Pros, Cons & Costs (2024)

Pros, Cons & Costs (2024)

If you want straighter teeth, traditional metal braces aren’t your only option. You can also choose from the clear aligner brands in Canada.

Also known as invisible aligners, teeth aligners, and teeth straighteners, these are orthodontic devices that straighten crooked teeth.

Clear aligners can correct mild to severe teeth misalignments. However, they offer several advantages over traditional braces:

  • You can remove aligners when eating, brushing, or flossing
  • Some types of teeth aligners don’t require in-office visits
  • Aligners can straighten teeth in as little as 6 months
  • Clear aligners tend to be more comfortable than braces
  • They’re made of clear plastic and are barely noticeable
  • Clear aligners are cheaper alternatives to braces
gloved hand putting clear aligners on patients teeth
Pros, Cons & Costs (2024) 6

Several companies currently offer clear aligner treatments in Canada. 

To help you choose a brand that fits your needs, we compared the best invisible aligners in Canada and handpicked our top recommendations.

Why Trust Us?

To find the top invisible aligners in Canada, we:

  • Spent 150+ hours researching the best teeth aligners in Canada
  • Scanned 100+ customer reviews for each clear aligner brand
  • Consulted 10+ health experts, including licensed orthodontists
  • Talked to 2 industry experts like CEOs of the best aligner brands
  • Reviewed over 20+ research papers on clear aligner treatment
  • Asked 2 of our writers to test different teeth straighteners
  • Had our in-house dentists fact-check our article for accuracy
  • Updated our review every month with the latest information

3 Best Invisible Aligners in Canada (2024)

Here is a quick comparison of the top aligner brands in Canada:

Clear Aligner Brand NewSmile ALIGNERCO Invisalign
Treatment Costs CA$1,899 to CA$2,099 CA$1,360 to CA$1,460 CA$2,000 to CA$10,000
Treatable Cases Mild to moderate Mild to moderate Mild to severe
Average Treatment Time 4 to 10 months 4 to 8 months 12 to 18 months
Starting Treatment At-home At-home In-person
Progress Monitoring Remote Remote In-person

You may want to consider clear aligner treatment if you have:

Below, we’ll take a closer look at each brand—including their pros and cons, some customer reviews, and why you should choose them over competitors.

NewSmile

Best At-Home Clear Aligner
Waterpik Sonic Fusion
Pros, Cons & Costs (2024) 7

Why Choose NewSmile? NewSmile is our most recommended at-home clear aligner in Canada. It can give you a straighter smile without attracting unwanted attention.

Similar to Invisalign, it has scallop-shaped aligners that won’t touch the gums. They’re more comfortable and are barely visible when worn.

NewSmile aligners are also less likely to cause gum irritation compared to the straight-cut aligners used by other at-home aligner brands.

NewSmile Highlights

Cost CA$1,899 to CA$2,099
Average Treatment Time 4 to 10 months
Treatable Cases Mild to moderate teeth misalignments
Available Treatments Fast Track and Night Aligners
Payment and Financing Humm and insurance
Monthly Plans CA$83 to CA$105/24 mos ($0 deposit)
What’s Included Impression kit (online), aligner trays, a set of retainers, teeth whitening foam, and the NewSmile app (for remote monitoring)

Why We Recommend It

  • NewSmile is reasonably priced compared to in-office aligners. It also has affordable monthly plans that don’t require any down payment.
  • It has friendly, patient, and helpful representatives. They’ll answer questions, provide instructions, and guide you through the process.
  • Despite some issues, many reviewers are happy with their results. They say its aligners successfully straightened their teeth and gave them confidence.

Why Consider Other Brands

  • People have complained of ill-fitting aligners or impression trays, delays during the treatment process, and lack of transparency on the order status.
  • Its customer service can be uncommunicative or take time to respond if you request refunds or experience issues that need to be resolved.
  • Some users received questionable treatment plans or clear teeth aligners that failed to give them the expected results.

NewSmile Canada lets you book a video call with an Impression Specialist who can help you take impressions of your teeth.

Read our full review of NewSmile Canada

ALIGNERCO

Best Affordable Clear Aligners
Waterpik Sonic Fusion
Pros, Cons & Costs (2024) 8

Why Choose ALIGNERCO? ALIGNERCO has the cheapest clear aligners in Canada. Treatments start at CA$1,360, which you can pay in full or with affordable monthly payments.

If you’re unsure about committing to the treatment, you can buy the home impression kit (called the Kit-First Plan) for as low as CA$35.

ALIGNERCO Highlights

Cost CA$1,360 to CA$1,460
Average Treatment Time 4 to 8 months
Treatable Cases Mild to moderate teeth misalignments
Available Treatments All Day and Night-Only Clear Aligners
Payment and Financing Partial.ly, PayBright, and insurance
Monthly Plans CA$246 to CA$250/6 mos ($380 deposit)
CA$137 to CA$145/12 mos ($0 deposit)
What’s Included Impression kit (online), aligner trays, a set of retainers, teeth whitening kit, and the AlignerTrack app (for remote monitoring)

Why We Recommend It

  • Users are impressed with the quality of its clear aligners despite their cheap price. They’re often compared to the treatments offered in dental clinics.
  • Its customer service is reported to be patient, helpful, and responsive. They can address your concerns and provide guidance throughout the process.
  • People appreciate ALIGNERCO because it’s cheaper than most at-home clear aligners. Many people say it produces significant results.

Why Consider Other Brands

  • Its customer support may not be as helpful if you encounter problems or request refunds, reimbursements, or order cancellations.
  • The treatment may be ineffective, or it may not meet your expectations. If this happens, you may need to pay for additional refinements.
  • Some people say it has poor-quality retainers that break with pressure. Others complain their teeth shifted back even while on retainers.

ALIGNERCO Canada has Smile Specialists who can help you take accurate teeth impressions and guide you through the process.1

Read our full review of ALIGNERCO Canada

Invisalign

Best In-Office Aligner
Waterpik Sonic Fusion
Pros, Cons & Costs (2024) 9

Why Choose Invisalign? Invisalign can treat 90% of orthodontic cases, including severe alignment and bite problems. It’s our top pick for in-office teeth straightening.

You’ll be working with an Invisalign provider throughout the treatment. These are Canada-registered dentists or orthodontists who can:

  • Determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign
  • Perform dental work to help you qualify for the treatment
  • Check your treatment progress in-person every 4 to 6 weeks

Seeing a dental professional for your initial Invisalign assessment and treatment helps ensure a safe and effective treatment.

Invisalign Highlights

Cost CA$2,000 to CA$10,000
Average Treatment Time 12 to 18 months
Treatable Cases Mild to severe teeth misalignments
Available Treatments Daytime aligners
Payment and Financing Depends on the provider
Monthly Plans Depends on the provider
What’s Included Aligner trays

Why We Recommend It

  • Many dentists and orthodontists offer Invisalign treatments in Canada. It makes professional teeth straightening easy-to-access for more people. 
  • People are satisfied with the initial treatment process. Invisalign providers are communicative and make it easy to start your treatment.
  • Most providers accept dental insurance to help cover your Invisalign cost. Many offer payment plans to further reduce the costs.

Why Consider Other Brands

  • Based on reviews, there are people whose treatments lasted longer than expected, or who didn’t get the results they were after.
  • Some customers find it difficult to reach the company for support regarding the availability of dentists in various locations.
  • Treatment costs do not include free retainers or whitening kits like many at-home aligners. You have to purchase them separately as add-ons.

Invisalign is the most trusted brand of in-office clear aligners in Canada. It has treated over 15 million people since its launch.2

However, Invisalign doesn’t have a nighttime-only treatment option.

Read our full review of Invisalign CA

Choosing from In-Office vs. At-Home Aligners

Choosing the best clear aligner isn’t easy if you don’t know what to look for. Here are five things you should consider when making this decision:

1. Level of Teeth Misalignment

You can choose from in-office and at-home clear aligners depending on your condition.

In-office clear aligners like Invisalign work on mild, moderate, and severe cases. At-home clear aligners such NewSmile work on mild to moderate teeth misalignments.

You should talk to a licensed dentist or orthodontist to find out which orthodontic treatment is for you. They can help you explore alternative options such as clear braces or invisible braces.

2. Treatment Accessibility

Pick a clear aligner brand that makes it easy for you to begin treatment.

In-office treatment will require you to visit a provider in your area for an initial consultation. You also need to see them regularly throughout the treatment.

Most at-home aligner companies offer free teeth impression kits. Although some brands give you the option to visit a specialist for an in-person scan.

3. Treatment Options

Consider which treatment options are available before deciding on a brand.

In-office clear aligner systems tend to offer structured treatment plans based on your age and condition. Your provider will help you decide which aligner therapy is best for you.

Most clear aligner companies offer daytime and nighttime aligners. You get to choose your treatment. But keep in mind that night aligners may be unsafe and ineffective.

4. Treatment Costs

At-home clear aligners are less expensive than in-office aligners. You want to compare the costs of different brands and find one that fits your budget. 

You can use qualified dental insurance to reimburse a part of the treatment costs. Be aware of any price differences if you pay in full or with monthly installments. Other costs to consider are:

  • Impression kit (if it isn’t included)
  • Retainers after completing treatment
  • Lost or stolen clear aligners
  • Touch-up aligners or refinement

If you’re not satisfied with the results of your clear aligner therapy, some brands may offer a lifetime smile guarantee to cover the cost of additional aligners. Others may charge for refinements.

5. Treatment Duration

Go for a brand that can give you results within an acceptable time frame.

Each brand has a different average treatment time. This will help you gauge how long you must undergo treatment before you see results.

Remember that the time it takes to get straight teeth will depend on how crooked they are and if you wear clear aligners as prescribed. 

Which Clear Aligner Brand is Best For You?

  • Choose NewSmile if you want an affordable alternative to Invisalign. It straightens teeth discreetly, and uses the same high-quality material as Invisalign aligners.
  • Choose ALIGNERCO if you’re looking for the cheapest aligners in Canada. While other brands charge upwards of CA$1,800 for clear aligners, ALIGNERCO only costs CA$1,360 to CA$1,460.
  • Choose Invisalign for comprehensive treatment. Treatments are overseen by Canada-registered dental professionals at clinics.

How We Chose the Best Invisible Aligners in Canada

To help you choose the best teeth aligner for your needs, we spent 200+ hours researching the top brands in Canada based on the following criteria:

  • Doctor-directed care – The involvement of dental professionals
  • Safe and efficient onboarding – How the company qualifies patients
  • Treatment process – Ease, safety, and effectiveness of the treatment
  • Total treatment costs – The amount you need to pay for the treatment
  • Value for money – What you get with the amount you’re paying
  • Customer support – The level of support provided by a company
  • User satisfaction – How satisfied the customers are with the products, services, and their overall experience with a brand
  • Guarantees and refunds – Offers additional treatments and refunds for dissatisfied customers and unqualified patients

NewMouth Rating System

We ordered the best kits that met our criteria and had in-house writers test them out throughout their prescribed treatment.

While testing the clear aligners, our team assessed and scored them based on five traits. Each trait was assigned a “weight” so we could calculate their individual rating and weighted average scores on a scale of five.

Here is how we rated the best clear aligners on our list:

Customer Service and After-Sales Support

Customer Experience

Using artificial intelligence, we gathered and analyzed feedback from hundreds of people who tried our list of clear aligners.

This helped us determine the users’ experiences with a brand, including:

  • Its availability for in-person and/or virtual consultations
  • The accessibility of its clear aligners and ease of ordering
  • Whether it gives clear instructions for taking dental impressions 
  • The fit and comfort of its invisible aligners when worn

Treatment

We compared the brands’ average treatment times and effectiveness for correcting mild and moderate teeth misalignment.

Our team also examined them for any products or services they provided that would help customers during and after their treatment, such as:

  • Access to dental experts who can answer your questions and guide you throughout your treatment
  • A dedicated app that reminds users to switch aligners and allows them to conveniently track their progress and contact support
  • Regular virtual and/or in-person check-ins with a dental professional who can ensure that your treatment is going well
  • Dental treatments such as complimentary teeth whitening

Pricing and Financing

We explored the total treatment cost of invisible aligners, including their upfront prices, flexibility of payment options, eligibility for insurance, and maintenance costs for additional retainers.

Customer Service and After-Sales Support

Our team performed an in-depth investigation of each brand’s customer support when answering queries and resolving issues. We assessed their:

  • Availability
  • Responsiveness
  • Knowledge
  • Reliability
  • Friendliness

We also checked companies to see if they offered guarantees for clear aligner adjustments, refinements, replacements, or refunds if you’re not qualified or if the treatment doesn’t work for you.

Brand Reputation

With the help of advanced AI algorithms, we were able to sort through hundreds of customer reviews that would indicate the level of trust they had in a clear aligner brand.

Common Questions about Clear Aligners

How do I start my clear aligner treatment?

If you opt for in-office aligners such as Invisalign, you’ll need to visit a dentist or orthodontist who offers them.

At-home aligner treatment usually begins with you taking an online quiz and buying a teeth impression kit online. However, some at-home clear aligner companies have physical locations that you can visit for an in-person consultation.

Which conditions can clear aligners treat?

Invisible aligners are used to correct crooked teeth and some bite problems. These include:

1. Gapped teeth
2. Crowded teeth
3. Crossbites
4. Overbites
5. Underbites

In-office invisible aligners work on mild to more severe alignment issues. Meanwhile, at-home clear aligners only treat mild to moderate conditions.

What is the cost of clear aligners in Canada?

In-office clear aligners may cost you CA$2,000 to CA$10,000. At-home aligners typically cost CA$1,360 to $2,830.

How long does clear aligner treatment take?

In-office aligner treatments have an average treatment time of 12 to 18 months. At-home aligner treatments usually work in 4 to 10 months.

Your treatment may last longer or shorter, depending on your condition.

Do clear aligner companies offer payment plans?

Yes. Most brands of invisible aligners offer financing. This allows you to pay for your treatment with affordable monthly installments.

Does insurance cover invisible aligners?

In most cases, you can use your dental insurance to cover a portion of your treatment costs. Ask your insurer if your plan covers clear aligners.

Are clear aligners tax-deductible in Canada?

In-office aligners may be tax-deductible under the Canada Income Tax. However, this isn’t guaranteed. You’ll have to ask your provider.

Payments made to orthodontists can be included in your monthly expenses and possibly qualify for tax returns.

How often do I need to wear my custom aligners?

Daytime aligners must be worn for 20 to 24 hours daily. Night-only clear aligners should be worn for at least 10 continuous hours in the evening.

Make sure to follow the prescribed wear time for your removable aligners. You can remove them when eating, brushing, or flossing your teeth.

What if my aligner treatment doesn’t go as planned?

Talk to your provider or reach out to customer support. Ask them what they can do to help you achieve the results you want. 

A provider or clear aligner company may provide free refinements or charge you for additional aligners, depending on their policies.

What are home teeth aligners made of?

Teeth aligners are made of clear medical-grade plastic. They’re BPA-free and phthalate-free so they’re safe to wear. 

Does it hurt to wear invisible aligners?

Invisible aligners shouldn’t be painful the entire treatment. 

You may experience discomfort when wearing the aligners, but this should subside after a few weeks.

What happens after my aligner treatment is complete?

You’ll need to wear aftercare retainers to maintain your new smile.

Retainers have to be worn indefinitely for several hours each day so your teeth don’t shift back to their original place.

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