Updated on August 13, 2024
9 min read
Candid Aligners Reviews (2024)
NewMouth is reader supported. We may earn a commission if you purchase something using one of our links. Advertising Disclosure.
In this article
Candid offers clear aligners through licensed dentists and orthodontists, just like Invisalign treatment. What makes Candid more convenient is that treatments are done at home. Instead of requiring dental visits, a dental professional will monitor you remotely with the Candid app.
While most brands only move the front teeth, Candid aligners can straighten the whole arch. We wanted to test this claim, so we asked one of our writers to try them out and take before-and-after photos of her results.
To help you decide if Candid is the right option, our team also evaluated the product’s features, investigated customer feedback, and compared it with some of the best Invisalign alternatives we’ve tried.
One of our writers wore Candid aligners for 22 to 24 hours daily. Below are actual photos of her teeth on the first day of treatment compared to five months after.
Beside these photos are 3D models of her lower arch on step 0 vs. step 14 of her treatment. They show what her teeth should look like with every step.
As seen in these photos, her treatment progressed as expected. However, she said her front teeth didn’t move until about four months into the treatment.
It’s probably because Candid moves the molars first to make room for the front teeth. Once enough space is created, your front teeth will start to move. This straightening method is known as a full arch movement:
We’re not just correcting the social six. We’re preparing both arches for what’s going to be the social six correction. As we expand and create space for the necessary movements, we’re able to then address all the issues a patient has with their bite as we tackle their chief complaint.
Dr. Lynn Hurst, Chief Clinical Officer at Candid
Candid offers daytime aligners called CandidPro, which are worn for at least 22 hours each day. When you purchase the treatment, it will include:
To begin treatment, you’ll visit a qualified CandidPro provider (dentist or orthodontist) for an initial consultation. The provider then has a licensed orthodontist from Candid’s team personally design your treatment plan.
Your treatment progress is monitored remotely through CandidMonitoring™, the company’s telehealth platform. The same Candid orthodontist who creates your treatment plan will oversee your treatment.
Candid can correct most cases of minor, moderate, and complex teeth misalignments in adults and teenagers aged 13 to 17. These include:
You have to take Candid’s Smile Quiz or visit a CandidPro provider to determine if you’re a good candidate for the treatment.
Not everyone with crooked teeth can use Candid’s clear aligners. You may not be qualified if:
We evaluated Candid based on our experience with the product and customer reviews:
Pros: Candid aligners are discreet, comfortable, and easy to wear. They use the same high-quality plastic as Invisalign aligners called Zendura FLX, a safe and durable material.
Cons: In recent years, the company discontinued its at-home impression kits and shut down its studios, leaving some people confused. User experience also tends to vary across providers.
Pros: Candid corrects more complex issues than most brands. It also has a growing network of dentists and orthodontists across the U.S. who can see you personally and monitor you conveniently through an app.
Cons: You must visit a CandidPro provider to begin treatment. Treatments take longer than other at-home aligners and can be inconsistent and ineffective in some people.
Pros: For people with complex teeth misalignment, it’s a cheaper alternative to Invisalign and other teeth straightening options. In-person consultations are free and you can use your HSA, FSA, and insurance to reduce the costs.
Cons: CandidPro providers have different policies when it comes to pricing and financing. For instance, some may offer extra aligners or refinement trays and others won’t. If you only have mild to moderate misalignment it may not be worth the price or the trouble.
Pros: Candid has good customer service based on some reviews. They’re helpful and responsive if you have any questions about the treatment.
Cons: Its customer service can be inconsistent. You may get little to no support once your treatment has started. Some users were also left confused after receiving incorrect instructions.
Pros: Candid Co is trusted by many users. It has an average customer rating of 4.8⭐ on Best Company. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recognizes Candid as an accredited brand with an A+ rating, the highest possible score. It has an average score of 4.73⭐ based on reviews.
Cons: Candid received an average rating of 2.2⭐ on Trust Pilot and 2.7⭐ on Consumer Affairs. Several people are unhappy with its customer support and ineffective treatments.
Several customers aren’t happy with the quality of Candid’s products and services after receiving incorrect aligners or trays that didn’t fit properly or were rough around the edges.
There’s a lack of support once you start treatment. You may find it difficult to get help. Candid Co is also more expensive than other at-home invisible aligners like Byte.
Some people say Candid is ineffective. It worsened their teeth alignment issues and bite problems, producing results that didn’t match their treatment plan.
Despite these negative reviews, many people like Candid because it effectively straightens teeth and has a convenient treatment process that doesn’t require dental visits.
Candid treatments cost an average of $3,300 to $5,000. However, it can be priced anywhere from $1,500 to $8,000 depending on these factors:
Some providers may offer payment plans and accept health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and dental insurance.
You can purchase the Philips Zoom Whitening Kit ($349) with your aligners. After you complete the treatment, you’ll need to get PermaForm retainers.
The cost of Candid’s retainers will be determined by your CandidPro provider, who might also charge you for other dental services.
Here’s how Candid works so you know what to expect from your treatment:
Candid no longer offers at-home impression kits or visits to Candid Studios. You need to visit a CandidPro provider who can evaluate your teeth.
People who don’t qualify may need dental work, such as fillings for dental cavities. Your dentist or orthodontist may offer these services for an additional fee.
If you qualify, they’ll create your customized treatment plan. They’ll also take x-rays, intraoral teeth scans, photos, and impressions of your teeth so they can make your aligners.
Next, you need to follow your treatment schedule. The aligners will be sent to your home, so you don’t have to pick them up at the clinic.
You will receive anywhere from 8 to 24 Candid teeth aligners. Each one will be labeled in the order that you should wear them.
Each aligner is typically worn for 2 to 3 weeks. You must wear them for at least 22 hours a day except when eating, brushing, flossing, or cleaning your trays.
Expect the first few aligners to cause some pain or discomfort. But once you get used to wearing them, it feels like second nature.
During this process, you must send progress photos to your provider via the Candid app. You can also use your smartphone and the Scanbox included with your kit to take at-home teeth scans.
The app will notify you when it’s time to check in with your provider. Based on your teeth scans, the dentist or orthodontist will confirm if it’s time to change aligners.
After you finish treatment, you’ll switch to PermaForm retainers to maintain your new smile and prevent teeth from shifting back into place.
Your CandidPro doctor will inform you if your treatment is complete after sending the final teeth scan. The last set of aligners will serve as your first retainer. Candid recommends wearing your retainers as follows:
After the sixth week, you need to continue wearing your Candid retainer indefinitely for 8 continuous hours every night.
Here’s how Candid compares to the best clear aligners on the market:
| Clear Aligner Brand | Treated Cases | Average Treatment Time | How To Start Treatment | Treatment Monitoring | Treatment Cost |
| Candid | Mild to moderate and some complex cases | 6 to 12 months | In-person visit | Remote | $1,500 to $8,000 |
| Byte | Mild to moderate | 4 to 6 months | Impression kit | Remote | $2,099 to $2,499 |
| Invisalign | Mild to complex | 6 to 18 months | In-person visit | In-person | $3,000 to $8,000 |
| Motto | Mild to complex | 4 to 6 months | In-person visit | In-person or remote | $2,499 |
| NewSmile | Mild to moderate | 4 to 10 months | Impression kit | Remote | $1,595 to $1,695 |
| ALIGNERCO | Mild to moderate | 4 to 8 months | Impression kit | Remote | $995 to $1,195 |
| Strayt | Mild to moderate | 4 to 8 months | Impression kit or mobile scan | Remote | $1,848 |
Candid is a good option if have complex teeth alignment issues and bite problems but are looking for an affordable alternative to Invisalign and traditional braces. While it costs more than most brands of at-home clear aligners, its treatments are more comprehensive.
We have a dedicated team of medical writers, expert researchers, licensed dental professionals, and medical reviewers who curate and approve content for NewMouth.
Before publishing this article, our team:
We ordered Candid aligners and had in-house writers test them out throughout their prescribed treatment. While testing the clear aligners, our team assessed and scored them based on five traits:
Each trait was assigned a “weight” so we could calculate their individual rating and weighted average scores on a scale of five.
In this article
