ClearCorrect is a brand of clear dental aligners made by Straumann Group, one of the largest dental companies in the world. Like other clear aligner systems, ClearCorrect uses a series of custom-made, removable plastic trays to gradually shift your teeth into straighter positions. Treatment typically takes 6 to 18 months, with an average of about 12 months.
How ClearCorrect Works
Your dentist or orthodontist takes a digital scan of your teeth, then ClearCorrect manufactures a series of aligner trays designed to move your teeth in small increments. You wear each set for a prescribed period before switching to the next one in the sequence. The aligners are nearly invisible when worn, and you remove them to eat, drink, and brush your teeth.
ClearCorrect can treat a wide range of orthodontic issues: crowding, gaps between teeth, overbites, underbites, crossbites, open bites, and midline shifts. Mild crowding cases may wrap up in as little as 6 months, while more severe crowding or bite corrections can take 12 to 18 months.
The ClearQuartz Material
ClearCorrect aligners are made from a proprietary material called ClearQuartz. It has a three-layer structure: a soft, flexible polyurethane core sandwiched between two harder polyester outer layers, each roughly the same thickness. This design aims to balance comfort with the rigidity needed to move teeth effectively.
One practical advantage of this layered construction is stain resistance. In lab testing published in a materials science journal, ClearQuartz showed less discoloration from coffee, mustard, and other common staining foods than the material used in Invisalign aligners. The staining that did occur was mostly absorbed by the inner polyurethane layer rather than the visible outer surfaces.
Treatment Tiers
ClearCorrect offers several treatment packages based on the complexity of your case. Your provider selects the tier, which determines how many aligners and revisions are included.
- Mini: Up to 12 aligner sets for very mild cases like minor relapse or small adjustments in the front teeth. Includes one revision within 6 months.
- One: Up to 24 aligner sets for mild cases, such as light crowding, minor spacing, or slight overbite correction. Includes one revision and one set of retainers within 12 months.
- Two: Up to 48 aligner sets for moderate cases involving more significant crowding, spacing, or rotations. Includes two revisions and two sets of retainers within 24 months.
- Unlimited 3: Unlimited aligners over three years for moderate to severe cases. Includes unlimited revisions and two sets of retainers.
- Unlimited 5: Unlimited aligners over five years for the most complex cases, including extraction cases or patients who may need treatment pauses.
- Flex: A pay-as-you-go option designed for minor relapse or revision cases, with no expiration date.
How ClearCorrect Compares to Invisalign
ClearCorrect and Invisalign are the two most widely known professional clear aligner brands, and they work on the same basic principle. The differences come down to materials, fit, and feel.
ClearCorrect aligners are slightly thinner, which can make them less noticeable on the teeth. The tradeoff is that thinner edges may occasionally cause minor irritation along the gum line. Invisalign trays tend to be trimmed more precisely to the gum line, which some patients find more comfortable initially. In terms of stain resistance, ClearCorrect’s ClearQuartz material has a measurable advantage over Invisalign’s SmartTrack material.
Both systems require a licensed dentist or orthodontist to oversee treatment. Neither is a direct-to-consumer product, so you’ll have regular check-in appointments regardless of which brand your provider uses.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
Clear aligner treatment generally costs between $1,500 and $8,000, with an average around $5,000. Where you fall in that range depends on the complexity of your case and which treatment tier your provider recommends. A mild crowding case using the Mini or One package will cost significantly less than a complex bite correction on an Unlimited plan.
Dental insurance plans that include orthodontic coverage typically pay 25% to 50% of the cost, subject to a lifetime orthodontic maximum that usually falls between $1,000 and $3,000. Many providers also offer monthly payment plans to spread the remaining cost over the course of treatment.
Daily Wear and Care
Clear aligners only work when they’re in your mouth. Most clear aligner systems, ClearCorrect included, require 20 to 22 hours of daily wear. You remove them only for meals and oral hygiene.
Keeping the trays clean is straightforward. Rinse them under lukewarm water every time you take them out, and gently brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush. For a deeper clean, soak them in a denture cleaning tablet or a solution designed for aligners. Avoid using regular toothpaste, which is abrasive enough to scratch the plastic surface and make the trays more visible and more prone to trapping bacteria. Always remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water to prevent staining and warping.
What ClearCorrect Can and Cannot Fix
ClearCorrect handles most of the same cases that traditional braces treat. Crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, crossbites (both front and back teeth), open bites, and midline shifts are all within its range. For straightforward crowding with an average jaw size, results can come quickly, sometimes in six months. Large gaps or significant jaw-size discrepancies take longer and may push treatment toward the 18-month end.
Severe skeletal issues, meaning problems rooted in the jaw bones rather than tooth position, generally fall outside the scope of any clear aligner system. Cases requiring significant vertical movement of teeth or large rotations of premolars and molars may also be better suited to traditional braces. Your provider can determine whether ClearCorrect is a realistic option after examining your specific situation.