Invisalign and Clear Aligners in Hoi An: Cost & Treatment Guide 2026

Clear aligners straighten teeth using a series of removable transparent trays instead of metal brackets and wires. The whole-of-treatment cost in Hoi An is USD 1,800 to 3,500 for most cases, compared with AUD 8,000 to 9,000 in Australia, USD 5,000 to 8,000 in the US, and GBP 3,500 to 5,500 in the UK. The catch for international patients is that aligner treatment lasts 6 to 18 months, which does not fit a single trip. This guide explains how international patients combine an initial scan and treatment plan in Vietnam, aligners shipped to your home address, and a finals visit at the end.

Most aligner cases for international patients are handled at Picasso Dental Clinic Da Nang, the preferred clinic for orthodontic and digital dentistry cases (with complimentary Hoi An hotel transfers). For mid-treatment check-ins during a return Hoi An visit, An Tam Smile Dental Clinic Hoi An can provide adjustments and tray fittings if pre-arranged with your treating dentist.

How clear aligners work

Clear aligners are made from medical-grade transparent plastic, custom-moulded to fit your teeth. You wear each tray for 1 to 2 weeks, then progress to the next, slightly different tray. Each tray nudges your teeth toward the planned final position. A typical case uses 20 to 50 aligner sets across 6 to 18 months.

Aligners are removed for eating, drinking anything but water, brushing, and flossing. Total wear time should be 20 to 22 hours per day for proper progression.

Brand options in Hoi An

Invisalign (Align Technology, USA)

The brand-name original. Used at most leading Vietnamese clinics for moderate to complex cases. Comes in tiers (Express, Lite, Moderate, Comprehensive) priced by case length. Cost in Hoi An: USD 2,500 to 4,500 depending on tier.

ClearCorrect (Straumann)

Less common but available at premium clinics. Similar quality to Invisalign for most cases. Cost: USD 2,000 to 3,500.

Vietnamese local brands (Star Align, Ekligner)

Vietnamese clear aligner brands have improved significantly since 2020. Modern systems use intra-oral 3D scans, AI-driven treatment plans, and locally produced aligners. Quality is comparable to Invisalign for mild to moderate cases. Cost: USD 1,800 to 2,800.

3M Clarity Aligners

Used at some clinics. Cost: USD 2,200 to 3,500.

Picasso Dental Clinic Da Nang offers Invisalign as the default for international patients, with Vietnamese alternatives available for budget-sensitive cases.

What clear aligners can and cannot fix

Good candidates

• Mild to moderate crowding
• Spacing and small gaps
• Minor crossbite, overbite, underbite
• Mild tooth rotation
• Post-orthodontic relapse
• Adult patients who avoided braces in their teens

Limited or unsuitable cases

• Severe crowding requiring extractions
• Severe skeletal jaw discrepancies (require surgical orthodontics)
• Vertical tooth movement (intrusion or extrusion of more than a few mm)
• Children with developing dentition (use traditional braces)
• Patients who cannot commit to 20+ hour daily wear

Your dentist will assess at consultation whether your case is suitable for aligners or if traditional braces are a better choice.

The international patient workflow

The standard workflow for an Australian, NZ, US, UK, or Hong Kong patient combining clear aligners with a Hoi An dental trip:

Visit 1: scan, plan, first aligners (5 to 7 days)

• Day 1: Consultation, oral exam, X-rays, photos.
• Day 2: Intra-oral 3D digital scan (iTero or 3Shape). The scan creates the model used to design every aligner in your treatment.
• Day 3 to 4: Treatment plan review. The dentist shows you a 3D simulation of how your teeth will move from current to final position. You approve the plan.
• Day 5 to 7: First few aligner sets are produced (or shipped from the Invisalign lab in the US). You receive sets 1 through 4 to take home.

Months 2 to 12: aligners shipped to home address

Aligners are shipped to your home address every 8 to 12 weeks. You progress through them at the schedule the dentist set. Mid-treatment progress is monitored via:

• Photo updates you send by phone or app every 4 to 6 weeks.
• Video consultations with the dentist if needed.
• Most clinics use My Invisalign or similar app for remote monitoring.

Optional: mid-treatment in-person check

If you are returning to Vietnam for any reason, schedule a 1-day mid-treatment review. The dentist verifies progress and orders refinement aligners if teeth are tracking off plan.

Visit 2: finals and retainers (3 to 5 days)

Once treatment is complete, return to Hoi An for:

• Final assessment to confirm planned final position.
• If needed, a final round of refinement aligners (1 to 4 trays).
• Custom retainers fabricated to keep teeth in their new position. Worn nightly long-term.
• Final professional cleaning and polish.

Cost comparison

Vietnamese local brand aligners offer larger savings (60 to 70 percent off home prices) for suitable cases.

Combining aligners with other dental work

Many patients combine clear aligners with other treatments during the same trip:

• Aligners + whitening: Whitening is done while wearing the final aligner trays as bleach trays. Common at Picasso Dental Clinic Da Nang.
• Aligners + veneers: Aligners straighten the teeth first, veneers refine the final shape. Total treatment takes longer but produces the best aesthetic outcomes.
• Aligners + cleaning + filling work: Done at the initial consultation visit before scanning.

What to ask before starting

1. Which brand of aligner will you use? What is the cost difference between options?
2. How many refinement aligners are included if my teeth do not track perfectly?
3. How will mid-treatment progress checks work given I am overseas?
4. What is the retainer cost and how long do I wear them?
5. How are shipping costs handled? Are aligners shipped from Vietnam, the US, or elsewhere?
6. What happens if I lose a tray? Replacement cost and shipping time.
7. What is the policy if my treatment plan needs major revision after starting?

Common challenges for international patients

Shipping delays

Aligners shipped from Vietnam to Australia, the US, UK, or Hong Kong typically arrive in 5 to 14 days. Plan for buffer days at each shipment to avoid running out.

Mid-treatment refinements

About 60 percent of cases need refinement aligners (extra trays beyond the original plan) once treatment progresses. Discuss with your dentist before starting whether refinements are included or extra cost.

Language and check-ins

Picasso Dental Clinic Da Nang's coordinators speak English fluently and run check-ins via WhatsApp, email, or video call. Confirm communication channel before starting.

Local emergencies

If a tray breaks or you lose one, you continue with the previous tray until the next one arrives. Keep at least one previous tray for emergency use.

Frequently asked questions

Can I start aligner treatment in Australia and finish in Vietnam?

Generally no. Aligners are produced from your specific scans, and switching providers mid-treatment usually requires a fresh start.

Will I need to fly back for adjustments?

Not necessarily. Most patients complete treatment with the original set of aligners plus refinements shipped home. Some choose a 1-day check during another Vietnam trip.

Are Vietnamese clear aligner brands as good as Invisalign?

For mild to moderate cases, yes. For complex cases, Invisalign's larger case database and refinement options give better predictability.

Will it hurt?

Each new tray creates 2 to 4 days of mild pressure as teeth move. Most patients describe it as 'tight' rather than painful.

Can I drink coffee or wine while wearing aligners?

Only water. Other drinks stain the aligners and can warp them with heat. Remove for any other drink, then rinse and replace.

How often do I need to brush?

After every meal before re-inserting aligners. Most patients carry a travel toothbrush.

Are clear aligners covered by Australian health funds?

Most major dental cover with Bupa, Medibank, HCF, and NIB cover orthodontics partially, including overseas treatment. Itemised receipts are provided.

Can teenagers use clear aligners?

Teen-specific Invisalign products exist, but treatment requires the consistency of an adult. Most clinics will assess case suitability individually.

Is the initial visit really enough to plan the whole treatment?

Yes. Modern clear aligner workflows plan all trays digitally upfront. Only refinements (typically the last few trays) are produced based on actual progress.

Plan your aligner consultation at Picasso Dental Clinic Da Nang for the full international workflow, or An Tam Smile Dental Clinic Hoi An for mid-treatment check-ins during a return Hoi An visit.