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 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. 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.
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 are usually above the national average, though. And unless you live in the rural areas of the state, you’ll probably find that there are lots of local providers. If you’d like, you can probably “shop around” to find the provider with the best price point. On average, Washington state residents usually pay somewhere between $4,500 and $7,000, with some of Seattle’s suburbs having the highest costs.
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 Washington
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in Washington. 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 aren’t incredibly far from Washington state, so you can expect pretty fast shipping. And you never get price-gouged for the distance no matter where you live. Your price is the same as an LA resident’s (although you’ll probably 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 Washington yet, but there might be in the future! Candid is constantly expanding the reach of their retail locations (especially in major cities). Thankfully, an impression kit is always a good option no matter where you live. 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, they’ll give you 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’s headquarters are in New York, so you’ll have to be a bit patient for shipping. Thankfully, they’re usually pretty quick, so you shouldn’t run into problems.
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, including in Washington. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID crisis, SmileDirect had to temporarily close all of their locations nationwide. 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, the only Washington location that’s open is the Seattle shop. You can check here. You can also use this link to schedule an appointment at the Seattle location. Please note that the list here is constantly changing, so you might see recently reopened shops, too.
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, there are hundreds of local Invisalign doctors, especially in Seattle and its suburbs. Every orthodontist and dentist has a different level of experience with the treatment, and as a result, they have their respective price points. But regardless of where you live, you can reasonably expect your price to fall somewhere between $4,500 and $7,000. That’s a bit higher than the national average.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in Washington
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in Washington 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:
- Inspired Orthodontics: There’s a trio of orthodontists at Inspired Orthodontics, but if you’re seeking Invisalign for your orthodontic treatment, you’ll probably see Dr. Bockow, a VIP Diamond Plus provider. They’ve won a lot of positive reviews for both their Seattle location and their Bellevue one.
- Leone and Vaughn Orthodontics: If you’re looking for an orthodontist with a fairly significant reach across the greater Seattle area, you’ll find three of them at Leone and Vaughn Orthodontics: Dr. Leone, Dr. Vaughn, and Borda. They’re VIP Diamond Plus Invisalign providers, and with more than 150 positive reviews for their Seattle location alone, you can be confident your smile is in good hands.
- Douglas J. Knight Orthodontics: Tacoma residents looking for Invisalign treatment should check out Dr. Knight’s office. He’s a VIP Diamond provider, and he offers a variety of flexible financing options to help make your treatment as affordable as possible.
- Adventure Dental: The treatment team at Adventure Dental specializes in pediatric dentistry and orthodontia, but they treat all ages with Invisalign, too! They’ve won themselves a Platinum Invisalign provider status, along with 800+ positive reviews. They’re currently located on NE 139th Street in Portland.
- Bret Johnson Orthodontics: Dr. Bret is a native to the Spokane area, so he’s proud to serve his hometown with Invisalign. He founded his practice in 2009, and in that (relatively) short time, he’s won hundreds of rave reviews and Invisalign’s second-highest provider status: Diamond. He offers both Invisalign and Invisalign Teen.
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. 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 Edmonds, Seattle, Kennewick, Richland, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in Washington
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 ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Avenue Smiles: Seattle is home to Avenue Smiles, where you’ll meet Dr. Agarwal, Dr. Bhavan, and Dr. Nakhwa. Together, these ladies focus on both general and cosmetic dentistry, so ClearCorrect is just a natural extension to their treatment offerings. You can find their practice downtown on the South Lake Union tram.
- Family First Dental: With four locations across Kennewick and Richland, Family First Dental is a great resource for Washington residents near the Columbia River. ClearCorrect is just one of many treatment offerings, and since they have a 4.9/5-star rating across more than 300 reviews, you can be confident your smile is in good hands.
- Smile Everett Dental Care: Dr. Murray and Dr. Osterberg boast more than three decades of experience combined, so if you visit their office for ClearCorrect treatment, you can rest assured that your smile is in good hands. They also offer a wide variety of general dentistry services, so you can not only straighten your smile but keep it healthy for a lifetime.
- Distinctive Dentistry: Dr. Streit is a proud Edmonds native, and he’s equally proud to serve his hometown’s dental needs. He’s a certified provider for ClearCorrect, Invisalign, and Six Month Smiles, so if you’re on the fence about any of our recommended in-person treatments, he can help you pick the right option for your smile and budget.
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 Washington, you can find providers—including gold and silver providers with lots of experience—in Shoreline, Edmonds, Seattle, and more. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in Washington
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.
- Distinctive Dentistry: Dr. Streit is a proud Edmonds native, and he’s equally proud to serve his hometown’s dental needs. He’s a certified provider for Six Month Smiles, Invisalign, and ClearCorrect, so if you’re on the fence about any of our recommended in-person treatments, he can help you pick the right option for your smile and budget.
- A Northwest Dental: If you’d like to get Six Month Smiles treatment (or ClearCorrect or Invisalign) but you want the feeling of a smaller, more intimate practice, check out A Northwest Dental. Dr. Lee maintains a small but fantastic treatment team at his Shoreline office.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in Washington?
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. Like the rest of the west coast, Washington has a pretty high cost of living. In fact, it has one of the highest costs in the country. That in turn makes for higher dental costs. That said, the cost of living varies depending on where you live in the state. The cities of Seattle and Vancouver, for instance, have higher costs of living. Other cities are much more affordable.
That said, there are some things that impact your cost no matter where you live in the state: taxes. Thankfully, the state doesn’t charge an income tax, which makes it cheaper for your dentist or orthodontist to do business. Washington does charge a sales tax, though. It’s a pretty average 6.5% rate, so it won’t have a massive impact on your total price tag. All told, Washington has higher prices for in-person treatment than other states. But if you walk in knowing what to expect, you can budget for those costs, no problem.
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, 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!