as some misalignments take longer than others. But on average, standard Invisalign takes 12–18 months and Invisalign Express takes 3–6.
What conditions can Invisalign and Invisalign Express treat?
Invisalign’s full aligner plan can treat just about anything, from severe crowding to jaw misalignments. Its longer timeline, constant oversight, and supplemental attachments allow for more powerful and intricate movements.
Invisalign Express is reserved for much milder conditions. In fact, dentists typically recommend it for patients who already had orthodontic treatment but whose teeth have since relapsed.
How do Invisalign and Invisalign Express compare to home aligner companies?
The main difference is that at-home aligner treatments don’t require any office visits. You’ll administer the treatment entirely on your own. Invisalign and Invisalign Express require office visits around every 4–10 weeks so that your dentist or orthodontist can check in on your progress, employ attachments, and adjust your treatment plan (if necessary). The lack of office visits makes home aligners cheaper and faster, but it also makes them incapable of correcting certain conditions (like bite misalignments).
What other companies should I consider?
There are several other clear aligner brands worth considering besides Invisalign — especially if you have a fairly simple and straightforward case. To learn about all the best options and how they compare, visit our review of the six best clear aligners.
What is the cheapest clear aligner company?
AlignerCo. At just $995, their price beats every competitor we reviewed by a few hundred dollars, and sometimes they run promotions that drop it even lower. And if you can’t pay that up front, you can jump on a financing plan, regardless of your credit score. Check out our complete AlignerCo review for more info, or find other great-value options in our guide to the most affordable home aligners.
Does insurance cover clear aligners?
It might. Some dental insurance plans cover Invisalign the same way they would cover braces. They won’t often cover treatment if it’s considered cosmetic (like it sometimes is with Invisalign Express), so you’ll need to consult your specific dentist and insurance provider to find out.
Are home aligners safe?
At-home clear aligner treatment plans are always designed and/or approved by a licensed dentist or orthodontist — as long as you’re buying from a legitimate clear aligner service.
The main concern regarding the safety of fully-remote clear aligner treatment is the lack of face-to-face care. Since you won’t be seeing a dentist in-person during treatment, you won’t receive the same level of support that you’d get with traditional in-office aligners like Invisalign or ClearCorrect. That said, a recent NIH-funded survey found the majority of at-home aligner customers were satisfied with their results, and only 6.6% experienced side effects necessitating a visit to their local dentist.
Read our guide to safe home teeth straightening treatment for more information.
Do clear aligners hurt?
When you switch to a new aligner set every two weeks, you might experience some discomfort for the first day or two, but after that, you’ll hardly notice them.
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