If you're looking for a discreet way to straighten your teeth, you've probably come across two popular options: InSmile Braces and Invisalign. Both treatments can produce beautiful smiles while avoiding the appearance of traditional metal braces, but they accomplish tooth movement in very different ways, and the right choice depends on your teeth, your lifestyle, and your treatment goals.
This guide compares the two systems to help you understand the key differences and determine which option may be the best fit for you.
Although both treatments straighten teeth, they do so using completely different approaches.
InSmile Braces are fixed brackets attached to the back (tongue side) of your teeth, making them virtually invisible during everyday conversations. Treatment begins with a digital treatment plan, and customized Smartwires are then manufactured specifically for your teeth to guide them continuously into their planned positions. Because the braces remain attached throughout treatment, they work 24 hours a day without relying on patient compliance.
Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable plastic aligners, each worn for approximately one to two weeks before progressing to the next in the series. To achieve the intended tooth movements, aligners must typically be worn 20 to 22 hours per day. Because the aligners are removable, treatment success depends heavily on consistent wear.
Both treatments are designed to be discreet, but they differ in how discreet they actually are.
Invisalign aligners are clear and difficult to notice from a distance, but they cover the front surfaces of the teeth and can be visible up close, particularly under certain lighting. Many Invisalign cases also require tooth-colored attachments, which are small bumps bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth to help move them more precisely. These attachments make the aligners more noticeable and are something many patients don't anticipate before starting treatment.
InSmile Braces are completely hidden behind the teeth. There are no attachments on the front surfaces, no trays visible over the teeth, and nothing that can be seen during normal conversations or photographs. For patients who want the most discreet orthodontic option available, lingual braces are the more invisible of the two.
One of the biggest differences between the two systems is the role of patient responsibility in treatment success.
With Invisalign, patients remove the aligners whenever they eat, drink anything other than water, brush, or floss. Because the aligners only work when worn, patients who consistently follow the 20 to 22 hour daily wear guideline typically achieve good results. However, patients who frequently forget to put the aligners back in, leave them out for extended periods, or remove them throughout the day can experience slower tooth movement and outcomes that differ from the original plan.
InSmile Braces work continuously because they remain fixed to the teeth around the clock. For many busy adults, this is one of the most appealing aspects of lingual treatment. There is nothing to remember, nothing to put back in after a meal, and no risk of treatment falling behind because of a hectic day.
Both systems are capable of treating a wide variety of orthodontic problems, but every appliance has strengths and limitations.
Because InSmile Braces are fixed to the teeth, they apply continuous forces and give orthodontists precise control over individual tooth movements. Significant rotations, severe crowding, and certain complex bite corrections can be particularly well-suited to fixed appliances. This does not mean Invisalign cannot treat complex cases, as many difficult cases are successfully completed with aligners. However, some patients may require additional attachments, multiple refinement rounds, or longer treatment timelines to achieve certain types of tooth movement with aligners that a fixed appliance can accomplish more directly.
Your orthodontist will determine which appliance is most appropriate based on your individual case.
Both treatments involve an adjustment period. With Invisalign, patients often feel pressure for a day or two after switching to a new aligner. With InSmile Braces, patients commonly experience soreness after the braces are placed and some temporary tongue sensitivity while adapting to the brackets during the first couple of weeks. Speech may change briefly with either treatment, though most patients adapt quickly regardless of which appliance they choose.
Eating
One advantage of Invisalign is that the aligners are removed while eating, allowing patients to enjoy nearly all of their favorite foods without worrying about damaging the appliance. With InSmile Braces, patients should avoid hard, sticky, and crunchy foods that could loosen a bracket. Although there are some dietary restrictions, most patients adjust quickly and continue eating a wide variety of foods throughout treatment.
Oral Hygiene
Both systems require excellent oral hygiene throughout treatment. With Invisalign, brushing and flossing are generally straightforward because the aligners are removed before cleaning your teeth, though the aligners themselves also need to be cleaned regularly to prevent bacterial buildup and odor.
With InSmile Braces, brushing requires a little more attention around the brackets and wires. One notable advantage of the InSmile Smartwire design is that the interproximal loops between the teeth allow patients to floss much more easily than with most fixed appliances, in some cases nearly as easily as without braces at all.
Treatment Time
Treatment time depends much more on the complexity of your case than on the appliance itself, and both systems can range from under a year for simpler cases to two years or more for comprehensive treatment. One important variable with Invisalign is compliance: patients who do not consistently wear their aligners as directed typically experience longer treatment times. Because InSmile Braces work continuously, treatment progression is not affected by wear time.
Cost
Both InSmile Braces and Invisalign are priced similarly in most markets. InSmile is generally comparable to comprehensive Invisalign treatment to slightly more expensive rather than significantly more expensive, which is a common misconception among patients who assume lingual braces carry a large premium. The actual cost of either treatment depends on the complexity of your case, your geographic location, and your provider. Many orthodontic practices offer financing and payment plans for both options, and some dental insurance plans provide partial orthodontic coverage regardless of the appliance used. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to schedule a consultation where your orthodontist can review your specific case.
There is no single answer that works for every patient. Some patients are excellent candidates for Invisalign, while others benefit from the continuous forces and customized biomechanics of InSmile Braces. Patients who prefer a removable appliance, have no dietary concerns, and are confident in their ability to maintain consistent wear often do well with aligners. Patients who want completely hidden treatment, prefer not to manage a removable appliance throughout the day, or have tooth movements that are better suited to a fixed appliance often find lingual braces to be the stronger fit.