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. Louisiana 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 Louisiana. 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 Louisiana.
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 Louisiana are usually in line with the national average; in fact, the southern states typically have some of the lowest costs in the country. There’s a pretty good number of local providers, too, so there’s a good chance you can “shop around” for the provider with the best price point. On average, Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in Louisiana. 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 pretty far from Louisiana, but you don’t get price-gouged for the distance! Your price is the same as an LA resident’s (although depending on where you live, you may pay the same sales tax rate or less), 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).
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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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. Plus, AlignerCo is headquartered in New York, so Louisiana residents can expect relatively quick shipping times, especially compared to some living on the West 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 several SmileShops in Louisiana. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, SmileDirect had to temporarily close most or all of their locations nationwide. As far as we can tell, there are currently only three locations open in Louisiana: Baton Rouge, Monroe, and Shreveport. For a list of the locations that are currently open in Louisiana (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 Louisiana, there’s a decent 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 the bustling city of New Orleans or a smaller suburb like Lafayette or Alexandria, your Invisalign price tag will probably fall somewhere between $3,500 and $6,000. That’s in line with the national average (or sometimes lower, depending on your provider).
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in Louisiana
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in Louisiana 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:
- MidCity Smiles Family Dentistry: Aptly named due to its location in the heart of New Orleans, MidCity Smiles is a great resource if you’re seeking Invisalign treatment. Dr. Anderson is a Platinum Plus provider of Invisalign treatment, and the practice is fluent in Spanish, making them a great option for those who aren’t as comfortable talking about the specifics of treatment in English.
- Gottsegen Orthodontics: Dr. Gottsegen is a VIP Gold Plus provider for Invisalign, and he formerly served as the president of the Louisiana Association of Orthodontists. He’s passionate about orthodontics, and he would love the opportunity to bring that passion to your smile from his office in New Orleans.
- Balhoff Orthodontics: With over 100 5-star Google reviews, Dr. Balhoff has pretty clearly established himself as an excellent Invisalign provider in Lafayette. Currently, he offers both Invisalign Teen and standard Invisalign.
- Lefort Orthodontics: Residents of Lake Charles who want to get Invisalign treatment close to home should check out Lefort Orthodontics. They also have a location Sulphur, where you’ll have access to a wide variety of orthodontic treatments, Invisalign included.
- Sherman & Balhoff Orthodontics: Dr. Sherman and Dr. Balhoff are Baton Rouge’s only VIP Diamond providers. If you’re still unsure about treatment with Invisalign, they offer a complimentary initial consultation so you can get started with no strings attached.
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 Louisiana. 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 New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Metairie, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in Louisiana
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 Louisiana ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Dr. Kevin J. Collins: Metairie is home to the dental practice of Dr. Collins, who’s been serving patients since 1987. He focuses primarily on general family dentistry, but he also offers ClearCorrect for those seeking orthodontic treatment.
- Galliano Family Dentistry: It’s hard to rival the family-friendly feeling you get at Galliano Family Dentistry—it’s their family’s business. Together, Dr. Galliano and Dr. Galliano offer a full array of dentistry treatments, including ClearCorrect, at their Baton Rouge office.
- Smile Dental Center: Dr. Mario Pary leads the team at Smile Dental Center, based in Shreveport. Most of the team is bilingual, so if you’re looking for ClearCorrect treatment but you’re more comfortable discussing your treatment options in Spanish, they’d be glad to help.
- 7 O’Clock Dental: 7 O’Clock Dental has almost 150 positive reviews on Google (and that’s not counting other 3rd-party sites). If you’re located in or around New Orleans and you want ClearCorrect treatment, Dr. Tripp and his team would be honored to help you achieve your dream smile.
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 Louisiana, you can find providers—including gold and silver providers with lots of experience—in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and more. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in Louisiana
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.
- Bluebonnet Dental Care: One quick Google search will show you that Bluebonnet Dental Care has won hundreds of positive reviews. While their practice, led by four experienced dentists, focuses primarily on general cosmetic dentistry, they also offer both Six Month Smiles and Invisalign at their Baton Rouge office.
- Dr. Kevin J. Collins: Metairie is home to the dental practice of Dr. Collins, who’s been serving patients since 1987. He focuses primarily on general family dentistry, but he also offers both Six Month Smiles and ClearCorrect for those seeking orthodontic treatment.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in Louisiana?
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. Compared to other areas of the country, Louisiana has a relatively low cost of living. Not only does that help keep your personal bills low, but it also keeps your dentist’s bills pretty low. When a dental provider has low overhead costs, he or she can keep your service bills low, too.
One factor that can affect your in-person treatment pricing is the state’s taxes. Louisiana’s are pretty manageable. For starters, the state’s corporate income tax is 4-8%. You won’t pay that tax directly, but your provider will. Some providers choose to add onto their treatment price to help accommodate for that tax. But since Louisiana’s tax isn’t huge, it won’t have an incredible impact on your total cost.
Last but not least, there’s the state sales tax, which varies widely across the state. The state’s rate is 4.45% (lower than average), but depending on local rates, the total tax can get as high as 11.45% (much higher than average). All told, though, Louisiana has relatively affordable 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 Louisiana, 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!