invisalign alternative

Invisalign is incredibly popular, and for good reason. It can treat a wide variety of conditions, including bite issues like overjet and crossbite, all while keeping a much lower profile than traditional braces. But unfortunately, Invisalign has its downsides. Treatment typically costs around $5,000, which isn’t exactly chump change.

On top of that, COVID-19 has made in-office dental treatment pretty complicated. Whether your dentist is temporarily closed, reducing their hours, or you’re not comfortable leaving the house, straightening your teeth right now might seem impossible. But fortunately, it doesn’t have to be. Today, there are several clear aligner services that don’t require a single trip to the dentist.

We’ve researched all the clear aligners on the market and compiled a list of the six best Invisalign alternatives. Our list includes some traditional “in-office” clear aligner treatment options like Invisalign, which require regular trips to the dentist, as well as newer “at-home” treatment options, like SmileDirectClub. Read on as we dive into the pros & cons of each one.

“In-Office” vs. “At-Home” Clear Aligners like SmileDirectClub – What’s the Difference?

“In-office” clear aligners like Invisalign and “at-home” aligners, such as SmileDirectClub and Byte, have a lot in common. Both are clear aligners customized to fit your dental arches snugly and gradually shift your teeth over time.

The main difference is in the application. As the name suggests, at-home aligners are applied completely from your own home, no office visits required. This means home aligners are less expensive and offer more convenience. But at the same time, home aligners aren’t as effective for severe cases, because your dentist won’t be able to incorporate elastics or other attachments into your treatment plan.

If you have a mild-to-moderate dental misalignment and aren’t sold on Invisalign treatment, at-home clear aligners could be a game-changer for you. Below, you’ll find some of the best at-home clear aligner services available.

Best At-Home Alternatives to Invisalign

#1: Byte

$1,795$1,895

Byte might be young, but in their short lifetime, they’ve achieved incredible effectiveness and convenience, skyrocketing to the top spot in our home aligner rankings. Through technological and procedural innovation, they deliver faster treatment times than any other aligner company (just 3 months on average). Plus, they do it without sacrificing quality, or customer service.

Pros

• Byte’s 3-4-month treatment time is around half that of other home aligner companies and nearly a quarter of Invisalign’s average 12-month window.
• With the Byte for Life Guarantee, your smile is covered for a lifetime. Even if your teeth shift years down the road, they will create new aligners to readjust them.
• Every Byte customer can receive financing for their aligner treatment, regardless of credit score. Invisalign’s payment plan options vary depending on your dentist.
• Every Byte customer gets a personal customer service advisor who will check in throughout treatment.
• If you’d rather not wear your aligners 22+ hours per day, Byte offers a nighttime-only treatment schedule that only requires 10 hours per day.

Cons

• Byte just started selling aligners in 2018, so they have a fairly short track record of results and lack Invisalign’s extensive experience.
• They don’t offer any physical locations, so you’ll need to take impressions of your teeth on your own, which can sometimes be difficult.
• Invisalign can treat a wider scope of conditions than Byte, including bite issues.

byte – The Bottom Line

If you want to experience your smile transformation ASAP, but don’t want to sacrifice quality treatment or customer service, take a look at Byte.

Special Offer: 85% off impression kit + $100 off aligners + Free BrightByte Pro LED Whitener (July 4th Special Offer)CLAIM DISCOUNTREAD FULL REVIEW

#2: Candid

$2,400

In general, at-home aligners don’t measure up to Invisalign’s next-level power and finesse, but among home aligner companies, Candid is one of the most effective. They’re dedicated to delivering top-quality products and safe, efficient treatment. They’re the only home aligner company to offer a Remote Monitoring service, so your assigned orthodontist can keep track of your progress throughout the treatment process.

Pros

• Candid’s treatment time is 6 months on average, while Invisalign often takes around 12 months.
• At $2,400, Candid costs much less than Invisalign, which will often run you $3,000 – $8,000.
• Candid works exclusively with orthodontists to create your treatment plan, something not all home aligner companies do.
• Their Remote Monitoring service provides digital check-ins every 7-10 days with your assigned orthodontist throughout treatment.
• Candid aligners are produced by ClearCorrect, so they’re comparable to Invisalign in structural quality.

Cons

• While effective among other home aligner companies, Candid isn’t able to treat severe conditions like Invisalign can.
• They might be the second-largest home aligner company, but Candid is still relatively young, especially compared to Invisalign, so they don’t have nearly as much experience.
• While Candid is cheaper than Invisalign, they’re more expensive than other home aligner companies, and their financing plans require a credit check to qualify (although their in-house plan accepts nearly everyone).

Candid – The Bottom Line

If you’re committed to home aligner treatment, you’d be hard-pressed to find a company that’s more devoted to delivering high-quality products and consistent results than Candid.

#3: AlignerCo

$1,145

Home teeth aligners are already fairly affordable, but AlignerCo takes it to the next level. This newcomer boasts the industry’s lowest sticker price and multiple financing plans to that can fit various schedules.

AlignerCo doesn’t quite have the same level of convenience as some other providers, but their low price more than makes up for it.

Pros

• AlignerCo’s sticker price is $1,145. That’s hundreds less than any other home aligner company and thousands less than Invisalign.
• They don’t require a credit check for their SmileFlex Easy financing plan, so everyone qualifies (their standard SmileFlex plan requires a soft credit check).
• Even though their customer service is entirely remote, customers praise AlignerCo’s responsive and personalized support.
• AlignerCo’s treatment typically takes 6-11 months, which is slightly slower than other home aligner companies, but still faster than Invisalign.

Cons

• AlignerCo only has one physical location (in Long Island, NY), so most customers will need to take their own teeth impressions to get started.
• Their website boasts orthodontist-designed treatment plans, but AlignerCo actually uses both orthodontists and general dentists. So, you can’t be sure if you’ll have the most specialized professional overseeing your treatment.

AlignerCo – The Bottom Line

On a tight budget? AlignerCo might not have the pedigree of quality that Byte and Candid do, but you can’t beat their low prices.

#4: SmileDirectClub

$1,950

SmileDirectClub is the largest and most well-known home aligner brand, one of the first ones to hit the market and rival Invisalign. They go above and beyond to provide the most convenient treatment available and have established a strong physical presence with 300+ SmileShops across the country.

SmileDirectClub has crafted over a million beautiful smiles to date, but Invisalign still has more extensive experience and a larger portfolio of results.

Pros

• SmileShops allow you to skip the impression kit and get started with your treatment quickly and easily. Plus, they have a network of 1,000+ dentist’s offices where you can start your treatment with a teeth scan.
• SmileDirectClub’s $1,950 price tag is much more affordable than Invisalign.
• Like Byte, they offer Nighttime Aligners, which you’ll only need to wear while you sleep instead of the 22 hours per day required by Invisalign and other aligner brands.
• SmileDirectClub provides financing and payment plans to every customer, no credit check required. Invisalign’s financing plans and requirements can vary depending on your specific provider.

Cons

• Similar to other home aligner treatments, SmileDirectClub can’t treat the same scope of conditions that Invisalign can. They’re more limited to mild/moderate cases of crowding and spacing.
• SmileDirectClub’s network consists of licensed dental professionals, but there’s no guarantee that they’re orthodontists.
• Their customer support has received some negative feedback over the years. Invisalign allows you to take any questions and concerns directly to your dentist.

SmileDirectClub – The Bottom Line

If you want a home aligner company that offers superior convenience and has a wealth of experience to back it up, take a look at SmileDirectClub.

Best In-Office Alternatives to Invisalign

#5: ClearCorrect

$2,500 – $5,000

When it comes to in-office clear aligner options, ClearCorrect is Invisalign’s only direct competitor. Like Invisalign, your dentist will develop and oversee your ClearCorrect treatment, adding attachments and appliances when necessary to correct a wide range of conditions.

Founded in 2006, ClearCorrect isn’t quite as experienced as Invisalign, but they’ve still been delivering quality results for over a decade and offer a comparable experience that can be, in some cases, even more cost-effective.

ClearCorrect Pros

• ClearCorrect charges dentists/orthodontists less for products and lab fees, and this might lead to lower costs for you as well ($2,500 – $5,000 on average).
• ClearCorrect aligners use a thinner plastic than Invisalign, which can make them less visible (but might also affect their durability).
• Like Invisalign, ClearCorrect’s direct dentist oversight allows them to treat a variety of severe conditions, including bite issues like overbite, underbite, etc.

ClearCorrect Cons

• ClearCorrect was founded nine years after Invisalign, so they don’t have the same track record of experience.
• ClearCorrect aligners use the same plastic that Invisalign used for years. But Invisalign has since moved on to new materials that are arguably more effective and durable.

ClearCorrect – The Bottom Line

If you want an in-office aligner system but are intimidated by Invisalign’s costs, check out ClearCorrect for an equally effective but more affordable option.

#6: Six Month Smiles

$2,500 – $5,000VISIT WEBSITE

If you take the home aligner timeframe and combine it with and in-office brand’s dentist interaction, you get Six Month Smiles. Like Invisalign, Six Month Smiles aligners are administered by a dentist and require regular office visits. But like home aligners, the overall treatment time is shorter, just 6 months on average.

They started out selling clear braces, but Six Month Smiles now offers clear aligners as well. This can be a great option for individuals who want to correct minor alignment issues quickly and with face-to-face dentist care.

Six Month Smiles Pros

• The 6-month average timeframe is shorter than typical Invisalign treatment, which often takes 12 months.
• Because they take less time, Six Month Smiles treatments require fewer office visits, so they can sometimes cost less than Invisalign.
• Six Month Smiles offer clear aligners and clear braces, so your dentist can choose the option that’s best for your specific condition.

Six Month Smiles Cons

• Given their shorter treatment time, Six Month Smiles is not designed to treat severe cases of tooth and jaw misalignment (like overbite, underbite, etc.). It’s more effective in treating milder cases of crowding and spacing, like home aligner systems.
• Even though they can be more affordable than Invisalign, Six Month Smiles aligners are still more expensive than home aligners while offering very similar results.

SixMonthSmiles – The Bottom Line

If you like the idea of straightening your front teeth in just 6 months on average, and would prefer in-office clear aligners over at-home aligners, Six Month Smiles is worth considering. VISIT SIX MONTH SMILESREAD FULL REVIEW

So, Which Should I Choose?

We realize this is a lot to take in, and it can be difficult to remember the most significant differences between these providers. To sum up the most important points, here’s a breakdown of all the clear aligners we’ve discussed, how much they cost, and what they can treat:

In the end, one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is whether you want to pursue at-home treatment or traditional in-office treatment. In general, we recommend at-home clear aligners if your case isn’t too severe. That way you can avoid the premium price point that comes with in-person care, and complete treatment from the comfort of your home.

However, if your case is too complicated for at-home treatment or you’re simply more comfortable going the traditional route, it’s worth seeking out a dentist who offers ClearCorrect or Six Month Smiles. These brands can be significantly more affordable than Invisalign, and you’ll still get the in-person attention you’re after.