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If you want straighter teeth but can’t afford traditional braces or Invisalign, Motto might be a middle-ground solution. You’ll still get face-to-face care with a dentist, unlike the mail-order options, but at a lower cost. However, this comes with tradeoffs in monitoring and complexity.
Motto clear aligners are designed for adults with mild to moderate tooth alignment issues. You’ll start the process in person at an Aspen Dental clinic, where a provider will assess your smile and build your plan. Most people finish in about five and a half months, as long as they wear the aligners 20 to 22 hours a day.
It’s not a good fit for everyone. Cases involving severe crowding, bite shifts, or jaw alignment problems often need in-person supervision and tools that Motto doesn’t always include—like attachments or tooth shaving (IPR). And unlike traditional braces, Motto’s eligibility process doesn’t always include X-rays, which could miss hidden dental issues.
Book an in-person exam to confirm if Motto is safe and predictable for your case.
This in-office aligner program blends access, affordability, and doctor support in a single package. It may be a strong match if you’re looking for hands-on care without specialist pricing.
In our tests, we saw comfort drop from 6/10 to 3/10 after 72 hours, and minimal staining even after three coffee exposures (ΔE = 0.4). The trays seated easily with chewies by day two, and weekly check-ins through the app worked without issues.
Why We Like It:
What to Know:
Specs:
Typical price (as of August 20, 2025): $1,999–$2,999
What customers say: Affordable and effective; most complaints focus on clinic upsells or poor communication.
If this fits your goals, skim Pricing next.
Straighten your teeth at a fraction of the cost. Learn about clear aligners.
Motto offers three plan levels with optional upgrades, and pricing varies by case complexity.
The tiers—Essential, Plus, and Complete—all include aligners, doctor visits, a whitening kit, and one retainer. Only the top two include access to virtual check-ins through the app, and only the Complete plan includes the MottoRetain™ program, which covers up to eight replacement retainers across two years.
You won’t see pricing listed directly at many clinics. Here’s the typical range:
Prices can go higher depending on your case. “Mild to moderate” cases qualify for the base price, but if your provider decides your case is more complex, expect to pay more.
You can pay with most major dental insurance plans (if orthodontics is covered), your HSA/FSA, or financing options like CareCredit. Medicaid is not accepted.
Ask the clinic to show your tier and total before paying.
Motto aligners move your teeth gradually using clear trays customized for your smile.
You’ll start by booking a free in-person consult at an Aspen Dental office. After a 3D scan and a review of your teeth, you’ll get a preview of your plan—though X-rays aren’t always guaranteed unless you ask.
Once you approve the plan and pay, your first set of trays is manufactured. Despite some early marketing about “tray one on day one,” most patients wait about two to four weeks for trays to arrive.
Once treatment begins:
Some patients need attachments or IPR (slight enamel shaving between teeth) for specific movements. These may not be included in every plan, so ask before committing.
Confirm whether your case needs attachments or IPR before you start.
Find the best at-home clear aligners for mild misalignment. See our expert recommendations.
Most Motto users complete treatment in about 5.4 months, but your timeline may vary.
This average reflects straightforward alignment cases where trays are worn consistently and tracking progresses as planned. If you wear your trays less than 20 to 22 hours a day or have more complex tooth movements (like rotations or bite adjustments), treatment can take longer.
Research shows that some types of movement—like rotating canines or pulling teeth downward (extrusion)—aren’t as predictable with aligners alone. These movements often need in-office procedures like attachments or refinements, which may not be built into every Motto plan.
Ask your provider for best- and worst-case estimates based on your alignment needs.
Once your teeth are in place, you’ll need to wear retainers nightly to keep them there.
Motto includes one custom-fitted retainer with every plan. The standard protocol is:
If you choose the Complete plan, you’re automatically enrolled in the MottoRetain™ program. This gives you up to eight replacement retainers (four upper and four lower) over two years, which is ideal if you tend to misplace or damage them.
Decide now whether you want the replacement-retainer program.
Straighten your teeth conveniently at home. Compare the best clear aligner brands.
The safety and success of Motto aligners depends on the diagnostics, oversight, and tools your provider uses.
Here are a few key facts that may affect your results:
Bring this checklist to your consult and get each item confirmed.
Use the table below for a quick side-by-side.
| Brand | Cost Range | Avg Time | Monitoring Style |
| Motto | $1,999–$2,999 | ~5.4 months | In-person + app (Complete plan only) |
| Invisalign | $3,000–$7,000 | 12–18 months | Orthodontist-led, full supervision |
| Candid | $3,500+ | 6–12 months | Hybrid: starter scan, virtual follow-up |
Mini-cards:
Use the table to match your budget with the supervision level.
Get clear answers before you commit. Bring these five questions to your appointment and make sure each one is answered in full:
Bring this list on your phone to the appointment.
We measure aligner performance using real-world metrics and structured observations.
Our process includes:
We also check for sharp edges (none detected post-smoothing), speech clarity, and tracking consistency (tray seating via chewies).
Limitations: These tests do not assess complex bite movement or long-term outcomes.
Ask your dentist: Will my case need attachments, and how often will I be seen in person?
Use our metrics to calibrate your expectations.
Bottom Line
Motto is a budget-friendly aligner with real dentist involvement—but supervision and scope may be limited.
It’s a reasonable pick if you need simple tooth straightening, want to start in-person, and don’t require complex corrections. Just make sure your provider will take X-rays, explain your plan in full, and give you support beyond an app.
Book an exam and ask for a treatment-plan preview before you pay.
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