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. Oregon 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 Oregon. 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 Oregon.
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 Oregon are usually a bit higher than the national average, though. And in many areas of the state, there’s a good number of local providers, especially in the biggest cities like Portland and its suburbs. Many times you can “shop around” and find the provider with the best price point. On average, Oregon residents pay somewhere between $4,500 and $7,000.
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 Oregon
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in Oregon. 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 Oregon, and thankfully, you don’t get price-gouged for what distance there is. Your sticker price is the same as an LA resident’s (and 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 Oregon yet. But there could be in the future! Candid is constantly expanding the reach of their retail locations. Thankfully, an impression kit is still an option for Oregon residents. And there’s no risk to buying a kit. If you order one, take impressions, and Candid decides that you’re not a good candidate for treatment, they’ll send you 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. AlignerCo is headquartered in New York, so Oregon residents will need to be relatively patient for shipping times. It shouldn’t take too long, but you’ll definitely wait longer than someone living in, say, Pennsylvania.
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 lots of SmileShops nationwide, and that includes Oregon. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, SmileDirect had to close all of their locations. They’re currently reopening them on a case-by-case basis when it’s deemed safe to do so based on local conditions. As far as we can tell, the only location that’s currently open in Oregon is the Portland one. For a list of the locations that are currently open in Oregon, look here. You can also use this link to schedule your appointment at the Portland location.
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 Oregon, there are hundreds of local Invisalign doctors, especially in or around Portland. And regardless of location, every provider has his or her respective price points and experience levels. So whether you live in a town like Portland, Eugene, or a much smaller town, your Invisalign price will probably fall somewhere between $4,500 and $7,000. That’s a little bit higher than the national average.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in Oregon
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in Oregon 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:
- Garfinkle Orthodontics: Dr. Judah Garfinkle and Dr. Richard Garfinkle lead the team at Garfinkle Orthodontics, a VIP Diamond Plus Invisalign provider in Portland. Unlike some providers, they offer all three “ages” of Invisalign: Invisalign First, Invisalign Teen, and Invisalign Full.
- Magic Smiles: Another great Portland resource for Invisalign treatment is Magic Smiles, where you’ll meet Dr. Doleac and his top-rated team. They maintain three locations: Portland, Beaverton, and Scappoose, so you can visit the office that’s most convenient for you.
- Yenne & Schofield PC: Dr. Yenne and Dr. Schofield are proud to call Salem home, and they’re equally proud to serve patients in the area as VIP Platinum Plus providers. Between the two of them, they have well over 50 years’ experience in orthodontics, so you can be confident that your smile is in good hands.
- Thornton Orthodontics: If you’re living in or near Eugene and you’re looking for Invisalign treatment, check out Thornton Orthodontics, a Gold Invisalign provider. They have a second office in Creswell, too. They even offer virtual consultations so you can learn if orthodontic treatment is right for you at your own convenience.
- Biermann Orthodontics: Dr. Matthew Biermann is a third-generation Portland native, so setting up a practice in Beaverton was only natural. And he’s made it quite a good one: with more than 125 positive reviews and a Diamond Plus Invisalign provider designation, he’s proven himself to be an excellent treatment resource.
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 Oregon. 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 Eugene, Salem, West Linn, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in Oregon
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 Oregon ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Adroit Family Dental: If you’re looking for ClearCorrect treatment in or around West Linn, check out Adroit Family Dental. Dr. Smirnoff offers Six Month Smiles, too, along with a bunch of other general and cosmetic dentistry services. So if you’re not sure which method is right for you, he’d be glad to help you pick.
- Aspire Dental: Dr. Kakishita wants to give you “something to smile about,” so that’s why he offers ClearCorrect, fillings, implants, bonding, and much more. You can find his office in Portland.
- Pinnacle Dental Associates: Albany is home to Pinnacle Dental Associates, another great resource for ClearCorrect treatment. Together, Dr. Renyer, Dr. Kutsch, and Dr. Diepenheim have won nearly 100 positive reviews on Google alone, so you can be confident that your smile will be in good hands.
- Smiles Dental: Want to work with a sizable, well-established network of dentists throughout the state? Check out Smiles Dental; they have six locations across Oregon and several in Washington, too. They offer both ClearCorrect and Invisalign, too. You can find their locations in Lebanon, Eugene, Roseburg, Milwaukie, Riddle, and Salem.
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. In Oregon, however, the options are pretty limited. The best way to find if there’s a provider near you, we recommend running a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in Oregon
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.
- Adroit Family Dental: If you’re looking for Six Month Smiles treatment in or around West Linn, check out Adroit Family Dental. Dr. Smirnoff offers ClearCorrect, too, along with a bunch of other general and cosmetic dentistry services. So if you’re not sure which method is right for you, he’d be glad to help you pick.
As far as we can tell, that’s the only provider option for Six Month Smiles in Oregon. But we recommend double-checking by running a ZIP Code Search.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in Oregon?
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 cost. Compared to other regions in the country, Oregon (and the entire west coast, really) has a higher cost of living. That affects prices for everything, including dental treatments. Granted, those costs vary across the state, with the bigger cities like Portland and its suburbs having some of the highest costs.
There are some statewide factors that affect your treatment costs, too: name taxes. Thankfully, Oregon doesn’t have a sales tax. So you won’t pay any taxes directly. That said, your dentist or orthodontist will pay the state’s corporate sales tax, which ranges between 6.6% and 7.6%. It’s not uncommon for treatment providers to tack on additional fees to help accommodate for this tax. So all told, Oregon has in-person aligner prices that are a little higher than average, but not unreasonable.
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 Oregon, 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!