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. Michigan 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 Michigan. 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 Michigan.
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 Michigan are usually in line with the national average. There’s a fair number of local providers, especially in the suburbs of Detroit or in local college towns (and Michigan has several of those). If you’d like, you can probably “shop around” to find the provider with the best price point. On average, Michigan residents pay somewhere between $4,000 and $7,000, with the Detroit’s suburban areas costing the most.
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 Michigan
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in Michigan. 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 Michigan, 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: $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 Michigan 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 Michigan 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.
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 Michigan residents can expect relatively quick shipping times compared to someone on the West Coast.
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 750,000 customers to date and do a lot of advertising.
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 Michigan. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, they’ve had to temporarily close most of their locations nationwide, reopening based on local conditions. As far as we know, the only location open in Michigan is the Farmington SmileShop. For a list of the locations that are currently open in Michigan (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 Michigan, there are dozens upon dozens 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 heart of Detroit, the college town of Ann Arbor, or a smaller town in the heart of the state, your Invisalign price tag will probably fall somewhere between $4,000 and $7,000. That’s not far from the national average.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in Michigan
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in Michigan 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:
- TDR Orthodontics: A super team of 7 stellar orthodontists spearheads treatment at TDR Orthodontics, one of the top Invisalign providers throughout the state. They’re a VIP Diamond Plus provider. Currently, they maintain locations in Novi, Birmingham, Rochester Hills, and Howell.
- Michael L. Lanzetta: Dr. Lanzetta might be working alone, but he’s won more than 125 positive reviews on Google alone, so you can be confident you’ll get excellent Invisalign treatment. He’s a VIP Diamond Plus provider, too. His office is located downriver in Taylor.
- Spillane & Reynolds Orthodontics: If you check out reviews on IBiz, you’ll find an overwhelming number of positive reviews for Dr. Spillane and Dr. Reynolds—more than 1,000, actually. Currently, they offer Invisalign from four different locations: Novi, West Bloomfield, Troy, and Rochester Hills.
- Stieper & Brust Orthodontics: Ann Arbor is home to Dr. Stieper and Dr. Brust, two top-notch Invisalign providers. They’ve won a lot of positive reviews on Google (their Ann Arbor location alone has more than 200). You can also visit their other locations in Taylor, Dexter, Saline, and Chelsea.
- Great Lakes Bay Orthodontics: Dr. Davis, Dr. Davis, and Dr. Grillo lead the team at Great Lakes Bay Orthodontics. They might be a smaller practice than providers in the metro Detroit area, but they still offer two positively-reviewed locations: Midland and Bay City.
- O’Grady Orthodontics: At O’Grady Orthodontics, you’ll receive a complimentary initial consultation. But that’s not the only thing; throughout treatment, you’ll get to enjoy the expertise of the only VIP Platinum provider in Grand Rapids.
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 Michigan. 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 Brighton, Plymouth, Warren, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in Michigan
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 Michigan ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Sparkle Dental: Dr. Assad of Sparkle Dental promises to treat you like family when you visit her office in Warren, Michigan. It’s her goal to be your one-stop dental stop, so she offers general dental care in addition to both ClearCorrect and Invisalign.
- Siomka Orthodontics: Residents of Brighton who are considering ClearCorrect treatment should check out Dr. Leon Siomka. He’s been practicing orthodontics since 1985, and he’d be glad to leverage that experience to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
- Hamerink Dental: Dr. Hamerink, Dr. Hamerink, and their team at Hamerink Dental have won nearly 150 positive reviews on Google alone. They proudly include ClearCorrect as part of their general dentistry treatment offerings at their Plymouth office.
- Bander Dental Group: Dr. Bander leads the team at Bander Dental Group, where’ll you find a wide variety of different dental treatment options, including ClearCorrect, Invisalign, and more. You can find their office on East Paris Avenue in Grand Rapids.
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 Michigan, you can find providers—including gold and silver providers with lots of experience—in Davison, Ann Arbor, Livonia, and more. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in Michigan
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.
- Blue Summit Dental: Dr. Becker is one of Michigan’s more experienced Six Month Smiles providers; he’s served the Davison area since 1989. He’d be glad to use that experience to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
- Enspire Dental: True to their name, the team at Enspire Dental wants you to leave their Ann Arbor feeling inspired and ready to smile day in, day out. That’s why Dr. Brown and her team members offer Six Month Smiles, ClearCorrect, and a wide variety of other comprehensive dental treatments to help you perfect your grin.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in Michigan?
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. Like most of the midwest, Michigan has pretty affordable dental and orthodontic treatment costs. Of course, there’s some variability across the state, with the suburbs of Detroit costing the most. The state’s cost of living is relatively manageable, too, so your treatment provider can keep your service bills low since it’s affordable to run a business.
No matter where you go in the country, taxes will impact treatment prices. That’s still true in Michigan, but the tax impacts (namely the corporate income tax and the sales tax) aren’t too bad. The sales tax and the income tax are both 6%, so they’ll have a minimal impact on your treatment price. All told, Michigan has pretty affordable in-person treatment costs.
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 Michigan, 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!