Teeth Aligner Cost Comparison: What's Affordable?

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 you'll know which brands provide the best price point.

AlignerCo Pricing

Fast facts about ALIGNERCO costs:

• Impression kit: $95
• Full cost: $1,145
• Monthly payments: $110 with SmileFlex or $95 after a $275 down payment with SmileFlex Easy
• Discounts: Yes
• HSA and FSA payments accepted

ALIGNERCO’s pricing is low, but few perks are included in the final price.

Most companies offer tooth whitening products, treatment accelerators, or other add-ons for the price. Many of those additions are incredibly valuable and well worth the added money. ALIGNERCO doesn't offer anything like this.

ALIGNERCO also offers no guarantees. If you're not satisfied with your smile at the end of the program, you can't reach out to the company for a refund or a new set of aligners.

While ALIGNERCO offers an incredibly low price, these drawbacks could make some consumers nervous.

SmileDirectClub Pricing

Fast facts about SmileDirectClub costs:

• Impression kit: $59, or visit a SmileShop for a free assessment
• Full cost: $1,950
• Monthly payments: $89 with a $250 deposit
• Discounts: Yes
• HSA and FSA payments accepted

SmileDirectClub offers an in-person assessment option. If you'd like to save a bit of money and work with an expert to start the process, you can skip impression kit fees and visit an in-person shop.

Your monthly price covers two different types of aligner plans. One involves aligners worn 22 or more hours per day, and the other involves aligners worn only at night. Retainers aren't included with the cost of aligners, but you will get a tooth whitening kit.

Candid Pricing

Fast facts about Candid costs:

• Full cost: Varies per dentist 
• Monthly payments: Varies per dentist 
• Discounts: Varies per dentist 
• HSA and FSA payments vary

Candid is administered by private doctors, and they can set their own prices, perks, and guarantees. It's difficult to know how much this program will cost until you visit professionals and ask them.

Invisalign Pricing

Fast facts about Invisalign costs:

• Full cost: Varies significantly depending on insurance, up to $5,000
• Monthly payments: Varies
• Discounts: Varies
• HSA and FSA payments vary

Independent dental practitioners administer Invisalign. Those orthodontists and dentists set their prices, and they set up their perks and benefits for their customers. Making sweeping statements about how Invisalign works is hard because your experience and cost will vary depending on your chosen dental team.

Choose Invisalign, and you'll also have costs associated with missed work and a commute to a dental office. You'll need to go to each appointment to keep your treatment on track.

ClearCorrect Pricing

Fast facts about Invisalign costs:

• Full cost: Varies significantly depending on the dentist
• Monthly payments: Varies
• Discounts: Varies
• HSA and FSA payments vary

ClearCorrect is administered by independent dentists. Think of these products as tools dentists can offer to their patients at prices and policies they set. It's very difficult to make predictions about how much these aligners cost, as it really depends on the dentist.

You must find a dentist willing to offer these trays, and if your local dentists don't participate, this option isn't available to you.

NewSmile Pricing

Fast facts about NewSmile costs:

• Impression kit: $49
• Full cost: $1,495
• Monthly payments: $58
• Discounts: Available
• HAS and FSA payments vary

NewSmile uses telemedicine techniques to help straighten your teeth without wasting your time. A team of talented dental professionals supervises each step, but you don’t need to go into an office to get checkups and new trays.

Your price includes plenty of perks, such as retainers, teeth whitening, and a guarantee.

SnapCorrect Pricing

Fast facts about SnapCorrect costs:

• Impression kit: $49
• Full cost: $1,749
• Monthly payments: Starting at $80.84
• Discounts: Sometimes available
• HSA and FSA payments usually accepted

SnapCorrect is a relative newcomer to the aligner market. The company uses telemedicine techniques to connect patients and providers, and the work starts with an at-home impression kit. If you're not a good candidate, your fees are refunded.

SnapCorrect will include your retainers in the price, but the company offers no additional perks.

Byte Pricing

Fast facts about our costs:

• Impression kit: $95
• Full cost: $1,999 for all-day aligners, $2,399 for night-only aligners
• Monthly payments: $69.49 with $249 down for day aligners, $83.38 with $299 down for night-only aligners
• Discounts available for seniors, veterans, and active members of the military
• HSA and FSA payments accepted

Our pricing is competitive, and every customer gets something special with clear aligners. We also include HyperByte®, a tool that uses gentle vibrations to help seat your teeth within your trays. The tool helps to reduce discomfort for some patients and may help shorten treatment times.\ \ You use HyperByte for only 5 minutes daily, but it can still make a big difference in your treatment plan.\ \ We also offer a guarantee at Byte. Follow our treatment plans carefully, and if you’re unhappy with your smile when you’re done, let us know. We’ll talk with you and craft a plan to address the problem at no charge to you.

How Much Should Pricing Matter?

Cost-conscious consumers pay attention to fees. But don't stop with a price comparison. A higher cost could bring benefits critical to your mouth and your happiness.

Use this analysis to start your research process, but be sure to dig into details about timelines, expertise, and customer satisfaction. This is an important decision, and you're wise to choose carefully.

Other Options to Consider 

Many of the companies we've mentioned work directly with consumers. These products are easy for anyone to use even if you don't have a dentist locally that you trust. An option like this tends to be less expensive. And it comes with some perks.

You'll know upfront how much your plan will cost, as you won't have to comparison shop from dentist to dentist. And you won't have to keep in-person appointments.

Timelines can also vary quite a bit from company to company. In-office options tend to require more time, as you must keep your appointments. Missing even one appointment could add months to your schedule.

Finally, it pays to ask about guarantees. A few of the companies we've mentioned stand behind their work and will offer refunds if you follow the plan as specified and your smile isn't right. But plenty of options don't come with reassurances like this. Be sure to ask before the work is done.

References

Pricing. ALIGNERCO. Date fetched: July 24, 2022.

HSA and FSA Financing. ALIGNERCO. Date fetched: July 24, 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions. ALIGNERCO. Date fetched: July 24, 2022.

Pricing. SmileDirectClub. Date fetched: July 24, 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions. SmileDirectClub. Date fetched: July 24, 2022.

Confident Smile Guarantee. SmileDirectClub. Date fetched: July 24, 2022.

Pricing. Candid. Date fetched: July 24, 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions. Candid. Date fetched: July 24, 2022.

Return and Refund Policy. Candid. Date fetched: July 24, 2022.

Lessons from Telemedicine and Teledentistry and Tele-Orthodontics. (July 2020). Ideate Labs. Date fetched: July 24, 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions. Invisalign. Date fetched: July 24, 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions. Byte. Date fetched: July 24, 2022.