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. Utah 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 Utah. 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 Utah.
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 and online 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 Utah are usually a little lower than the national average, though. There’s a fair number of local providers, especially near cities like Salt Lake City and its suburbs. If you’d like you can probably “shop around” to find the provider with the best price point. On average, Utah residents pay somewhere between $3,500 and $6,000 for Invisalign treatment, with some of the suburbs and mid-sized towns having the most expensive 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 Utah
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in Utah. 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 headquarters are based in Los Angeles, so you’ll have to wait for your aligners to be shipped to you. 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.
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 Utah 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 good option for Utah residents. If you buy one and 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.
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 you’ll have to wait a little while for shipping. Usually, the shipping wait times aren’t too long, but it’s something to keep in mind while you wait for aligners.
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 SmileShops nationwide, including in Utah. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, they had to temporarily close all of their locations across the country. 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 is currently only one shop open in Utah: Salt Lake City. To find the shop’s address and schedule your appointment there (and please note that this list changes as shops open), 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 Utah, there are dozens upon dozens of local Invisalign doctors, especially in areas in or around Salt Lake City. Each provider has a different level of experience and varying price points, too. But regardless of whether you live in the heart of the city, one of its suburbs, or another town in the state, your Invisalign price tag will fall somewhere between $3,500 and $6,000. That’s (usually) lower than the national average.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in Utah
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in Utah 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:
- The Smile Ranch Orthodontics: If you want to work with a well-established orthodontist with a pretty good reach across the greater Salt Lake region, check out The Smile Ranch Orthodontics. Dr. Jensen and Dr. Anderson, two VIP Diamond Invisalign providers, lead the Ranch from five different locations: Salt Lake City, Moab, Lehi, South Jordan, and West Valley.
- Alta View Orthodontics: Dr. Tony Skanchy leads the treatment team at Alta View Orthodontics, a top-reviewed practice in Sandy. His team has won 150+ 5-star reviews on Google alone. So if you choose to take advantage of his VIP Diamond expertise, you can rest assured that your smile is in good hands.
- Graham Orthodontics: Dr. Graham firmly believes that your smile deserves nothing less than the best. That’s why he offers Invisalign as his only clear aligner option; he’s a VIP Platinum Plus provider, too. You can find his office in Salt Lake City.
- Simister Orthodontics: One of the best orthodontic options in all of St. George is Simister Orthodontics, where you’ll meet Dr. Simister and Dr. Simister. They’re Platinum Plus Invisalign providers, and they have a pretty expansive reach across the region: three offices in St. George, one in Hurricane, and another one in Mesquite, Nevada.
- Thompson Orthodontics: Dr. Thompson, affectionately known as “Dr. T,” loves serving Orem and the greater Utah County area with his VIP Platinum Plus expertise. With a good hygiene incentive program and rewards for good students and more, their office maintains a family-friendly atmosphere that’s sure to leave you smiling.
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 Utah. 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 Pleasant Grove, Salt Lake City, Midvale, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in Utah
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 Utah ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Abundant Dental Care: It’s not common for ClearCorrect to be offered by huge dental practices, but Abundant Dental Care is an exception; they’re a large practice with seven locations: Herriman, Holladay, Murray, Riverton, Sandy (2 locations), and Salt Lake City.
- Hoopes Dental: If you’re on the fence between Invisalign and ClearCorrect aligners, check out Hoopes Dental. Dr. Hoopes (well, both of them, actually) are certified in both Invisalign in ClearCorrect, so they can help you pick the option that’s best for your smile. You can find their office in Ogden.
- Grove Creek Dental: With well over 300 positive reviews on 3rd-party websites, Grove Creek Dental has established itself as a top-notch ClearCorrect provider in Pleasant Grove. Dr. Jackson and Dr. Cowgill are certified providers; they also maintain a location in Springville, too.
- Midvale Family Dental: Dr. McNeil leads the team at Midvale Family Dental—and he does so really well. He’s won hundreds of positive reviews online, so you can be confident that your smile is in good hands. General and cosmetic dentistry is his primary focus, but he’s proud to offer ClearCorrect, too.
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 Utah, you can find providers—including gold and silver providers with lots of experience—in West Jordan, Salt Lake City, and more. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in Utah
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.
- Salt Lake Dental: With a 5-star average rating across more than 500 reviews, Salt Lake Dental is a fantastic resource for Six Month Smiles treatment. And Dr. Carter, the primary dentist, is a Gold SMS provider, so you can rest assured that he’s proven himself as an excellent practitioner of the treatment.
- Cozy Cabin Dental: Cozy Cabin Dental is pretty new (Dr. Gardois founded it in 2019), but in the short time they’ve served clients in West Jordan, they’ve won over 50 positive reviews and counting. He’s a Gold provider for Six Month Smiles, too.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in Utah?
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 dictation dictates some of your cost, too. Thankfully, Utah has a pretty affordable cost of living, which in turn creates pretty low orthodontic and dental costs. And that cost of living is relatively consistent across the state (although some of the Salt Lake City suburbs are exceptions).
That said, there is one thing that impacts your in-person treatment costs no matter where in the state you live: taxes—namely the state’s corporate income tax and the sales tax. The corporate income tax (4.66%) isn’t something you’ll pay directly; your orthodontist does. But it’s not uncommon for treatment providers to add a little surcharge to accommodate for the tax. It won’t have a huge impact, though. Then there’s the sales tax, which you do pay directly. But it’s an affordable 4.7%. So all told, Utah has a pretty affordable cost for in-person treatment.
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 clear aligner reviews and service comparisons.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for teeth straightening in Utah, 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!