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. New York 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 York. 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 York.
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 New York are far higher than the national average (with the exception of rural areas throughout the upstate). That said, there are hundreds upon hundreds of local providers, especially in New York City. If you’d like, you can take some time to “shop around” to find the provider with the best price point. On average, people living in rural areas can expect to pay between $4,000 and $6,500. The suburban and urban areas of the state are much pricier: $6,500 to $9,000.
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 York
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in New York. 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 York, but thankfully, you don’t get price-gouged for the distance! Your price is the same as an LA resident’s (but you should pay less in sales taxes), and shipping is free.
AlignerCo | #2 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.
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 you’ll have the shortest wait time for shipping out of anywhere in the country.
Candid | #3 Aligner
Candid, our third pick, was founded in 2017. 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.
Candid is still expanding their national reach for their Candid Studios, but they’ve already established a pretty good footing in New York, especially in the city. There are currently five locations in the state. But if you don’t live near a Studio or you would rather do it yourself, an impression kit is still an option for you. And there’s no risk to buying a kit, either. 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.
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 hundreds of SmileShops across the country, New York included. In fact, New York has more locations than most states (especially in the city). Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, SmileDirect had to close all of their locations nationwide. They’re currently reopening shops on a case-by-case basis when local conditions allow. As far as we can tell, there are currently six locations open in New York, with a few in the city, one in Buffalo, another in White Plains, and several in the city proper. For a list of the locations that are currently open in New York (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 York, there are hundreds of local Invisalign doctors, especially in the city and its suburbs. There aren’t nearly as many in the upstate, but no matter where you live, there should be a few options within driving distance. All of these providers all have their respective price points and experience levels. Understandably, providers in the city have very high rent and overhead costs, so they’ll have much higher prices. So there’s a big difference in price across the state. In general, we’ve found that residents in the rural, upstate regions pay between $4,000 and $6,500 for Invisalign. Residents of the big city and its suburbs, however, pay somewhere between $6,500 and $9,000. When it comes to Invisalign prices in New York, location is everything.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in New York
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in New York 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:
- Lemchen & Salzer Orthodontics: With so many providers in New York City, it’s helpful to rely on positive online reviews—and Lemchen & Salzer Orthodontics has a lot of them! And Dr. Lemchen has a huge history with Invisalign treatment; in fact, Invisalign’s founders consulted with him when they started developing the technology. You don’t get much more experience than that.
- Smile Pop: Dr. Schiefelbein wants your smile to create a lasting first impression, and she’s excited to have you visit her office near Madison Square Park to help you get the smile of your dreams. She’s recognized as a top-reviewed, Diamond Plus provider.
- Diamond Braces: If you’re looking for a more expansive orthodontic network with a wide reach across New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, check out Diamond Braces. In the past two decades, they’ve treated over 100,000 satisfied grinners and counting. They have 27 locations across New York, including Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Manhattan, and more.
- Hanson Place Orthodontics: Dr. Eisenberger, Dr. Gulati, and Dr. Katz lead the treatment team at Hanson Place Orthodontics, where you’ll get access to the expertise of a VIP Diamond Plus provider—the highest designation Invisalign awards. You can find their office in Brooklyn.
- Callahan, Flanagan, Smith, & Stock Orthodontics: Called CFSS for short, Callahan, Flanagan, Smith, & Stock Orthodontics is a great resource for anyone seeking Invisalign treatment in or around Syracuse. They maintain three convenient locations across the area: Fayetteville, North Syracuse, and Fulton.
- Owl Orthodontics: With a team of 5 experienced orthodontists and an equally talented treatment team, it’s no surprise that Owl Orthodontics has won Invisalign’s Diamond provider status. They have 6 locations across the western upstate: Amherst, Clarence, Williamsville, Grand Island, Depew, and Buffalo.
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 York. 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 Astoria, New York, Merrick, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in New York
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 York ClearCorrect providers we found:
- NYC Smile Design: Dr. Mello and Dr. Tabib are proud to serve as one of New York City’s best cosmetic dentistry practices. They promise to transform your life by transforming your smile, and ClearCorrect treatment is one of the many ways they can help you do that.
- Leibowitz Dental: Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz Dental leads the treatment team at Leibowitz Dental, where you’ll gain access to some of the top-reviewed general and cosmetic dentistry services in Astoria and Queens. ClearCorrect is just one of the many treatments they offer to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
- Herald Square Dental & the Denture Center: Still on the fence between Invisalign and ClearCorrect treatment in New York? Check out Herald Square Dental & the Denture Center. Their team of four qualified dentists offer both clear aligner treatments, so they’d be happy to help you discuss which one is right for your smile, budget, and schedule.
- Star Smiles Orthodontics: If you’re hoping to find a family-friendly orthodontic solution in or around Merrick, then Star Smiles Orthodontics might be a fantastic option for you. Dr. Paladino leads the team there, and he proudly offers both ClearCorrect and Invisalign as a clear alternative to braces.
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 York, you can find providers—including platinum and gold providers with tons of experience—in the Bronx, New York, and more. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in New York
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.
- Zara Dental: Dr. Omar leads the team at Zara Dental, a smaller practice in New York City that’s worth a look. She’s a great resource if you’re on the fence between Six Month Smiles and ClearCorrect, since she offers both.
- Dr. Julia Cerny: Upstate residents near Latham who are seeking Six Month Smiles should check out Dr. Cerny’s office. In her 11+ years of practice, she’s learned all the ins and outs of general and cosmetic dentistry, and she’d be honored to help you achieve the perfect grin you’re seeking.
- Baldwinsville Gentle Dentistry: Dr. Pearce and Dr. Murphy proudly serve the greater Syracuse area with a wide variety of cosmetic dentistry services, Six Month Smiles included. They’re a Gold provider for SMS, and you can find their office in Baldwinsville.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in New York?
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. And in New York, that alone makes a huge difference. Understandably, as the largest city in the U.S. (and one of the biggest cities in the world), New York City has a very high cost of living. Providers in the area have high rent fees, and they have to raise their treatment prices. So odds are you’ll pay more for in-person treatments in NYC than you will almost anywhere else in the country.
NYC makes up the bulk of New York’s population, but we can’t forget New York State. There, the cost of living is in line with the national average (sometimes even lower). As a result, dental costs in the upstate are much lower.
That said, there are two taxes that impact your treatment cost no matter where you go in the state: the corporate income tax and the sales tax. You don’t pay the corporate income tax (7.1%) directly, but some dentists add onto their service bills to accommodate for the tax. You do pay the sales tax personally, though. And since that’s a relatively high 8.875% rate, it has a decent impact on your sticker price.
So all told, New York has a pretty split price for in-person treatments: residents of the Big Apple and its suburbs will pay extremely high prices; upstate residents pay pretty affordable prices. That’s just how the cookie crumbles.
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 New York, 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!