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. Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C.
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 Washington D.C. are usually above the national average, though. That comes with the territory; after all, the District is one of the most expensive regions in the country. Thankfully, there are a decent number of local providers, too. If you’d like, you can “shop around” and find the provider with the best price point. On average, Washington D.C. residents can expect to pay as little as $3,000 and as much as $10,000. Prices tend to err on the pricier side of that range.
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 D.C.
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in Washington D.C. 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 pretty far from Washington D.C., but you don’t get price-gouged for the distance! Your price is the same as an LA resident’s (but you’ll probably pay less in sales taxes), and shipping is free.
For more information about our #1 pick, check out our full Byte review.
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.
There are four Candid Studios in the D.C. metro area, but none in D.C. proper. If Alexandria, Fairfax, North Bethesda or Rockville are convenient for you, then you can visit a studio for a digital scan. If those locations are too out of the way, then an impression kit is still an option. 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 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 City, so Washington D.C. 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
SmileDirect has established a lot of SmileShops across the country. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, they had to temporarily close locations throughout the country. 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, there’s currently one location open in Washington D.C. But depending on where you live in the District, it might be easier to visit a location in a nearby state. For a list of the locations that are currently open in the greater D.C. area (and please note that this is an ever-changing list), look here.
Check out our full SmileDirect review for more information.
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 Washington D.C., there’s a pretty significant number of local Invisalign doctors, all with varying levels of experience. They all have their respective price points, too—typically based on their location in the city and their own experience administering Invisalign. But no matter where you go or who you see, you can expect your treatment cost to fall somewhere between $3,000 and $10,000. Most people will pay a price higher than the national average.
For the full scoop on Invisalign, check out our Invisalign review.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in Washington D.C.
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in Washington D.C. 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:
- Kumra Orthodontics: Dr. Bob (Kumra) and Dr. Mina (Abdolahi) of Kumra Orthodontics have won well over 200 positive reviews on Google alone, and we expect that number will only grow. If you’d like to take advantage of their VIP Platinum Plus Invisalign provider expertise, you can find their office on 19th Street NW. They also have a second location in Stafford.
- Byrdsmiles Orthodontics: River Road is home to another VIP Platinum Plus Invisalign Provider, Byrdsmiles Orthodontics. There, you’ll meet Dr. Talley, Dr. Clark, and their team. They’ve won dozens upon dozens of positive reviews, too, so you can be confident your smile is in good hands.
- Capitol Orthodontics: Dr. Schwartz and his team strictly limit the number of patients under their care at any given time, but don’t let that make you think they won’t treat you! They simply maintain that standard so they ensure that each patient gets their undivided attention. So when you visit them on K Street Northwest, you’ll get unprecedented care.
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 Washington D.C. You can find a provider on their website, but please note that they don’t have nearly as much reach as Invisalign. While we’re listing some Washington D.C. locations, please keep in mind that it might be easier and cheaper to go to a provider in a nearby state (depending on where you live or work).
If you’d like more information about ClearCorrect, check out our full ClearCorrect review.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in Washington D.C.
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 Washington D.C. ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Hillcrest Dental: General and cosmetic dentistry is part of the family business at Hillcrest Dental; that’s why Dr. Davidson Jr. took over his father’s business back in 1993. He’s been proudly serving the greater D.C. area ever since. He currently maintains offices in D.C. and Bowie, Maryland.
- Siranli Dental: Dr. Siranli (along with three other fantastic doctors) leads the team at Siranli Dental. They actually offer both Invisalign and ClearCorrect treatments, so if you’re on the fence between the two, then they’d be happy to discuss which is right for your smile.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in Washington D.C.?
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. Washington D.C. has a notoriously high cost of living. By extension, then, the orthodontic scene has a higher cost of operating. If you’re searching for cheaper prices, you might be able to find them outside the district in the surrounding states.
But if you’re set on getting treatment in the District, you can be grateful for one thing: sales taxes aren’t too high. So there won’t be a huge impact on your total cost. That said, the corporate income tax (8.25%) will have an indirect impact on your price. So all told, the prices of in-person aligner treatments are higher than average.
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 Washington D.C., 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!