If you’re looking into clear aligner treatment, you might think that Invisalign, the industry giant, is the only route available. But don’t look past ClearCorrect. The only other major player in the in-office aligner space, ClearCorrect offers comparable high-quality products and treatments and can even be less expensive than Invisalign.
No matter which company you choose, clear aligners are an investment. However, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the final price, and it’s different for every person. Personalized care and regular office visits might make ClearCorrect more expensive than other treatments, but it can still be affordable, even on a budget. As you compare costs, make sure you consider all of the aspects listed here to gain a more thorough understanding of ClearCorrect’s price.
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Average Price
There’s no flat rate for ClearCorrect treatment because it all depends on how many office visits and aligners your condition requires. The only way to get a specific estimate for your customized treatment plan is to consult your dentist or orthodontist. That said, average costs for ClearCorrect are generally between $4,000 and $6,000.
ClearCorrect has six different plans: Unlimited, Mini, One, Two, Three, and Flex.
With the Unlimited plan, you will pay a flat rate for five years of aligner treatment, getting as many sets as you need. Flex, on the other hand, charges you per aligner, so it’s ideal for milder cases that won’t require robust treatment. Or, if you want a fixed number of aligners, you can choose the Mini, One, Two, or Three plans, which include 12, 24, 48, and 72 sets, respectively.
Unlimited often falls at the higher end of the price range above, while Flex usually costs less. The Mini, One, Two, and Three plans scale up in price depending on how many aligners they include, but they’re all cheaper than Unlimited. Of course, this depends on your unique teeth and your dentist’s rates, so you’ll want to schedule an examination and consultation to get a customized, accurate estimate.
6 Factors That Impact Your Treatment Cost
Your ClearCorrect treatment cost is based on numerous factors. Each of these can have a significant influence on the final, out-of-pocket price you pay.
1. Condition Complexity/Severity
One major benefit of ClearCorrect is that it can treat nearly the entire spectrum of teeth and jaw misalignments. Because it’s administered in-person by a dentist or orthodontist, it can incorporate supplemental attachments that make more drastic or complex movements. But if you come in with a highly-complicated condition, know that your treatment will likely end up costing more.
Acute conditions require more time, office visits, and aligners to correct, all of which cost money. The more of your dentist’s time, supplies, and facilities you use, the more you should expect to pay.
2. Lab Fees
Dentists need to pay ClearCorrect to review teeth impressions/scans, create aligners, and other lab fees. They recoup these costs through their patient payments. So, higher lab fees often correlate to higher rates. ClearCorrect charges less for lab fees than Invisalign, and dentists often pass these savings down to their patients, which is why ClearCorrect usually ends up as the cheaper option.
3. Office Location
Certain places are simply more expensive to do business. If your dentist/orthodontist’s office is in a city or another expensive area, their rent, utilities, etc. will cost more. Ultimately, this might mean higher costs for patients.
4. Dentist Expertise
Just like many other professions, more experienced, in-demand dental professionals can charge higher prices. If your dentist or orthodontist has a wealth of experience administering ClearCorrect treatments, they might charge more for these services. This isn’t always the case, but it can sometimes impact the final cost.
5. Aftercare Retainers
After you complete all of your aligners, your teeth will be nice and straight, a sparkling new smile. And you want to make sure that it stays that way. Teeth have a natural tendency to shift back after they’ve been moved. To prevent this from happening, your dentist will likely recommend wearing retainers, all day at first and then just overnight.
ClearCorrect manufactures clear retainers in-house that look much like your aligners but are more sturdy. Clear retainers are ideal for cases with little chance of relapse because they don’t last forever — you would need to purchase new sets every several months.
If you have a higher chance of relapse and need to wear your retainers longer, your dentist might instead recommend a Hawley retainer (a plastic plate with metal wires) or a fixed retainer — wires affixed behind your teeth. Each of these types has different costs, but you should expect to pay a couple hundred dollars for aftercare retainers.
6. Refinements
Most of the time, your ClearCorrect treatment will deliver the exact results you expected. Regular office visits allow your dentist to continuously evaluate your progress and make adjustments when necessary to keep you on track.
But occasionally, there can be a hitch in the plan. Maybe your teeth move more slowly than initially expected, or maybe your teeth just don’t look like the original treatment plan showed. If you’re on the Unlimited plan and it’s within your five years, no worries! You can get additional aligners for no extra cost. If you’re on the Flex plan, one of the Limited plans, or outside your five Unlimited years, you will need to pay extra for any additional aligners, although this cost depends on your specific dentist.
Financing Options
Not many people can pay for orthodontic treatment out-of-pocket, which is why almost every clear aligner company provides financing options. These plans break down your costs into bite-sized chunks you can pay each month. ClearCorrect works with a company called CareCredit to provide financing for patients.
Just because ClearCorrect works with CareCredit doesn’t mean that your dentist will offer it. There are other financing companies out there and it’s ultimately up to each dentist to decide for themselves which they’d like to provide. Check with your dentist’s office to find out which financing options are available.
Insurance Coverage
If your dental insurance includes orthodontic benefits, they’ll likely cover part of your ClearCorrect treatment. Of course, insurance coverage varies on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes an insurer will consider clear aligner treatment cosmetic and refuse to cover it. In other words, you shouldn’t assume that Invisalign 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.
How Does the Cost Compare to Other Clear Aligners?
If you’re considering ClearCorrect, you might also be considering its closest competitor: Invisalign. As we mentioned earlier, ClearCorrect’s lower lab fees can lead to lower costs than Invisalign (which can cost $3,000–$9,000, or less for an “Express” plan). But whether you choose ClearCorrect or Invisalign, you’ll still be paying for the one-on-one care and expertise of your dentist, as well as the ability to treat more severe conditions.
If your condition is relatively mild, you may be a candidate for at-home teeth aligners, which are much more affordable. By eliminating the need for in-person office visits, providers like SmileDirectClub and Byte have been able to offer clear aligner systems for just $1,800–$2,400.
Many adults today opt for at-home treatment because it’s so much more convenient and affordable than traditional orthodontic care. However, similar to ClearCorrect’s limited plans and Invisalign Express, at-home aligner systems aren’t a viable option for folks with severe alignment issues. To learn more about how home teeth aligners work and what they can treat, we encourage you to check out our guide to at-home teeth straightening.
Final Thoughts
We can talk all day about cost-influencing factors but, in the end, it all comes back to your personal priorities, goals, and finances. As you gather information and price estimates, measure everything against your own needs and desires. And while affordability is important in the decision-making process, it’s not the only thing you should consider.
To gain a more comprehensive view, take a look at each option’s scope of treatment, convenience, appearance, and customer service. Each one presents an important aspect of clear aligner treatment and can influence your overall experience. Be well-rounded in your research and honest in your priorities and it will empower you to make a confident, well-informed decision.
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