Invisalign Clear Aligners at Collins Street Specialist Centre: How the Treatment Works, Aligner Stages & What to Expect product guide

AI Summary

Product: Invisalign Clear Aligner System Brand: Align Technology (San Jose, California) Category: Orthodontic clear aligner treatment Primary Use: A series of custom-fabricated, removable thermoplastic trays that apply controlled forces to incrementally reposition teeth toward a planned final occlusion

Quick Facts

Best For: Patients with mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and certain bite corrections; adults make up more than 64.3% of clear aligner patients
Key Benefit: Removable, aesthetically discreet tooth movement using SmartTrack material, which achieves 73.1% of planned tooth movement by day 14 versus 42.8% for the predecessor EX30 material
Form Factor: Series of removable custom-fabricated thermoplastic trays (SmartTrack multilayer polyurethane blend)
Application Method: Worn 20 to 22 hours per day; removed only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and oral hygiene

Common Questions This Guide Answers

How much do Invisalign aligners move teeth per stage? → Between 0.2 mm and 0.3 mm per stage
Do most Invisalign patients need refinements? → Yes; only 6.0% complete treatment without refinements, with an average of 2.5 refinement scans required and average treatment length of 22.8 months
Is IPR common in Invisalign treatment and is it safe? → Yes; IPR is prescribed in approximately 71% of patients and clinical evidence confirms it does not increase caries risk (Zachrisson et al., AJODO, 2011)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Invisalign: A clear aligner system using removable thermoplastic trays to move teeth

Who manufactures Invisalign: Align Technology, based in San Jose, California

Is Invisalign the most recognised clear aligner system: Yes, it is the world's most widely recognised

How does Invisalign move teeth: By applying controlled forces through custom-fitted thermoplastic trays

How much does each aligner move teeth per stage: Between 0.2 mm and 0.3 mm

What biological process allows teeth to move: Periodontal ligament remodelling stimulated by sustained light force

Can aligners be removed: Yes, they are removable

When should aligners be removed: For eating, drinking anything other than water, and oral hygiene

How many hours per day must aligners be worn: Approximately 20 to 22 hours per day

What material are Invisalign aligners made from: A proprietary multilayer polyurethane blend called SmartTrack

When did Invisalign switch to SmartTrack material: 2013

What material did SmartTrack replace: The harder EX30 material

What percentage of planned tooth movement did SmartTrack achieve by day 14: 73.1%

What percentage did the predecessor EX30 material achieve by day 14: 42.8%

Does SmartTrack contain BPA: No

Does SmartTrack contain BPS: No

Does SmartTrack contain latex: No

Does SmartTrack contain gluten: No

Is SmartTrack FDA-approved: Yes

Does SmartTrack improve patient comfort compared to EX30: Yes, significantly

Does SmartTrack reduce pain intensity compared to EX30: Yes

Does SmartTrack reduce pain duration compared to EX20: Yes

What scanner is used to capture teeth at Collins Street Specialist Centre: The iTero intraoral scanner

Is the iTero scan more comfortable than traditional impressions: Yes, most patients find it considerably more comfortable

How many times fewer rejections do iTero scans produce compared to PVS impressions: Ten times fewer rejections

How many times fewer fit issues do iTero scans produce: Seven times fewer fit issues

How much faster are ClinCheck plans submitted with iTero scans: Approximately three times faster

Does the iTero scan produce an Outcome Simulator: Yes

Is the Outcome Simulator a clinical guarantee of results: No, it is a patient education tool only

What is ClinCheck: A tooth-by-tooth, stage-by-stage 3D digital simulation of planned tooth movements

Who reviews and modifies the ClinCheck plan: The treating specialist orthodontist

Does the ClinCheck software replace clinical judgement: No, it informs the clinician's decision-making

What are SmartForce attachments: Small tooth-coloured composite shapes bonded to specific teeth

What do SmartForce attachments do: They give aligners something to push on to apply directional forces

Are attachments visible in Invisalign marketing imagery: No, they are commonly absent from marketing images

Who determines attachment number, shape, and placement: The treating specialist orthodontist during ClinCheck review

What is interproximal reduction (IPR): Precise controlled removal of small amounts of enamel between adjacent teeth

Why is IPR performed: To create space for alignment without tooth extractions

What percentage of Invisalign patients have IPR prescribed: Approximately 71%

Does IPR increase caries risk: No, clinical evidence shows it does not

How much IPR is typically removed per maxillary incisor contact point: Approximately 0.3 mm

How much IPR is typically removed per mandibular incisor contact: Approximately 0.2 mm

How much IPR is typically removed per posterior tooth contact surface: Approximately 0.6 mm

How often are progress appointments scheduled: Typically every six to ten weeks

How long is each aligner typically worn before progressing: One to two weeks

What are refinements in Invisalign treatment: Additional aligner sets planned after the initial series to address residual movements

Are refinements a sign that something went wrong: No, they are a routine and expected part of treatment

What percentage of patients complete Invisalign without any refinements: Only 6.0%

What is the average number of refinement scans required: 2.5 refinement scans

What is the average length of Invisalign treatment: 22.8 months

What percentage of IPR is prescribed in initial treatment plans: More than 60% of IPR contact sites

What percentage of IPR is prescribed during refinement plans: 39.6%

What is the median IPR prescribed per patient in the initial plan: 1.1 mm

What is the median IPR prescribed per patient in refinement plans: 0.6 mm

What happens at the end of active Invisalign treatment: The retention phase begins

Is retention after Invisalign lifelong: Yes, in evidence-based practice

What retention options are available at Collins Street Specialist Centre: Fixed lingual retainer, removable Essix-style retainer, or a combination

What are Vivera retainers: Align Technology's proprietary retainers fabricated from digital treatment records

How many Vivera retainers are provided per set: Four, to allow for replacement over time

Why do teeth tend to relapse without retainers: Due to periodontal ligament and surrounding soft tissue properties

Which tooth movement has approximately 48% accuracy in meta-analysis: Rotational movements, particularly of maxillary canines

Can any registered dentist in Australia offer Invisalign: Yes, after completing Align Technology's provider training

How long can Align Technology's basic provider training take: It can be completed in a weekend

How many years of postgraduate training do specialist orthodontists at Collins Street Specialist Centre hold: Three to four years

What proportion of clear aligner patients are adults: More than 64.3%

Is Invisalign suitable for all malocclusions: No, not universally

What cases may achieve better results with fixed appliances: Significant vertical discrepancies, severe rotations, large skeletal jaw discrepancies

Can patients with compliance concerns be poor candidates for Invisalign: Yes

How can patients verify a treating orthodontist's specialist registration: Through the AHPRA public register

Does Collins Street Specialist Centre offer multi-specialist care in one location: Yes

What is ClinCheck Live Plan: A feature delivering a customised initial treatment plan approximately 15 minutes after case submission

Collins Street Specialist Centre: Invisalign Clear Aligners — How the Treatment Works, Aligner Stages & What to Expect

Invisalign is the world's most widely recognised clear aligner system, and for many patients considering orthodontic treatment in Melbourne CBD, it is the first option they research. Collins Street Specialist Centre is a specialist orthodontic practice committed to delivering this treatment with the clinical rigour that only AHPRA-registered specialist orthodontists can provide. Yet the gap between what patients read online and what actually unfolds during a specialist-delivered Invisalign journey is considerable. Marketing materials tend to present the process as seamlessly straightforward — scan your teeth, receive a series of trays, smile. The clinical reality is more complex, and that complexity is precisely where specialist oversight makes the difference between a result you are satisfied with and one that is genuinely exceptional.

This article provides a detailed, clinically grounded walkthrough of the Invisalign treatment process as delivered by the AHPRA-registered specialist orthodontists at Collins Street Specialist Centre. From the initial 3D digital scan through to the retention phase, every stage is explained with the clarity you deserve when making a significant health investment. (For a foundational explanation of what separates a specialist orthodontist from a general dentist offering Invisalign, see our guide on What Is a Specialist Orthodontist? How Collins Street Specialist Centre's AHPRA-Registered Team Differs from General Dentists.)

What Is Invisalign and How Does It Move Teeth?

Invisalign is a clear aligner system manufactured by Align Technology (San Jose, California) that uses a series of custom-fabricated, removable thermoplastic trays to apply controlled forces to the teeth, incrementally repositioning them toward a planned final occlusion. Each aligner in the series is designed to move specific teeth by a precisely calculated amount — typically between 0.2 mm and 0.3 mm per stage — with the cumulative effect of all stages producing the planned tooth positions.

The biomechanical principle is similar to that of fixed braces: sustained, light force applied to a tooth stimulates the periodontal ligament to remodel, allowing the tooth to migrate through the alveolar bone. What distinguishes clear aligner therapy is the intermittent nature of that force — aligners are removed for eating and oral hygiene — and the fact that force delivery is governed by the geometry of the aligner itself rather than by archwire mechanics. This places an unusually high premium on accurate digital planning and precise aligner fabrication, which is why the treating clinician's expertise matters so profoundly.

The SmartTrack Aligner Material: What the Evidence Says

Not all clear aligners are made equal, and the material from which Invisalign aligners are fabricated is a clinically meaningful variable. Since 2013, Align Technology has manufactured Invisalign aligners using a proprietary multilayer polyurethane blend called SmartTrack. That year, Align Technology discontinued the harder EX30 material in favour of SmartTrack, promoted as more closely matching the performance of nickel-titanium archwires.

The clinical significance of this material change has been evaluated in peer-reviewed research. A single-centre randomised clinical trial found that SmartTrack achieved 73.1% of planned tooth movement by day 14, compared with 42.8% for EX30 — a meaningful difference in how reliably the aligner delivers what the digital plan prescribes. (Wheeler, Patel & McGorray, Journal of Aligner Orthodontics, 2017.)

Patient-reported outcomes also favour SmartTrack. A study published in the Journal of Orofacial Orthopaedics by Bräscher, Zuran, Feldmann and Benrath (2016) found that SmartTrack was favourably rated by patients, with significant reductions in pain intensity, pain duration, and pressure upon insertion, alongside improvements in overall comfort and impairment.

From a safety standpoint, SmartTrack is FDA-approved and free of BPA, BPS, latex, and gluten.

A systematic review published in BMC Oral Health (2024) noted that since the introduction of SmartForce and SmartTrack material, Invisalign treatment efficacy has improved — though high-quality evidence remains limited, and correct management of ClinCheck software with sound biomechanical principles is still necessary to make aligner treatment work well. This is worth emphasising: the material is a tool, not a substitute for clinical skill. The best aligner material in the world performs only as well as the orthodontist directing its use.

Stage 1: The Initial Consultation and Clinical Assessment

Before a single aligner is fabricated, a comprehensive clinical assessment must take place. At Collins Street Specialist Centre, this begins with a full specialist orthodontic examination — not a sales consultation. The assessment covers dental and skeletal relationships, periodontal health, existing restorations, root anatomy, and any conditions that may influence tooth movement or treatment planning.

This is where specialist training becomes immediately relevant. A specialist orthodontist with three to four years of postgraduate clinical training is equipped to identify contraindications, plan for interdisciplinary care — for example, with a periodontist in an adult patient with a history of gum disease — and select the appropriate Invisalign product line for the patient's age and clinical presentation. You should leave this appointment with a clear understanding of your clinical situation and a realistic picture of what treatment can achieve for you specifically. (For a detailed breakdown of the consultation experience, see our guide on Your First Orthodontic Consultation at Collins Street Specialist Centre: What to Expect, What Gets Assessed & How a Treatment Plan Is Made.)

Stage 2: The iTero 3D Digital Scan

Every Invisalign treatment plan starts with a precise three-dimensional digital model of the patient's dentition. At Collins Street Specialist Centre, this is captured using an iTero intraoral scanner — a handheld wand moved gently across the teeth and soft tissues. Most patients find it considerably more comfortable than traditional impression-taking.

The iTero scanner captures high-resolution 3D images of the teeth and bite, feeding directly into Invisalign's treatment planning software for precise aligner customisation and real-time outcome simulation.

The accuracy advantage over conventional polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) impressions is clinically significant. Align Technology research shows orthodontists using iTero scans have ten times fewer rejections and seven times fewer aligner fit issues. ClinCheck treatment plans submitted using iTero scans are typically posted approximately three times faster to the Invisalign Doctor Site than cases using PVS impressions.

The scan also generates an Outcome Simulator — a real-time visualisation showing the patient a projected image of their post-treatment smile. This is a patient education tool, not a clinical guarantee, and the specialist orthodontists at Collins Street Specialist Centre use it carefully to set realistic expectations rather than to oversell outcomes. Understanding what a simulation can and cannot tell you is an important part of informed consent.

Stage 3: ClinCheck Treatment Simulation — Where Clinical Expertise Is Decisive

The iTero scan data is submitted to Align Technology, where it generates a ClinCheck treatment plan: a tooth-by-tooth, stage-by-stage digital simulation of planned tooth movements, rendered in 3D software.

ClinCheck maps out the precise movement of each tooth from its current position to the target position, aligner by aligner. The treating orthodontist then reviews this simulation in detail, modifying it to reflect clinical judgement about staging, force sequencing, attachment placement, and the management of difficult movements such as torque control and rotation.

This review-and-modification stage is where the expertise gap between specialist and non-specialist Invisalign providers is most consequential. A specialist orthodontist understands the biomechanical limitations of aligner therapy — for example, that rotational movements, particularly of maxillary canines, demonstrate accuracy of only approximately 48% in meta-analysis, making them among the least predictable movements to achieve. Armed with this knowledge, a specialist orthodontist at Collins Street Specialist Centre will modify the ClinCheck plan to compensate for these limitations — over-prescribing certain movements, staging others differently, and placing attachments strategically to improve force delivery.

With ClinCheck Live Plan, doctors can now receive a fully customised initial treatment plan approximately 15 minutes after submitting an eligible case, with the option to review proposed tooth movements and approve a case while the patient is still in the office. At Collins Street Specialist Centre, this technology sits within a clinical workflow that prioritises orthodontist review and modification — not rubber-stamping an algorithm's output. The software informs the clinician's decision-making; it does not replace it.

Stage 4: SmartForce Attachments — The Hidden Architecture of Aligner Treatment

One of the most misunderstood aspects of Invisalign treatment is the role of SmartForce attachments. These are small, tooth-coloured composite shapes bonded directly to specific teeth before or during treatment. Many patients are surprised to learn they will have attachments — they rarely appear in the initial marketing imagery of clear aligners, and it is worth explaining what they are and why they matter.

SmartForce attachments are small tooth-coloured shapes bonded to teeth before or during Invisalign treatment. They act like handles, giving aligners something to push on. In clinical terms, they create geometric features on the tooth surface that allow the aligner to apply forces in directions that a smooth tooth surface cannot achieve — particularly for rotations, extrusion, and torque movements.

The number, shape, and placement of attachments is determined by the treating orthodontist during the ClinCheck review phase. This is not a trivial decision: attachment design directly influences the predictability of specific tooth movements. A specialist orthodontist's training in orthodontic biomechanics is directly applicable to optimising attachment protocols in ways that a general dentist with a short Invisalign certification course is not equipped to replicate. When you attend your attachment appointment, your orthodontist will explain which teeth are receiving attachments and why, so you know what to expect before you leave the chair.

Stage 5: Interproximal Reduction (IPR) — Creating Space Without Extractions

For many patients, Invisalign treatment will include interproximal reduction (IPR) — the precise, controlled removal of a small amount of enamel from the contact surfaces between adjacent teeth. This is performed chairside at scheduled appointments during active treatment, and patients frequently report it is far less daunting than they anticipated.

IPR involves removing a microscopic layer of enamel from the sides of specific teeth to create space for alignment. It allows crowded teeth to shift into better positions without tooth extractions, and clinical evidence confirms it does not increase caries risk (Zachrisson et al., 2011).

IPR is more common in Invisalign treatment than many patients expect. A 2022 study reported that IPR was prescribed in 71% of 500 patients in the initial digital treatment plan. The amounts involved are small — approximately 0.3 mm per single maxillary incisor interproximal contact point, 0.2 mm for each single mandibular incisor interproximal contact, and 0.6 mm for a single contact surface of a posterior tooth.

The ClinCheck software identifies the sites and quantifies the amount of IPR required at each stage of treatment, allowing the specialist orthodontists at Collins Street Specialist Centre to plan and execute IPR with precision. Your orthodontist will walk you through which appointments will include IPR and what to expect during those visits.

Stage 6: The Aligner Wear Schedule — Compliance Is Non-Negotiable

Once the ClinCheck plan is approved and attachments are placed, the patient receives their first series of aligners. Each aligner must be worn for the prescribed duration — treatment success depends heavily on wearing aligners for approximately 20 to 22 hours per day.

Aligners are removed only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and oral hygiene. Each set is typically worn for one to two weeks before progressing to the next stage, depending on the treating orthodontist's protocol and the complexity of the movements planned for that stage. The discipline required here is real, and worth understanding before you begin: the outcome you achieve is directly related to the consistency with which you wear your aligners.

Progress appointments at Collins Street Specialist Centre occur at regular intervals — typically every six to ten weeks — allowing the specialist orthodontist to assess whether teeth are tracking as planned, perform any scheduled IPR, place or modify attachments, and identify any emerging issues before they compound. This in-person monitoring is a clinical safeguard that direct-to-consumer aligner companies cannot replicate. If your teeth are not tracking as expected, your orthodontist can intervene early — before a minor deviation becomes a significant problem.

One of the most important things patients should understand before starting Invisalign is that refinements — additional sets of aligners planned after the initial series is complete — are a routine component of comprehensive treatment, not a sign that something has gone wrong. This is worth emphasising, because patients who are not prepared for refinements can feel unnecessarily concerned when they are recommended.

Invisalign treatment requires an average of 2.5 refinement scans, and only 6.0% of patients complete treatment without a single refinement scan. (Kravitz et al., American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2023.) The average treatment length is 22.8 months.

Refinements involve a new iTero scan, a revised ClinCheck plan addressing any residual tooth movements that did not fully express during the initial series, and the fabrication of a new aligner set. More than 60% of IPR contact sites are prescribed in the initial digital treatment plan, with 39.6% recorded in refinement plans, and a median of 1.1 mm of IPR is prescribed per patient in the initial plan compared with 0.6 mm in refinement plans. (Abasseri, Weir & Meade, American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2024.)

The specialist orthodontist's role during refinements at Collins Street Specialist Centre is to evaluate whether the original treatment goals have been achieved, whether any movements require additional biomechanical strategies, and whether the patient's case has reached a clinically acceptable endpoint. Refinements are where specialist experience genuinely earns its value — knowing when to refine, how to modify the plan, and when the result is complete requires clinical judgement that cannot be automated.

Stage 8: Retention — Protecting Your Result for Life

Active Invisalign treatment ends when the final aligner is worn and the specialist orthodontist confirms the clinical result meets the treatment objectives. This is not the end of the orthodontic journey — it is the beginning of the retention phase, which in evidence-based practice is lifelong. Understanding this from the outset helps patients approach retention as an ongoing commitment rather than an afterthought.

Post-Invisalign retention at Collins Street Specialist Centre typically involves a fixed lingual retainer (a thin wire bonded to the inner surfaces of the front teeth), a removable Essix-style retainer (a clear thermoplastic tray worn nightly), or a combination of both. Align Technology's proprietary Vivera retainers — fabricated from the same digital records used to make your aligners — are also available and are manufactured in sets of four to allow for replacement over time.

The biological rationale for permanent retention is well established: orthodontically moved teeth have a strong tendency to relapse toward their original positions if retainers are not worn consistently. This is not a failure of the treatment — it is a property of the periodontal ligament and the surrounding soft tissues. Your orthodontist will discuss which retention option suits your specific case and provide clear guidance on wear schedules and maintenance. (For a comprehensive explanation of retention biology, retainer types, and long-term wear protocols, see our guide on Orthodontic Retention in Melbourne: Why Retainers Are Permanent, Types of Retainers & How to Protect Your Results Long-Term.)

How Specialist Oversight Differs from Non-Specialist Invisalign Provision

The Invisalign system is available to any registered dental practitioner in Australia who completes Align Technology's provider training — a programme that can be completed in a weekend. The clinical gap between this baseline and the three to four years of postgraduate specialist training held by the orthodontists at Collins Street Specialist Centre is substantial, and it matters most at precisely the moments when treatment becomes complex.

A specialist orthodontist at Collins Street Specialist Centre brings to every ClinCheck review a deep understanding of:

Orthodontic biomechanics — how forces applied by aligners interact with root morphology, bone density, and periodontal support
Predictability limitations — which movements aligners reliably achieve and which require compensatory planning or adjunctive fixed appliances
Case selection — identifying patients whose malocclusion complexity exceeds what aligner therapy can reliably address, and recommending fixed appliances or a combined approach accordingly
Interdisciplinary management — coordinating with periodontists, prosthodontists, or oral surgeons when Invisalign treatment intersects with periodontal disease, missing teeth, or jaw discrepancies

This last point is particularly relevant for adult patients, who make up more than 64.3% of clear aligner patients and who frequently present with clinical complexities — previous restorations, periodontal history, or jaw discrepancies — that require coordinated specialist management. (See our guide on Adult Orthodontics in Melbourne CBD: Why More Than 60% of Orthodontic Patients Are Now Adults & What Treatment Looks Like After 30.)

The multi-specialist environment at Collins Street Specialist Centre means that when an Invisalign patient requires periodontal assessment, restorative planning, or surgical consultation, that expertise is available in the same building — without the delays and communication gaps inherent in external referral networks. For patients with complex presentations, this integrated model of care is a clinical advantage, not just a convenience.

When researching any Invisalign provider, we encourage patients to verify their treating clinician's specialist registration through the AHPRA public register. This takes only a moment and confirms whether your treating clinician holds a specialist qualification in orthodontics — an important step in any significant health decision.

Is Invisalign Right for Your Case?

Invisalign works well for a wide range of malocclusions, including mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and certain bite corrections. It is not, however, the optimal choice for every patient. Cases involving significant vertical discrepancies, severe rotations, large skeletal jaw discrepancies, or patients with compliance concerns may achieve more predictable results with fixed appliances. A thorough specialist assessment will give you an honest answer about which approach suits your presentation — and that honest answer is worth more than any amount of online research.

The only way to determine whether Invisalign is the right option for your specific situation is through a comprehensive specialist consultation at Collins Street Specialist Centre — not an online assessment tool or a free scan at a retail aligner provider. (For a structured comparison of all four treatment modalities available at Collins Street Specialist Centre, see our guide on Metal Braces vs Ceramic Braces vs Lingual Braces vs Invisalign: Which Orthodontic Treatment Is Right for You in Melbourne?)

Key Takeaways

Invisalign treatment is a multi-stage clinical process, not simply a series of trays. It involves specialist-supervised digital planning, attachment placement, interproximal reduction, and a retention phase — each requiring clinical expertise to execute well.
SmartTrack aligner material is clinically validated: a randomised trial published in the Journal of Aligner Orthodontics (Wheeler et al., 2017) found SmartTrack achieved 73.1% of planned tooth movement by day 14, compared with 42.8% for the predecessor EX30 material.
Refinements are the rule, not the exception: peer-reviewed data from the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (Kravitz et al., 2023) shows only 6% of Invisalign patients complete treatment without any refinement scans, with an average of 2.5 refinements required.
Interproximal reduction (IPR) is prescribed in approximately 71% of Invisalign cases and is a safe, evidence-supported adjunct that does not increase caries risk (Zachrisson et al., 2011).
Specialist oversight is the most important variable in Invisalign outcomes — the treating clinician's ability to modify ClinCheck plans, manage biomechanical limitations, and identify when fixed appliances are needed determines whether treatment achieves its goals.

Conclusion

Invisalign at Collins Street Specialist Centre is not the same product as Invisalign at a general dental practice. The aligners are identical. The clinical expertise directing them is not. From the initial iTero scan and ClinCheck modification through to attachment placement, IPR timing, refinement management, and retention planning, every stage of the treatment journey benefits from the specialist orthodontic training and multi-disciplinary clinical environment that defines care at Collins Street Specialist Centre.

If you are considering Invisalign — or if you have been told you are "not a candidate" for clear aligners and want a second opinion — a specialist orthodontic consultation at Collins Street Specialist Centre is the right first step. We encourage you to verify any treating orthodontist's specialist registration through the AHPRA public register before proceeding with treatment. To understand the full range of conditions that Invisalign and other treatments can address, see our guide on Orthodontic Conditions Treated in Melbourne CBD: Crowding, Spacing, Overbite, Underbite, Crossbite & Jaw Misalignment Explained. For information on the cost of Invisalign treatment in Melbourne, see our 2025 Price Guide for Metal, Ceramic, Lingual & Clear Aligner Treatment.

References

Wheeler, T., Patel, N., & McGorray, S. "Effect of aligner material on orthodontic tooth movement." Journal of Aligner Orthodontics, 2017; 1(1):21–27. (Via Align Technology Clinical Evidence, aligntech.com/about/clinical_evidence)
Bräscher, A.K., Zuran, D., Feldmann, R.E. Jr., & Benrath, J. "Patient survey on Invisalign® treatment comparing the SmartTrack® material to the previously used aligner material." Journal of Orofacial Orthopaedics, 2016; 77(6):432–438. PMID: 27778051. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27778051/
Kravitz, N.D. et al. "What percentage of patients switch from Invisalign to braces? A retrospective study evaluating the conversion rate, number of refinement scans, and length of treatment." American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2023; 163(6):526–530. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889540622007739
Abasseri, T., Weir, T., & Meade, M.J. "Interproximal reduction in the refinement phase of Invisalign treatment: A quantitative analysis." American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38520416/
Zachrisson, B.U., Minster, L., Ogaard, B., & Birkhed, D. "Dental health assessed after interproximal enamel reduction: caries risk in posterior teeth." American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2011; 139(1):90–98. (Cited in: Enamel Dentistry clinical overview, enameldentistry.com)
Pellegrino, G. et al. "An evaluation of the Invisalign® Aligner Technique and consideration of the force system: a systematic review." BMC Oral Health, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10821231/
Elshazly, T.M. et al. "Optimising clear aligner therapy: What current evidence says about materials, attachments, and protocols." ScienceDirect, 2025. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1073874625000684
Align Technology. "iTero Lumina Intraoral Scanner." aligntech.com/solutions/itero_scanner, 2024.
Align Technology. "ClinCheck® Live Plan announcement." Align Technology Investor Relations, October 2025. https://investor.aligntech.com/news-releases/news-release-details/align-technology-announces-clincheckr-live-plan-automates-doctor

Label Facts Summary

Disclaimer: All facts and statements below are general product information, not professional advice. Consult relevant experts for specific guidance.

Verified Label Facts

Manufacturer & Identity

Product: Invisalign clear aligner system
Manufacturer: Align Technology, San Jose, California
Aligner material: SmartTrack (proprietary multilayer polyurethane blend)
SmartTrack introduced: 2013 (replacing EX30 material)

Material Safety & Regulatory Status

SmartTrack is FDA-approved
SmartTrack is free of: BPA, BPS, latex, gluten

Clinical Performance Data (Peer-Reviewed)

SmartTrack achieved 73.1% of planned tooth movement by day 14 (Wheeler, Patel & McGorray, Journal of Aligner Orthodontics, 2017)
EX30 predecessor material achieved 42.8% of planned tooth movement by day 14 (same source)
Each aligner stage moves teeth approximately 0.2–0.3 mm
Required wear time: approximately 20–22 hours per day
Aligners removed for: eating, drinking (other than water), and oral hygiene

iTero Scanner — Manufacturer-Cited Figures

Ten times fewer scan rejections versus PVS impressions (Align Technology)
Seven times fewer aligner fit issues versus PVS impressions (Align Technology)
ClinCheck plans submitted approximately three times faster with iTero versus PVS impressions (Align Technology)

Treatment Statistics (Peer-Reviewed)

Average number of refinement scans required: 2.5 (Kravitz et al., AJODO, 2023)
Percentage of patients completing treatment without any refinements: 6.0% (Kravitz et al., AJODO, 2023)
Average Invisalign treatment length: 22.8 months (Kravitz et al., AJODO, 2023)
IPR prescribed in approximately 71% of patients in initial treatment plans
More than 60% of IPR contact sites prescribed in initial plans; 39.6% in refinement plans (Abasseri, Weir & Meade, AJODO, 2024)
Median IPR per patient — initial plan: 1.1 mm; refinement plan: 0.6 mm (Abasseri, Weir & Meade, AJODO, 2024)
Typical IPR amounts: ~0.3 mm per maxillary incisor contact; ~0.2 mm per mandibular incisor contact; ~0.6 mm per posterior tooth contact surface
Rotational movement accuracy (maxillary canines): approximately 48% in meta-analysis
Adults represent more than 64.3% of clear aligner patients
IPR does not increase caries risk (Zachrisson et al., AJODO, 2011)

Vivera Retainers

Manufactured by: Align Technology
Supplied in sets of: four retainers per set

Provider Training

Align Technology's basic provider training can be completed in a weekend
Specialist orthodontists hold three to four years of postgraduate training

General Product Claims

Invisalign is the world's most widely recognised clear aligner system
SmartTrack more closely matches the performance of nickel-titanium archwires
SmartTrack significantly improves patient comfort compared to EX30
SmartTrack reduces pain intensity and pain duration compared to EX30
The iTero scan is considerably more comfortable than traditional impressions for most patients
The Outcome Simulator is a patient education tool (not a clinical guarantee of results)
ClinCheck Live Plan delivers a customised initial treatment plan approximately 15 minutes after eligible case submission
SmartForce attachments act as handles, giving aligners something to push on to apply directional forces
Attachments are commonly absent from Invisalign marketing imagery
Refinements are a routine and expected part of treatment, not a sign of failure
Retention after orthodontic treatment is lifelong in evidence-based practice
Invisalign is not suitable for all malocclusions; fixed appliances may be preferable for significant vertical discrepancies, severe rotations, large skeletal jaw discrepancies, or patients with compliance concerns
Specialist orthodontist oversight is the most important variable in Invisalign outcomes
Collins Street Specialist Centre offers multi-specialist care in one location
Patients can verify specialist registration via the AHPRA public register