If you’ve ever dreamed about getting a perfect smile, but the thought of painful, unsightly braces gives you nightmares, you’re not alone. Luckily, that’s where clear aligners come in. In general, clear aligners are faster, more comfortable, more affordable, and nearly invisible compared to braces.
It’s no surprise that clear aligners have become the best alternative to braces. And as a result, there are plenty of clear aligner brands available across the country. Alaska is no exception. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the options, don’t stress. We’ve done the work for you.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the top clear aligner options in Alaska. But before we jump in, please note that orthodontic care is a very individualized area. There are lots of different facets to treatment: cost, in-office vs. at-home treatment, treatment speed, company size and track record, treatable cases, and more.
Everyone has different priorities, but we’ve done our best to weigh each of those categories to help you pick the best clear aligners in Alaska.
Understanding Your Options: At-Home vs. In-Person Clear Aligners
When choosing a clear aligner, the first decision you should make is whether to use an at-home method or an in-person treatment. Both methods use clear aligners, but in-person treatments are administered at a local dentist or orthodontist’s office; at-home treatments are delivered right to your door instead.
At a glance, here are the primary differences between the two types:
At-home treatments | In-person treatments |
|---|---|
| Cost: flat rate; sticker prices range between $1,145 and $2,400 | Cost: variable depending on provider, condition severity, and location, but typically falls between $3,000-$10,000 |
| Orthodontist oversight: minimal; treatment design phase only (exception: Candid) | Orthodontist oversight: constant, from initial consultation to aftercare retainers |
| Office visits: not required | Office visits: required every 6-8 weeks |
| Treatment speed: 6 months on average | Treatment speed: 12-18 months on average |
| Treatable cases: minor cosmetic misalignments only | Treatable cases: Mild to fairly severe cases of misalignment and bite issues |
Why the huge cost variability for in-person treatments? A lot of factors influence the price tag you’ll pay for a product like Invisalign. Nationwide, Invisalign costs roughly $5,000.
Alaska may not have a sales tax rate, but that doesn’t “make up” for the fact that Alaska has an extremely high cost of living compared to other states. It’s mostly unavoidable; after all, it takes a lot more time and money to ship dental supplies, Invisalign included, to the state. As a result, Invisalign prices in Alaska are almost always above the national average. Prices typically range from $4,500 to $7,500. If you’re located in a rural area of Alaska, it can be hard to “shop around” for a better price; providers are pretty limited. Suburban areas and urban locations have a few more options, though.
If that sounds like a lot to shell out, consider using an at-home method like byte. Byte costs just $1,895, so you could potentially save thousands compared to Invisalign.
7 Best Clear Aligners in Alaska
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in Alaska. Thanks to our research, we’ve narrowed it down to the 7 quickest, safest, and most affordable options:
Byte | #1 Aligner
Founded in 2018, Byte prides itself on being the fastest at-home aligner on the market. But “fast” doesn’t mean “sloppy.” Byte also uses SmileScience to create a treatment plan that will transform your smile into a grin that complements your unique facial features.
Here’s a snapshot of Byte:
- Treatment type: At-home
- Cost: $1,895 for daytime treatment; $2,295 for byte At-Night (their premium nighttime aligners)
- Speed: 3 months (5-6 months for nighttime treatment)
- Start-up process: Impression kits only, but offers video appointments to assist with the process
- Financing: Automatic approval makes a payment plan accessible to all
Byte is our #1 pick because they combine it all: excellent customer service, a great bang for your buck, speedy treatment, a fantastic Byte-for-Life guarantee, and flexible treatment options.
Byte’s Los Angeles headquarters might be far from Alaska, but you don’t get price-gouged for the distance! Your price is the same as an LA resident’s (but you’ll probably pay less sales tax), and shipping is free.
AlignerCo | #2 Aligner
Founded in May of 2019, AlignerCo is the “new kid on the block” on the clear aligner scene. But they’ve quickly made their mark on the industry as the most affordable option on the market.
Here’s a quick glance at AlignerCo:
- Treatment type: At-home
- Cost: $1,145 ($1345 for nighttime treatment)
- Treatment speed: 6 to 11 months
- Start-up process: Impression kits only, but offers video support
- Financing: Two financing plans (SmileFlex and SmileFlex Easy) make financing accessible to all, regardless of credit score
It’s hard to argue with the sheer value of AlignerCo, so if you’re looking for a cost-effective method, look no further. They’ve also recently introduced nighttime treatments, so they offer flexible treatment options. AlignerCo is headquartered in New York, so keep in mind that you will have to be patient with shipping times.
Candid | #3 Aligner
Candid, our third pick, was founded in 2017. With Candid, you have the option to start your treatment with either an impression kit or a visit to a Candid Studio (the appointment is entirely free, and much easier than an impression kit).
Here’s a snapshot of Candid:
- Treatment type: At-home
- Cost: $2,400
- Treatment speed: Approximately 6 months
- Start-up process: Impression kits or a visit to a Candid Studio
- Financing: offered through Affirm, so a credit check is required
One of our favorite aspects of Candid is their Remote Monitoring program. Unlike most at-home aligners, Candid’s orthodontists will have regular, virtual “check-ins” with you to see how your treatment is going. It’s a great option if you want the peace of mind from oversight without the hassle of office visits.
Unfortunately, there aren’t any Candid Studio locations in Alaska yet, but there might be in the future! Candid is constantly expanding the reach of their retail locations. Thankfully, an impression kit is still an option for Alaska residents (although you might wait a bit longer for shipping, since they’re headquartered in New York). And there’s no risk to buying a kit; if you’re not a good candidate for treatment, you’ll get a full refund.
Smile Direct Club | #4 Aligner
Founded in 2014, SmileDirectClub is the oldest at-home clear aligner company. There’s a good chance you’ve heard of them already since they’ve served more than a million customers to date.
Here’s a quick glance at SmileDirectClub:
- Treatment type: At-home
- Cost: $1,895
- Treatment speed: approximately 6 months for daytime treatment; 8 to 10 for nighttime aligners
- Start-up process: Impression kit or scan at a SmileShop location
- Financing: SmilePay adds a downpayment instead of a credit check, for a total cost of $2,290
SmileDirect has established some SmileShops in Alaska. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, they’ve temporarily closed their locations in the state; they’ll reopen when it’s safe to do so, as dictated by local authorities. For a list of the locations that are currently open in Alaska (and please note that this is an ever-changing list), look here.
Invisalign | #5 Aligner
Invisalign is, without a doubt, the king of clear aligner treatment; they pioneered the treatment method in the 90s. But unlike the at-home aligners we’ve listed above, Invisalign is only offered in-office by participating dentists and orthodontists. As a result, Invisalign can add in Smartforce attachments and elastics to create a powerful treatment. Invisalign can treat even the most troublesome cases.
Here’s a quick overview of the clear aligner giant:
- Treatment type: In-person
- Cost: $3,000-$8,000 nationwide
- Treatment speed: 12 to 18 months
- Start-up process: Initial consultation with local provider
- Financing: Determined by treatment provider, but almost always available
Despite being isolated from the rest of the United States, Alaska has a fair number of local Invisalign doctors, all with varying levels of experience. They have their respective price points, too. But regardless of whether you live in suburban Juneau or the busiest city, Anchorage, your price will probably fall somewhere between $4,500 and $7,500. Rural areas tend to have the highest prices, falling on the highest side of that range (with exceptions, of course). Regardless of location, though, your price will probably be higher than the national average.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in Alaska
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in Alaska that it can be hard to pick the right one for you. Practically speaking, you can pick almost anyone, but if you want to work with a proven provider, here are some practices to look into:
- Wentz Orthodontics: Wentz Orthodontics proudly offers top-rated Invisalign treatments from two locations in Alaska: Fairbanks and North Pole. They’ve an Invisalign VIP provider, meaning that Invisalign comprises a large percentage of their orthodontic treatments.
- Murray Orthodontics: Dr. John Murray leads Murray Orthodontics, a network of three offices in the greater Anchorage area. Dr. Murray’s patients especially appreciate the friendliness of everyone on staff, so you should feel right at home.
- Northern Smiles Orthodontics: Dr. Devin Johnson and his staff have earned glowing recommendations from their clients in Anchorage; their Google reviews alone have earned them a 4.9/5-star rating. Dr. Johnson is a Platinum Invisalign provider.
- Richard Chan Orthodontics: Technically speaking, the majority of Dr. Chan’s practices are in Washington state, but he’s also established a successful location in Juneau, too. As a Platinum Invisalign provider, the practice has plenty of experience using Invisalign.
Unsurprisingly, a lot of these locations (and other providers not included here) are located in Anchorage. That’s understandable, given the size of the city. If you don’t see your location listed here, be sure to check out Invisalign’s Find a Doctor tool.
ClearCorrect | #6 Aligner
ClearCorrect got its start in 2006 when their founder, Dr. William Pumphrey, had patients who needed clear aligners; he decided to manufacture his own. As a result, ClearCorrect became one of the top competitors to Invisalign in the in-office treatment category. In practice, they accomplish the same thing as Invisalign, but their brand network is smaller.
Here’s a quick glance at ClearCorrect’s features:
- Treatment type: In-person
- Cost: $4,000-$6,000
- Treatment speed: 12 to 18 months
- Start-up process: Initial consultation with local provider
- Financing: Determined by treatment provider, but almost always available
ClearCorrect providers are located in all 50 states, including Alaska. You can find a provider on their website, but please note that they don’t have nearly as much reach as Invisalign. That said, there are plenty of locations, including Anchorage, Kodiak, Wasilla, Juneau, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in Alaska
If you’re leaning towards ClearCorrect, it can still be overwhelming to find the best provider in your area. Of course, this isn’t a comprehensive list, but here are some of the top Alaska ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Advanced Family Dentistry: Advanced Family Dentistry is proud to offer ClearCorrect (along with other general dentistry services) from two locations in the state: Wasilla and Anchorage. They’ve won more than 200 4.9-star reviews or better, too, so you can be confident in their treatment offerings.
- Alcan Family Dental: Led by Dr. Scott Laudon, Alcan Family Dental offers ClearCorrect to clients in Anchorage. They’ve served the area since 1992, and they offer free consultations for new patients.
- Alaska Smile Center: If you’re looking for a smaller family practice located in Kodiak, check out Alaska Smile Center. Directed by Dr. Joel Wiersum (and founded in 1991), Alaska Smile offers ClearCorrect and all your other general dentistry needs.
As you’ve probably gathered, there aren’t nearly as many ClearCorrect providers as there are Invisalign doctors, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options. This isn’t a comprehensive list, either. If you don’t see a location here that’s close to you, be sure to check out ClearCorrect’s website to find a closer provider.
Six Month Smiles | #7 Aligner
Six Month Smiles first appeared on the scene in the mid-2000s, and true to their name, their treatment lasts 6 months on average. Their treatment is specifically designed for dentists, not orthodontists, allowing for more versatility at their offices. For patients, however, Six Month Smiles presents a unique advantage: you can get clear aligners, clear braces, or a combination of both.
Let’s take a quick glance at Six Month Smiles:
- Treatment type: In-person
- Cost: $3,500-$5,000
- Treatment speed: 6 months
- Start-up process: Initial consultation with local provider
- Financing: Determined by treatment provider, but almost always available
There are Six Month Smiles providers located across the country, mainly in major cities. In Alaska, most Six Month Smiles are located in Anchorage, so you may need to pick an alternative treatment if the city is too far away. That said, you can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in Alaska
Not all Six Month Smiles providers are created equal, so if you’re leaning towards this treatment method, you’ll want to pick the best provider you can. We’ve rounded up some of the top-rated SMS providers. This isn’t a comprehensive list, of course, but it might be a good place to start.
- btyDENTAL: Short for “Better Than Yesterday Dental,” btyDENTAL offers ClearCorrect (and Invisalign, actually). They maintain a whopping 10 locations across Anchorage, so if you call the city home, you’re sure to find an office that’s convenient to your home.
- Alaska Dental Associates: If you’d still like to get ClearCorrect without sacrificing the more personal feeling of working with a smaller practice, Dr. Kyle Triggs and his associates may be the perfect fit. The practice is located in Anchorage.
- Denali Dental Care: Anchorage is home to yet another ClearCorrect provider, Denali Dental Care. Dr. Morrell and Dr. Maisey lead their team to glowing reviews, with a composite score of 4.9/5 stars across more than 200 reviews.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in Alaska?
Honestly, this is a tricky question to answer. Technically speaking, AlignerCo is the cheapest. No other brand can compete with the flat $1,145 price tag. And in our opinion, a flat price is one of the big advantages of at-home clear aligners.
But as you’ve probably noticed, we can’t give you a straightforward answer for in-office clear aligners. There are a lot of reasons for that. Most importantly, your treatment cost for methods like Invisalign and ClearCorrect will largely depend on the severity of your case. Naturally, minor cases cost less. Some treatment providers also charge more or less based on their personal experience with the treatment method. For example, an orthodontist who’s well-versed in Invisalign treatment might charge a bit more for their expertise.
But more specifically, your location dictates some of your cost, too. On the whole, Alaska has a very high cost of living. Your budget might be a little tighter because of that, and the same is probably true for your dentist or orthodontist. And Alaska also has a pretty hefty corporate income tax of 9.4%, which can have a big effect on costs. When a dental provider has higher overhead costs, he or she might raise service fees to help accommodate for those costs (they have to stay in business, after all).
Similarly, if your dentist is located in a rural area, he or she probably has to pay additional fees to obtain supplies from other areas. In fact, that’s true for the whole state. So compared to other states, Alaska has higher in-person aligner prices than other states. At-home aligners still have a flat fee, but you may need to pay a relatively small extra fee to account for the distance (depending on which company you pick).
Unsure How to Compare Your Options?
Ultimately, only you can pick the right option for your unique grin. So, to narrow down your choices, ask yourself: what do you want from your treatment? Speed? Affordability? Convenience? One-on-one time with your treatment provider? Overall value?
If you’re looking for your best bang for your buck, check out Byte. If you need the convenience of at-home aligners but want orthodontist oversight, check out Candid. Affordability is AlignerCo’s claim to fame. But if you’re leaning towards in-office treatment and you’re willing to spend more, look into Invisalign.
It’s up to you to do your research to find which is best for you. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, or you’re leaning towards two specific options, check out our home clear aligner reviews and service comparisons.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for teeth straightening in Alaska, you’re in luck; there are plenty of great options. But as we’ve seen, those options can be a bit overwhelming! You need to pick whether you want in-home or in-person treatments, decide how much you’re willing to pay, how long you’re willing to wait to see your perfect smile, and more.
If you’re not sure which treatment fits your priorities, feel free to click one of the links throughout this guide to continue your research.
No matter what your treatment priorities are, you’re sure to find the right treatment to fit your needs. We hope this guide has helped you do just that, and best of luck with your new smile!