Objective To compare mechanical responses from mandibular canine with different movement types in orthodontic treatment with Invisalign. Methods Based on computed tomography images of the teeth and their supporting tissues, the finite element model of the mandible and periodontal ligaments was established. The translation, inclination and rotation movements of the canine in buccolingual direction were simulated to obtain displacements and stresses of the canine and periodontal ligaments under the three different movements. Results The initial movements of the canine and stress distributions on periodontal ligaments were mainly determined by different movement types of the canine. The stress distributions on periodontal ligaments were similar when the canine was in translation and inclination movements. The bodily movement trend of the canine was much larger in rotation movement than that in translation movement under the same displacement magnitude. Conclusions The mechanical responses and its degrees from canine would be different under different movement types. To get better understanding with such different responses can help design more reasonable orthodontic treatment with Invisalign, avoid the damage to periodontium and achieve the orthodontic treatment with less time.