Orthodontic treatment is an investment, not just in your teeth but your confidence and happiness too. But clear aligner treatment doesn’t always come cheap. Depending on your condition and the treatment you choose, you could be looking at prices anywhere between $1,500 and $8,000.
As a clear aligner treatment that intertwines in-person care from a local dentist and remote monitoring, Candid is often less expensive than Invisalign, but pricier than fully-remote clear aligner options like Byte and SmileDirectClub. But there are a handful of factors that can influence Candid’s bottom-line price. In this guide, we’ll lay out everything that could contribute to your all-in treatment cost.
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Average Price
Unlike at-home services, you won’t pay Candid directly for your aligners. Rather, you’ll pay the dentist you choose, who will set the price and administer your treatment. There’s no standard price, so the only way to get an accurate, personalized price estimate is by visiting a Candid provider for a consultation.
That said, the minimum price of Candid treatment is $3,500. Because CandidMonitoring saves your dentist time and decreases the number of office visits you need, this price is often 30% less than Invisalign, which requires office visits every 4-6 weeks.
Five Factors That Impact Your Treatment Cost
The price you pay for Candid can vary based on several factors, and these are five of the most important ones:
1. Office Location
Certain places are simply more expensive to do business, like in the Northeast or along the West Coast. In addition, if your dentist’s office is in a city or another expensive area, their rent, utilities, etc. will be more expensive. On top of that, they still need to make a profit, which can mean higher costs for patients.
If you live near multiple Candid providers, there’s no harm in consulting each of them to compare costs.
2. Doctor Expertise
Like many other professions, more experienced, in-demand dental professionals can sometimes charge higher prices. So if you choose a dentist who has been providing comprehensive clear aligner treatment like Invisalign or ClearCorrect for years, they might charge more for that extensive experience. On the flip side, if your dentist just started offering Candid or other clear aligner treatments, they might charge slightly less.
3. Refinements
Candid’s intensive remote oversight allows your dentist and their team to continuously evaluate your progress and make adjustments when necessary. So most of the time, your treatment will deliver the exact results you expect.
But occasionally, there can be a hitch in the plan. Maybe your teeth move more slowly than initially expected, or they just don’t look like the original treatment plan. In cases like these, your dentist can issue a refinement: new custom aligners that will fine-tune your smile. Many dentists won’t charge extra as long as you’ve been following your treatment plan, but some might choose to impose an additional fee.
4. Financing
When you’re looking at treatments that cost a few thousand dollars, payment plans can be comforting. These financing options break down that intimidating price tag into manageable monthly chunks.
Candid doesn’t have one overarching financing option. Your dentist’s office handles pricing and payments, so they’re also the ones who can provide financing. Some offices have in-house plans, while others partner with outside financing companies, and some others don’t offer any at all.
Regardless, you’ve always got the option of third-party financing companies like CareCredit or BeWell, although these plans may require credit checks. And while monthly payments are nice, they also allow interest to accrue, increasing your final cost. For this reason, it’s better to pay up front if you have the financial flexibility.
5. Insurance Coverage
If your dental insurance includes orthodontic benefits, they could cover part of your Candid treatment. Of course, insurance coverage varies depending on your condition and plan. Sometimes an insurance provider will consider clear aligner treatment cosmetic and refuse to cover it. In other words, you shouldn’t assume that Candid will be covered just because your dentist recommends it — check with your insurance provider first to make sure.
Alternatively, if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), your dentist’s office may accept payments from either. These tax-free funds — which may receive contributions from your employer — could be more convenient than paying out of pocket.
Additional Costs
The factors above all play a major role in the cost of Candid aligner treatment, but there are a couple additional costs many people often forget to consider:
Teeth Whitening
Anyone looking for a complete smile makeover might also be interested in teeth whitening products. Candid treatment includes one bottle of whitening foam to use with your aligners. And you can maintain that dazzling white smile by purchasing additional bottles for $25 each. Candid also has a partnership with Philips Zoom—a popular brand and a more intensive whitening option. However, this premium kit costs an extra $299.
Your dentist might also offer in-office whitening treatments, which are fast and extremely effective, but can cost $600 or more.
Aftercare Retainers
After you set aside your last set of aligners and visit your dentist for a final evaluation, you’ll have a brand new, perfectly straight smile. And you’ll want to keep it that way.
When teeth shift, they can migrate back to their original positions, especially immediately after treatment. That’s why dentists and orthodontists recommend wearing retainers long-term — all day at first, and then just overnight.
Candid manufactures their own clear retainers, which look just like your aligners, cost $99 per set, and need to be replaced every 6-9 months. Your dentist might also offer other types, like Hawley and bonded (permanent) retainers, which can cost anywhere from $100 to $500+, but won’t need to be replaced.
How Does the Cost Compare to Other Clear Aligners?
Compared to other in-office clear aligner treatments, like Invisalign, Candid is a pretty cost-effective option, ringing in at up to 30% less.
Side by side with completely at-home aligners like Byte, SmileDirectClub, and AlignerCo, which cost $1,200 – $2,300, it’s quite a bit more expensive. But there’s a good reason for this.
With Candid, you’re paying for the personalized care and expertise of your dentist throughout your entire treatment, whether it’s in-person appointments or remote monitoring. Plus, if they notice any serious issues in your photo check-ins, they can bring you back for additional office visits.
For some people, the peace of mind that they’re getting attention from a highly skilled professional is enough to justify the higher prices. We think that it’s well worth the cost if you prefer traditional one-on-one dental care. But if your condition is minor and you’re looking for the most affordable, convenient option, at-home teeth aligners are worth considering as well.
Final Thoughts
If affordability is one of your main decision-making factors, clear aligner price tags probably stand out like neon lights. But as you weigh your options, be careful not to get swept away by advertising or promotions. Remember what’s most important in the process: your specific dental and financial goals. Look beyond the sticker price to evaluate all the behind-the-scenes costs before settling on a final treatment. Be sure to consult your dentist and insurance provider so you can get an accurate cost estimate to measure up against your budget.
While affordability should be a significant part of your decision, it shouldn’t be the only factor. It can be easy to focus solely on price, but you should also be considering a treatment’s scope of treatment, convenience, appearance, and customer support. Then, you’ll be equipped to make a confident decision in selecting the best company and treatment for your smile goals.
Noah says
“Candid also works with a third-party company called Candid to offer a second financing option. Affirm requires a more selective credit check, but their plan has 0% APR and doesn’t require a down payment.” Typo, they work with a third party company called affirm
Smile Prep says
Hi Noah – thanks for catching this. Fixed!