Invisalign

Invisalign is the default clear aligner brand: the one patients ask for, and the one with the broadest product range. Align Technology also makes the iTero scanner and owns exocad, so a practice can run scanning, planning and aligners within one company's ecosystem.

For the practice, the trade-off is price transparency. Getting started costs $500, but lab fees per case are not published, and the Advantage Program gives larger discounts to higher-volume providers. A practice starting aligners should model its expected case numbers before comparing Invisalign with ClearCorrect or other brands.

What Invisalign is

Invisalign is Align Technology's clear aligner system. Align says more than 23 million people have been treated with it. The dentist or orthodontist takes a scan, reviews and adjusts a digital treatment plan (ClinCheck), and Align manufactures the aligner series.

The range for providers includes Invisalign aligners, Invisalign Go for general dentists, Invisalign First for children, the Invisalign Palatal Expander System, the Invisalign System with mandibular advancement featuring occlusal blocks, Vivera retainers and Invisalign Virtual Care AI for remote monitoring.

Becoming a provider and what it costs

Align's provider page listed $500 to get started on October 2, 2026, as a promotion through December 31, 2026. Onboarding has three parts: a self-paced virtual course, one-to-one sessions, and live workshops or consultations, with separate pathways for general dentists and orthodontists.

Lab fees per case are not published. Through the Advantage Program, providers earn points on ClinCheck acceptance and get tiered discounts and benefits based on their case activity. In practice, a low-volume office pays more per case than a high-volume one. Ask your territory manager for the fee per case type at your expected volume.

Technology

• SmartTrack, Align's patented aligner material, which Align says delivers gentler, more constant force.
• SmartStage sequencing and SmartForce attachments, including bite ramps and precision cuts.
• ClinCheck treatment planning, with CBCT integration available.
• iTero scanners, made by Align, connect directly. Align also accepts scans from a published list of qualified third-party scanners.

The performance claims for materials and attachments are Align's own.

Where Invisalign is strong

• Patient demand. Many patients ask for the brand by name, which helps case acceptance.
• Range. Products for children, expansion and mandibular advancement go beyond a typical adult aligner system.
• Ecosystem. iTero scanning, ClinCheck planning, remote monitoring and retainers from one vendor.
• Education. Structured onboarding and continuing education through Align Education.

Where it falls short

• Fee transparency. No published lab fee schedule, and pricing tied to volume tiers.
• Scanner choice. Third-party scanners must be on Align's qualified list; check your model and software version.
• Brand expectations. Patients who ask for Invisalign may resist a lower-priced alternative brand even when it suits their case.

Invisalign alternatives to compare

• ClearCorrect from Straumann: ClearCorrect vs Invisalign.

All products: specialty software and aligners.

Bottom line

Invisalign is the safe choice when patient demand, product range and iTero integration matter most. Its cost to the practice depends heavily on volume, so get a written fee per case type before committing, and compare it with at least one other aligner brand.