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. Nebraska 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 Nebraska. 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 Nebraska.
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 Nebraska are usually lower than the national average. There are a fair number of local providers, too, especially in big cities like Lincoln or Omaha. In many cases, you can “shop around” to find the provider with the best price point. On average, Nebraska residents pay somewhere between $3,500 and $6,000, with some of the big cities’ suburbs 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 Nebraska
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in Nebraska. 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 somewhat far from Nebraska, but you don’t get price-gouged for the distance! Your total sticker price is the same as an LA resident’s (although you’ll 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska residents. And there’s no risk to buying a kit. If you take impressions and it turns out that you’re not a good candidate, you’ll get a full refund on 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 Nebraska residents can expect fair shipping times, especially 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 a lot of different SmileShops across the country, including some in Nebraska. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, they had to temporarily close most or all of their locations. Now, they’re reopening when it’s deemed safe to do so based on local conditions. As far as we can tell, there aren’t any Nebraska locations open at this time. For a list of the locations that are currently open in Nebraska (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 Nebraska, 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 big cities of Lincoln or Omaha or one of its suburbs, your Invisalign price tag will probably fall between $3,500 and $6,000. That’s lower than the national average (with a few exceptions in some of the more expensive suburbs).
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in Nebraska
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in Nebraska 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:
- Huerter Orthodontics: Dr. Tom Huerter leads the treatment team at Huerter Orthodontics, where you’ll receive Invisalign treatment from a well-reviewed, VIP Platinum provider. He currently has two office locations in Omaha.
- Rallis & Bonilla Orthodontics: Lincoln, Nebraska is home to Dr. Rallis and Dr. Bonilla, two of the best Invisalign providers in the area. They currently maintain two locations in Lincoln, and they’ve won hundreds of positive reviews as a VIP Diamond Plus provider.
- Butler Orthodontics: Dr. Meier proudly provides Invisalign and other clear aligner therapy treatments to patients in Grand Island and Kearney. His practice might be relatively small, but he’s received a good number of positive reviews online, so your smile is in good hands.
- Wagner, Kuntz, & Grabouski: Residents of Norfolk should have no issues finding a convenient location to get Invisalign treatment thanks to Dr. Wagner, Dr. Kuntz, and Dr. Grabouski. Currently, they have just one location within Iowa, but there are also nine others across Iowa, too.
- Fremont Dental Group: Dr. McCarthy, Dr. Behrens, and Dr. Heesch lead the team at Fremont Dental Group, which has won a lot of positive reviews. But if you’re looking for Invisalign treatment, then you’ll work with Dr. Emily McCarthy, a Gold Plus Invisalign provider.
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 Nebraska. 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 Kearney, Grand Island, Omaha, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in Nebraska
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 Nebraska ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Meadowlark Dental Associates: Dr. Bryant and Dr. Kugler proudly offer ClearCorrect from their office in Kearney. They also offer a wide variety of implant, cosmetic, and family dentistry services, so you can get comprehensive service for your smile year round.
- Anderson Dental Care: Grand Island is home to Dr. Anderson and his acclaimed team: they’ve won more than 75 5-star reviews. ClearCorrect is just one of their many treatment offerings, alongside implants, cleanings, veneers, and more.
- Regency Dental: Dr. Spanel leads the team at Regency Dental, where you’ll have access to a wide variety of treatments, including both ClearCorrect and Six Month Smiles orthodontics. Those teeth straightening options go hand-in-hand with a wide variety of preventative and restorative dentistry practices. You can find their office in Omaha.
- Hecox Dental: As a patient at Hecox Dental, you’ll be able to tell that everyone is family there! The practice is led by Dr. Hecox and Dr. Hecox, a father-son team that offers ClearCorrect as part of their treatment offerings. You can find their office in Gothenburg.
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 Nebraska, you can find providers—including gold and silver providers with lots of experience—in Lincoln, Omaha, and more. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in Nebraska
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.
- Regency Dental: Dr. Spanel leads the team at Regency Dental, where you’ll have access to a wide variety of treatments, including both Six Month Smiles and ClearCorrect orthodontics. Those teeth straightening options go hand-in-hand with a wide variety of preventative and restorative dentistry practices. You can find their office in Omaha.
- Canyon Echo Dental: Dr. Susie Worm leads a fantastic treatment team (as in, they’ve won more than 250 positive Google reviews) at Canyon Echo Dental. Their office in Lincoln offers both Six Month Smiles and Invisalign treatment.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in Nebraska?
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.
Compared to the rest of the country, the midwest has a very affordable cost of living; and long story short, cost of living has a big effect on your overall in-person price. Nebraska is no exception. Low living costs keep your personal bills low in Nebraska, and the same applies for your dentist or orthodontist. When a dental provider has low costs, he or she can keep your service bills low, too.
In Nebraska, that cost of living is relatively consistent across the state. The primary exceptions are a few suburbs that have a higher cost. The only statewide impacts on your treatment cost are the state taxes. Thankfully, Nebraska’s are relatively low. The corporate income tax (paid by your orthodontist, so it only indirectly affects your price) is just 5.58%. You will pay the sales tax, though. That tax is just 5.5%. So all told, in-person treatments are relatively affordable.
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 Nebraska, 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!