How Much Do Clear Aligners Cost?
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How Much Do Clear Aligners Cost?
Clear aligners are a virtually invisible and removable alternative to traditional braces. The aligner trays are made of smooth, BPA-free plastic and are typically worn for 22 hours a day. They can be removed for eating, brushing/flossing your teeth, and other oral hygiene needs. If you are looking for a discreet, quick, and convenient way to straighten your teeth, clear aligners are the ideal option.
Clear aligners cost anywhere between $1,200 and $8,000. The cost of clear aligners depends on the brand chosen, the length of treatment, and the type of aligner you choose (night vs. traditional).
What to Know Before Buying Cheap Teeth Aligners
At-home aligners, also called direct-to-consumer aligners, are cheaper than in-office aligners. Treatment is monitored remotely, which means you won’t visit an orthodontist for check-ups throughout treatment. Popular at-home aligner brands include:
In-office aligners, such as Invisalign and ClearCorrect, require in-office impressions and check-ups. They are also capable of fixing more severe teeth misalignment (malocclusion) cases.
While convenient, at-home aligner treatment is not monitored as closely as in-office orthodontic treatment. Because of this, most at-home aligner companies only accept mild cases of teeth misalignment. If you have more severe bite issues, Invisalign (a popular in-office aligner) is the safest choice.
Clear Aligner Brand | Cost of Treatment | Monthly Payment Plan |
Insurance Coverage |
Invisalign® | $3,000-$8,000 | Payment plan depends on treatment length | Insurance coversup to $3,500 |
ClearCorrect |
$2,500–$5,500 | Payment plan depends on treatment length | Insurance covers up to $3,000 |
SmileDirectClub | $1,950 (if paid in full) | $89 / month | Insurance covers up to $1,100 |
Candid Co | $2,400 (if paid in full) | $99 / month | Insurance coveragedepends on provider |
byte® | $1,895-$2,295 (if paid in full) | $83-$99 / month | Insurance coverage depends on provider |
| ALIGNERCO | $1,145 (if paid in full) | $99 / month | Insurance coverage depends on provider |
SnapCorrect | $1,749 (if paid in full) | $80 / month | Insurance covers up to $1,100 |
Top At-Home Clear Aligner Brands & Costs
At-home aligners are the cheapest alternative to Invisalign and traditional metal braces. Instead of visiting a dentist or orthodontist for in-person scans, you can order an impression kit online. The kit will get shipped directly to your home address.
From there, you will take the teeth impressions yourself and then send them back to the company. If you are a candidate for treatment, they will mail you the aligners within a few weeks. Remote check-ups with a qualified professional will occur every few weeks as well.
Some popular direct-to-consumer aligner brands include:
Byte
Byte aligners are made of BPA-free polymer. They are also tear- and stain-resistant. To begin treatment, you will order an impression kit online. After approval, you’ll receive the aligners in the mail within three weeks.
Byte only accepts minor cases of teeth misalignment, and a licensed dentist or orthodontist oversees each case.
Byte stands out among other aligner companies because you’ll receive a ton of value for your money.
At-home clear aligners are safe, effective, and cheaper than braces. Learn more about the most popular at-home clear aligner kits.
Not only will you receive all of your aligners at once, but the kit also includes a carrying case, BrightByte treatment (teeth whitening), a HyperByte (an FDA-approved tooth movement acceleration device), and a FREE medical-grade retainer.
Byte offers a lifetime guarantee if you wear your aligners and retainers as instructed. This means if there are any future problems, they will guarantee additional treatment at no additional cost.
byte®
Quickest treatment time and best value
Byte's All-Day Aligners are worn for 22 hours a day and can straighten teeth in 3 months. The At-Night Aligners straighten teeth while you sleep and can take up to 6 months.
Byte also offers a lifetime guarantee.
Pricing
Byte All-Day Aligners cost $1,895, and the At-Night Aligners cost $2,245. There are also payment plans available ($349 to $415 down payment; $83 to $99 a month/29 months).
The nighttime aligners are worn for 10+ hours a day (while sleeping). The traditional aligners are worn for about 22 hours a day.
Additional Expenses
The impression kit costs an additional $95. You can take a byte candidacy quiz online before ordering it. If you are not a candidate for treatment, you’ll get a full refund on the kit. The first retainer you receive after treatment (to keep your teeth straight) is included in the cost. Any additional retainers (if you lose or break one) will be an additional cost.
Average Treatment Time
With daily HyperByte use, byte aligners can straighten teeth 2x faster than other leading brands:
- Byte’s All-Day Aligners are worn for 22 hours a day. The average treatment length is just three months.
- Byte’s At-Night Aligners straighten your teeth while you sleep and are worn for 10+ hours a day. The average treatment length is 5 to 6 months. At-night aligners are only approved for very mild cases of misalignment.
Read NewMouth’s full review of byte aligners here.
Candid Co
Candid aligners are made of BPA-free and phthalate-free plastic called Zendura. This material claims to offer clearer, lower-stress retention, and more comfortable aligners.
These aligners also have higher impact strength and keep the teeth more stable than other at-home aligners.
To begin treatment, you can either get a free in-person scan at a Candid Studio or order an impression kit online. Candid also works with highly qualified orthodontists who have at least 20 years of experience in the teeth straightening industry.
Candid only accepts minor cases of teeth misalignment, and a licensed orthodontist oversees each case.
Candid Co.
Only works with licensed orthodontists
It's not just about a great smile. Candid is committed to improving your quality of life. Your treatment plan is overseen by a qualified orthodontist with over 20 years of experience. This means you'll receive high-quality care from start to finish.
Pricing
Candid aligner treatment costs $2,400, which covers your entire set of aligners and the remote check-ups. If you can’t afford to pay this cost upfront, Candid also offers a payment plan. You will pay a $399 down payment and then $99/24 months.
Additional Expenses
An impression kit costs $95, and the retainer costs $99 with free shipping. Additional or replacement retainers will cost $100. However, Candid often provides discounts on the starter kits (up to 50% off). You can take a candidacy quiz online before ordering it. If you are not a candidate for treatment, you’ll get a full refund on the kit.
Average Treatment Time
Candid aligners straighten teeth in about six months but can take up to a year.
Read NewMouth’s full review of Candid aligners here.
SmileDirectClub
SmileDirectClub is a 6-year-old company that offers at-home teeth straightening for 60% less than braces. The aligners are made of comfortable, smooth, BPA-free plastic.
SmileDirectClub only accepts minor cases of teeth misalignment, and a dentist or orthodontist oversees each case.
Pricing
SmileDirectClub aligners cost $1,950. You can also choose a payment plan, including a down payment of $250 and a monthly payment of $89/24 months.
Additional Expenses
You can get a free 3D scan at a SmileShop or buy a mail-in starter kit for $59. If a dentist determines you’re not a good candidate, the cost of your impression kit is fully refundable.
The retainer also costs an additional $99. You should order a new set every six months to keep them fresh.
Average Treatment Time
Smile Direct aligners straighten teeth in about six months but can take up to a year.
SmileDirectClub
The biggest company
SmileDirectClub is the largest, longest-standing clear aligner manufacturer. With hundreds of physical locations, you can choose an in-person consultation or order a mail-in impression kit.
ALIGNERCO
ALIGNERCO offers the cheapest invisible aligners on the market.
While more affordable, they are also a newer company with fewer reviews than byte and Candid. They also do not work directly with orthodontists and dentists, which can affect the quality of care.
Pricing
Treatment costs $1,145 (or $99 for 11 months with the payment plan). Other clear aligner competitors are more expensive ($1,800 to $2,400).
To begin the teeth straightening process, the first step is to order an impression kit online. These kits are just $39.99. After you receive the kit, you'll take a dental impression at home and send them back to ALIGNERCO.
Average Treatment Time
ALIGNERCO also sells NightOnly Clear Aligners. They include the same benefits as regular aligners but require less daily wear time. Wear time is 8 to 10 hours a day and the treatment duration is 8 to 12 months.
ALIGNERCO
The most affordable aligner
ALIGNERCO is making a name by providing a reliable at-home aligner experience at a budget-friendly price. Treatment costs just $1,145 vs. up to $2,400 for competitors.
Which Company Offers The Best Affordable Aligners?
Other brands of at-home clear aligners include SmileLove, Aligner Co, and SnapCorrect. These companies are not as well-known or established.
ALIGNERCO offers the cheapest aligners on the market ($1,145). However, it is not always best to go with the most affordable option. Byte and Candid Co are more expensive ($1,850 to $2,400) but offer more value for your money.
NewMouth recommends at-home clear aligners if you have mild teeth misalignment. Find out if you're a candidate for clear aligners.
They are also more established and only work with qualified and licensed dental professionals. This ensures you receive high-quality care from start to finish. In addition to these benefits, an aligner-safe whitening treatment is included with every purchase.
Top In-Office Clear Aligner Brands & Costs
In-office aligners provide closer treatment monitoring because they require regular in-office visits. You also have to set up an in-person appointment to get a teeth scan. Online starter kits are not provided.
In-office aligners are typically more expensive than at-home aligners, but they can fix more severe misalignment cases.
1. Invisalign
Invisalign is the most well-known and established clear aligner brand. Invisalign clear aligners are FDA-approved. They also do not contain any BPS, BPA, gluten, or latex.
Invisalign aligners are different from other aligners because they are made of a patented thermoplastic material, called SmartTrack®. They claim to be more comfortable and are easier to put on and remove.
These aligners can fix overbites, underbites, open bites, gapped/crooked teeth, and even misaligned baby teeth.
Pricing
The average cost of Invisalign is between $3,000 and $8,000. The higher price is attributed to a longer treatment time. Also, Invisalign is often used to treat more complicated cases of teeth misalignment.
Each Invisalign treatment plan is unique. Talk with your dentist about monthly payment plans.
Additional Expenses
Invisalign requires in-person consultations that can cost $100 or more, depending on the type of work-up you require including dental x-rays, images, and impressions.
Average Treatment Time
Invisalign treatment takes between 12 and 18 months.
2. ClearCorrect
ClearCorrect is similar to Invisalign, except it is a younger company. After 12 years in business, ClearCorrect has helped hundreds of thousands of patients achieve new smiles. To begin treatment, you’ll visit a ClearCorrect qualified dentist for an in-person scan and treatment plan.
Pricing
ClearCorrect costs between $2,500 and $5,500. The payment plan depends on the length of treatment and how many aligner trays you need. If you require additional refinement trays at the end of your treatment, this can also increase the cost.
Average Treatment Time
ClearCorrect treatment takes between 12 and 18 months.
FAQs: Ways to Pay for Aligners
Are payment plans available?
Most clear aligner brands offer payment plans, including SmileDirectClub, Candid, and byte. These payment plans include a down payment and monthly payments for about two years. Invisalign and other in-office aligners also offer customized payment plans, depending on your treatment plan.
Does insurance cover clear aligners?
In some cases, dental insurance covers invisible aligners. Check with your provider and the clear aligner company of your choice for more details about insurance coverage.
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for aligners?
You can use an HSA or FSA to pay for clear aligners, including at-home and in-office aligners.
What's Next?
The most popular at-home clear aligner kits can be found right here:
Related Pages:
Resources
FAQs About Invisible Aligners. (n.d.). https://www.byteme.com/pages/faq.
Hyperbyte: The Technology Behind Faster Invisible aligner results. (n.d.). https://www.byteme.com/pages/hyperbyte.
Insurance Coverage for Our Invisible Aligners. (n.d.). https://www.byteme.com/pages/insurance.
Candid. “Candid Clear Aligners.” Candid, www.candidco.com/faq/q/why-would-i-not-be-a-candidate.
Candid. “Candid Starter Kit.” Candid, www.candidco.com/products/starter-kit.
Candid. “Our Most Frequently Asked Questions.” Candid, www.candidco.com/faq#.
“Express Your Joy.” ClearCorrect | Clear. Simple. Friendly, www.straumann.com/clearcorrect/en/home/doctors.html.
“FAQ.” Invisalign, www.invisalign.com/frequently-asked-questions.
“How Does Invisalign® Treatment Work?” How Does Invisalign Work | Invisalign Braces, www.invisalign.com/how-invisalign-works?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=NI+-+Brand+-+General+-+Exact&utm_term=what+can+invisalign+fix&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAiAtK79BRAIEiwA4OskBvlUIxBlPwRLvuhz4GthNXakvdM4Qq4nb03mcW0kV53ya5thPdvZsBoC0_kQAvD_BwE.
SmileDirectClub. “Insurance.” https://smiledirectclub.com/insurance/.
SmileDirectClub. “Pricing.” https://smiledirectclub.com/pricing/.
SmileDirectClub. “How Does Smile Direct Club Work.” https://smiledirectclub.com/how_it_works/.
Proffit, William R., et al. Contemporary Orthodontics. Elsevier/Mosby, 2019, https://www.elsevier.com/books/contemporary-orthodontics/proffit/978-0-323-54387-3
Weir, T. “Clear Aligners in Orthodontic Treatment.” Wiley Online Library, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 14 Mar. 2017, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/adj.12480.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only cite from current scientific research, such as scholarly articles, dentistry textbooks, government agencies, and medical journals. This also includes information provided by the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
