Clear Aligners Cost: Comparing Major Brands

Several companies compete for your aligner business. To make comparisons easy, we've gathered all pertinent information on each brand. By the end of this article, you'll understand how much aligners cost and know which brands provide the best price point.

How the Clear Aligner Purchase Process Works

Clear aligners are a lot like braces. As the American Association of Orthodontists points out, both braces and aligners move your teeth a little at a time. To work effectively, dental professionals need a clear understanding of your current smile and your dental goals. 

Some dental aligner companies use an in-person assessment, while others offer impression kits you can complete at home and mail back. Dental professionals examine these tools and determine how your teeth should move. 

With a clear treatment plan, dental professionals create clear aligners for your mouth. You'll wear one tray for about two weeks before swapping it for another that pushes your teeth closer to your goal. 

Treatment length can vary, but most people stay in aligners for time frames measured in months — not years like braces. 

The global clear aligner market is vast and growing every year. Each company offers slightly different plans, so it’s tough to make sweeping statements about pricing. Some offer monthly payment plans and full insurance coverage. Others don’t.

Factors that Affect Clear Aligner Costs

Why do some clear aligners cost more than others? Plenty of factors come into play — some you can control, and others you can't.

Your clear aligner price might be higher or lower due to the following issues:

• Brand: Some companies charge more for their products than others do. 

• Length of treatment: The longer you wear aligners, the more trays you'll need. Many companies charge more accordingly. 

• Aligner type: Some companies use more expensive polymers or equipment in their products, driving up the price. 

• Discounts: Some companies offer price breaks for teachers, first responders, members of the military, and others. 

The following three options could also lower your out-of-pocket costs:

• Insurance: Companies like MetLife will cover aligners, but limitations exist. For example, MetLife requires a licensed dentist to design and monitor your care. Choose a company without this professional expertise, and your claim could get rejected. 

• Flexible spending account (FSA): Money you put into an FSA must be spent within the same year. Those dollars could help you cover your aligner costs. 

• Health savings account (HSA): Your HAS funds must be applied to essential medical treatments, and aligners typically qualify.

At-Home Clear Aligner Brands & Costs

Each aligner company's costs are different, and most organizations have rules about the payment types they will and won't accept. This comparison chart can help you see those differences quickly, but keep reading for more detail about mail-in aligners.

ALIGNERCO Pricing

ALIGNERCO offers clear aligners for at-home use. Here's what you need to know about the company's pricing:

SmileDirectClub Pricing

SmileDirectClub keeps prices low with at-home aligners. But the treatment choices you make can have an impact on your overall cost.

Candid Pricing

Candid offers clear aligners for at-home treatment, but the model is a little different than the others we've discussed. You'll work directly with a professional that offers Candid products, and that person can charge anything they'd like for their work.

NewSmile Pricing

NewSmile uses an at-home aligner model supervised by dentists and orthodontists. Here's what you need to know about pricing:

SnapCorrect Pricing

SnapCorrect provides at-home clear aligners with a treatment plan driven by an at-home impression kit. Here's what you need to know about the price:

Strayt Pricing

Strayt is a relative newcomer to the clear aligner space, and the company offers plans for at-home treatment to straighten your smile.

Byte Pricing

Byte provides doctor-directed treatment plans administered with clear aligner trays. While the technology is advanced, the cost is low.

In-Office Clear Aligner Brands & Costs

While many companies offer at-home clear aligner plans, some use a different approach. The following companies use clear aligner trays that are administered by orthodontists and dentists within their offices in a series of appointments. Here's what you need to know about their pricing:

Comparing your Options

Your teeth are important to your health, looks, and future. You should make this decision very carefully. These links can help you dig deeper:

• Byte vs. ALIGNERCO

• Byte vs. Invisalign

• Byte vs. Candid

Should Pricing Matter when Looking for Clear Aligners?

Few people want to pay more than they must for anything, including healthcare. Pricing may be part of your research process when you’re considering aligners. It’s wise to look for methods that don’t cost more than you can afford.

But every situation is different. Some people are willing to pay more for an experience they deem more valuable. There’s no shame in choosing a more expensive product.

Ensure that you also do research concerning a company’s customer satisfaction, convenience, timeline, and more. These factors could be just as important as price.

Other Factors to Consider

Paying attention to how much aligners cost is smart. However, some factors aren’t fully reflected in the price and can have a deep impact on your experience. Here are a few other issues to consider as you shop:

Clear Aligner Cost Frequently Asked Questions

We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions people ask about clear aligner treatment:

*Preliminary clinical studies of small groups of users have shown that daily recommended use of a high-frequency seating device functionally equivalent to HyperByte with clear aligners may help with comfort and speed of tooth movement.