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Angel Aligner vs Invisalign — What’s the Difference?

If you’ve started researching clear aligners, you’ve likely come across two names: Invisalign, the most recognised brand worldwide, and Angel Aligner, a newer but well-established system now offered by a growing number of Auckland orthodontists. Both are clear, removable aligner systems capable of treating a wide range of alignment and bite issues. The differences come down to material, technology, and how each system is engineered to handle specific tooth movements.

This guide compares both systems using published manufacturer specifications, regulatory filings, and peer-reviewed research, so you can have an informed conversation with your specialist orthodontist.

Quick Comparison

InvisalignAngel Aligner
Aligner materialSmartTrack™ (proprietary polyurethane blend)masterControl™ / masterControl S™ (multi-layer polymer)
Complex case systemSmartForce™ attachments, SmartStage™ sequencingangelButton™ built-in anchorage, Angel Aligner Pro “7+3” dual-material protocol
Case historyMillions of patients treated globally since 1998Over one million patients treated since 2003

The Material: SmartTrack vs. masterControl

Both systems rely on proprietary plastics engineered specifically for orthodontic force, rather than generic aligner material.

Invisalign’s SmartTrack

Invisalign’s SmartTrack is a multilayer polyurethane material developed by Align Technology after testing 260 different materials, designed to deliver more constant, gentle force for improved control of tooth movement. Align Technology states the material is manufactured without BPA or phthalates.

Angel Aligner’s masterControl S

Angel Aligner’s masterControl S (MCS) is a soft, multi-layered polymer engineered for gentle but long-lasting orthodontic force, with enhanced tear and stain resistance and mechanical stability. For more complex cases, Angel Aligner Pro uses a dual-material “7+3” protocol, alternating a softer MCS aligner for seven days with a firmer masterControl aligner for three days within each stage.

Tried and Tested Clinical Use

Independent peer-reviewed research has begun directly comparing the two materials in clinical use. A 2025 study measured the predictability of dentoalveolar arch expansion across four clear aligner brands in adult patients, including Angel Aligner and Invisalign.

Angel Aligner achieved the highest predictability of expansion movement among the brands tested, at just over 60%, compared with just over 57% for Invisalign. The same study found predictability varied significantly by tooth position across all brands tested, underlining that individual case planning matters more than brand alone.

Product Range: Matching the System to Your Case

Both companies offer tiered product lines so an orthodontist can match the system to case complexity, rather than using a single product for every patient.

Invisalign offers Invisalign Lite/Go for minor corrections, Invisalign Full for moderate to complex cases, Invisalign Teen for growing patients, and specific product lines for more complex bite and jaw movements.

AngelAligner offers a comparable structure: Angel Select for a broad range of general alignment cases, Angel Aligner Pro for complex cases using the dual-material “7+3” protocol, Angel KiD for children in mixed dentition, and Angel Retainer for post-treatment retention.

Handling Complex Movements

Complex tooth movements like rotations and extrusions often require additional engineering beyond the aligner material itself.

Invisalign uses tooth-coloured SmartForce attachments, small composite shapes bonded to specific teeth to give the aligner extra grip for a particular movement.

Angel Buttons attached to both sides of a clear Angel Aligner

Angel Aligner takes a different approach with the angelButton, a raised feature manufactured directly into the aligner itself at specific points, rather than bonded onto the tooth. Angelalign Technology states this gives orthodontists an anchorage point for elastics and other appliances without needing a separate attachment placed on the tooth.

Depending on the specific movement required, this is a case-by-case clinical decision your orthodontist will make based on your bite and treatment goals.

Which Should You Choose?

For most patients, the honest answer is that either system can achieve an excellent result for suitable cases. The deciding factor is usually the specific movements your case requires, not brand preference. A specialist orthodontist trained across both systems can assess your teeth and bite and recommend whichever is the better clinical fit, rather than defaulting to a single brand for every patient.

Why Choose a Specialist Orthodontist

Regardless of which aligner system is used, the treatment itself is medically the same undertaking: moving teeth and adjusting a bite using a planned, monitored course of clear aligners.

A registered specialist orthodontist has completed a dental degree plus a minimum of three additional years of full-time postgraduate training in tooth movement and jaw development. This depth of training is what allows a specialist to choose between systems on clinical merit for your specific case, rather than offering only one brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Angel Aligner as effective as Invisalign?

Available peer-reviewed research suggests both systems are effective clear aligner treatments, with outcomes that vary by tooth position and case type rather than by brand alone.

Is one system more expensive than the other?

Cost is driven mainly by case complexity rather than which aligner brand is used. See our costs page for current pricing.

What makes Angel Aligners any different from Invisalign?

While Invisalign has a much larger body of long-term clinical evidence and provider experience, Angel Aligners offer a lower price point in many cases and a built-in attachment that can add a layer of convenience for some patients.

Can my orthodontist switch me between systems partway through treatment?

This depends on your specific case and where you are in treatment. Your specialist orthodontist can advise whether a switch is clinically appropriate.

Book a Consultation in Auckland

The best way to know which aligner system suits your case is a consultation with a specialist orthodontist. You’ll receive a full assessment, an honest recommendation, and a transparent quote.

Book your free consultation at one of our Takapuna, Epsom, Howick, or Warkworth clinics.

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The Braces Journey

Dr. Adriana Perez

BDS (Ven/Esp) | MDS-Orth (Arg)
 

Dr. Adriana Perez grew up in Caracas, Venezuela. She is one of the registered specialist orthodontist working at Shakespeare Orthodontics in Auckland.

In 2008, Adriana graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Santa Maria University in Caracas, Venezuela. After graduation, she worked in Venezuela in private practice, at the Orthopaedic Children’s Hospital (Dentistry/Orthodontics unit), and as a lecturer in the National Experimental University of the Armed Forces.

In the year 2011, Adriana moved to Argentina to specialise, gaining the Specialist Orthodontist degree from the University of Buenos Aires in 2013. While in Argentina, she worked as a part-time lecturer at the Orthodontics Department in the University of Buenos Aires, private practice, and at the Craniofacial Unit in the Paediatric Hospital Garrahan, looking after cleft lip new-borns, children, and adolescent patients.

Adriana is a Spanish speaker. In her spare time, she likes going to the beach, travelling, socialising with friends, playing video games, cooking, and going to the gym.

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Orthodontist Adriana Perez

Dr. Azza Al-Ani

BDS | DClinDent | MRACDS-Orth | MOrthRCSEd

Dr Azza Al-Ani, grew up in Christchurch, is a registered specialist orthodontist working at Shakespeare Orthodontics in Auckland. You can find her at one of the clinics in the city, or at their Takapuna clinic on the North Shore. 

In 2009, Azza graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with Credit from the University of Otago.

She worked as a dental house surgeon at Auckland, Greenlane and Middlemore Hospitals, and as a dental officer at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital.

In 2012, she completed the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) primary examinations.

Before commencing her specialist training, she held a part-time Professional Practice Fellow position at the Faculty of Dentistry, while working as a dentist in private practice.

In 2016, Azza graduated from the University of Otago with a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics. She passed examinations to gain memberships into the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

She is also certified with the Australasian Orthodontic Board, and is a member of the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists, and the New Zealand Dental Association / New Zealand Dental Council.

Azza’s area of research interest is hypodontia. She has presented about this topic at the European Orthodontic Society Congress, and at the International Association Dental Research ANZ Scientific Meeting, and has been involved in the publication of numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals:

Outside of work, Azza loves spending time with her son and Mo (her husband), socialising with family and friends, overseas travel, and tries to keep up with Mo while mountain biking.

Common add-ons at other practices include: initial consultation fees, diagnostic records (X-rays, scans, photos), mid-treatment adjustment fees, refinement aligners, and retainers. Ask for a full cost-of-treatment breakdown before you sign any agreement.

 

Waiheke Island

Dr. Mo Al-Dujaili

BDS | DClinDent | MRACDS-Orth | MOrthRCSEd

Mo is a Specialist Orthodontist. He grew up in both New Zealand and Australia.

After completing a year in Health Sciences, and later physiotherapy, he qualified as a dentist in New Zealand. He spent the next four years working alongside his father in Sydney where he practised general dentistry. Mo then returned to Dunedin to specialise, gaining his specialist degree – Clinical Doctorate in Orthodontics from the University of Otago.

During the three years of specialist training, Mo had the privilege of learning from the best. The combined clinical and academic acumen of professors, doctors and staff provided an invaluable experience.

Meanwhile, Mo published and presented significant research and clinical cases at both national and international forums, including the International Association of Dental Research, the Australasian Begg Society of Orthodontics, the European Orthodontic Society and the New Zealand Dental Association conference.

A firm believer in maintaining high clinical standards, Mo successfully completed further examinations to become affiliated with the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh) and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Sydney).

Mo is currently a part-time senior lecturer and superviser at Auckland University of Technology, and is a:

Mo is a regular presenter at conferences and professional development events including:

Outside of work, Mo enjoys the precious time with his young family and the outdoors. He especially loves mountain biking, running, fishing, diving and, in winter, snowboarding.

Traveling along with his best friend and wife (Azza) around the world has also been a big part of Mo’s life. Mo is primarily based in Shakespeare Orthodontic’s city clinics and on the North Shore.

 
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Mo holding a large snapper