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. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania.
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 kit 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 Pennsylvania are usually a bit higher than the national average, though. There are a lots of local providers, too, especially in bigger cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. There’s a good chance that you can “shop around” to find the provider with the best price point. On average, Pennsylvania residents pay somewhere between $4,500 and $7,000 for Invisalign, with rural areas costing the least and some suburban 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 Pennsylvania
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania, but thankfully, you don’t get price-gouged for the distance! 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). 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 Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia. There may be more in the future, since Candid is constantly expanding the reach of their retail locations. If Philadelphia 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. Pennsylvania residents can expect pretty quick shipping times, especially compared to people living on the West Coast.
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 SmileShop locations across the country, including in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, they had to close all of their locations nationwide. They’re currently reopening shops on a case-by-case basis when it’s deemed safe to do so based on local conditions. As far as we can tell, there are currently two locations open in Pennsylvania: King of Prussia and Philadelphia. For a list of the locations that are currently open in Pennsylvania (and please note that it’s an ever-changing list), look here. You can also use this link to schedule an appointment at one of the two PA locations.
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 Pennsylvania, there are hundreds of local Invisalign doctors, all with varying levels of experience. They all have their respective price points, too. But regardless of whether you live in the biggest cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, their suburbs, or one of Pennsylvania’s charming smaller towns, your Invisalign price tag will probably fall somewhere between $4,500 and $7,000. That’s a touch higher than the national average.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in Pennsylvania
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in Pennsylvania 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:
- King Orthodontics: Pittsburgh residents seeking top-notch Invisalign treatment should check out King Orthodontics. They’re the only Diamond Plus provider in all the city (and frankly one of the only ones in all of Western Pennsylvania). In addition to his Pittsburgh location, Dr. King and his colleagues also maintain offices in Wexford and Bridgeville.
- Grady, Kastner, & Gornick Orthodontics: Wexford is home to Dr. Grady, Dr. Kastner, and Dr. Gornick, another VIP Diamond Plus provider. You can find their office just off Perry Highway.
- Center City Orthodontics: The heart of Philadelphia is where you’ll find Center City Orthodontics, a VIP Diamond provider office. Together Dr. Thomas, Dr. Rubin, and Dr. Finn have won more than 225 5-star reviews on Google alone. They also have an office in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
- Orthodontics Limited, PC: Orthodontics Limited has consistently won recognition in Philadelphia Magazine as one of the top orthodontic practices in Philly. And it’s no surprise; Dr. Gemmi, Dr. Pale, and Dr. Middleberg make a good team. They’re a VIP Diamond Plus provider, too.
- Karam Orthodontics: If you’re looking for a relatively small-feeling practice that still has a substantial reach across the state, check out Karam Orthodontics. Not only are Dr. Karam and Dr. Pace Platinum Plus providers, but they also maintain locations in Scranton, Hazle Township, Mountain Top, and Clarks Summit.
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 Pennsylvania. 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 Quakertown, Allentown, Pittsburgh, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Dream Dentistry & Sleep Care: Dr. Roeder and Dr. Kulp are proud to offer ClearCorrect as just one of many treatments at their office in Quakertown. And since they have a 4.8/5 star average across more than 200 reviews, you can be confident that your smile is in good hands.
- Brookside Dental Care: Allentown is home to Brookside Dental Care, where you’ll meet Dr. Hadian and Dr. Burke. And they’ve made quite the impression there, too: they have more than 550 positive reviews (and counting). They also offer Invisalign, so if you’re still on the fence about which to use, you have options.
- Reed & Sahlaney Orthodontics: Dr. Reed and Dr. Sahlaney believe that a smile “is truly the gift of a lifetime,” and they want to help you get one you love. That’s why they offer ClearCorrect on top of Invisalign and other options. You can find their offices in Altoona, Huntington, and Bedford.
- Horvath Family Dentistry: If you’re living in or around Pittsburg and you’re looking for ClearCorrect treatments, check out Horvath Family Dentistry. Dr. Horvath and his team have won more than 50 positive reviews already, so you’re in good hands.
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 Pennsylvania, you can find providers—including platinum and gold providers with lots of experience—in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and more. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in Pennsylvania
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.
- Dr. Susan McMahon, DMD: Dr. McMahon focuses on cosmetic dentistry; she adores helping people improve the aesthetics of their smile. So it’s no surprise that she offers Six Month Smiles to her patients, too. If you’d like to take advantage of her platinum provider experience, you can find her office in Pittsburgh.
- David Spilkia Family & Cosmetic Dentistry: By offering a free exam and x-rays for the initial consultation, Dr. Spilkia makes it easy to get started with Six Month Smiles treatment at his Philadelphia office. He also offers Invisalign, too, so you have options.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in Pennsylvania?
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. In general, the northeast is one of the more expensive regions in the country. That said, Pennsylvania has the lowest cost of living of the region. And when the cost of living is pretty low, dentists and orthodontists have a pretty low cost to conduct business, which in turn means your prices are lower, too.
The cost of living varies across the state, but one thing remains consistent, regardless of location: state taxes. In Pennsylvania, the corporate income taxes have an indirect effect on your price tag (it’s not uncommon for providers to add surcharges to help pay for the tax). That tax is relatively expensive since it’s a flat rate of 9.99%.
The sales tax, which you do pay personally, is just 6%. That’s not unreasonable. So all told, the costs for in-person treatment in Pennsylvania is a little higher than average, but nothing too expensive.
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 Pennsylvania, 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!