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. Missouri 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 Missouri. 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 Missouri.
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 Missouri are usually in line with the national average (sometimes higher and lower, though, depending on the provider you pick). There are lots of local providers, too, especially in big cities and college towns like St. Louis or Springfield respectively. If you’d like, you can “shop around” and find the provider with the best price point. On average, Missouri residents pay somewhere between $3,500 and $6,000, with big-city suburbs usually 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 Missouri
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in Missouri. 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 relatively far from Missouri, but you don’t get price-gouged for the distance! Your sticker 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 Missouri 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 Missouri residents. And there’s no risk to buying a kit; if you take your impressions and it turns out that you’re not a good candidate for treatment, you’ll get a full refund for the price of the kit.
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 Missouri residents can expect relatively quick shipping times, especially compared to someone living 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 several SmileShop locations across Missouri (and across the entire country, actually). Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, SmileDirect had to temporarily close all of their locations nationwide.
They’re currently reopening them on an individual basis, when local conditions deem it safe to do so. As far as we can tell, there is only one location currently open in Missouri: the Richmond Heights shop. For a list of the locations that are currently open in Missouri (and please note that this is an ever-changing list), look here. You can also use this link to schedule your visit if there’s a location open near you.
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 Missouri, there are hundreds of local Invisalign doctors, all with varying levels of experience. They all have their respective price points, too. But regardless of whether you live in the heart of St. Louis or Kansas City or a smaller college town like Columbia or Springfield, your Invisalign price tag will probably fall between $3,500 and $6,000. That’s in line with the national average.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in Missouri
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in Missouri 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:
- Amazing Smiles Orthodontics: Amazing Smiles maintains four locations, all of which offer Invisalign. Three of those are Illinois locations, but they also maintain one Missouri location in University City. That location has won more than 50 positive reviews, so you can be confident your smile is in good hands.
- Rediger Orthodontics: Dr. Rediger is a VIP Platinum Plus Invisalign provider, which means when you visit one of his two offices in Festus or Arnold, you’ll get to work with one of the most experienced providers in all of Jefferson County.
- Fry Orthodontic Specialists: With more than 10 different locations across the greater Kansas City area (both on the Kansas and Missouri side), Fry Orthodontic Specialists is a great option if you’re seeking Invisalign. They’ve been nationally recognized as a VIP Diamond Plus provider, and they offer free initial consultations.
- Blackburn & Elrod Orthodontics: With hundreds of positive reviews to their name on Google alone, Dr. Blackburn and Dr. Elrod proudly serve clients with Invisalign, clear braces, and colored braces. Dr. Blackburn is a Platinum provider for Invisalign, so when you visit the office in Blue Springs or Independence, your smile will be one step closer to perfection.
- Robinson & Ries Orthodontics: Dr. Ries spearheads Invisalign treatment at Robinson & Ries Orthodontics in Columbia. In fact, he’s the most experienced Invisalign provider in the area. If you’re interested in Invisalign (or another orthodontic treatment type), you can schedule an initial consultation at no cost to you.
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 Missouri. 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 Springfield, St. Louis, Columbia, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in Missouri
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 Missouri ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Levens Orthodontics: When you Google Levens Orthodontics, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a negative review out there! Dr. Levens leads his team through all sorts of orthodontic treatments, ClearCorrect included, from his two locations in St. Louis.
- Olson Family Dental: Springfield is home to Olson Family Dental, where you’ll meet a fantastic treatment team led by Dr. Olson. While family and restorative dentistry are his primary areas of focus, he also offers ClearCorrect to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
- Lake Forest Dental: Dr. Telthorst believes in “treating the whole person,” not just their smile. But he also understands that your smile is a big part of who you are! That’s why he offers ClearCorrect at his practice in St. Louis.
- Accent Dental Center on Forum: Dr. Burton leads the team at Accent Dental Center, and together, they’ve won more than 100 5-star reviews on Google alone. You can find their office in Columbia, where you’ll get access to a wide variety of treatments including ClearCorrect.
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 Missouri, you can find providers—including gold and silver providers with lots of experience—in St. Louis, Independence, Ballwin, and more. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in Missouri
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.
- Stanford Dental: Dr. Stanford promises “state-of-the-art family care” when you visit his office in Ballwin. To help deliver on that promise, he offers Six Month Smiles in addition to all of his other general dentistry care. His office has won well over 100 positive reviews on Google, so you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.
- Dental Arts: Dental Arts in Independence has an extensive team of dentists, but if you come in for Six Month Smiles treatment, you’ll work hand-in-hand with Dr. Bowen. He believes that our “smiles are an extension of who we are,” and he wants you to be confident in yours.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in Missouri?
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. Missouri, like the rest of the southeast, has a relatively low cost of living. Not only does that help keep your personal bills low, but it also keeps bills low for your treatment provider. In turn, your provider can keep your service bills pretty low, too. That affordable cost of living is pretty consistent across the state; even the biggest cities have pretty affordable prices.
The two biggest statewide impacts on your Invisalign cost are actually taxes: the corporate income tax and sales taxes. Technically, you don’t pay the corporate income tax personally; your treatment provider does. It’s not uncommon for a treatment provider to add a small surcharge to help accommodate for the tax. But since it’s only 6.25%, it won’t have a big effect. The sales tax (which you do pay personally) is also pretty low: just 4.225%. All told, in-person treatment prices in Missouri are pretty manageable.
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 Missouri, 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!