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, often called invisible braces, have become the best alternative to metal braces. And as a result, there are plenty of clear aligner brands available across the country. Arizona 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 Arizona. 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 Arizona.
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 $2,300 | 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: mild cosmetic misalignments (with the exception of Candid, which offers more comprehensive treatment) | 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.
In general, Arizona has Invisalign prices that are slightly higher than the national average—but not by much. Thanks to a moderate cost of living, pretty affordable sales taxes, and a fairly extensive network of local providers, Arizona residents usually pay somewhere between $4,000 and $6,500. If you’re located in an urban or suburban area, you can probably “shop around” to find the provider with the best price point. Rural patients tend to pay on the lower side of that range.
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 Arizona
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in Arizona. 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 Arizona, 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.
Candid | #2 Aligner
Candid, our second pick, was founded in 2017, and they’re just as lovable as byte. 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). Most Candid Studios even include a complimentary panoramic X-ray of your teeth at your appointment.
Here’s a snapshot of Candid:
- Treatment type: At-home
- Cost: $1,895
- 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’s treatment is their ability to move all your teeth, including the molars. Other providers focus mostly on your front six upper teeth (also known as the “social six”). Candid’s ability to consider your smile as a whole makes them the most comprehensive at-home clear aligner provider on the market.
Candid currently has one location in Arizona, located in Phoenix. There may be more in the future, since Candid is constantly expanding the reach of their retail locations. If Phoenix is a bit out of the way for you, the impression kit is always a good option. There’s no risk in buying the kit; if you’re not a good candidate for treatment, you’ll get a full refund.
Curious about Candid? Check out the full review.
AlignerCo | #3 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 (they’re less than half the price of Candid).
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. Please note that AlignerCo is headquartered in New York. So even though you won’t have to pay extensive extra shipping costs, you may have to wait a little longer for shipping than someone located on the East Coast.
Check out the full AlignerCo review for more information.
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 a lot of SmileShops across Arizona, but due to the ongoing COVID crisis, they’ve temporarily closed many of their locations. Currently, only their Mesa location is accepting appointments—be sure to check their safety procedures before your visit. It’s reasonable to expect that other locations will reopen before too long, though. To find a list of the locations currently open in Arizona (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
In Arizona, there are hundreds of local Invisalign doctors, all with varying levels of experience. They have their respective price points, too. For reference, there are more than 85 Invisalign doctors within 10 miles of the 85002 zip code! The other sizable cities in the state have plenty of providers, too. But regardless of where you live, your Invisalign price tag will probably fall somewhere between $4,000 and $6,500, with suburban areas usually having the highest prices. These prices are a tiny bit higher than the national average.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in Arizona
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in Arizona 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:
- S&L Dental: Paradise Valley is home to a highly recommended dental practice (as in, 5-star ratings across over 300 reviews), S&L Dental. Led by Dr. Ngo (and a friendly service dog Dino), S&L provides Invisalign starting at $2,995 for simple cases.
- Biltmore Commons Dental Care: A trio of dentists leads the team at Biltmore Commons in Phoenix, and they’ve established a culture of excellence with more than 500 5-star reviews. They offer Invisalign orthodontics and dozens of other cosmetic dentistry services.
- Kassman 3D Orthodontics: Proudly serving the greater Tucson area, Dr. Kassman and his team have been recognized as one of two premier providers for Invisalign Teen. That same excellence applies to all ages, though.
- Woolaver Orthodontics: Voted “Best Orthodontist” since opening in 2008, Woolaver Orthodontics proudly serves Ahwatukee and surrounding areas as a Diamond Plus Invisalign provider (essentially, they’re in the top 1% of Invisalign providers).
- Surprise Orthodontics: Dr. Kamal leads the team at Surprise Orthodontics, and you might be surprised by the excellent service you receive from this Gold Invisalign Provider (okay, bad pun; we admit it). They proudly serve clients in Surprise, Glendale, Waddell, and the surrounding area.
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 Arizona. 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 Phoenix, Avondale, Tucson, Mesa, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in Arizona
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 Arizona ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Life Smiles Dental Care: Dr. Timothy Schmidt and Dr. Paul Nielson lead the team at Life Smiles Dental in Phoenix. They actually provide both ClearCorrect and Six Month Smiles treatments, and they’ve won local acclaim for top-notch service and care.
- Sabino Dental: Sabino Dental is located in Tucson, and they’ve won a fantastic reputation (4.9/5 stars across 400+ votes) for their general dental care and ClearCorrect treatments.
- Dentistry at Greenway: Dr. Adarsh Gandhi leads Dentistry at Greenway, where you’ll find some of the best general dentistry and ClearCorrect care available in all of Surprise, Arizona. You can easily schedule a consultation online to get started.
- Riggs Family Dental: Chandler is home to Riggs Family Dental, where you’ll receive excellent ClearCorrect treatment on top of general dentistry services. With nearly 300 5-star reviews to their name, Riggs is ready to offer you a smile to last a lifetime.
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. For example, in Arizona, you can find providers—including gold and silver providers with lots of experience—in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, and more. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in Arizona
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.
- Life Smiles Dental Care: Dr. Timothy Schmidt and Dr. Paul Nielson lead the team at Life Smiles Dental in Phoenix. They actually provide both ClearCorrect and Six Month Smiles treatments, and they’ve won local acclaim for top-notch service and care.
- Karren Dental: Like Life Smiles, Karren Dental is based in Phoenix, and Dr. Dustin D. Karren is excited to accept new patients. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a small-practice feel in a big-city area.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in Arizona?
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.
Arizona has a pretty conservative cost of living, so in general, in-person treatments are usually just a bit higher than national averages. For reference, Arizona only charges a 4.9% corporate income tax rate; lower income taxes usually mean your providers can keep their prices lower, too. You’ll also have to pay sales taxes on your clear aligner treatments, but since Arizona has a manageable 5.6% rate, it’s not a huge addition to your total price tag.
Please note that some Arizona residents choose to cross over into Mexico for dental treatment. In general, Mexico has cheaper dental treatment costs. For the most part, their orthodontists are as qualified as professionals from the U.S., but we do recommend that you do your research before picking an orthodontist across the border. Sometimes the cheaper price is worth it, sometimes not.
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 a more comprehensive treatment, 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 aligner reviews and service comparisons.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for teeth straightening in Arizona, 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!