3M Clarity Aligners vs. AlignerCo: How They Really Compare

The moment they hit the scene, clear aligners took the world of orthodontics by storm. They were innovative from the start, but each new company has sought ways to make them even better. 3M Clarity Aligners and AlignerCo are two providers putting their own spin on things.

These two options look very similar at first, but the deeper you dig, the more differences you’ll find. So, which one should you choose for perfecting your smile? Let’s find out!

Company Overviews

3M is a household name. Founded in 1902, it is one of the largest corporations in the world and makes over 60,000 different products. With its presence in numerous different industries, it is no surprise that 3M also makes orthodontic appliances.

Their Clarity brand launched with their Clear Braces and then expanded when they introduced Clarity Aligners in 2018. Their current iteration hit the market in 2021, introducing a new type of plastic. While their aligners are a pretty new entry to the market, they have quickly gained traction thanks to their multiple proprietary plastics, unique treatment planning, and expert orthodontic network.

Founded in 2019, AlignerCo is slightly younger than 3M Clarity. However, they take a different approach by offering fully remote treatment. Plus, AlignerCo is the most affordable clear aligner provider we’ve reviewed. So, what it lacks in brand recognition and experience, we think it makes up for in value.

Scope of Treatment Comparison

In our opinion, 3M Clarity and AlignerCo are two solid options for straightening your smile. They’ve helped many correct alignment problems, improve their oral health, and boost their confidence. But just because an aligner system has worked for others doesn’t mean it will work for you. Your misalignment has to be one they can treat.

What 3M Clarity and AlignerCo Treat

3M Clarity was conceptualized as an alternative or companion to braces — specifically, their Clarity Braces. As such, the company strives to correct a wide range of misalignments. According to their clinical case archive, their aligners can treat the following conditions:

• Crowded teeth
• Gapped teeth
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Open bite
• Snaggletooth
• Midline misalignment

The system might not work quite as well for very large gaps, severe rotations, or raising and lowering teeth. However, it can make complex movements thanks to 3M’s treatment design and attachments. They’re smaller in profile than some competitors, allowing for multiple attachments per tooth and placement behind the teeth.

Like all fully remote systems, AlignerCo does not incorporate attachments, resulting in a less robust treatment scope. According to their website, they can typically address the following issues:

• Mild-to-moderate crowding
• Mild-to-moderate spacing
• Mild-to-moderate overbite or overjet
• Limited underbite
• Localized crossbite

Typically, their aligners only move the frontmost 6–8 teeth in either arch. However, this can vary between treatment plans.

What 3M Clarity and AlignerCo Customers Say

Patients from both aligner systems have posted testimonials and reviews online. We even have some AlignerCo feedback buyers have shared directly with us! We suggest you do a little searching, no matter which option you’re leaning toward, that way you can get a better feel for what to expect.

Based on our own search, customer reviews typically back up each company’s claims regarding scope of treatment — 3M Clarity patients report satisfactory results, even for changes to their jaw position and facial balance, while AlignerCo buyers often use the treatment for more cosmetic concerns.

Clinical Oversight

3M only allows licensed orthodontists to offer their Clarity Aligners — while most in-office clear aligners accept general dentists, too. 3M also encourages their providers to engage in continuing education in the Clarity system, keeping them up to date on all the newest innovations. You’ll see your orthodontist every 4–10 weeks throughout treatment so they can add, remove, or replace attachments, adjust your wear schedule, and more.

AlignerCo has a mixed team of general dentists and orthodontists who create their treatment plans and monitor progress. You check in using the AlignerTracker app every 14 days, uploading photos for review. If their team notices something seems off, they might ask you to adjust your wear schedule or even send a new impression kit to better understand what’s happening with your alignment.

Quality of Materials

While aligners can generate force using attachments, most of their strength comes from their plastic. 3M Clarity has two types: Flex and Force. Flex, as the name would imply, is more flexible, made from five layers. Force is stiffer and exerts more consistent power. 3M Clarity notes that the two types of plastic are better at different types of movements:

• Flex is better at correcting rotations and incorrect angles.
• Force is better at expansion, torque, and raising or lowering teeth.

Orthodontists don’t have to choose one plastic for the full course of treatment, either; they can switch back and forth with each aligner based on the specific movements each one needs to make.

AlignerCo doesn’t make their own plastic. Instead, they source it from Raintree Essix. This is one of the top dental supply companies, and their premium plastics have been used by aligner companies since 2005.

Affordability Comparison

Having straight teeth comes with a lot of benefits — but not many people want those benefits to come at the expense of their financial health. At-home aligners are almost always less expensive than in-office ones like 3M Clarity, but AlignerCo is also more budget-friendly than their at-home rivals.

Sticker Price

3M Clarity doesn’t have a set price tag. There are many factors that determine how much you will pay, from the complexity of your treatment plan to your orthodontist’s rates. On average, Clarity Aligner treatment costs $3,000–$8,000. If you end up needing combination treatment (which uses both aligners and Clarity Clear Braces), the price may be even higher.

This makes Clarity Aligners one of the most expensive clear aligner options. AlignerCo is on the other end of the spectrum; at $995, they are the most affordable provider we reviewed. And this price covers the impression kit plus your first set of retainers. They also offer a nighttime-only treatment for just $200 more.

What About Insurance?

Even at its most affordable, clear aligner treatment isn’t cheap. For many people, insurance is a great way to lower their costs. If you have orthodontic benefits and select an in-network doctor, you can use your insurance to cover part or all of your Clarity Aligner treatment. Most policies that have orthodontic benefits will pay for 50% or less of the treatment cost or have a lifetime limit (typically somewhere between $3,000 and $5,000).

AlignerCo doesn’t have any insurance partnerships at this time. You can still contact your insurance provider to see if they will extend coverage. You should also contact your account administrator for your HSA or FSA (if you have one) to see if you can use your funds to cover Clarity Aligners or AlignerCo treatment.

Financing Options

If you’ve exhausted your insurance benefits or aren’t able to apply them and the cost of treatment is still too high to manage outright, you have another option: financing. Clarity Aligners financing goes through your orthodontist, so talk to them about the options they offer. If they don’t have any, you could go with a third-party financier, but these don’t always offer the best terms.

AlignerCo offers two financing plans directly to their customers:

• SmileFlex: Requires a soft credit check and if you qualify, it’s twelve monthly payments of $83. For the NightOnly plan, those payments increase to $100.
• SmileFlex Easy: Does not require a credit check but does require a $335 down payment followed by six monthly payments of $135 (or $445, then eleven payments of $150 for NightOnly).

With either plan, you can make the already low price of AlignerCo even easier to fit into your budget.

Convenience Comparison

Life is busy. Many adults are constantly juggling work, family, friends, and — when possible — a little self-care. When small windows of free time open, most people don’t want to fill them with a trip to the orthodontist. That’s why we think at-home treatments like AlignerCo are usually more convenient than in-person ones. But there is more to aligner convenience than just office visits.

Getting Started

To kick off Clarity Aligners treatment, you just need to find a provider (their website has an easy-to-navigate directory) and schedule your initial consultation. During this appointment, your doctor will complete a 3D scan and possibly take other diagnostic images to use in their treatment planning. Once you approve their plan, you should have your aligners in about three weeks.

AlignerCo doesn’t offer an option for in-person scans through their company. However, they are open to accepting them from other providers as long as they are in the STL format. This means that to get started, you either need to take your own physical impressions (which some customers find a little difficult) or locate a dentist or orthodontist willing to scan your teeth for treatment they aren’t administering (which might be costly).

The Office Visit Trade-Off

Office visits help to make your treatment more robust, but they also make it less convenient. Most 3M Clarity patients will need at least several visits before treatment is complete. However, the trade-off is that you can correct more complex misalignments. If you are eligible for remote aligner treatment, you have to decide if the convenience is worth not getting that extra power and oversight.

How Long Does Treatment Take?

Every person is unique, and so is their response to aligner treatment. Not to mention that different starting points mean different journeys. When considering treatment timelines, you have to look at averages but understand that your case could fall outside them.

Clarity Aligners treatment typically takes 6–24 months from start to finish, depending on the severity of your misalignment. AlignerCo says their average treatment plan is 4–6 months for their all-day system (wearing the aligners for 22 hours per day) and 6–8 months with nighttime-only wear (wearing the aligners for ten consecutive hours per day).

Appearance Comparison

Perhaps the biggest reason aligners have become so in-demand is their appearance: they are nearly invisible when worn. If you aren’t a fan of brackets and wires, they give you a more discreet alternative. While all aligners look similar, there are subtle differences to note. Here’s what you need to know about how Clarity Aligners and AlignerCo look.

Aligner Material

Clarity Aligners give you and your doctor the choice of two materials — and the option to alternate them throughout treatment. But no matter if they use Flex, Force, or both, you get the same look: ultra-clear, smooth, and matte. We think the matte aspect is great, since it mimics the look of your enamel. However, in our opinion, aligners with a little texture better match the pores of your teeth.

AlignerCo also uses an extra clear plastic, but theirs has a shine to it, which we think looks slightly unnatural compared to your natural teeth. They also lack texture. As a result, we don’t consider AlignerCo aligners to be the most natural-looking choice.

Aligner Cut

3M cuts their aligners according to your orthodontist’s specifications. If they choose to cut them straight at the gum line, they can choose how much they overlap your gums. This might help improve their force transfer, but if you have a gummy smile, it can make your aligners slightly more visible.

AlignerCo goes with the scalloped cut. When executed correctly, this hides the edge of the aligners in the gum line. However, if not done perfectly (a risk when you take your own impressions), this can make them easier to see.

Supplemental Attachments

Attachments can help aligners correct more severe misalignments. But there is a notable downside — they also increase their visibility. 3M understands the dilemma this poses for their patients and makes their supplemental attachments tooth-colored or clear, and exceptionally low-profile. They also place them on the backs of the teeth when possible. AlignerCo cannot use attachments, so this is a non-issue if you choose them.

Patient Experience Comparison

Now you’ve got everything from startup procedures to treatment timelines down. But let’s not forget about the little details that shape your patient experience — things like support, communication, oversight, and guarantees. We think AlignerCo has taken steps to deliver a satisfying experience, but in our opinion, it’s tough for any at-home company to match the personalized care you’ll get from 3M Clarity’s hands-on orthodontic care.

Communication Channels

With Clarity Aligners, you can contact your orthodontist or 3M when you need help or clarification — though your orthodontist is likely the better option since they know your case. Your doctor chooses their communication channels, but at the very least, they’ll take phone calls and in-person appointments.

AlignerCo is available by webchat, email, phone, and social media. This gives you a lot more flexibility than you get with the average doctor. However, their hours are pretty similar to what most offices would offer: 9 am to 6 pm Eastern Time, seven days a week.

Oversight

Direct oversight might be more time-consuming, but we think it can enhance the patient experience. Your progress will be monitored by a doctor who knows you well and is ready to answer your questions and address any issues that arise. Though support varies across providers, we think that in-person options like Clarity typically offer highly personalized care.

AlignerCo offers remote oversight, but it isn’t as robust as in-person supervision as you’d get with 3M Clarity. You just take photos of your smile with your phone’s camera and email them every two weeks.

Refund & Warranty Policies

3M doesn’t set Clarity Aligners’ refinements policy and guarantees — your orthodontist does. Some will cover one set of refinements in full; others will require you to pay for the scan, the aligners, or both. Most doctors will have some form of guarantee, but they’re often pretty limited.

AlignerCo only offers refinements if you do your part throughout treatment — and that means wearing your aligners for the right number of hours each day, changing them on schedule, and caring for them correctly. If you do all that, they will issue refinement aligners. Just keep in mind they charge $200 to make them.

Which Should You Choose?

We think both are quality clear aligner treatments, but each will be better suited to different people.

Who Should Consider Clarity Aligners?

Anyone looking to make major changes to their alignment and wants an Invisalign alternative or needs an option with a larger scope of treatment.

Who Should Consider AlignerCo?

Those who have mild-to-moderate alignment concerns involving the front 6–8 teeth and want to save as much money as possible.