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. Colorado 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 Colorado. 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 Colorado.
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 kit 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.
Invisalign prices in Colorado usually fall pretty close to the national average, with some areas paying a little higher and some a little lower than average. If there are lots of local providers in your region, you can probably “shop around” to find the provider with the best price point. Costs are mostly dictated by the local cost of living (typically highest in urban/suburban regions, but a few rural tourist towns have a high cost, too). But on average, Colorado residents usually pay between $4,000-$6,000 for Invisalign.
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 Colorado
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in Colorado. 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 Colorado, but you don’t get price-gouged for the distance! Your price is the same as an LA resident’s (but you’ll definitely pay less sales tax—LA has a sales tax that exceeds 10%, and Colorado’s is just 2.9%), 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 Colorado, located in Denver. There may be more in the future, since Candid is constantly expanding the reach of their retail locations. If Denver 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. AlignerCo is headquartered in New York, so keep in mind that you’ll wait a little while for shipping compared to someone in the northeast, but the wait shouldn’t be unreasonable, either.
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 SmileShops in Colorado, but at present, only the Denver location is open. Due to the ever-changing COVID situation, many shops have temporarily closed across Colorado. They’ll reopen when it’s deemed safe to do so. For a list of the locations that are currently open in Colorado (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 Colorado, there are hundreds of local Invisalign doctors, all with varying levels of experience. They have their respective price points, too. But regardless of whether you live in the energetic college town of Boulder, the bustling city of Denver, or a rural mountain town, your Invisalign price tag will probably fall somewhere between $4,000 and $6,000. That’s in line with the national average.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in Colorado
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in Colorado 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:
- Trinity Orthodontics: Dr. Samott and Dr. Nelson both have been serving the orthodontic needs of patients for over 25 years each, and they proudly offer Invisalign (as VIP Platinum providers, no less). They maintain three locations across the state, including offices in Brighton, Arvada, and Thornton.
- Kohrs Orthodontics: Dr. Kohrs is known for two things: his bright orange Jeep and his excellent Invisalign treatment (okay, the second one’s more important). As a VIP Diamond Provider, Dr. Kohrs has served hundreds of patients from four locations: East Aurora, West Aurora, Strasburg, and Hudson.
- Advanced Orthodontic Care: Dr. Rudman has won local acclaim as a “Top Dentist” (in local publication 5280) for 12 years running, so you can be confident that you’ll receive excellent Invisalign treatment from his Denver office.
- Chapman Orthodontics: Dr. Chapman and his team are proud to call Wheat Ridge home, where they offer Invisalign treatment. He’s been treating patients since 1989 and would be honored to serve you, too.
- Dentistry of Colorado: If you want to work with a well-established Invisalign provider who also provides general dental services, check out Dentistry of Colorado. Dr. Sage Pollard leads this extensive network, with seven locations across Arvada, Denver, Lakewood, and more.
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 ClearCorrect. 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 Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in Colorado
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 Colorado ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Family & Cosmetic Dentistry: Located in Colorado Springs, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is known for its “we’re all family” feeling. And it’s no surprise why; Dr. Dick Dobbin founded the practice, and until his retirement in 2018, he shared the business with his daughter, Dr. Monica Dobbin. They’re proud to offer ClearCorrect treatments.
- Scavuzzo Dental Care: Centennial, Colorado is home to Scavuzzo Dental Care, a top-rated ClearCorrect provider. With over 100 reviews on Google alone and a 4.9/5-star rating, you can be confident you’ll get top-notch treatment.
- Breeze Dental: The Drs. Farbod lead the treatment team at Breeze Dental, where you’ll find ClearCorrect treatment on top of general dental services. They proudly serve the Denver/Aurora metro area.
- Lasting Impressions Dental Care: Dr. Jeffrey and Dr. Trent Platt proudly offer both ClearCorrect and Invisalign treatment to clients throughout Colorado Springs. They’ve won an excellent rating through external reviews, with two or three negative reviews across hundreds of ratings.
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 Colorado, you can find providers—including gold and silver providers with lots of experience—in Denver, Boulder, Westminster, and more. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in Colorado
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.
- The Denver Dentists: With nearly 200 positive reviews to their name, it’s no surprise that Dr. Burson and his team have established themselves as a top Six Month Smiles provider in Denver. And if you like, you can start treatment on the same day as your initial consultation.
- Boulder Valley Dental Center: Dr. Tracey Hughes believes that every patient deserves personal, individualized care, and it shows in the positive reviews she’s won on Google, Facebook, and more. She proudly serves the Boulder Valley with Six Month Smiles treatment and other general dentistry services.
- New Season Dental: If you’re looking for a smaller practice that offers Six Month Smiles in Westminster (and the surrounding Denver metro area), then you should check out New Season Dental. Dr. Jung also maintains a “We Care” discount program that helps patients without dental insurance to obtain quality, affordable treatment.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in Colorado?
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.
Your location dictates part of your in-person treatment cost. On the whole, Colorado has a pretty average cost of living, but its dental care prices aren’t as low as some surrounding states (think Wyoming). And there’s also a unique variety within Colorado, too. Conventional wisdom states that the cost of living is always higher in the city and lower in rural areas, but that’s not always true. Sure, the urban treatment prices tend to be the highest. But if you live in a “tourist town” that could still be classified as rural, your price might be just as high as the price in Denver.
If your dentist or orthodontist serves an area with a high cost of living, it’s likely that he or she will need to raise the prices a bit to accommodate. Thankfully, there aren’t a ton of statewide taxes that further drive prices. Colorado’s corporate income tax is a pretty low 4.63%. And since the sales tax is just 2.9%, you won’t pay much beyond the treatment fees.
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 Colorado, 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!