If you've heard about invisible braces, you've likely heard of Invisalign. A pioneer in the industry, Invisalign has close to 100,000 orthodontists as well as dentists trained in Invisalign's process and products in more than 90 countries across the world. With help from its dental experts, Invisalign has helped more than 8 million people improve their smiles.
A newer but still well-known name in the invisible braces industry is Candid. With tens of thousands of patients and over 300 employees, Candid has an impressive reputation that has earned the company a high consumer rating. Candid works with an extensive network of dentists, DSOs, and orthodontists to provide in-person consultations and remote treatment monitoring - making its quality of service more reliable than some of its competitors.
Candid and Invisalign differ in a variety of ways, including price, treatment options, and more. A few noteworthy differences that we'll expand on below include the following:
Candid | Invisalign |
Cheaper price point | More expensive than Candid |
Includes whitening products in treatment packages | Does not include whitening products in the treatment box |
Offers remote clear aligner treatment monitoring | Requires in-office visits for follow-up appointments |
Keep reading to learn more about Candid vs. Invisalign and how to decide which invisible braces company is right for you.
CandidPro
N/A
N/A
Varies
6 Months
Varies
Varies
7 Years
Invisalign
N/A
One-Time Payment, Monthly Installments, Accepts Insurance
Varies
Varies
Varies
Varies
27 Years
CandidPro
Invisalign
CandidPro
PROS
CONS
Invisalign
PROS
CONS
CandidPro
Invisalign
Helpful Favorable Review
A 1
February 18th, 2023
Mesquite, TX
The service and professionalism of this place is STELLAR. What I like most about Candid is the fact that they are local which means that I’m able to meet with them in person opposed to mailing in tray impressions only for them to wait to be processed for trays that may or may not fit. The staff at the downtown Dallas location is the absolute best. Very fair prices and a presentation you won’t forget.
Helpful Critical Review
Scf
August 23rd, 2023
DETAILS
I was given 6 month treatment plan but it turned into an over 2 year plan Treatment plan. My teeth are better but are not straight. Huge lack of follow through by employees. When I let them know, my teeth still were not straight after my 2nd set of refinements, they told me they are done working with me, and they won't provide anymore service. No more discussion. They do not honor their guarantee and their ortho's seem to be the bottom of the barrel. I spent around $2000 with this company.
Helpful Favorable Review
Dawn Grover
January 13th, 2024
DETAILS
I am wearing Invisalign now! It's been a great way as an adult to align my teeth and bite. After all, our kids got their braces, I thought it was my turn, and it's been great! Most people can't even tell I have them on and I have the option to take them out when giving A speech or speaking to people, and I don't want to have them in. Great product.
Helpful Critical Review
Adam Brown
July 10th, 2023
Miami, FL
DETAILS
Review Source
4 years....still not done. Still having issues. Rather have my money back. Invisalign a joke. They blame the provider. When they have fucked up trays. Don't deliver on time. I want my money back. Preparing for lawsuit against Invisalign.
Candid pricing varies depending on your local CandidPro provider. Each dentist or orthodontist has the ability to set the treatment price to account for local competition and level of expertise. Some providers offer payment plans and accept orthodontic insurance. You should also check if you can use an HSA or FSA to pay for treatment.
The Candid website shows hypothetical treatment costs with insurance coverage ranging from $1,750 to $5,350. On average, Candid treatment seems to be cheaper than traditional braces and Invisalign treatment.
Invisalign doesn't provide much information on its pricing other than that it is similar to the cost of braces, which could be anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000. This is significantly more expensive than most invisible braces providers who typically charge under $2,500. However, Invisalign does note on its website that it accepts HSA and FSA payments, and monthly payment plans are available.
For both Candid and Invisalign, we suggest shopping around for a local provider that offers competitive pricing and trustworthy service.
DIY impression kits are commonly used to evaluate if transparent aligners are right for you. However, some customers have complained that the process is too tedious or confusing — resulting in invalid impressions, repeated attempts, and longer waits for starting treatment.
Both Candid and Invisalign offer free, in-office teeth scans for new patients. During the appointment, your provider will create a digital replication of your teeth. This way, your provider can determine if you're eligible for invisible braces.
If you're not a candidate for invisible braces, you don't need to worry about paying Candid or Invisalign for your scan. You will only need to pay if you decide to move forward with treatment.
Treatment time varies based on the customer. Candid has a shorter average treatment length with most cases lasting about six months long. Most Candid patients finish treatment in about 4–12 months depending on the complexity of the case.
Invisalign has the longest clear aligner treatment length in the industry. Invisalign’s treatment time ranges from 6–18 months. Invisalign has a longer average treatment length because the company can treat cases that are too complex for other clear aligner options.
An important benefit that individuals often look for in an invisible braces provider is the option for remote treatment care. Many individuals want the flexibility of straightening their teeth at home while still receiving high-quality results.
Invisalign doesn't offer an at-home orthodontic treatment option. If you're interested in Invisalign aligners, you'll need to attend regular dental visits. Visits usually need to be scheduled every 6six weeks to check progress. This can result in time away from work, family, or other obligations.
Candid, on the other hand, offers a remote monitoring option. You can complete treatment at home without having to book and attend regular office visits. However, this doesn't mean you'll receive poor treatment; a Candid orthodontist still oversees your care and ensures you are on track throughout treatment and that you have what you need to complete treatment happily.
The same orthodontist that creates your treatment plan will also be the one following up with you regularly until the end of your invisible braces process. You’ll submit a scan of your teeth using CandidMonitoring™ every 14 days. Your orthodontist will be able to track your progress and let you know if you can move to the next tray. This close monitoring often results in shorter treatment lengths.
Candid’s updated business model ensures that all customers meet with a local provider in person before starting treatment. You don’t have to worry about completing your own impression kit at home. The in-person visit gives added peace of mind that a professional looked at your case and gave their approval.
Most invisible braces companies offer teeth whitening as an additional service for their customers. That way, you can get a whiter and brighter smile while simultaneously straightening your teeth.
Candid offers two types of teeth whitening solutions: the Phillips Zoom Whitening and premium whitening foam. The Phillips Zoom Whitening kit is $350 for a professional-grade whitening treatment with trays that fit custom to your teeth. Results can be expected to last for a year or longer. The kit comes with enough gel for nine treatments.
While this is not the cheapest whitening option, the kit is at least 30 percent cheaper than typical whitening treatments in the office. To get started with this whitening option, you will need to visit a local CandidPro provider for a teeth scan used to create your whitening trays.
The whitening foam comes with each treatment package. The premium foam is convenient to use while moving through the Candid treatment process. Just put half a pump of the whitening foam into each aligner tray and wear them like normal.
Many customers choose to put the whitening foam in at night so they don't have to worry about it during the day. You can also use the teeth whitening foam as an aligner cleaner up to four times a day. The whitening foam is $25 for a small bottle.
Invisalign offers one teeth whitening option. You can purchase an Invisalign Teeth Whitening Pen for $19.99 plus shipping. The pen can be used up to four times a day to brighten teeth. While this option is cheaper than Candid, the Invisalign pen does not seem to be professional-grade quality or superior to other name-brand teeth whitening pens.
On par with most invisible braces providers, Candid offers replacement retainers for $100. Candid also includes premium whitening foam with every retainer purchase.
Unfortunately, Invisalign does not state on its website how much replacement retainers cost, because the cost will vary depending on the provider. According to some of the estimates, a set of Vivera retainers will typically cost $130–$200.
This is more expensive than Candid; however, you may be able to use ortho insurance to help cover the cost of retainers. Check with your local provider for more information on pricing in your area.
Both Candid and Invisalign have impressive customer reviews with positive feedback, including great customer service, effective and straightforward treatment, and a quick turnaround on aligners.
Candid has over 1,700 reviews on BestCompany.com and an overall star rating of 4.8 out of 5. Customers express a positive experience with Candid staff and the overall treatment experience.
Read a recent Candid review below:
Customer Review: Mandi from Colorado Spring, CO
“I used Candid to straighten my teeth recently and am finishing up my treatment right now. I loved how easy it was to get started with Candid and how responsive the customer service reps were when I have silly questions or concerns...Every 2 weeks I use the provided scan box to scan my teeth. It is done using your phone through their app and is just as easy to use with videos on how to do each scan portion as well...My teeth have become so straight through treatment and I LOVE my smile now!”
Candid's review response is also impressive because if the company receives customer complaints, Candid often replies to the customers and has an associate contact them directly to resolve the issue. This shows Candid cares about individual customers and makes it a point to settle customer concerns.
Invisalign also has a positive overall star rating of 4.4 out of 5. Reviews indicate that customers enjoy visiting their local orthodontists for follow-ups and appreciate the discreet appearance of the clear aligners.
Read a recent Invisalign review below:
Customer Review: Carnan from Fort Collins, CO
“I got Invisalign as a 40 something. I opted for Invisalign instead of braces because I have very sensitive teeth and I also didn't want all of the grossness that I see sometimes in teenagers and their braces. The Invisalign took a lot longer than the braces would have, but they did a good job and I felt better about my appearance.”
Candid’s high review score and company response process make it a more desirable company compared to Invisalign when focusing on customers’ reviews.
If you're wanting a more affordable price with a remote dental monitoring option, Candid is the better invisible braces provider for you. Invisalign aligners are significantly more expensive and require an in-office treatment plan. Candid also excels in additional areas, such as offering teeth whitening solutions and providing more transparent pricing information.
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