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. New Jersey 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 New Jersey. 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 New Jersey.
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 New Jersey are usually much higher than the national average. Thankfully, there are a lot of local Invisalign providers (partly due to the state’s population density. Big cities are especially full of providers. If you’d like, you can “shop around” and find the provider with the best price point. On average, New Jersey residents pay somewhere between $5,000 and $8,500, with urban 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 New Jersey
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in New Jersey. 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 New Jersey, but thankfully, 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 tax), 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). Most Candid Studios even include a complimentary panoramic X-ray of your teeth at your appointment.
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.
Candid currently has one location in New Jersey, located in Jersey City. There may be more in the future, since Candid is constantly expanding the reach of their retail locations. If Jersey City is a bit out of the way for you, the impression kit is always a good option. There’s no risk in buying the 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 New Jersey residents can expect speedy shipping times, especially compared to customers in the rest of the country.
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 New Jersey (and nationwide, actually). Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, SmileDirect had to close all of their shops across the country. Now, they’re reopening when it’s deemed safe to do so based on local conditions. As far as we can tell, the only location currently open in New Jersey is the Newark one. For a list of all the locations that are currently open in New Jersey (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 New Jersey, there are hundreds of local Invisalign doctors (and depending on where you live, you might be able to cross state lines, too). They all have varying levels of experience and respective price points, too. But regardless of whether you live in one of the many cities adjacent to New York City or a town deeper inland, your Invisalign price tag will fall somewhere between $5,000 and $8,500. That’s much higher than the national average.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in New Jersey
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in New Jersey 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:
- Milestone Orthodontics: Dr. Milestone has won a lot of awards during his 30+ years in orthodontia: recognition in America’s Best Dentists and New Jersey Monthly and many others. He’s also a VIP Platinum Plus Invisalign provider. To take advantage of his expertise, visit one of his offices in West Orange or Paramus.
- Sacks Orthodontics: Livingstone is home to Sacks Orthodontics, where you’ll meet Dr. Sacks and Dr. Zhu. Their office has been recognized as a VIP Diamond Plus Invisalign provider. And thanks to his extensive hospital-based orthodontic training, Dr. Sacks can treat almost any case, no matter how tricky.
- Akkaway Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry: “Free retainers for life” is just one of many perks you’ll get at Akkaway Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Akkaway leads the orthodontic side of the practice, and since he’s a VIP Diamond Invisalign provider, you can be confident that your smile is in good hands.
- Diamond Braces: If you’re looking for a more expansive orthodontic network with a wide reach across New Jersey, check out Diamond Braces. In the past two decades, they’ve treated over 100,000 satisfied grinners and counting. They have locations across New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, but their NJ locations include Clifton, Dover, Edison, Lawn, Hackensack, and Bergen.
- Innovative Orthodontics: Looking for a fantastic Invisalign Provider in or around South and Central Jersey? Check out Innovative Orthodontics. They maintain a wide reach of locations, including Sicklerville, Woolwich Township, Mullica Hills, and Mount Laurel.
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 New Jersey. 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 Hamilton Square, Jersey City, Cherry Hill, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in New Jersey
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 New Jersey ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Verduci Orthodontics: Hamilton Square is home to Verduci Orthodontics, where you’ll meet a fantastic treatment team led by Dr. Verduci. He’s a native of Trenton, so he’s thrilled to be giving back to his community by offering ClearCorrect, braces, and more.
- Jersey City Dental Center: Four qualified doctors lead the practice as Jersey City Dental Center, where you’ll get big-city quality mixed with small-town charm (or at least smaller than New York). The team currently offers both ClearCorrect and Invisalign, so if you’re on the fence between the two, Jersey City Dental can help you weigh your options.
- Dr. Brudno: If you’re looking for ClearCorrect treatment (or even just a good dentist) in the Cherry Hill area, check out Dr. Mitchell Brudno. You can find his office just off Route 70, making it an accessible location for most nearby residents.
- Lashen Dental Group: All three doctors at Lashen Dental Group are certified ClearCorrect providers: Dr. Lashen, his daughter, and his son-in-law (yes, dentistry is a family thing for them). You can find their office in Denville.
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 New Jersey, you can find providers—including diamond and platinum providers with tons of experience—in Union City, Newark, and more. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in New Jersey
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.
- Family Ecodental: If you want to work with one of the most experienced Six Month Smiles providers in the area, check out Family Ecodental. Dr. Figueredo is a Diamond SMS provider; you can find her office in Union City.
- Allstate Dental: Dr. Luba leads the team at Allstate Dental, a top-reviewed dentistry practice in Newark. She offers a wide variety of general and cosmetic dentistry services, Six Month Smiles included.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in New Jersey?
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 a large part of your treatment cost. New Jersey has a pretty hefty cost of living compared to other areas of the country. Its proximity to New York City only adds to that. Think of it this way; if your cost of living is high, so is your dentist’s. He or she has to raise your service bills to accommodate for that extra expense. For example, the state’s 9% Corporation Business Tax will indirectly affect your treatment cost.
In contrast, the state’s 6.625% sales tax will directly affect your treatment price. Thankfully, that’s not a high sales tax. But on the whole, compared to other states, you’ll pay higher-than-average prices for in-person treatment in New Jersey.
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 New Jersey, 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!