Are you wondering how to get cheap Invisalign?
To say that Invisalign aligners changed the world of orthodontics treatment is a huge understatement. The clear aligners provide the same solution to common orthodontic problems, all while offering an esthetically better, more comfortable, and convenient alternative to traditional metal braces. But as with most orthodontic treatments out there, Invisalign’s teeth straightening process doesn’t come cheap. And depending on the complexity and severity of your case, the cost for complete treatment could even go higher.
Fortunately, there are really good but cheap Invisalign alternatives that can effectively straighten teeth for a fraction of the cost. Want to know more about the best Invisalign alternatives in the market? Read on to find out.
Understanding Invisalign treatment costs
Before you dive deeper into the world of aligner treatment and cheap Invisalign alternatives, it is important to understand why Invisalign clear aligners cost that much in the first place.
A complete Invisalign treatment typically costs $3,500. That is not cheap and that price can actually compare to traditional braces. However, Invisalign’s plastic aligners are widely considered the best invisible braces on the market today. As a matter of fact, many licensed dentists and orthodontists compare its benefits to traditional braces.
As a matter of fact, research in 2019 compared Invisalign’s effectiveness to traditional orthodontic fixed appliance therapies. Since its first introduction to the market in 1998, the brand has evolved from effectively treating minor crowding or spacing problems to correcting almost every type of malocclusion, from mild to severe. Thanks to the development of their special plastic material and computer design for tooth movement.
So why are Invisalign braces still so expensive?
Understand that a complete Invisalign treatment involves a lot of things. The invisible aligners are made in a special lab, through their patented SmartTrack technology, and using premium-grade plastic materials. The treatment plan also includes the use of advanced tools for correcting a wide range of malocclusions, using SmartForce attachments – a state-of-the-art 3D imaging for precise teeth impressions, predictive software, and digital modeling. All of these things help Invisalign’s partner dentists and orthodontists come up with a customized treatment plan.
Moreover, patients of Invisalign treatment are constantly monitored by their Invisalign provider. This is to make sure the teeth are moving according to plan, and the patient stays on course and compliant with the treatment.
So what are the cheap Invisalign alternatives out there? Here are the different alternatives to Invisalign aligners you should know.
In-Office Aligners versus At-Home Aligners
This list is divided into two categories, the in-office, and the at-home clear aligners. The difference between the two is exactly what their name says – in-office aligners start (and probably end) with an initial consultation with your dentist or orthodontist. Your dental professional will diagnose, create, and customize a treatment plan for you.
This also means the whole treatment will be monitored by a dental professional, keeping it a safe and effective treatment. This also ensures good overall oral health by incorporating or modifying the aligners to your treatment plan based on your needs.
If you cannot commit to regular clinic visits to your dentist, then you may opt for at-home clear aligners. At-home aligners allow you do teeth-straightening in the comforts of your own home, with no clinic visits and monitoring from a dental professional required.
At-home is generally much cheaper, but the downside of this, of course, is that you are on your own. This means you have to understand how to properly use the at-home impression kit to make a precise mold of your mouth and teeth and get the perfect-fitting clear aligners.
Best Invisalign Alternative: In-Office Clear Aligners
Candid
Average cost: $1,895 or as low as $65 per month for 36 months with a $199 down payment
Average Treatment Duration: 6 months
Insurance: In-network with Aetna providers and Blue Cross, case by case basis for others
Candid is easily one of the best Invisalign alternatives when it comes to pricing.
The brand actually straddles the line between in-office and at-home care, as the treatment requires at least one office visit to their local partner dentist and incorporates an intensive remote monitoring setup. They are widely known for using a more comprehensive treatment plan and they even recommend additional office visits to the dentist should any issue arise throughout their patient’s teeth straightening process. They use 3D scans to get the most accurate and precise mouth and teeth impression.
Those who are considering the brand or thinking of getting their orthodontic problems fixed can check out their free online Smile Assessment. This feature allows you to find out if you are a good candidate for their treatment.
Candid is known for its superb customer service. Plus, they are constantly expanding their reach by getting more partner dentists around the country.
Pros and Cons
Pros
• Faster treatment time (averages 6-9 months, compared to 12-24 months of most Invisalign treatments)
• Reasonably-priced Invisalign alternative (treatments starts for as low as $3,500)
• The treatment will be constantly monitored by a professional (after your initial consultation, Candid’s team will monitor your progress remotely every few weeks)
• Hassle-free monitoring (using their CandidMonitoring service, you can send digital scans of your teeth to their team every 14 days to help track your progress and make adjustments in your treatment when necessary)
• Comprehensive treatment (their aligners can move and fix all of your teeth, from dental arches to molars, just like Invisalign)
Cons
• For mild to moderate cases only (although comprehensive, their treatment is usually limited to mild to moderate cases, since they don’t incorporate the use of additional attachments or elastics for fixing severe and complex cases)
• Young company with limited number of network providers across the country (200+ network providers and growing, compared to Invisalign’s 40,000+)
Bottom Line
Candid is trying out their new AI monitoring technology, an advanced technology dedicated to remotely monitoring patients’ orthodontic treatment. This aims to connect patients with their dentist every 10 days through an at-home scanner, allowing dental professionals to track their patient’s progress effectively.
If you are looking for an in-person assurance for your teeth-straightening treatment, minus the expensive price, Candid should be on your short list.
ClearCorrect
Average cost: $2,000 to $8,000
Average Treatment Duration: 12–24 months
Insurance: Many dental insurance plans with coverage for orthodontic services will pay towards the product
In many aspects, ClearCorrect is arguably the closest thing to the industry-leading Invisalign. It requires initial consultation with their partner dentist or orthodontist and in-person monitoring as it requires visits to your dental professional’s office after a few weeks. Obviously, these frequent visits to your dentist ensure the treatment is progressing according to plan and perform modifications when necessary.
This allows ClearCorrect to address even complex and severe cases of misalignment such as crossbite, or correct severe cases of overcrowding. Since it is designed to treat more complex cases, the total treatment time, of course, can take longer (a year or two for severe cases). Dentists can also use special attachments and appliances to address more severe cases.
Their attention to detail and level of care, of course, reflects their overall cost, as this clear aligner treatment is a little bit more expensive compared to its other competitors. Nevertheless, a complete ClearCorrect treatment still cost less compared to traditional metal braces and Invisalign.
ClearCorrect aligners are also thinner, making them more virtually invisible. The thin aligners, however, can feel sharp along the gum line.
The initial cost may seem high, but the quality of their work and the level of care you will receive can easily justify its cost. Moreover, they can accommodate most dental insurance plans. And even if you don’t have a dental insurance plan, you can still get their treatment for an affordable price through their payment plans such as AVS dental and CareCredit.
Pros and Cons
Pros
• Closes to Invisalign in terms of quality and individual care
• Cheap Invisalign alternative
• Direct dentist oversight and customized treatment for mild to severe cases of malocclusions
• Thinner and more virtually invisible aligners
Cons
• Can be expensive overall compared to other aligner brands
Bottom Line
If you are looking for an Invisialign-like level of care, but are intimidated by Invisalign’s high price tag, then you should check out ClearCorrect. Still, you should note that of all Invisalign competitors out there in the market, this is the most expensive one.
Six Month Smile
Average cost: $3,500–5,000 (as $399 down payment and $89 per month)
Average Treatment Duration: 6 months
Insurance: Accepts most major insurance
Six month smile aims to combine the best of both worlds in in-office and at-home clear aligners; the fast treatment timeframe and dentist interaction/monitoring. Hence, they are able to claim their treatment can be as fast as six months. Like the industry-leading Invisalign, clear aligners from Six Month Smile are administered by a licensed dentist, and the treatment requires regular dental visits. Those with mild to moderate cases can definitely take advantage of their fast turnaround time.
The brand actually started out selling clear braces, but they ventured out to clear aligners as well. And it turned out well for them.
Like other clear aligners in the market, their products aren’t exactly cheap. But then again, it is important to look beyond the price point because the treatment plan comes with other variables. The office visits alone can add up to the overall cost, but it also allows refinements of the treatment to keep it safe and effective.
Pros and Cons
Pros
• Fast average treatment duration (6 months)
• Fewer in-office visits (since treatment take less time to complete)
• Reasonably priced, with plenty of payment options
Cons
• Not designed for complex and severe cases of malocclusions, especially tooth misalignment and bite issues
• Though cheaper than many in-office aligners, still more expensive than most at-home clear aligners
Bottom Line
If you are looking to straighten your teeth faster, but want the supervision and guidance of a dental professional, then you should consider Six Months Smile.
Best Invisalign Alternative: At-Home Clear Aligners
Byte
Average cost: All-day aligners for $1,895 or $82 per month
Nighttime aligners: $2,295 or $99 per month
Average Treatment Duration: All-day aligners: 3–4 months, Nighttime aligners: 5–6 months
Insurance: Accepts some insurances with orthodontic plans, does not accept direct payment
The brand Byte sits atop the at-home clear aligner market mountain (if there is such a thing). Since its introduction in the market in 2008, they have continuously offered innovative, personalized teeth-straightening solutions, with superb customer support. With that, the brand is considered one of the better-trusted aligner companies, and the best cheap Invisalign alternative in the market right now.
Byte has two basic treatment options, the all-day and the nighttime aligners. Like Invisalign, the former aligners must be worn for at least 22 hours a day. But unlike Invisalign, it promises to provide a noticeable change in as fast as 3 to 4 months.
Their nighttime aligners, on the other hand, must be worn for at least 10 hours per night. This is a great option for people who don’t feel comfortable wearing something on their teeth during the day. Treatment time for this, of course, takes longer than its all-day counterpart, yet they claim it is still faster than many clear aligners in the market.
Pros and Cons
Pros
• Faster results, thanks to high-frequency vibration of HyperByte device
• Lifetime guarantee, meaning your smile is covered for life (as long as you purchase their retainers every 6 months, they can create new aligners for should your teeth shift years down the road)
• Personal customer service
• Many financing and payment plan options
Cons
• No physical locations, you will need to take your own impressions at home using at-home impression kit
• Best suited for mild to moderate misalignments only
Bottom Line
With lower cost, faster treatment time, and multiple aligner options, Byte is easily one of the most convenient and efficient options out there.
SmileDirectClub
Average cost: Single pay $2,050, SmilePay for $89 per or less month, for 26 months, with $250 deposit
Average Treatment Duration: 4 to 6 months or more
Insurance: Accepts most major insurance coverage
Smile Direct Club is the very first popular cheap Invisalign alternative to make a big splash in the teeth-straightening market. The brand entered the scene in 2014, and now they are also the second biggest home aligner brand today.
Their treatment process is quite similar to Candid. You can start with either one, order an impression kit and take your own mouth and teeth impression at home. Or two, head to a SmileShop where you can get your teeth scanned. They have more than 300+ shops across the country.
It is important to note that they don’t have their own AI technology for monitoring. However, you will be assigned with a dentist or orthodontist to check up with you every 90 days to oversee your progress. Their treatment usually lasts 6 to 18 months. If you don’t like wearing the aligners for 22 hours a day, then you can opt for their nighttime treatment, which will take a few more months to complete since you will be wearing the aligners less.
Pros and Cons
Pros
• Cheap Invisalign alternative (full treatment averages at $2,000)
• SmileShop gets you started right with precise impressions, way better than starting with impression kits
• Wide range of partner dentists all over the country
• Plenty of financing and payment plan options (no credit check needed)
Cons
• Underwhelming customer reviews
• Limited treatment scope (mild to moderate spacing and overcrowding problems)
Bottom Line
Smile Direct Club is widely considered a great Invisalign alternative; it is affordable and comfortable to wear. Plus, their treatment is super easy to start with, thanks to their SmileShops. , and convenient aside from their financial and payment options, they also offer great discounts and deals from time to time.
AlignerCo
Average cost: Day or night aligners cost $1,145, $81 for 12 months, or $95 for 11 months
Average Treatment Duration: All-day aligners: 4–6 months Night only clear aligners: 6–10 months
Insurance: Yes to some insurances with orthodontic plans, does not accept direct payment
AlignerCo wins the race as the cheapest Invisalign alternative there is today, by more than a mile. Not only that, but they also offer two payment plans making the price even more affordable. Depending on your insurance coverage, you can even get more help for the treatment plan. And if your insurance doesn’t cover aligner treatments, they also accept FSA and HSA cards.
There is nothing extraordinary about the brand, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t effective, far from it actually. AlignerCo is a trusted and well-established brand and its products are simply effective.
As with Invisalign, their aligners must be worn for a minimum of 22 hours a day, every day, for the duration of the treatment, which is about six months. That is actually considered fast.
If you don’t like wearing clear aligners during day time, they also have the nighttime treatment option. These aligners must only be worn for 10 hours (at night), but the downside is the treatment can take up to 10 months.
As an at-home treatment, this brand forgoes in-office visits. This is one of the many factors that allow the brand to keep its products affordable. However, this also means you will have to make your own mouth and teeth impressions as well. They offer remote consultations though.
Also, AlignerCo doesn’t have any physical locations. And like smaller companies, it may take a month or two before you can receive your set of clear aligners.
Also, they don’t have 24/7 customer support. Again, it’s a small company, and its customer service is limited to 9 AM to 6 PM (Eastern Standard Time). They have a 24/7 live chat though.
Pros and Cons
Pros
• Cheapest at-home clear aligner in the market
• Everything can be done at home
• Day or night aligner options
• Fast treatment plan
Cons
• No physical locations
• Slower response and takes longer to ship
Bottom Line
AlignerCo is by far the cheapest at-home aligner brand out there, but that doesn’t they have the cheapest quality too. As a matter of fact, it is one of the most efficient out there when it comes to treating mild to moderate malocclusions. Their aligners can correct crooked teeth in as fast as four months.
SnapCorrect
Average cost: $1,749, or $80.84 per month for 24 months at 10% APR
Average Treatment Duration: 3–18 months
Insurance: Yes to some insurances with orthodontic plans, does not accept direct payment
Another known cheap Invisalign alternative in the market right now is SnapCorrect. Their full treatment can be as low as $1,749 for a one-time payment, and they also offer an affordable monthly payment plan.
Of all the other clear aligners in the market today, SnapCorrect is the only one trimmed at the gum line. This means their aligners are even more virtually invisible. Depending on the complexity of the case, their treatment can be completed as fast as 3 months up to 18 months.
While the whole treatment process can be handled from home, SnapCorrect has partnered with dentists whom patients can visit to check the progress of their treatment.
SnapCorrect also offers their first retainer for free once you have completed the treatment. Also, they seem to be the only brand that offers free teeth whitening kit in their package, along with free gels for life.
Pros and Cons
Pros
• Cheap Invisalign alternative
• No in-office visits needed
• First retainer is fee
• With unlimited whitening gel refills
• Aligners are cut in the gum line for a more virtually invisible looks
Cons
• They sometimes partner with dental technicians, rather than licensed dentists
• For mild to moderate cases only
• No retail locations
Bottom Line
SnapCorrect is another good brand to consider if you are on a tight budget. Their aligners are cut in the gum line, making them almost invisible. Thus, they are ideal for anyone looking for more discreet clear aligners. However, should you opt for in-office checkups, make sure you do a background on the dental professional assigned to you. Ask for certification or any proof that he/she is a licensed dentist at the least.
There you have it, the best cheap Invisalign alternatives you can find in the market today. Talk to your dentist or orthodontist to see which one may work best for you and your budget. Get that beautiful smile you have always deserved