If you want straighter teeth, you’ll probably end up choosing between three things: Invisalign® clear aligners from a dentist, braces from an orthodontist, or aligners you order online. All of them move teeth. Where they really differ is who looks at your mouth before treatment starts, and who keeps an eye on it once it does.
That first visit is a chance to catch cavities, gum disease, and bite problems that aligners won’t fix on their own. It’s also the part of the process that the at-home aligner companies have struggled with most.
Invisalign vs braces: which works better?
For crowding, gaps, and a lot of bite problems, both work. A 2025 review of 15 clinical trials found no significant difference in treatment quality or length between aligners and braces in cases where no teeth needed to come out. When teeth did need to be removed, braces produced better results.
Braces also have an edge with badly rotated teeth and with bites that come from jaw position rather than tooth position. Aligners come out for meals and brushing, which makes them easier to live with and easier to keep clean.
The catch is wear time. Braces are bonded to your teeth, so they work all day whether you think about them or not. Aligners only move teeth while they’re in, which means 20 to 22 hours a day.
On cost, Invisalign treatment typically runs about the same as braces. Every case is different, so pricing depends on how much your teeth need to move and is worked out after your consultation.
What Invisalign treatment at a dental office includes
You start with a free consultation and a digital scan of your teeth, with no messy molds. From there, the dentist builds a treatment plan that maps out how each tooth will move, step by step.
Once your aligners arrive, you switch to a new set every week or two and come in for routine check-ups so we can confirm your teeth are on track. Dr. Moona Khan plans and supervises Invisalign treatment in Tacoma at our office.
Because we’re a general dental office, the same team that watches your aligners can also handle a cavity or a cleaning along the way.
What happened to mail-order aligners
A few years ago, mail-order aligners were everywhere. Most of the big names are gone now. SmileDirectClub shut down in December 2023 and left many customers partway through treatment. Candid stopped selling directly to consumers and now works only through dentists. Byte stopped selling at-home aligners in 2024 and has said it won’t bring them back.
Some smaller companies still sell aligners online. Most start with an impression kit you do at home. A dentist or orthodontist hired by the company reviews it remotely, the aligners show up in the mail, and progress is usually checked through photos or an app.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an in-person evaluation with X-rays before orthodontic treatment. The FDA says an in-person exam can lower the risk of problems like an uneven bite or teeth moving the wrong way. The American Dental Association strongly opposes direct-to-consumer dentistry and says the dentist is ultimately responsible for a patient’s care.
Looking for braces in Tacoma? Check whether aligners fit first
Some cases really do need braces. Severe crowding, badly rotated teeth, big bite corrections, and bites caused by jaw position are usually better handled by an orthodontist, sometimes working with an oral surgeon.
Plenty of people who start out searching for braces turn out to be good aligner candidates, though. A consultation will tell you which group you’re in. We don’t offer traditional braces, so if braces are the better option for you, we’ll talk through whether an orthodontist is a better fit.
Who supervises each option
| Invisalign treatment at a dental office | Braces from an orthodontist | Aligners ordered online | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-person visit before starting | Yes | Yes | Not always |
| Progress checks | In-office check-ups | In-office adjustments | Often photos or an app |
| Cavities and gum problems | Treated at your dental office | Treated by your general dentist | Up to you to arrange |
What to ask before you start any aligner treatment
Whoever you’re talking to, get clear answers to these:
- Will someone examine my teeth and gums in person first?
- Who checks my progress, and how often?
- What happens if an aligner stops fitting, or I lose one?
- What retainer will I need at the end?
- Where do I go in person if something feels wrong?
Who is a good candidate for Invisalign treatment
Invisalign aligners can treat a wide range of problems in teens and adults, from small gaps to more complex bite issues. They also work well for people whose teeth have shifted since they had braces years ago.
Your teeth and gums should be healthy before they start moving. Moving teeth through inflamed gums can make gum disease worse, so gum problems and cavities come first. For a lot of people, that just means a professional teeth cleaning before treatment starts.
Living with Invisalign aligners
Many cases use attachments, which are small tooth-colored bumps bonded to a few teeth so the aligners have something to push against. They’re subtle, but they do mean your aligners aren’t completely invisible.
There are no food restrictions, because the aligners come out when you eat. Brush after meals before you put them back in, and rinse and brush the aligners themselves every day. Skip gum and smoking while they’re in: gum sticks to the trays, and smoke stains them.
Each new set can feel snug for the first few days. Some people also notice a slight change in their speech at first, and most are speaking clearly again within a couple of days.
Paying for Invisalign treatment
Many dental plans cover Invisalign treatment the same way they cover braces, and we’ll help you verify your benefits. We also accept HSA and FSA funds. IRS Publication 502 lists braces as an eligible dental expense, and aligner treatment that corrects a bite or alignment problem generally qualifies too, but check with your plan administrator to be sure.
If you’d rather spread out the cost, we offer flexible monthly payment plans, including financing through CareCredit, subject to approval. More details are on our dental financing options page.
If you’re comparing offers from different providers, check what each one includes. A lower number may leave out office visits, replacement aligners, or retainers.
Common questions
Is Invisalign as effective as braces?
For crowding, gaps, and many bite problems, research has found similar results when no teeth need to be removed. When teeth do need to come out, braces have produced better results. A consultation will show which applies to you.
Is Invisalign faster than braces?
Usually it takes about the same time. Studies of mild to moderate crowding have found no significant difference in treatment length, and how long treatment takes depends more on your teeth than on the appliance. Aligners stay on schedule only if you wear them 20 to 22 hours a day.
Can Invisalign fix an overbite?
Often, yes. A large overbite caused by jaw position may need braces, or braces combined with surgery.
Are mail-order aligners still available?
A few smaller companies still sell them. SmileDirectClub closed in 2023, Candid now works only through dentists, and Byte stopped selling at-home aligners in 2024.
I started mail-order aligners. Can I switch to Invisalign treatment?
Possibly. Bring whatever records you have from the aligner company, and we’ll look at your teeth, gums, and bite to explore your options.
Do I need a retainer afterward?
Yes. Without one, teeth can gradually shift back. We recommend Vivera® retainers, which you’ll wear full-time at first and then at night. Retainer pricing varies, and we’ll give you a quote.
Do you offer braces?
No. We offer Invisalign treatment but not traditional braces. If a consultation shows braces would work better for you, we’ll talk through whether an orthodontist is a better fit.
Book a consultation and scan
The fastest way to find out which option fits your teeth is to come in. Call (253) 473-4303 or request an appointment online to book a free Invisalign consultation and digital scan at our Tacoma office. If you’re also thinking about whitening, veneers, or bonding, take a look at cosmetic dentistry in Tacoma.
