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. Maine 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 Maine. 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 Maine.
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.
Like the rest of the northeast, Maine has higher costs for dental care than much of the rest of the country. Invisalign treatment is no exception. There aren’t a ton of local Invisalign providers, either (most are located in or around Portland). So your opportunities to “shop around” for the best price are relatively limited. That said, Maine residents usually pay somewhere between $4,000 and $6,250 (on average).
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 Maine
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in Maine. 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 Maine, 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.
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 Maine 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 Maine 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 Maine residents can expect pretty prompt shipping times, especially compared to someone 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 some SmileShops in Maine. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, SmileDirect has closed many of their SmileShops nationwide, reopening them based on local conditions. As far as we can tell, all of the locations in Maine are currently closed. For a list of the locations that are currently open in Maine (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 Maine, there are a fair number of local Invisalign doctors, all with varying levels of experience. They have their respective price points, too. The majority of them are centered in or around Portland, but smaller towns often have a few as well. But regardless of whether you live in a small Portland suburb or in the heart of the city itself, your Invisalign price tag will probably fall between $4,000 and $6,250.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in Maine
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in Maine 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:
- M-Brace Orthodontics: With locations in Bathgate and Glenrothes, M-Brace Orthodontics is a great resource if you want Invisalign outside of Portland. They’ve been recognized as a VIP Diamond Plus provider, too, so they’re very experienced with the treatment.
- Maine Orthodontics: Led by Dr. Shuman and Dr. Razzaghi, Maine Orthodontics is a leading provider network for all kinds of orthodontic treatment, Invisalign included. Currently, they have 4 locations: Portland, Windham, South Portland, and Buxton.
- Levy Orthodontics: Dr. Levy was one of the very first providers to offer Invisalign treatment within the state, and he’d be honored to use his expertise to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Currently, he maintains an office in Yarmouth and another in Auburn.
- MK Orthodontics: Dr. Kleinlerer has won hundreds of positive reviews across Google, Healthgrades, and other third-party review sites, so if you visit her offices in Waterville or Augusta, you can be confident that you’ll get excellent, caring treatment. She offers a complimentary initial consultation, so there’s no obligation when you discuss your options with her.
- Dr. Michele Shems: With more than 350 5-star reviews on Google alone, Dr. Shems has thoroughly established herself as a fantastic Invisalign provider. She was inspired to pursue her career thanks to her own experience with her orthodontist as a teen, so when you visit her office in Falmouth, you’ll receive passionate, ethical care.
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 Maine. 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 Bangor, Lewiston, Brunswick, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in Maine
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 Maine ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Maine Family Dental: Dr. Buxton of Maine Family Dental wants to give you “something to smile about.” That’s why they offer both ClearCorrect and Invisalign treatment at their Bangor office. They may be located in one of Maine’s smaller towns, but they’ve still won a sizable quantity of positive reviews.
- Drews Dental: Lewiston is home to Drews Dental, where you’ll meet Dr. Drews and Dr. Lake. They are self-proclaimed “science geeks” who love exploring the latest advances in technology—especially dental technology that improves their practice! ClearCorrect is just one component of their savvy treatment offerings.
- Essex Street Dental: Essex Street Dental focuses on general and cosmetic dentistry, but if you’re interested in getting ClearCorrect treatment, too, Dr. Hill is a certified provider. You can find his office in Dover-Foxcroft.
- Brunswick Dental Health Associates: If you’re located in Brunswick and you’re seeking orthodontic treatment, look no further than Brunswick Dental Health Associates. Dr. LeBourdais leads the orthodontic side of things. He is certified in both ClearCorrect and Invisalign, so he can discuss your options with you if you’re on the fence between the two.
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. Maine’s a bit unique here; as far as we know, the only provider in the state is located in New Gloucester. That said, there could be new providers added to this list at any time. So it’s always a good idea to check for your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in Maine
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.
- Pineland Family Dentistry: Dr. Gregory Goding likes to give his patients plenty of options from his office in New Gloucester. That’s why he offers Six Month Smiles, clear braces, and even Invisalign.
Honestly, that’s the only Six Month Smiles provider that we know of, but there could be others. For example, there are several close to the state line, so if you live near the border, you might have better luck crossing over into New Hampshire.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in Maine?
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. Maine, like the rest of the northeast, has a higher cost of living than other regions of the country. The same goes for dental costs. That said, Maine has one of the lowest living costs of the entire region. That keeps your dental provider’s costs pretty low, which leads to lower costs on your end.
Statewide, the two biggest impacts on the cost of in-person treatment are the corporate income tax and the sales tax. The corporate income tax, which ranges between 3.5% to 8.93%, won’t have a huge impact on your price (you never pay it directly, but it’s not uncommon for a doctor to add onto a treatment price to help accommodate for the tax). You will, however, pay the 5.5% sales tax. So all told, Maine’s in-person treatment prices are higher than other states’ prices, but they’re not unreasonable.
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 Maine, 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!