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. South Carolina 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 South Carolina. 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 South Carolina.
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 South Carolina are usually below the national average. There aren’t an overabundance of providers, though, especially in the most rural areas of the state. So while there are opportunities to “shop around” for the best price point, there aren’t a ton. So regardless of whether you live in the biggest cities of Columbia and Charleston or mid-sized towns like Greenville and Sumter, you can expect to pay somewhere between $3,500 and $6,500 for Invisalign treatment.
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 South Carolina
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in South Carolina. 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 pretty far from South Carolina, but thankfully, you don’t get price-gouged for the distance! Your price is the same as an LA resident’s (but you pay far 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 South Carolina yet, but there might be in the future! Candid is constantly expanding the reach of their retail locations. Thankfully, an impression kit is still a great option for South Carolina residents. 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. Plus, AlignerCo is headquartered in New York. South Carolina residents can expect relatively quick shipping times, especially compared to someone 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
Smile Direct has established a lot of SmileShops across the country, including in South Carolina. However, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, they had to temporarily close all of their locations nationwide. Now they’re reopening their 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, the only location currently open in South Carolina is the Greenville Shop. For a list of the locations that are currently open across the country (and please note that this is an ever-changing list), look here. You can also use this link to schedule an appointment at the Woodruff Road shop.
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 South Carolina, there are dozens upon dozens of Invisalign doctors, and they all have varying levels of experience creating Invisalign treatments. They have their respective price points, too. But regardless of whether you live in a rural town or one of the bigger towns like Columbia or Charleston, your Invisalign price tag will probably fall between $3,500 and $6,500. That’s often lower than (or at least in line with) the national average.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in South Carolina
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in South Carolina 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:
- Pitner Orthodontics: Dr. Pitner of Pitner Orthodontics specialized in the treatment of adult smiles using braces and Invisalign. In fact, she has a location that exclusively treats adults (the downtown Columbia location). She’s a Diamond Plus provider, and you can find her offices in Columbia and Chapin.
- Charleston Orthodontic Specialists: With hundreds of positive reviews across their different locations, Charleston Orthodontic Specialists is a fantastic resource for Invisalign treatment in the city. They’re a Diamond provider with seven locations: downtown Charleston, Goose Creek (coming 2021), James Island, Mount Pleasant, St. George, Summerville, and West Ashley.
- Kelley Orthodontics: Dr. Kelley is originally from Atlanta, but now he’s excited to serve Charleston with Invisalign and other orthodontic treatment options. If you’d like to take advantage of his Platinum provider expertise, you can visit one of his two locations in Mount Pleasant.
- Summers Orthodontics: Dr. Summers has been described by his patients as kind, fun, honest, patient…long story short, his patients love him. He serves the greater Greenville area as a Gold Plus Invisalign provider. They also offer a complimentary consultation for any new patients.
- Nease & Higginbotham Orthodontics: The name might be a little tricky to say, but it’s easy to see the quality of treatment you’ll get at Nease & Higginbotham Orthodontics. They’re a Gold Invisalign provider, and you can visit them at one of their five locations: East Spartanburg, West Spartanburg, Gaffney, Duncan, and Union.
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 South Carolina. 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 Greer, Mount Pleasant, Charleston, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in South Carolina
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 South Carolina ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Dr. Joel E. Johnson: You’ll be hard pressed to find much negative criticism for Dr. Johnson and his practice in Columbia. On Google alone, they have more than 350 positive reviews. He offers ClearCorrect along with a wide variety of other cosmetic dentistry services.
- James Island Family, Cosmetic, & Implant Dentistry: While there’s a large team of dentists at James Island Dentistry, you’ll work with Dr. Madison or Dr. Christopher if you want ClearCorrect treatment. You can find their office in Charleston.
- Hatfield Cosmetic & Family Dentistry: If you’re located in or around Greer and you’re seeking ClearCorrect treatment, then check out Hatfield Cosmetic & Family Dentistry. Dr. Hatfield specializes in cosmetic, general, and restorative dentistry, so helping you straighten your smile is a natural extension of her expertise.
- iSmile Mathis Ferry Dentistry: Residents of Mount Pleasant can find a great resource for ClearCorrect treatment and other dental needs at iSmile. The team is led by Dr. Zhou and Dr. Haefner, who both promise to help you achieve a smile that will leave a lasting impression—for a lifetime.
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 South Carolina, you can find providers—including gold and silver providers with lots of experience—in Lexington, Charleston, and more. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in South Carolina
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.
- Aesthetic Smile Studio: Aesthetic Smile Studio is a cosmetic dentistry-focused practice in Lexington. A friendly husband and wife team, Dr. Bryan and Dr. Celeste Springer, lead the treatment team, but if you’re looking for Six Month Smiles treatment, you’ll work with Dr. Bryan.
- Peninsula Cosmetic & Family Dentistry: With more than 450 positive reviews on Google alone, Peninsula Dentistry has clearly established themselves as one of the top resources for clear aligner treatment in all of Charleston. They offer both Six Month Smiles and Invisalign, but Dr. Wisner leads the Six Month Smiles treatment process.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in South Carolina?
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 South as a whole has a very affordable cost of living, and South Carolina is no exception. In fact, South Carolina has some of the most affordable dental fees nationwide. Thanks to a low cost of living and low costs to conduct business (the state corporate income tax is just 5%), dental providers can keep their service bills pretty low.
The cost of living does vary across the state, with the most expensive areas falling along Charleston and the state’s private beaches. Otherwise, it’s relatively consistent and affordable. There is one statewide factor that affects your cost, though: the state sales tax. But since it’s an average 6% rate, this tax won’t have a huge impact on your treatment cost. All told, South Carolina has very affordable in-person treatment costs.
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 reviews of home aligners and service comparisons.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for teeth straightening in South Carolina, 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!