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. Texas 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 Texas. 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 Texas.
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 online kit 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 Texas are usually in line with the national average. And thanks to its fairly populous nature and collection of fairly large cities, Texas has hundreds upon hundreds of local providers. If you’d like, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to “shop around” and find the provider with the best price point. On average, Texas residents pay somewhere between $3,500 and $6,000, with some of the biggest cities having the highest prices.
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 Texas
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in Texas. Thanks to our research, we’ve narrowed it down to the 7 quickest, safest, and most affordable options:
Byte | #1
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 relatively far from Texas, but thankfully, you don’t get price-gouged for the distance! Your price is the same as an LA resident’s (but you’ll definitely pay less in sales taxes), and shipping is free.
AlignerCo | #2
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. Texans will have to wait a little bit for shipping times, but the wait won’t be nearly as long as someone living on, say, the West Coast.
Candid | #3
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.
Texas already has two Candid Studio locations: one in Austin and another in Houston. If you live near one, you can visit and have scans taken for free. But if you don’t live near one of the Studios, or you’d rather do it on your own, you can still use an impression kit. And the kits are risk-free; if you take impressions and Candid decides 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
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 SmileShops across the country, and Texas is no exception. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, they had to close all of their locations nationwide. Now, they’re reopening shops on a case-by-case basis when it’s deemed safe to do so based on local conditions. In Texas, there are currently six locations open: Austin, Houston, Arlington, Dallas, Edinburg, and San Antonio. To find the address for your nearest shop or schedule your first appointment, look here.
Invisalign | #5
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 Texas, there are hundreds of local Invisalign doctors, especially in the state’s biggest cities. They all have their respective price points and varying levels of experience, too. But regardless of whether you live in Houston, Dallas, another big city or a more remote region, your Invisalign price tag will fall somewhere between $3,500 and $6,000. That’s pretty close to the national average.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in Texas
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in Texas 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:
- Clear Smiles: If you’re looking for Invisalign experts, look no further than Clear Smiles; Invisalign is all they do. That’s why they’re recognized as a VIP Diamond Plus provider. And they have several convenient locations, too: Dallas, Houston, Irving, Plano, and Frisco.
- Houston Orthodontic Specialists: With locations in both West Houston and Bellaire, Houston Orthodontic Specialists proudly provides Diamond Plus Invisalign treatment to the greater Houston area. Whether you work with Dr. Tabakman, Dr. Bloom, Dr. Muller, or Dr. Wadler, you’ll find yourself on the fast track to the smile of your dreams.
- Stone Oak Orthodontics: Dr. Norris and Dr. Caesar’s leadership has won Stone Oak Orthodontics hundreds of positive reviews—and that number keeps on growing. They’re one of San Antonio’s only Diamond Invisalign providers; you can visit one of their two offices in the cities.
- Birth & Fletcher Orthodontics: Birth and Fletcher Orthodontics has a fantastic treatment team, including four different orthodontists: Dr. Birth, Dr. Fletcher, Dr. Patel, and Dr. Starck. They have a pretty expansive reach, too, with locations in Arlington, Fort Worth, Keller, and Burleson.
- MINT Orthodontics: MINT Orthodontics is the brainchild of Dr. Harrison, who recently partnered with Dr. Crosby to provide the best orthodontic care possible. Together, Dr. Crosby and Dr. Harrison serve a wide area, with locations in Dallas, Grapevine, Carrolltown, Garland, McKinney, Duncanville, Fort Worth, and Richardson.
ClearCorrect | #6
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 Texas. 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 Texas City, Plano, Round Rock, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in Texas
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 Texas ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Dental Cosmetic Center Bay Area: Dr. Hackbarth, affectionately known as “Dr. H,” believes you should have options when it comes to orthodontic treatment. That’s why he offers the big three of in-person clear aligner treatments: ClearCorrect, Six Month Smiles, and Invisalign. You can find his office in Texas City.
- The Dental Edge of Houston: Dr. Kelley is a self-proclaimed lover of all things dental. So when he considered adding ClearCorrect to his arsenal of cosmetic and general dentistry treatment offerings, it was a natural choice. You can find his office off State Highway 249.
- Prairie City Dental: Round Rock is home to Prairie City Dental, where you’ll get Dr. Rawcliffe’s excellent dental expertise. He offers a new patient special, too: $99 for a complete exam, cleaning, and X-rays. You’ll get free whitening for life, too.
- Texas Dental Specialists: If you’re looking for ClearCorrect treatment in or around Plano, check out Texas Dental Specialists. They promise that their “smiles are contagious,” and judging by their hundreds of positive reviews on 3rd-party sites like Google, PatientConnect, and more, they’re accomplishing just that. Dr. Cassidy would be honored to help you achieve that contagious smile.
Six Month Smiles | #7
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 Texas, you can find providers—including Diamond and Platinum providers with extensive SMS experience—in Houston, Irving, and more. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in Texas
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.
- 21st Century Dental: 70% of 21st’s customer base comes from referrals alone—their reputation speaks for itself! They were the first practice to offer Six Month Smiles, and they’re a Diamond provider, too. You can find their office in Irving.
- Midtown Dentistry: Midtown Dentistry boasts 5 different locations across the greater Houston area and 5 great dentists. But if you’re seeking Six Month Smiles treatment, you’ll see Dr. Penchas, a Platinum SMS provider.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in Texas?
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. Naturally, some of Texas’s bigger cities like Dallas and Austin (and their suburbs) have higher costs all around. But on the whole, Texas is a relatively affordable place to live. That ultimately makes dental treatment costs more affordable, too.
That said, no matter where you live, Texas taxes will influence your treatment cost. Thankfully, the gross receipts tax (the primary business tax) is only 1%, so it has next to no effect on your treatment costs. Meanwhile, you will need to pay the 6.25% sales tax personally, but even that won’t drive your cost up too much. So all told, in-person treatment costs in Texas are pretty affordable.
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 clear aligner reviews and service comparisons.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for teeth straightening in Texas, 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!