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. West Virginia 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 West Virginia. 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 West Virginia.
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 West Virginia are usually below the national average, though. There aren’t a ton of local providers, though, so while you’ll have opportunities to “shop around,” they’ll be more limited than in some other states. Regardless, West Virginia residents can expect to pay somewhere between $3,500 and $6,000, with some suburbs and college towns 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 West Virginia
Now that we’ve established the distinction between at-home and in-person treatments, let’s dig into your top options in West Virginia. 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 might be far from West Virginia, 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.
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, West Virginia currently doesn’t have any Candid Studio locations yet. But there could be some in the future; Candid is constantly expanding the reach of their retail locations. Thankfully, an impression kit is still 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, 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, which means that, as a West Virginia resident, you can expect relatively quick shipping times, especially compared to someone 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 all of their locations nationwide. They’re currently reopening shops on a case-by-case basis once it’s deemed safe to do so (based on local conditions). As far as we can tell, there aren’t any locations currently open in West Virginia.
But the list of open locations is constantly changing, so to check whether one has opened near you (sometimes SmileDirect does pop-up shops, too), 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 West Virginia, there aren’t a ton of local Invisalign doctors, but all of them have varying levels of experience. They all have their respective price points, too. But regardless of whether you live in the largest city, Charleston, or a mid-sized town like Morganstown or Wheeling, your Invisalign price tag will probably fall somewhere between $3,500 and $6,000. That’s lower than the national average.
Top-Rated Invisalign Providers in West Virginia
With Invisalign, there are so many providers in West Virginia 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:
- Shane Holmes Orthodontics: Dr. Shane Holmes, together with two other orthodontists and a fantastic support staff, is proud to serve the greater Charleston area with orthodontic treatments, Invisalign included. He’s a Platinum invisalign provider with more than 300 positive reviews on Google alone.
- Eckels Orthodontics: “Smile forward” is the motto at Eckels Orthodontics, and they truly live it. Not only does Dr. Eckels ensure that you love your smile every day going forward, but he also pays it forward in his community. He currently has two West Virginia offices: one in Ripley and another in Parkersburg. He’s a VIP Diamond Plus Invisalign provider, too.
- Sanders Orthodontics: If you live in Morgantown, Clarksburg, or Kingwood and you’re seeking Invisalign treatment, check out Sanders Orthodontics. Dr. Sanders is a Gold Plus Invisalign provider. Most of his clients are teens, but he’s more than happy to help adults achieve the smile of their dreams, too.
- Panucci & Jackfert Orthodontics: Some of the patients at Panucci & Jackfert Orthodontics (P&J Ortho for short) are actually second-generation patients, which tells you a lot about the family-friendly atmosphere they create in their office. They’re Platinum Invisalign providers, too. You can find their office in South Charleston (and Gallipolis, Ohio).
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 West Virginia. 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 Berkley, Glenville, Shinnston, and more.
Top-Rated ClearCorrect Providers in West Virginia
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 West Virginia ClearCorrect providers we found:
- Dr. Anthony J. Williams: If you’re on the fence between ClearCorrect and Invisalign, then you should check out the practice of Dr. Williams in Berkley. Dr. Anthony offers both clear aligner brands, and he’d be happy to help you decide which option is right for your grin and your budget.
- Minigh Family Dentistry: Dr. Minigh and his treatment team understand that you’re busy, so they operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on several days each week. But no matter what time of day you visit their offices in Glenville or Shinnston, you’ll have access to ClearCorrect treatment and a wide variety of other family and cosmetic dentistry services.
- Harvey Dental Studio: Dr. Harvey teams up with Dr. Lafferty and Dr. Daniele and a fantastic support team to serve Berkley and the surrounding areas with services that will help you smile. Since general and cosmetic dentistry are their focus areas, ClearCorrect fits in perfectly with their treatment offerings.
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, but there aren’t a ton of providers in West Virginia. In fact, as far as we can tell, there’s only one (listed below). That said, if you live along the state border, you might be able to cross over into other states like Pennsylvania or Ohio for treatment. You can find your closest provider with a ZIP Code search.
Top-Rated Six Month Smiles Providers in West Virginia
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.
- Zambito Family Dentistry: Dr. Zambito recently made West Virginia’s “Top 40 Under 40” list, so whether you visit his office for a general dental health checkup or Six Month Smiles, you can be confident that you’ll get top quality treatment. He’s a Silver provider for Six Month Smiles, and he also offers Invisalign.
What Are the Most Affordable Clear Aligners in West Virginia?
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. West Virginia has a pretty affordable cost of living, and that cost of living stays pretty consistent across the state, even in Charleston. The only notable difference is Morganstown, which has one of the highest living costs in the entire state (still lower than the national average, though).
No matter where you live in the state, there is something that will consistently impact your treatment cost: taxes. Thankfully, West Virginia’s are fairly manageable. The corporate income tax (paid by your dentist, so it indirectly affects your cost) is just 6.5%.
You will pay the sales tax personally. But since it’s just 6%, it won’t affect your price too much. So all told, West Virginia has lower-than-average costs for in-person clear aligner 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 home aligner reviews and service comparisons.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for teeth straightening in West Virginia, 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!