In a battle of visibility between clear aligners and metal braces, there’s no contest. And that’s because clear aligners like Invisalign are (as you might expect) clear—no brackets or wires in sight. It’s why many adults choose them. But are they truly as invisible as their name implies? Most people can typically wear them to work, school, and social gatherings without anyone suspecting a thing. But that doesn’t mean they’re 100% invisible in every situation. Here’s a closer look at just how noticeable Invisalign and other clear aligners are.

How do clear aligners look?

Clear aligner treatment uses a series of plastic trays that are customized to fit your dental arches. They shift your teeth in tiny increments, correcting misalignments like crowding, spacing, overbite, underbite, and more. Typically, you’ll need to wear these aligners for 20–22 hours per day, removing them only to eat and clean your teeth. With consistent wear and oversight from a dentist, they can be as effective as braces in certain cases.

In a study that asked subjects to rate the smiles of patients wearing different orthodontic appliances, clear aligners scored the highest. They’re made from dental-grade plastic that’s sturdy enough to withstand biting and chewing, yet thin enough to remain inconspicuous. But there are multiple brands of clear aligner—from Invisalign to Linea, Byte, and others—and each one has their own materials and design. Certain brands might have unique features and appearance, but they’re all pretty unnoticeable in everyday settings.

Can you see clear aligners?

As you might assume, all clear aligners use clear plastic. When you’re wearing them, they blend in pretty seamlessly with your teeth, and they’re thin enough that they won’t make your teeth look unnaturally thick. That said, aligner design can vary depending on the preferences of the company who makes them.

Invisalign’s aligners, for example, are slightly textured on the surface, and cut to match your gum line. By comparison, Linea’s aligners are completely smooth and clear, and cut straight across the top or following the gumline depending on preference. Some research shows that straight-cut aligners have better retention, but there are different theories about which is less visible. The truth is that people will rarely notice either one. Your lips often cover the aligners’ edges, and someone would have to be pretty close to actually see the plastic.

What might people notice about clear aligners?

But we did say these aren’t 100% invisible in every situation. As much as aligner manufacturers have optimized their designs and materials, you’re still wearing a dental appliance, and certain aspects might be slightly noticeable. We don’t think any of them are major giveaways or cause for concern, but here are a few things people might notice.

Light reflections

When the light hits your aligners just right, they might reflect it differently than natural teeth do. That’s because our teeth have matte surfaces and might not be quite as reflective. However, the only people who might notice are those close to your face or who have worn aligners before.

The “Halo Effect”

Clear aligner companies create your aligners from molds or scans of your teeth, so they should fit like a glove. But they still add a tiny bit of extra thickness to your teeth. Plus, if you don’t seat them all the way down when you put them on, it could leave a tiny gap between the end of your teeth and the end of the aligner. Sometimes called the “halo effect,” this millimeter or two of plastic might catch someone’s eye. Just know that Linea and other aligner companies offer free chewies to help you seat your aligners perfectly.

Attachments

Invisible aligners administered in-person by a dentist—like Invisalign and Linea—can sometimes incorporate attachments. These are little teeth-colored buttons affixed directly to the teeth, and they help direct and increase the force of the aligners. Some cases might also require elastics, which help shift the jaw alignment. These implements help correct more complex misalignments, but they could also be slightly more visible. Just know that not every case requires them, and ultimately, they help make the aligners more effective.

Speech changes

When you first start wearing aligners, or you switch to a new set, your mouth will need time to adjust. During this transition, you may develop a slight lisp. However, it’s typically only temporary. Your speech should go back to normal after just a few days.

How to keep your aligners invisible

There are a few steps you can take to keep your aligners as incognito as possible. Here are a few of the most helpful.

Keep them clean

Clear aligners can trap food and debris, and this could make them more noticeable. So you’ll want to brush and floss well, plus clean your aligners whenever you take them out.

Take them out to eat or drink

Aligners are fairly stain-resistant, but “resistant” doesn’t mean “completely immune.” If you get enough highly-pigmented foods and drinks on them, they can discolor. That’s why it’s important to remove them before eating or drinking anything other than water—especially dark beverages like coffee, tea, cola, and red wine.

Remove them in private

Removing your aligners in front of someone is one surefire way to show them off. So if you’re on a date or you’re otherwise concerned about someone seeing them, take them out beforehand or find a restroom or other private place to do it. You might also find it useful to keep your aligner case on hand, so you can keep them clean and safe if you need to pop them out.

Avoid smoking or vaping

This is good health advice in general, but particularly if you’re wearing aligners. The nicotine and other chemicals can cause clear aligners to yellow, and in some cases, it might even warp the plastic.

Final Thoughts

If you ask us, clear aligners like Linea and Invisalign definitely live up to their name. They’re hardly noticeable in most situations, and even though certain aspects can tip people off, there are a few reliable ways to keep them discreet. In the end, the only reason many people will notice that you had clear aligner treatment is because of your new, dazzling, perfectly straight smile.