Invisalign clear aligners have revolutionized orthodontic treatment with discreet, comfortable, and effective tooth movement. At the core of this innovation is SmartTrack™ material—an advanced, medical-grade plastic designed exclusively for Invisalign treatment. SmartTrack™ offers precise control and faster results compared to traditional materials used in clear aligners. With over 8 million smiles transformed worldwide, Invisalign remains a leader in orthodontic care. Understanding the technology behind SmartTrack™ material highlights why Invisalign is often preferred over generic alternatives and conventional braces.
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The Best Material for Aligners
Difference Between Aligner and Invisalign
Invisalign’s clear aligners are created from patented SmartTrack™ material—a multilayer, medical-grade polyurethane resin designed specifically for orthodontic tooth movement. Unlike generic aligner plastics, SmartTrack™ enhances comfort, control, and efficiency. Clinically proven to move teeth 50% faster with up to 75% more predictability, this material ensures a snug, consistent fit for optimal results. SmartTrack™ enables orthodontists to precisely guide tooth movement and improves treatment outcomes compared to standard clear aligners.
Key benefits of Invisalign aligners with SmartTrack™ material:
Applies gentle, consistent force to shift teeth efficiently
Provides a comfortable, flexible fit that adapts to tooth movement
Allows orthodontists to control and predict tooth positioning more accurately
Speeds up treatment compared to other clear aligner materials
SmartTrack Material
High Performance Meets Comfort
SmartTrack™ material was developed after testing more than 260 different polymers to find the ideal blend for clear aligner therapy. The result is a high-performance, multilayer polyurethane designed to deliver consistent, gentle force while maximizing patient comfort. SmartTrack’s elasticity and strength allow for precise, controlled movement without compromising durability. FDA-approved and free from BPA, BPS, latex, and gluten, SmartTrack™ is engineered for safe, long-term wear, making it suitable for patients of all ages.
What Is SmartTrack Material Made of?
Unlike off-the-shelf plastics used by some aligner brands, SmartTrack™ was purpose-built for orthodontic treatment. Generic plastics often lead to slower tooth movement, less predictable outcomes, and inconsistent fit. SmartTrack’s multilayer construction provides optimal flexibility and force retention, ensuring aligners maintain their effectiveness throughout each treatment cycle. This precision engineering allows Invisalign aligners to outperform many alternatives in both comfort and results.
Type of Plastic Invisalign is Made of
SmartTrack™ material is a proprietary blend of medical-grade, multilayer polyurethane resin, designed exclusively for Invisalign aligners. It was engineered through extensive research to maximize the safety, durability, and effectiveness of clear aligner therapy. This FDA-approved material is optimized for predictable and accelerated tooth movement, unlike generic plastics found in some at-home aligner kits. SmartTrack™ is safe for long-term oral use and provides an unparalleled level of performance in orthodontic treatment.
How Safe Is SmartTrack Material?
SmartTrack™ material meets the highest safety standards. It is BPA-free, BPS-free, gluten-free, and latex-free—making it safe even for sensitive individuals. Since Invisalign aligners are worn for 20–22 hours daily, safety is paramount. Approved by the FDA for orthodontic use since 1998, SmartTrack™ is designed to be flexible and durable, resisting breakage during normal wear, cleaning, or storage. It offers peace of mind alongside superior performance, ensuring a safe orthodontic experience for both children and adults.
Clinically Tested for Teeth
SmartTrack™ material is one of the key differentiators that sets Invisalign apart from other aligner systems. Developed exclusively for Invisalign through years of research and clinical testing, this material provides unmatched tooth movement precision and comfort. Other clear aligner brands typically rely on generic thermoplastic materials, which can result in less effective and less predictable results. Invisalign offers patients and orthodontists a premium, clinically validated option for achieving beautiful, healthy smiles.
SmartTrack Material vs Generic Aligner Plastic
How SmartTrack Outperforms Generic Plastics
SmartTrack™ material outshines generic aligner plastics in every category—comfort, control, durability, and predictability. Its unique multilayer construction maintains consistent force on the teeth, allowing for smoother, faster tooth movement. Generic aligners, often made of single-layer PETG or other plastics, can lose their shape quickly, reducing treatment efficiency. SmartTrack™ maintains its fit and force throughout each aligner cycle, which leads to more precise and faster results.
How SmartTrack Improves Patient Comfort
Comfort is a critical factor in aligner therapy, and SmartTrack™ delivers. Its flexible, resilient design allows for a snug fit that adapts to natural tooth movement, reducing discomfort and improving the aligner-wearing experience. Patients report less initial soreness and a more secure feel compared to aligners made from traditional plastics. This encourages better compliance with the recommended wear schedule, ultimately leading to improved treatment outcomes.
Benefits of Using Invisalign with SmartTrack
Why SmartTrack Is the Material of Choice
Advantages of SmartTrack™ material for Invisalign treatment:
- 50% faster tooth movement compared to conventional aligner materials
- 75% greater predictability of tooth positioning
- Superior fit and comfort with reduced initial discomfort
- Maintains force retention and performance over each aligner cycle
- Safe, BPA-free, FDA-approved for long-term wear
How Does SmartTrack Improve Invisalign Treatment?
SmartTrack™ material elevates Invisalign treatment by delivering faster, more predictable results with superior comfort. Its unique properties allow for efficient tooth movement while ensuring a consistent and secure fit. By maintaining optimal force throughout each wear cycle, SmartTrack™ supports more effective orthodontic outcomes. Whether you’re seeking cosmetic correction or complex alignment, SmartTrack™ gives Invisalign a distinct advantage over traditional braces and generic clear aligners.
How SmartTrack Aligners Help Speed Up Invisalign Treatment
One of the most notable advantages of SmartTrack™ material is its ability to help patients achieve faster orthodontic results without sacrificing safety or comfort. The material’s consistent force application optimizes each stage of tooth movement, allowing for more efficient treatment cycles. Because SmartTrack maintains its shape and effectiveness throughout wear, patients experience more predictable results—often reducing total treatment time compared to generic clear aligners or traditional braces.
How SmartTrack™ accelerates Invisalign treatment:
Provides gentle, continuous pressure for efficient tooth movement
Retains aligner fit and force throughout the two-week wear cycle
Helps orthodontists plan faster, more predictable treatment timelines
Reduces the number of refinements or adjustments needed
How Safe Is SmartTrack Material for Long-Term Use?
When selecting an orthodontic treatment, material safety is just as important as clinical effectiveness. SmartTrack™ is FDA-approved and manufactured using a multilayer polyurethane blend that is free of harmful substances like BPA, BPS, latex, and gluten. It is safe for children, teens, and adults, even during long-term wear across multiple treatment cycles. Unlike some generic aligners, which may use materials not optimized for extended oral use, SmartTrack™ ensures a safe and comfortable orthodontic experience from start to finish
Biocompatibility Advantages
Biocompatibility is a key consideration for any material worn in the mouth for up to 22 hours per day. SmartTrack™ is engineered to meet strict biocompatibility standards, ensuring it is gentle on gums, enamel, and soft tissues. Its smooth surface minimizes irritation while resisting staining, odors, and bacterial buildup. This makes it suitable even for patients with sensitivities or allergies.
Biocompatibility benefits of SmartTrack™ material:
Free of BPA, BPS, latex, and gluten. Safe long-term use
FDA-approved for medical-grade oral applications
Designed to minimize irritation and gum sensitivity
Resistant to staining and bacterial buildup
Compared to Generic Aligner Plastics
Generic aligner plastics—often made from single-layer PETG or similar materials—may not undergo the same rigorous safety and biocompatibility testing as SmartTrack™. This can result in reduced comfort, increased staining, or the presence of allergens. SmartTrack™ was developed through years of clinical research to meet the highest safety standards for medical use.
Safety advantages of SmartTrack™ over generic aligners:
Extensively tested for long-term biocompatibility
Engineered for use in orthodontic aligner therapy
Flexibility and durability without chemical degradation
Cleaner, more comfortable patient experience
What is SmartTrack material Invisalign?
SmartTrack™ material is an advanced, medical-grade, multi-layer polyurethane blend engineered exclusively for Invisalign clear aligners. This proprietary material was designed to optimize the efficiency and predictability of tooth movement. Clinical research has shown that SmartTrack can accelerate tooth movement by up to 50% while improving precision by as much as 75% compared to traditional single-layer aligner plastics. Its flexibility, durability, and ability to deliver gentle, consistent force make it a key component behind the success of modern Invisalign treatment.
What is smart track technology?
SmartTrack technology refers to Align Technology’s proprietary innovation behind Invisalign aligners. It is a carefully engineered multi-layer plastic designed to apply constant and gentle force to teeth. This material offers several critical benefits: it fits tightly over the teeth for comfort, provides superior control for tooth positioning, and enhances overall treatment speed—reducing the time required to achieve desired results. The predictability of SmartTrack helps orthodontists plan and deliver more precise outcomes, making it a significant advancement over generic plastics used in other clear aligner brands.
What is the technology behind Invisalign?
Invisalign treatment combines several proprietary technologies to deliver customized orthodontic solutions. It uses advanced 3D virtual modeling software, precision digital scanning, and computer-aided manufacturing to create highly customized aligners tailored to each patient’s anatomy. The system also incorporates SmartTrack material, which enhances aligner performance, along with SmartForce attachments that help guide complex tooth movements. These combined technologies allow Invisalign to treat a wide spectrum of cases—from simple cosmetic corrections to complex bite and alignment issues—while ensuring patient comfort and efficient treatment progress.
Does Invisalign have microplastics?
Recent research indicates that all clear aligners, including those produced by Invisalign, can release trace amounts of microplastics during wear. A 2023 study found that Invisalign aligners released fewer microplastics compared to several other clear aligner brands when exposed to simulated saliva and mechanical stress. However, the process of tooth movement involves friction between the aligners and teeth, which can lead to the detachment of microscopic plastic particles. It is important to note that Invisalign aligners are made of medical-grade, BPA-free SmartTrack material and are considered safe when used under professional supervision.
Conclusion
SmartTrack™ material is the cornerstone of what makes Invisalign treatment so effective and patient-friendly. Engineered exclusively for Invisalign aligners, SmartTrack™ offers unparalleled comfort, precision, and safety—allowing for faster, more predictable tooth movement compared to generic aligners or traditional braces. Its biocompatibility and FDA approval provide peace of mind, while its advanced material properties support efficient treatment and superior aesthetic outcomes. For patients seeking a clear path to a straighter smile, Invisalign with SmartTrack™ material delivers performance that is truly in a class of its own.
About Diamond Braces
Diamond Braces is a premier dentist orthodontist provider specializing in braces, Invisalign, and retainers for kids, teens, and adults.
