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 Mexico 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 Mexico. 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 Mexico.
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.
New Mexico’s Invisalign prices, like the cost of living in the southwest, are pretty much in line with the national average. In fact, New Mexico has the lowest cost of living in the region. That said, there aren’t as many treatment providers per capita in the state. So your potential to “shop around” and find a provider with the best price point is limited. On average, New Mexico residents can expect to pay somewhere between $4,000 and $6,000.
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 Mexico
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in New Mexico. 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 aren’t too far from New Mexico, but even so, 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 New Mexico yet, but there might be in the future! Candid is constantly expanding the reach of their retail locations. And an impression kit is always an option no matter where you live. And there’s no risk to buying a kit; if you take impressions and it turns out that you’re not a good candidate for treatment, you’ll get a full refund on the price of the kit.
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. Technically, AlignerCo is headquartered in New York. New Mexico residents will have to be a bit patient for shipping times. That said, it won’t be an unreasonable wait time.
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 a lot of SmileShops across the country, New Mexico included. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, they had to close all of their locations nationwide. They’re currently reopening on a case-by-case basis when it’s deemed safe to do so based on local conditions. As far as we can tell, though, there aren’t any locations currently open in New Mexico. For a list of the locations that are open across the country, and hopefully soon in New Mexico (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 Mexico, there aren’t as many Invisalign doctors per capita as there are in other states, but the ones that do exist are great options. They all have varying levels of experience, and by extension, their own respective price points. But regardless of whether you live in the bustling town of Albuquerque or a slightly smaller location like Santa Fe or Roswell or anyplace in between, your Invisalign price tag will probably fall between $4,000 and $6,000. That’s in line with the national average.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in New Mexico
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in New Mexico 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:
- Harnick Orthodontics: Harnick Orthodontics is home to a father-daughter team: Dr. David and Dr. Kari. Together, they’ve treated hundreds of smiles with Invisalign, winning lots of positive reviews and a VIP Diamond Plus provider. You can find their office in Albuquerque.
- Tolleson Orthodontics: If you’re seeking Invisalign treatment in or around Albuquerque, Dr. Tolleson’s office is a great resource for you. You can find his office on E. State Highway 114, where you’ll get access to his Diamond Plus provider status. Please note that he only provides standard Invisalign, not Invisalign Teen.
- Daniel Meyers Orthodontics: With locations in Santa Fe and Los Alamos, Dr. Daniel Meyers is a great resource for those seeking Invisalign treatment in or around the state capitol. He’d be honored to leverage his expertise to help you get the smile of your dreams.
- SmileLife Orthodontics: SmileLife Orthodontics is home to a wide variety of treatment options and a wide variety of doctors. But if you want to see a Diamond Plus provider, you’ll see Dr. Camaron Martin. You can find her at the Corpus Christi location, but there are also locations in El Paso and Las Cruces.
- Taylor Orthodontics: Dr. Michael Taylor is passionate about orthodontics; a bad experience in his childhood made him eager to help others achieve the smile of their dreams. He’d be honored to help you reach yours with Invisalign; as a Platinum Invisalign provider, he’s done so with hundreds of patients already. He currently maintains locations in Roswell, Artesia, and Ruidoso.
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 Mexico. 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 Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Gallup, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in New Mexico
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 Mexico ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Dr. Michael Thompson: Dr. Thompson has served the greater Albuquerque area for nearly 40 years; he’d love the opportunity to use his expertise to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. To help you reach that goal, he offers ClearCorrect treatment on top of his other general dentistry offerings.
- Dental Associates, PA: Dr. Sudimack leads the team at Dental Associates, one of the best resources for ClearCorrect treatment in Las Cruces. He’s a specialist in aesthetic dentistry, so orthodontic treatments are completely in his wheelhouse.
- Dental Innovations: Dr. Montano and Dr. Montano (a husband-wife team) and Dr. Simonsen serve Gallup and the surrounding area with orthodontic treatments. They offer both ClearCorrect and Invisalign, so if you’re still trying to weigh your options, they’d be glad to discuss which is right for your smile at your initial consultation.
- Riverpoint Family, Cosmetic, & Implant Dentistry: Dr. Newsome, Dr. Wes, and Dr. Montgomery love serving the greater Albuquerque area. As their name suggests, they provide a wide array of general and cosmetic dentistry services, 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 New Mexico, you can find providers—including gold and silver providers with lots of experience—in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and more. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in New Mexico
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.
- Gallegos Family Dentistry: Dr. Gallegos leads the team at Gallegos Family Dentistry in Albuquerque. His cosmetic dentistry practice has won over 125 positive reviews on Google, and he’s a Gold provider for Six Month Smiles.
- High Country Dental: With nearly 500 positive reviews on Google alone, Dr. Young-Trujillo and Dr. Ivers have created a reputation for excellent treatments, including Six Month Smiles orthodontics. You can find their office in Rio Rancho.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in New Mexico?
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. The southwest has a relatively low cost of living, and among the southwest states, New Mexico has the lowest average cost of living. Not only does that help keep your own personal bills low, but it also keeps bills low for your dentist. When your provider has low overhead costs, he or she can keep your service bills low, too.
The cost of living varies across the state (usually highest in the suburbs of Albuquerque), but there is one statewide impact for your treatment price: taxes. Thankfully, New Mexico has a pretty low tax burden. The corporate income tax ranges between 4.8% and 5.9%. Some treatment providers raise their prices a tad to accommodate for the tax, but since they’re pretty low, it won’t be a huge impact. That said, you do pay the state sales tax, which is just 5.125%. That’s lower than average. So compared to other states, New Mexico has relatively affordable in-person aligner prices.
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 Mexico, 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!