How Much Do Candid Teeth Aligners Really Cost?

How Candid Works & Acceptable Cases

Candid is a brand of direct-to-consumer aligners, meaning each treatment plan is created and monitored remotely. To begin treatment, you’ll get a 3D scan at a Candid Studio near you or order an at-home starter kit online. 

After the impressions are made, your diagnostic records are submitted to a state-licensed orthodontist in your network. These teeth straightening experts review your records and decide whether you are a good candidate or not.

Candid accepts most minor to severe teeth misalignment issues, such as gapped or crooked teeth. Some complex cases may be denied treatment. If this happens, you'll likely need braces or Invisalign.

If approved, the orthodontist will design your interactive 3D treatment plan. This preview shows how your teeth will move into place over time. From there, you can approve the treatment plan and order the aligners.

Candid also provides patients with a free premium whitening foam and a phone device you’ll need for remote check-ups throughout treatment.  

Candid aligners are designed to be worn 22 hours a day to work effectively and should be removed only for eating and brushing.

It is recommended to rotate your new aligners every two weeks. You should insert a new set of aligners at nighttime to reduce discomfort. 

Candid aligners are made of a BPA-free and phthalate-free plastic called Zendura. This material claims to offer more transparent and comfortable aligners. The aligners also have higher impact strength and keep the teeth more stable than other at-home aligners. You can have straighter teeth in as little as six months. 

How Much Do Candid Teeth Aligners Really Cost?

As of October 2021, Candid aligners cost $1,895 ($505 less than the original price). This includes all of the aligners, remote monitoring (check-ins), and the premium whitening treatment. No office visits are necessary.

Candid aligners are relatively affordable, especially compared to traditional braces or Invisalign (up to $8,000). They are also cheaper than SmileDirectClub and provide better overall care.

Additional Costs for Candid Clear Aligners

Additional costs include:

• The impression kit — a remote aligner kit, which you can order online, costs $95 with free shipping. Sometimes they offer discounts on these kits (up to 50% off). 
• A set of retainers — after treatment, you will order a retainer that keeps your teeth straight. These retainers will need to be replaced every six months to a year. They cost $99. 

With the starter kit and retainers included, the actual cost of Candid aligner treatment is close to $2,000. They also offer a premium whitening treatment (Philips Zoom) that can be added on for $299. This treatment is normally over $500 in a dental office.

However, Candid often has promotional sales going on, where you can save a couple of hundred dollars on treatment. The starter kit may also be included in the treatment cost, depending on the sale. 

Candid Payment Plan Details

Candid offers a monthly payment plan. You will pay as low as $65/month.

Can I Get a Refund on Treatment?

You can get a complete refund on the starter kit, even if you are a candidate.

If you visit a Candid Studio for an in-person consultation, they will ask you if you'd like to pay for treatment on the spot. Even if you decide to pay in-store, you're still able to get a refund on the impressions and consultation if you change your mind.

If you order an impression kit online and decide you don't want to follow through with treatment after an orthodontist makes your 3D treatment plan, you can also get a refund.

However, if you approve the treatment plan and your clear aligners are in the process of being made, you cannot get a refund.

If your results do not match the 3D treatment plan, you may qualify for Candid Guarantee™ (free refinements). Refinements are additional aligners added on at the end of treatment.

Is Candid Treatment Covered By Insurance? 

Maybe. Some insurance companies will reimburse patients up to $1,300 on the aligners. This all depends on your policy and insurer. 

Does Candid Have Any In-Network Insurance Providers? 

In-network Candid patients can save up to $1,300 upfront. This discount will get taken off before you begin treatment. 

Currently, Candid is in-network with Aetna (nationwide). Other insurance groups Candid is in-network with include:

• Anthem Blue Cross
• Anthem BlueCross BlueShield
• Empire BlueCross
• Empire BlueCross BlueShield

How to File an Insurance Claim With Candid 

Candid will submit the insurance claim for you (with the procedure code D8090), so you don’t have to worry about this step in the process. However, you will have to follow up with your insurance company about the claim’s status after filing it. 

You will submit the insurance information directly through the Candid portal. Insurance providers can take a few months to process claims and submit payments for the aligners. 

Can I Use an HSA or FSA to Pay for Candid Aligners?

Candid Co accepts both HSA and FSA. Your insurance may reimburse you for a portion of the aligner cost. However, they recommend checking with your insurance company about coverage eligibility before beginning treatment. 

What People Are Saying About Candid

The NewMouth team compiled reviews about Candid Co from four websites. We found over 3,000 customer reviews in total. Most of the reviews are positive, while a small percentage of them are negative or somewhere in the middle.

Most of the positive reviews about Candid revolve around ease of use and overall value for the money.

Most of the negative reviews about Candid pertain to the refund policy and customer service.