Millions of adults long for a straighter, healthier smile but find themselves caught up in a Goldilocks situation: in-office treatments are too expensive, at-home options lack the supervision they want, and nothing seems “just right.” Motto, by Aspen Dental, aims to fill this gap, offering affordable in-office aligner treatment.
Motto is widely available, boasts a low price point, and has a few interesting features. But is it the right fit for you? In this review, we’ll dig into the pros and cons, compare Motto to other clear aligners, and help you determine whether it’s right for your smile goals.
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About Aspen Dental
Aspen Dental is a network of dental care franchises spread out across the United States. While they all boast the same name, each of their 900+ offices is individually operated. With a presence in 43 states, they treat over six million patients a year, catering to people who do not have dental insurance or a regular dentist.
While a licensed dentist owns and operates each location, assistants deliver most of the care. Aspen Dental states that services and office practices vary between practices and that you must contact individual offices to fully understand the types and terms of treatment. It is possible your local location won’t offer Motto, or they’ll charge different prices than what Aspen lists on their website.
How Does Motto Work?
You’ll kick off your Motto treatment by scheduling an initial consultation at an Aspen Dental practice. The staff there will scan your teeth and use those images to create a preview of your projected results. If you give the go-ahead, Aspen will pair you with a Smile Advisor, who will be your main contact throughout treatment, and provide a starter tray, which keeps your teeth in place until your aligners are ready.
Motto aligners are made by SureSmile, one of the top clear aligner companies in the United States. However, Motto doesn’t disclose who plans treatment or what software they use, so it might vary between practices — but your dentist can clarify this during your consultation.
You’ll return to your Aspen Dental practice 2–4 weeks after your initial appointment to get the rest of your aligners. According to Aspen’s Motto page, you can see changes to your smile in as little as two weeks, depending on how you respond to treatment and if your dentist uses any attachments. You’ll attend appointments every four weeks unless you opt for remote monitoring, in which case you will check in using the Motto app as directed. Most patients finish treatment in about 6–8 months and then switch to aftercare retainers.
Is Motto a Good Option? Our Perspective.
Motto just launched in mid-2021, so there aren’t many patient reviews and it’s difficult to give a definitive answer. Based on the information available, We gave Motto 4.1 out of 5 stars in our clear aligner rankings, which are based on effectiveness, affordability, convenience, appearance, and patient experience.
We’ll provide a lot more detail on how Motto stacks up category by category, but here’s a quick summary of the biggest pros and cons:
Motto Pros
- Motto is pretty affordable for an in-office treatment. Starting at just $1,999, it’s on par with fully remote treatments like Byte and SmileDirectClub.
- Thanks to Aspen Dental’s prevalence, Motto is widely available. It’s not in every state just yet, but you can find it in over 900 locations.
- SureSmile manufactures all Motto aligners, and their long track record lends Motto a lot of credibility.
- Motto’s average treatment lasts just 6–8 months — on par with at-home clear aligners.
Motto Cons
- Their remote monitoring doesn’t use a scan box or scope that attaches to your phone, just a cheek spreader to help you take selfies with more of your teeth showing.
- Aspen Dental patients have reported poor customer service, unexpected outcomes, and seeing assistants rather than the doctor at certain practices.
- Their prices sound low, but we aren’t sure you are really saving money, since SureSmile costs around $2,000 on the low end. Since Motto typically takes 6–8 months, it’s likely only used for mild-to-moderate cases, making it comparable to the less comprehensive SureSmile Select.
Who Is a Good Match for Motto?
If you want a straighter smile but don’t have the funds for other in-office treatments and aren’t suited to at-home aligners, Motto could be a good choice.
Effectiveness
Motto may have an appealing price point, but it’s still an investment — you need to feel confident it will deliver results. The company isn’t clear on what cases it can treat, but their partnership with SureSmile and clinical oversight give us some confidence in their effectiveness.
Based on their average 6–8 month treatment timeline, it’s clear that Motto isn’t meant for severe misalignments.
Some aligner companies make it to the finish line faster because of differences in materials, attachments, technology, and design — but when a company gets results a year faster than leading treatments, it’s because they only take on milder cases. Easier corrections take less time, bringing down the average.
Although they don’t specify their scope of treatment, it’s safe to assume that Motto is similar to at-home aligners or hybrid options like Candid. However, SureSmile can make major changes, even altering jaw positioning, indicating Motto has the power to treat complex cases even if dentists aren’t using it for that yet.
Motto aligners are made in SureSmile labs using the same Essix ACE plastic as SureSmile products.
While it isn’t clear if they also use SureSmile’s planning software, just knowing they’re backed by SureSmile and use Essix plastics inspires a lot of confidence. In fact, Motto aligners arrive in SureSmile boxes with SureSmile branding and can incorporate attachments — so you’re basically getting SureSmile treatment.
Direct doctor supervision can help keep things on track and achieve final results faster.
Motto requires check-ins every four weeks, and many patients report that technicians oversee their care unless something goes wrong. If you choose the hybrid option, you only see your dentist and their staff for the initial consultation and after you finish treatment. In bewteen, you simply submit photos of your teeth. However, this remote monitoring isn’t very robust — you just take selfies while wearing a cheek retractor and Aspen uses them to make sure your teeth are moving as expected.
Affordability
Orthodontic treatment is often so expensive that adults put off getting the care they need for years, even decades, just to save up. Aspen Dental specifically aims to help provide dental care that might be financially out of reach with other providers. As a result, Motto is significantly less expensive than other in-office and hybrid options, although it’s still more expensive than some at-home aligners.
Motto has three plans: Essential, Plus, and Complete. Each has its own starting price.
Motto Essential starts at $1,895 and includes the aligners, in-person doctor visits, the starter tray, the MottoAssured protection plan, and one set of precision-fit aftercare retainers. Motto Plus starts at $2,195 and includes everything in Motto Essential but adds remote dental monitoring. Motto Complete starts at $2,495 and includes everything you get with Motto Plus, as well as MottoRetain, which covers up to eight retainers during the two years after treatment.
Depending on your perspective, these prices may seem very high or incredibly reasonable for clear aligners. To get a better picture, look at the competition. Invisalign and 3M Clarity Aligners often cost $3,000–$8,000, while ClearCorrect is often $3,000–$6,000, and SureSmile can be even cheaper.
Since each Aspen Dental practice sets its own rates, you won’t know your price until your initial consultation.
You won’t always pay the exact sticker prices listed on Motto’s website. They can vary based on your specific practice’s rates, the complexity of your case, and your dentist’s level of involvement. If you have orthodontic coverage, the billing department will exhaust your insurance benefits first, then charge you the remaining balance. Aspen Dental practices also have frequent discounts and specials, which can lower your costs.
If the price of treatment is still high, Aspen Dental accepts CareCredit cards. You pay zero down and they’ll break the remaining balance up over 60 months. This option requires a credit check to qualify.
Convenience
Cost is the top barrier between adults and their dream smiles, but convenience is a close second. You don’t want a treatment that makes you wait forever to get results or frequently disrupts your schedule. Motto’s hybrid option is easier and more streamlined than other in-office treatments, but it’s still not quite as convenient as at-home alternatives.
Getting started with Motto is pretty easy. Just schedule an appointment at a local Aspen Dental practice.
With over 900 locations across 43 states, most people will have at least one practice nearby. You can book your appointment online or by phone and just need to show up on time. During your appointment, the Aspen Dental team will take a precision scan of your dental anatomy, then show your projected results so you can decide if you want to move forward.
Motto promises that you’ll get tray one on day one — which sounds like you get your first aligners at your initial consultation. This isn’t the case.
When you see Motto talk about a “Starter Tray” on their website, you’ll also see an asterisk next to it. That’s because it’s not an aligner; it’s a retainer. You wear the Starter Tray to make sure your teeth don’t shift between your scan and when you receive your aligners. Since your teeth are unlikely to shift significantly over just a couple of weeks, this doesn’t increase convenience like getting your first aligner would, but it helps you prepare for how your aligners will feel. Plus, you can use it to whiten your teeth.
Treatment timelines vary, but most people finish in 6–8 months.
Motto achieves results faster than most other in-office treatments likely because it only takes on minor misalignments. However, Aspen Dental offers a supplementary device called Propel that you can use for five minutes a day to speed up bone remodeling and tooth movement. Their website says it can reduce treatment time by up to 64% for some patients.
Most people will need to see their doctor in person every four weeks, but their remote supervision gives you an alternative. Just keep in mind that their hybrid monitoring isn’t as robust as in-office visits, and doesn’t include a ScanBox or other devices that help you take photos of your teeth (like you’d get with Candid). If you really want remote check-ins, carefully consider each company’s procedures.
Motto doesn’t offer a nighttime-only plan.
Some at-home aligner services — like Byte, AlignerCo, and SmileDirectClub — have alternative wear schedules that only require ten hours of daily wear, typically overnight. But Motto, like all in-office options, doesn’t have a comparable plan. Your dentist might have some flexibility with your wear schedule, but most will advise you to wear your aligners for 22+ hours per day.
Appearance
Adults usually want the most discreet orthodontic treatment possible. Right now, that option is clear aligners. Usually, people won’t have a clue you’re wearing them. But not all aligners look the same and certain features can make them easier to see.
Motto aligners are clear and slightly textured.
The clear plastic is slightly shiny, which doesn’t exactly mimic the look of our natural teeth; our enamel appears matte because it’s porous. But you might like that kind of gleam in your smile. The texture, however, matches the natural surfaces of your teeth, making the aligners a bit less noticeable.
They also trim your aligners to match the gum line.
Aligner companies can either cut their aligners straight across, or “scallop” them to follow the gum line. Straight-cut aligners cover the gums, which helps them exert more force, although people might notice that slight overlap. Motto’s scalloped cut makes their aligners slightly more discreet.
Engagers and elastics increase the visibility of your aligners.
Engagers and elastics make your aligners more powerful, but they also make them stand out. Your engagers should be tooth-colored and your elastics clear, but they are still noticeable, especially at certain angles. Attachments aren’t necessary for every case, so your dentist may or may not recommend them.
Don’t wear your Motto aligners while eating or drinking anything besides plain water. They use stain-resistant plastic but it isn’t stain-proof. So without the right care, they can make your teeth look discolored.
Patient Experience
The quality of support you receive can make or break your experience. Your aligners could be perfect, but if the doctor or company you are working with falls short, it can ruin the whole thing. Your Aspen Dental practice will handle your entire Motto experience, so you’ll get personalized care from people who know you and your smile well.
In most cases, Motto’s customer support is exceptional, but your experience will vary by practice.
This isn’t just the case for Motto aligners; it’s true of all in-office treatments. Some practices are highly organized and patient-oriented, while others aren’t. In most cases, direct supervision and interaction make for a supportive, individualized patient experience. However, some Aspen Dental practices have received negative customer reviews for poor customer service and results, so look into the specific practice before scheduling an appointment.
You can call the practice during their office hours to get customized assistance.
If anything goes wrong, you can get hands-on care within hours in most cases. This is especially beneficial if you need adjustments to your treatment plan or refinements after it’s complete. While these aren’t often necessary, knowing the option is there is reassuring.
If you don’t get the results you want, Aspen will provide more aligners for free.
Sometimes teeth can be stubborn, refusing to move as planned. It rarely happens, but if you reach the end of your treatment and don’t see the smile that Aspen initially promised, they’ll issue refinement aligners for free. Just make sure to follow your aligner plan exactly and submit your refinement request within 30 days of finishing treatment.
Best Alternatives to Motto
Not sold on Motto just yet? No worries! There are plenty of options to consider. Below are Motto’s most compelling in-office and at-home competitors.
Byte $1,999
Byte and Motto offer very different advantages. Motto boasts in-person care and patient support, but Byte counters with superior convenience and efficiency. Byte claims their aligner plans last just 4–5 months on average, and they don’t require a single office visit, making treatment more convenient and affordable. Like Motto, Byte also offers a high-frequency vibration device (the HyperByte). The company says it may reduce discomfort, and there’s some evidence that devices like this might encourage faster dental shifts as well.
Candid $3,500+
Did the option for remote oversight draw you to Motto treatment? If that’s the case, look into Candid! Their remote monitoring is more robust, using a phone attachment to take detailed images of all your teeth, and they usually finish treatment just as quickly as Motto.
SureSmile $2,000–$6,000
If you want a treatment that is almost identical to Motto, look at SureSmile. They create Motto’s aligners, but the full system can treat even more severe cases. SureSmile doesn’t offer a hybrid option like Motto, but if you are looking to make bigger shifts with your alignment, they’re a great choice.
ClearCorrect $3,000–$6,000
ClearCorrect is one of the biggest Invisalign competitors on the market today. It’s usually slightly more expensive than Motto, but they offer more flexible pricing models. ClearCorrect doesn’t have as many providers, and their dentists rarely offer remote monitoring like Motto does, but they can treat wider scope of severe misalignments.
3M Clarity Aligners $3,000–$8,000
3M Clarity Aligners are exceptionally effective. Only orthodontists can administer them, they use two different types of premium plastic, and their treatment plans can incorporate attachments in unique ways to facilitate a wide range of complex movements. But they also typically cost more than Motto, and they’re not as widely available, but they’re still a great option — especially if you have a severe misalignment.
Invisalign $3,000–$8,000
Invisalign is the oldest and most widely respected name in clear aligners, and their treatment has transformed millions of smiles around the globe. It’s a fully in-office treatment, which means you get direct oversight and personalized attention. Thanks to their attachments and their proprietary plastic, Invisalign aligners can treat more complex cases than Motto Aligners, and Invisalign is more widely available, but their treatment is also a lot more expensive.
Summary: Is Motto Right for You?
Motto is an excellent choice if you want in-person treatment without the typical price. It’s powered by SureSmile, so we are confident that the science and materials behind it are solid. Still, there are other options that could be a better fit for you. Ultimately, the right choice comes down to your preferences, budget, and priorities.
To get a better idea of which option might best suit your situation, check out the resources below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get Motto aligners anywhere besides Aspen Dental?
Nope! They are an Aspen Dental exclusive. However, they are powered by SureSmile, which is a widely available clear aligner system.
Is Motto the Same as SureSmile?
We aren’t 100% clear on this yet. Motto says their treatment is powered by SureSmile, and patients receive SureSmile branded aligners when they purchase Motto. But it seems like Motto can’t treat the same scope of severe misalignments and offers less customization.
Are there clear aligners more affordable than Motto?
Most at-home clear aligners are either more affordable or around the same price as Motto. SureSmile also has the same starting price when purchased on Aspen Dental.
What are Motto patients saying about their treatment?
Motto is pretty new, so there aren’t a lot of patient reviews just yet. Once there are more testimonials, we’ll update this article.
What is hybrid treatment and why would I want it?
Hybrid treatment starts with office visits to get dental scans and pick up your aligners, then moves to remote check-ins until treatment is complete. It still ensures someone is checking your progress, but you get to skip additional office visits unless something goes wrong.
Are there any risks with hybrid treatment?
It depends on the monitoring procedures. One of our concerns with Motto is that their remote oversight doesn’t incorporate any monitoring equipment or technology. However, with better imaging, there aren’t any real risks. If your case is too complex for safe hybrid treatment, your doctor will let you know.
Can I get combination treatment with Motto and braces?
It depends on your Aspen Dental practice. Some doctors might offer this. Others might not.
Do Motto aligners hurt?
All aligners will cause soreness because they put pressure on the teeth. However, this pressure is essential since it encourages dental shifts. Most people initially notice this soreness with their first aligners, and it returns with each new set, but usually goes away in hours.
How many hours a day do I need to wear Motto?
You should wear your aligners for 22+ hours per day, only removing them when you eat or drink anything besides plain water.
Can I get Motto if I have tooth decay or gum disease?
No, you need to treat these conditions first. If you have had tooth decay or gum disease in the past but they are no longer active, you can get Motto aligners.
Aleesha says
The aligners helped straighten out my bottom teeth but did nothing for my top teeth. After completing the 8 month process I was told that my teeth have spacing that cannot be fixed with aligners. I was encouraged to get metal braces or veneers. Why the dentist told me I was a good candidate has me mind blown because why would anyone pay thousands for aligners only to file their teeth down and pay triple that for veneers or double for metal braces. The dentist told me that she would have recommended aligners first anyways because the others are a big change, but spending(wasting) a couple thousand was a waste as well. I would have also loved to make the decision for myself based on the TRUTH about my enamel spacing.
I guarantee this comment will not get approved and the issue will not be resolved but it’d be good for people to understand and know what they’re getting into. I 10/10 don’t recommend.