Clear aligner treatments are plastered all over social media. With so many choices, how do you decipher which is the right one for you?
In our invisible aligner posts, we are discussing four of the top aligner companies. This piece will compare Invisalign and Candid.
Invisalign is a veteran in the aligner industry. They come with over twenty years’ worth of experience. Since their inception in 1997, many other brands have thrown their proverbial hats into the ring.
Candid is one of their top contenders.
We are going to compare Invisalign vs Candid. Let’s see who comes out on top.
What do we know about each company?
Invisalign cornered the market on invisible aligners over twenty years ago. They held that position for the next ten years.
It is undeniable that Invisalign is the most widely known of all the invisible aligner brands. Invisalign has acted as the straightening solution for more than eight million clients, and their brand is in 90 countries. You will even here people refer to all invisible aligners as “invisaligners.”
In light of those facts, most home aligner systems don’t have much to say. The other brands are too new to have those numbers. 20 years after Invisalign began, our next contender hit the scene.
Enter in Candid invisible aligners.
Several years ago, a group of five people were sitting around chatting about their teeth. None of them were happy. They all wanted straighter teeth, but none of them were willing to pay $5,000 to make it a reality.
That conversation sparked a little fire that led them to research aligners. They reached out to Dr. C. Lynn Hurst, a well-known orthodontist. Together in 2017, they founded Candid.
The goal at Candid is to put the client’s needs above their bottom line.
What are the best and worst parts of at-home and in-office programs?
The way each treatment program is delivered is very different for Invisalign and Candid. Candid maintains their programs entirely from the comfort of home, while Invisalign has chosen to do the complete opposite and requires in-office visits with dental professionals.
Now you know. So, get out there and make your decision!
Just kidding. We have done the legwork for you. There are many factors to consider and we will cover them.
What do people like about in-office plans like Invisalign?
- Seeing dental professionals on a consistent basis means that customers’ teeth are observed and adjusted as needed throughout the process.
- In-office treatment plans allow for professionals to provide hands-on treatment for clients who have teeth that need treatment beyond the mild to moderate help.
- Treatment plans that occur in an office offer more one-on-one treatment and individualized discussions with patient and professional.
What don’t people like about in-office plans like Invisalign?
- In-office treatment means more time and inconvenience.
- In-office treatment means more money. Basically, it’s more expensive.
What do people like about at-home plans like Candid?
- At-home treatments have a shorter duration for their programs, averaging six months.
- At-home treatments are more affordable than in-office plans.
- At-home treatments allow for convenience.
What don’t people like about at-home plans like Candid?
- At-home plans do not have face-to-face interaction.
- At-home plans are not designed to straighten extremely spaced or crowded teeth, or serious bite issues.
Which is better, in-office or at-home?
The answer to the questions depends on your personal preference.
When you’d rather have face-to-face, personalized interaction, you may not be in favor of the at-home option of Candid. In addition, when you have more severe teeth issues, an at-home treatment may not suit you.
If the financial part of getting aligners is a big factor and your teeth have mild to moderate issues, then an at-home treatment program like Candid is a better option for you.
Which brand works better, Invisalign or Candid?
Efficacy of treatment is kind of a big deal, right? Nobody wants to go through the trouble of getting clear aligners if they don’t do the job. That being said, you need to think about what shifting of teeth must happen in your mouth to result in your desired smile.
Ask yourself:
- How severe is my overbite?
- Do I have an underbite?
- Are my teeth extremely crowded?
- Am I missing teeth?
- Do I have a crossbite?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, in-office treatment may be your best choice.
Ask yourself:
- Do I have a mild overbite?
- Do I have mild protrusions?
- Did I already have braces?
- Do I have minor spacing issues?
- Do I have minor crowding?
If this sounds more like you, then at-home treatment may be the solution that works for you.
This still leaves a question. Which treatment plan is more effective, Invisalign or Candid?
The supplemental devices and face-to-face communication make Invisalign’s treatment plan more effective than Candid in most cases.
Side-by-side Comparison of Effectiveness
|
Invisalign Comparable to traditional braces Custom-fit aligners, scalloped like gums Developed by Align Technology Regular office visits |
Candid Treats only mild to moderate issues Aligners cut straight across for power ClearCorrect makes aligners Digital tracking with orthodontist |
Best Quality: Invisalign or Candid?
Subpar manufacturing usually means subpar materials. If the aligners are produced cheaply, then you can probably bet they are going to fall apart, break, or lose their shape. Both Invisalign and Candid use quality manufacturers to produce their aligners
Align Technology is the parent company of Invisalign. They have more experience than every other invisible aligner manufacturer. They use SmartTrack material to produce high-quality, consistent aligners.
Candid can hold their own when it comes to how they are made. Look out Invisalign because Candid has teamed up with your biggest competitor, ClearCorrect. ClearCorrect has been around since 2006 and they continue to make top-quality aligners.
Overall, both Invisalign and Candid supply their customers with reliable, quality aligners.
How are the aligners designed?
The difference in design for Invisalign and Candid is pretty obvious to the eye. Invisalign has chosen to cut their aligners in the shape of the gum line, appearing in a scalloped shape. Candid makes their aligners with a cut that is straight across the top.
In this case, a little variation can make a difference.
Candid uses the straight-across design because it allows their aligners to partially cover the gums. This extra coverage provides four times the amount of force to encourage movement of the teeth.
But unlike all the other brands, Invisalign doesn’t stop with aligners. They make attachments that enable their aligners to exercise their own kind of power over the teeth’s movement. They anchor the aligners which allows them to exert more force.
The Professionals
What type of professionals will you work with when you choose Invisalign or Candid?
A major difference that makes Candid stand out is their commitment to work solely with orthodontists. Treatment plans are designed and monitored by orthodontists.
Candid orthodontists do not treat in-office, they offer expertise remotely. Candid takes their monitoring process very seriously. Every patient has access to their orthodontist for the duration of their treatment plan.
Candid provides a Remote Monitoring system that comes with a device that helps to take pictures inside of your mouth. You will send those pictures to your orthodontist every seven to ten days for evaluation.
With Invisalign, the choice is up to you. Invisalign requires office visits, so you can choose to see a dentist or orthodontist for treatment.
Which company is more affordable, Invisalign or Candid?
Budget is going to be a priority for most people. People all over the world have had to live with crooked teeth because they either could not afford braces or insurance wouldn’t cover the cost of braces, putting straight teeth out of reach due to a higher cost. Invisible aligners have changed that for the better.
Invisalign comes at a much higher price point, while Candid is found to be more affordable.
Price Comparison: Invisalign vs Candid
Invisalign
average cost $3,000 – $8,000
retainers cost $100 – $300
Financing depends on dentist
Candid
Cost is $2,400
Free retainers after treatment
Credit check required for third-party financing
Nearly all of the aligner companies proudly show their price tags front and center on their websites, emails, and social media posts. Most of them beat the cost of traditional braces by a decent margin.
Well, pretty much everybody is cheaper than Invisalign. Their cost is left to the discretion of the dental professional. Invisalign has a price point that begins at $3,000 and goes all the way up to $8,000. Their prices directly compare with the cost of traditional metal braces.
How do you pay for Invisalign and Candid?
Invisalign financing is completely dependent upon the individual dentists. They decide how to handle and administer financing plans. Most people are probably not prepared to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Candid uses the third-party vendor Affirm to provide financing. Every applicant will not qualify because Affirm insists on a credit check. The Candid payment plans usually consist of a $399 down payment, followed by twenty-four monthly installments of $99.
Do Invisalign and Candid take insurance?
In some instances, insurance companies treat clear aligners the way they do traditional braces. This means that if the insurance company decides the treatment is strictly for cosmetic reasons, it probably won’t be covered. If insurance does cover your treatment plan, it will be minimal.
There is a greater chance of receiving a bit of coverage if treatment is performed in a dental office. And, you always have the option of turning in a claim to see if you can receive any reimbursement.
Should you choose Invisalign, they will submit and handle all the paperwork for you. Candid will not take any payments from insurance companies, but they will send paperwork to the insurance company for you. You will still be required to pay for services upfront.
Which company is more convenient, Invisalign or Candid?
If you want your natural teeth to be straightened in a few weeks, you are dreaming. It isn’t going to happen. Buck up, little camper. You will sacrifice some of your time to make it happen. Just how much time? Well, that is entirely up to you.
Convenience is completely subjective. For a busy person with a tight schedule, going to a dental office sounds like another chore to squeeze into your day. Candid enables you to do your impressions, or to stop by a Candid Studio for a free 3D scan.
| Invisalign | Candid |
| Regularly-scheduled in-office visits | 100% at-home treatment |
| Treatment time of 12 - 18 months | Average treatment plan of 6 months |
| In-person consultation with ex-rays | Impressions at home, or Candid studio scans |
How to start treatment with Invisalign and Candid
After you are finally ready to take the plunge and get clear aligners, you need to get started.
The Candid process is fairly easy. It’s pretty quick and simple. You have two choices. You can order an impression kit from Candid and choose the DIY route, or you can pop by a Candid Studio for free 3D scans.
Invisalign treatment is individually planned by the dentist of your choosing. After a consultation, you will have your teeth scanned and x-rayed. Then the dentist will design your aligners and a plan for treatment.
Treatment Duration of Invisalign and Candid
Treatment depends on the condition. If your teeth just need a little tweaking, your treatment plan will be done more quickly.
Candid has an average treatment duration of six months. Conversely, if you have more extreme issues, then it will last longer, potentially as long as eighteen months with Invisalign.
Are office visits a big deal?
Invisalign definitely believes that office visits are necessary for treatment. Those regular visits enable a dentist to track your progress and make sure your teeth are moving according to plan.
But those visits aren’t exactly convenient.
You’ll never enter an orthodontist’s office when Candid is your aligner choice. All the materials you need will be sent right to your door. So, you will be partially in charge of your own treatment.
However, you are not entirely alone. Candid’s Remote Monitoring system makes certain that you check in with an orthodontist on a regular basis. They cannot be as thorough as an in-office visit, but the convenience is much greater.
How do they look?
Many adults hate the thought of wearing traditional braces that are usually associated with adolescence. Most have already dealt with unsightly crooked teeth, they don’t want unsightly metal, too.
Clear aligners are much more inconspicuous. Clear aligner companies make it a priority to have the most attractive product.
We all know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What one person finds lovely, another may find hideous.
| Invisalign | Candid |
| Match gum line with scallop shape | Cut straight across for more power |
| Frosted, matte appearance | Frosted, matte appearance |
| Resistant to stains | Resistant to stains |
| Appliances increase visibility | No appliances to increase visibility |
Invisalign and Candid use BPA-free plastic to create their customized aligners. Both companies have chosen to use a frosted, matte finish because it more closely resembles the surface of our natural teeth.
Invisalign adds appliances to their aligners to aid in the correction of more challenging issues. These added pieces make their aligners more noticeable.
Which company offers the best patient experience?
| Invisalign | Candid |
| Dentist office IS your customer support | Customer service thru phone, chat, email |
| Face-to-face contact with professional | Few negative reviews, great customer service |
| Regular office visits to track progress | Consistent, remote monitoring |
| Changes are done at no-cost with full plan, refund policy varies by office | No refunds offered, but will modify plan if not satisfied |
Invisalign offers personal, in-office customer support. They are available during regular office hours. Candid is available through a phone call or online chat during regular business hours and promises to return emails within twenty-four hours.
Candid is available by email, phone, and webchat from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm ET seven days a week. Social media is another avenue for reaching them, and you can expect to hear from them within 24 hours.
It is worth mentioning that Candid’s system allows you to submit scans of your teeth to your specific orthodontist every other week. This enables them to keep up with any issues that pop up.
Which is the better choice, Invisalign or Candid?
Well, they are both excellent companies with many positive attributes. At this point, you should have already asked yourself the appropriate question to determine your needs.
If you need major correction and prefer face-to-face contact, Invisalign is your best bet.
If you are on a budget and have only minor teeth issues, then Candid is a great option.
Be sure to give our other pieces on invisible aligners a gander to make your most informed decision on clear aligners.
