How Clear Aligners Work, Step by Step
How do clear aligners work? A step-by-step look at the scan, custom trays, and how each set gently moves your…
Invisalign clear aligners
Invisalign in Washington, DC & Alexandria
The world's most recognized clear aligner — custom, removable, nearly-invisible trays with the largest treatment track record behind them, planned and managed start-to-finish by Dr. Orbach.
What it is
The original clear-aligner system
Invisalign is the original clear-aligner system: a series of custom, removable trays made from its SmartTrack material that gently, predictably move your teeth — the most widely studied aligner brand in the world.
You wear each set about 1–2 weeks, then switch to the next. They come out for meals and brushing and are nearly invisible while they work.
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Who it's for
A familiar name, doctor-planned
Adults & professionals
Discreet and removable, fits your life.
Image-conscious teens
Invisalign Teen options for responsible wearers.
Mild-to-moderate cases
Crowding, spacing, and many bite issues; attachments extend its range.
The journey
How treatment works
1
Free consult
Dr. Orbach reviews your bite and goals and confirms the right system for you.
2
Digital scan
A fast, mess-free scan plans your treatment precisely.
3
Your aligners
A series of custom, removable trays you change on schedule, with Dr. Orbach checking progress.
4
Retention
Retainers protect your result, with same-day help if one is ever lost.
Compare your options
Clear aligners, compared
What it is
Clear, removable trays
Clear, removable trays
Clear, removable trays
Clear, removable trays
Material / tech
SmartTrack material
Multi-layer comfort material
Precision Grip attachments
Designed in-house by Dr. Orbach
Track record
Most recognized; largest dataset
Global — 20+ yrs, 1M+ patients
Established maker (3M / Solventum)
Dr. Orbach's own system
Availability
Doctor-planned (we manage it)
Through orthodontists
Orthodontist-only (no direct-to-consumer)
In-house only
Especially suited to
Broad range incl. more complex
Comfort + value
Established-brand reliability
Value + full doctor control
Relative cost
$$$
$$
$$
$ (most accessible)
At Orbach Orthodontics
Offered
Offered
Offered
Offered
InvisalignOn this page
What it isClear, removable trays
Material / techSmartTrack material
Track recordMost recognized; largest dataset
AvailabilityDoctor-planned (we manage it)
Especially suited toBroad range incl. more complex
Relative cost$$$
At Orbach OrthodonticsOffered
Angel Aligners
What it isClear, removable trays
Material / techMulti-layer comfort material
Track recordGlobal — 20+ yrs, 1M+ patients
AvailabilityThrough orthodontists
Especially suited toComfort + value
Relative cost$$
At Orbach OrthodonticsOffered
3M Clarity
What it isClear, removable trays
Material / techPrecision Grip attachments
Track recordEstablished maker (3M / Solventum)
AvailabilityOrthodontist-only (no direct-to-consumer)
Especially suited toEstablished-brand reliability
Relative cost$$
At Orbach OrthodonticsOffered
Orbach In-House
What it isClear, removable trays
Material / techDesigned in-house by Dr. Orbach
Track recordDr. Orbach's own system
AvailabilityIn-house only
Especially suited toValue + full doctor control
Relative cost$ (most accessible)
At Orbach OrthodonticsOffered
Every aligner here can deliver a great result — what decides it is the orthodontist's plan. Dr. Orbach matches the brand to your case at your free consult.
The decision-maker
The orthodontist, not the brand, makes your result
Every aligner here is good plastic — what matters is the hand that plans it. Dr. Orbach chooses the system that fits your case and controls every adjustment himself, in practice since 2010.
In practice since 2010Every case doctor-plannedAll four aligner systems
Meet Dr. OrbachInvisalign FAQ
Good to know
What is Invisalign?
A series of clear, removable, custom trays that straighten teeth; the original and most widely used aligner.
How much does Invisalign cost?
It depends on your case; you'll get an exact quote at your free consult, with insurance and financing help.
How long does treatment take?
Often 6–18 months depending on complexity.
Can I eat normally?
Yes — you remove the trays to eat and brush.
From the blog
Helpful next reads
Clear Aligner Brands Compared: Invisalign, Angel, 3M Clarity and Orbach Aligners
Clear aligner brands compared — how Invisalign, Angel, 3M Clarity, and Orbach Aligners differ in material, track record, and fit…
How to Clean and Care for Your Clear Aligners
Learning how to clean clear aligners is one of the simplest yet most important habits of successful treatment — clean…
Get started
See if Invisalign is right for you
A free consult with Dr. Orbach is the best way to find out — in person or online, no referral needed.
For more guidance on this topic, read our related guide: Clear Aligner Brands Compared: Invisalign, Angel, 3M Clarity and Orbach Aligners.
For more guidance on this topic, read our related guide: How Clear Aligners Work, Step by Step.