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 Dakota 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 Dakota. 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 Dakota.
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 Dakota are usually below the national average, though. The only real downside to SD Invisalign is the fact that there aren’t tons of local providers, especially outside the biggest city, Sioux Falls. So your opportunities to “shop around” for the provider with the best price point are fairly limited. On average, South Dakota residents pay somewhere between $3,500 and $6,500 for Invisalign treatment, with the Sioux Falls suburbs typically 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.
6 Best Clear Aligners in South Dakota
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in South Dakota. Thanks to our research, we’ve narrowed it down to the 6 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 are relatively far from South Dakota, but thankfully, you don’t get price-gouged for the distance! Your price is the same as an LA resident’s (although 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 South Dakota yet, but there could be in the future! Candid is constantly expanding the reach of their retail locations. Thankfully, an impression kit is still a great start-up option for South Dakota residents. And there’s no risk to buying a kit. If you take impressions and Candid decides that you’re not a good candidate for treatment, you’ll get a full refund on the kit price.
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’s headquarters are in New York, so South Dakota residents will have to wait a little while for shipping, but it won’t be as long of a wait as 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
SmileDirect has established a lot of locations across the country. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, they had to temporarily close all of their locations, including those in South Dakota. Right now, they’re in the process of 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, all of the shops in South Dakota are still closed. For a list of the locations that are currently open in South Dakota and across the country (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 South Dakota, there’s a workable number of providers, but since the state is relatively small population-wise, there aren’t a ton of them. But that aside, all of the local Invisalign doctors have their respective price points and levels of experience. Regardless of where you live in the state, your Invisalign price tag will probably fall somewhere between $3,500 and $6,500. That’s in line with the national average.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in South Dakota
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in South Dakota 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:
- VanLaecken Orthodontics: South Dakota doesn’t have many Diamond Invisalign providers, but VanLaecken Orthodontics is one of them. And they’ve got an extensive reach, too: you’ll find a VanLaecken office in Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, Brookings, Milbank, and Watertown.
- Crist & Wenande Orthodontics: With three locations in Sioux Falls and a fourth in Yankton, Crist & Wenande Orthodontics is a great option for Invisalign treatment. Dr. Hohlen and Dr. Wenande are both Gold Plus providers, so you can rest assured that your smile is in good hands.
- Meyer & Dana Orthodontics: Dr. Meyer, Dr. Meyer, and Dr. Dana lead the team at Meyer & Dana Orthodontics, a top-reviewed orthodontic practice in Rapid City and Spearfish (they have locations in Nevada and Wyoming, too). Their Rapid City location alone has more than 150 positive reviews. Currently, their office provides both Invisalign and Invisalign Teen.
- Meyer Orthodontics: If you live in or around Brookings and you’re seeking Invisalign treatment, you’ll want to check out Meyers Orthodontics, where you’ll meet Dr. David and Dr. Paul. They’re Gold Invisalign providers, too. They also maintain a second location in Madison.
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 Dakota. 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 Dell Rapids, Flandreau, Rapid City, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in South Dakota
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 Dakota ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Rushmore Dental: Dr. Kelly leads the treatment team at Rushmore Dental, where you’ll find some of the best-rated ClearCorrect treatment in Rapid City. With nearly 40 years’ experience and 50+ 5-star Google reviews, you can be confident that your smile’s in good hands.
- Lifetime Dental: Sioux Falls is home to Lifetime Dental, where you’ll meet Dr. Robinson and Dr. Ford. They primarily focus on general maintenance dentistry and cosmetic dentistry, but they proudly offer ClearCorrect to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. They also have two affiliate practices in Dell Rapids and Flandreau: Dell Rapids Dental and Flandreau Dental.
- Dental Solutions: Another great resource for ClearCorrect treatment in Sioux Falls is Dental Solutions, led by Dr. Steffen. ClearCorrect is just one of the many resources they offer to help you perfect the appearance of your smile, since cosmetic dentistry is their primary focus.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in South Dakota?
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. Thankfully, like the rest of the Midwest, South Dakota has an affordable cost of living. In turn, that creates lower dental fees for orthodontic treatment. And the cost of living is fairly consistent across the state, although some of the Sioux Falls suburbs have the highest costs.
That said, no matter where you are in the state, you’ll have to pay the state sales tax: it’s a pretty low 4.5% rate, though, so it shouldn’t have a massive impact on your total price tag. Even better? The state doesn’t have a corporate income tax, so there won’t be any indirect tax impacts on your treatment cost, either.
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 clear aligners and service comparisons.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for teeth straightening in South Dakota, 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!