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. Iowa 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 Iowa. 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 Iowa.
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.
Invisalign prices in Iowa usually fall in the same range as the national average (with the exception of college towns, which have the highest cost of living in the state). There are a fair number of providers throughout the state, but not as many as other locations. So while you might be able to “shop around” a little bit if you live in Des Moines, Ames, or Cedar Rapids, you can’t do a ton of it. Often, the price point you get at your first consultation is what you’ll pay anywhere in the state. On average, Iowa residents pay somewhere between $3,500 and $6,000 for Invisalign treatment.
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 Iowa
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in Iowa. 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 Iowa, 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), 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. Plus, AlignerCo is headquartered in New York, so Iowa residents can expect relatively shipping times, especially compared to someone living on the West Coast.
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 Iowa 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 Iowa 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.
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 Iowa. But due to the ongoing COVID crisis, they’ve temporarily closed most or all of their locations in the state. As far as we can tell, all of their Iowa locations are temporarily closed. For a list of the locations that are currently open in Iowa (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 Iowa, there are dozens upon dozens of local Invisalign doctors, all with varying levels of experience. They have their respective price points, too. Interestingly enough, in Iowa’s biggest city, Des Moines, the cost of living (and in turn, dental care) is actually lower than the state average. Smaller, more suburban college towns like Ames often have the highest Invisalign prices. But regardless of your actual location, your Invisalign price tag will probably fall somewhere between $3,500 and $6,000. That’s close to the national average.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in Iowa
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in Iowa 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:
- Central Iowa Orthodontics: The greater metropolitan area of Des Moines is home to Central Iowa Orthodontics, a Gold Plus Invisalign provider. They have five convenient locations, including Pleasant Hill, Waukee, Altoona, Ankeny, and Indianola.
- Smile Orthodontics: Smile Orthodontics is the only Platinum Invisalign provider in all of Des Moines, and they leverage that experience from their three locations across the city. Dr. Sturdivant leads the practice, proudly serving patients of all ages.
- Mergen Orthodontics: Since its founding in 1997, Dr. Mergen and his team at Mergen Orthodontics have crafted more than 19,000 beautiful smiles. Granted, not all of those were Invisalign treatments, but with more than 300 5-star reviews, you can be confident you’ll get excellent treatment in their Iowa City office.
- Ames Orthodontics: If you’re seeking Invisalign treatment in Ames or Nevada, Iowa, then Dr. Wass is your guy! (He was actually mentored by one of our other top recommended providers, Dr. Sturdivant). Currently, he maintains two locations.
- Wagner, Kuntz, & Grabouski: Residents of Sioux City should have no issues finding a convenient location to get Invisalign treatment thanks to Dr. Wagner, Dr. Kuntz, and Dr. Grabouski. They maintain nine offices across the area; their Iowa locations include Sioux City, Onawa, Sioux Center, and Cherokee.
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 Iowa. 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 Des Moines, Manchester, Eagle Grove, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in Iowa
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 Iowa ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Apex Dental: Dr. Mindy of Apex Dental is a certified, experienced provider of both ClearCorrect and Six Month Smiles. She and her husband (a fellow dentist at the practice) proudly serve the West Des Moines area and the global community through dental mission trips.
- Classic Smiles: Dr. Stephanie Nowysz leads the team at Classic Smiles, where the goal is to “keep things simple” (but still excellent!) when it comes to dental care. Her office provides comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry services, ClearCorrect included.
- Moffitt Dental: Eagle Grove is home to the Drs. Moffitt of Moffitt Dental. Together, they’ve won more than 125 positive reviews on Google alone. So regardless of whether you visit their office for ClearCorrect treatment or a routine cleaning, you can be confident that you’ll get top quality care.
- Dental Associates of Manchester: Dr. Collier is a reputable provider of clear braces, including both ClearCorrect and Invisalign. He and his partner, Dr. Stecklein, also offer a Smile Advantage Plan to help make general dental care more affordable.
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 Iowa, you can find providers—including gold and silver providers with lots of experience—in Des Moines, Urbandale, and more. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in Iowa
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.
- Apex Dental: Dr. Mindy of Apex Dental is a certified, experienced provider of both Six Month Smiles and ClearCorrect. She and her husband (a fellow dentist at the practice) proudly serve the West Des Moines area and the global community through dental mission trips.
- The Dental Loft: If you’re located in or around Urbandale and you’re seeking Six Month Smiles treatment, check out the Dental Loft, led by Dr. Donnell-Randall. For Dr. Randall, her biggest achievement is every time her patients tell her that she’s made them less scared to go to the dentist.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in Iowa?
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. Iowa has a much lower cost of living than states on either coast. Dental treatments are also relatively affordable. Interestingly, though, that cost of living is pretty consistent across the state. For example, Des Moines, the biggest city in the state, has pretty much the same costs as the rest of the state.
There are a few statewide factors that can impact your treatment cost. The biggest one is the corporate income tax (12%). Technically, you don’t actually pay that tax personally. But your dentist or orthodontist probably does, and he or she might add onto your treatment cost to accommodate for it. The sales tax, however, is one that you do pay directly. Depending on your location, that sales tax will cost between 6-7%. Despite these taxes, Iowa has relatively affordable in-person aligner 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 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 aligner reviews and service comparisons.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for teeth straightening in Iowa, 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!