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. Hawaii 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 Hawaii. 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 Hawaii.
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.
Invisalign prices in Hawaii, like the state’s cost of living, tend to be higher than the national average. Frankly, that makes sense: providers have to pay extensive shipping costs to get the supplies they need to provide Invisalign. And it matters which island you’re on: the Big Island tends to have the lowest prices, and the smaller, “resort-type” islands typically have the highest prices. In general, the prices fall between $5,500 and $8,000.
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 Hawaii
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in Hawaii. 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 Hawaii, 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 in sales taxes). Shipping is free, but you might need to wait a little longer than someone in the continuous states, though.
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).
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.
Unfortunately, there aren’t any Candid Studio locations in Hawaii 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 Hawaii residents. And there’s no risk to buying a 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 probably have to be a little more patient for shipping times than someone located in the continuous states.
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 currently only has one SmileShop, located in Honolulu. You can find the address and get started booking an appointment here. And if you’re not located near the shop, an impression kit is always a perfect alternative.
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 Hawaii, despite the unique real estate, there are still lots of Invisalign doctors, especially on the island of Oahu. Other islands, like Kailua-Kona, have options, too. Regardless of which island you call home, you can reasonably expect to pay somewhere between $5,500 and $8,000 for Invisalign treatment. That’s higher than the national average, with fees topping out at $8,000 in Honolulu.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in Hawaii
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in Hawaii 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:
- Holliday Orthodontics: With four locations spread across the greater Honolulu area (two in Honolulu, Pearl City, and Kailua), Holliday Orthodontics is a great place to visit if you’re seeking orthodontic treatment. Dr. Holliday and his team have been recognized as an Invisalign VIP Diamond Plus provider, meaning they’ve treated a large volume of their patients with Invisalign.
- Hawaii Orthodontist: If you’re located in Honolulu but you’d rather work with a smaller, more intimate practice, then check out Dr. Tammy Chang-Motooka’s team at Hawaii Orthodontics. She is a Diamond Invisalign provider, so odds are she’s already seen a case like yours.
- Yim Orthodontics: If you’re a resident of the big island, you’ll find that Yim Orthodontics is a great resource for Invisalign treatment. They currently have three office locations: Kaneohe, Kailua Kona, and Kamuela.
- Hawaii Smile Designs: Hawaii Smile Designs spans three of Hawaii’s islands, including the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. Dr. Yim leads the team, offering a wide variety of treatments, Invisalign included.
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 Hawaii. 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 a few provider locations, including Honolulu, Aiea, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in Hawaii
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 Hawaii ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Dr. Wade Takenishi: There aren’t a ton of ClearCorrect providers in Hawaii, but Dr. Takenishi proudly provides it in Honolulu. They also offer a wide variety of other general dentistry services.
- Dr. Keith Vodzak: Dr. Vodzak maintains two locations: a Honolulu office and a Kailua office. From one of those two locations, you can get both ClearCorrect (or Invisalign) treatment and a wide variety of other orthodontic options.
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. The provider options in Hawaii, for example, are pretty limited. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in Hawaii
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.
- San Diego Family Dentistry: Honolulu is home to San Diego Family Dentistry (no, it’s not California). They’re one of the few Six Month Smiles in the entire state.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in Hawaii?
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. In Hawaii, the cost of living is pretty high statewide. After all, since so many things have to be shipped into the islands, there are lots of extra costs. But which island you live on also affects your costs. For example, if you’re in the biggest city, Honolulu, the prices will be their highest. Honolulu’s suburbs will have similar prices. The more “rural” areas of Hawaii tend to have lower prices, but there aren’t as many providers, so you’ll have fewer opportunities to shop around for a better price.
Thankfully, taxes in Hawaii are relatively low. The 4.4-6.4% corporate income taxes won’t have a huge impact on your overall price tag. And you’ll only pay 4% in sales taxes. On the whole, compared to other states, Hawaii has higher-than-average in-person treatment prices.
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 Hawaii, 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!