Candid Review – Are These At-Home Aligners Better Than Invisalign?

Can You Straighten Your Teeth Without Braces?

Braces are the go-to treatment when it comes to straightening teeth. However, their prices can be hefty. Metal braces average $3000-$7000 while ceramic variants cost between $4000-$8000. [1]

Braces also involve more than just this considerable investment. You’re looking at about two years and over a dozen dental appointments before you get the desired results. This can be frustrating if you want an affordable and faster solution.

Are there any cheaper options that you can safely do at home? The most popular alternative to traditional braces are ‘teeth aligners’ or ‘clear aligners.’

Teeth aligners are clear mouthpieces that are custom-made to fit onto your teeth. They work by gradually moving your teeth into a straight position.

Aligners vs. Braces: Which is Better?

The main difference between aligners and braces is that aligners don’t use wires or brackets. Instead, they are smooth and look like clear retainers.

This makes them more comfortable than braces as they are essentially smooth fittings that sit on your teeth. And they can be removed at any time – such as for eating and drinking – while braces stay on until the end of the treatment.

Teeth aligners are also designed to be more discreet. They’re clear, so they’re practically invisible to anyone you meet. That’s why they’re often called ‘invisible braces’.

While some aligner options like Invisalign require regular dental visits to track your progress, newer providers like Candid allow you to carry out the entire treatment from the comfort of your own home.  

Here we take a closer look at Candid, how it works and if it’s right for you.

Do Teeth Aligners Really Work?

Teeth aligners do work and can be a good solution for teeth that need moderate straightening due to crookedness, overcrowding, or spacing between teeth.

They are discrete when worn, and they are often at a lower cost to braces as well.

How Do Teeth Move with Aligners?

Although they are visually different, teeth aligners still perform the same functions that braces do. They apply pressure to the teeth and cause the teeth to shift into a straight position over time.

The treatment begins with a scan of your teeth. This can be done at the dentist or at a Candid Studio near you.

The scan is then sent to Candid’s doctors, who design a treatment plan. 

The plan breaks down the movement of your teeth from their current position to the desired position through a series of steps. 

Each step has its own aligner, and each aligner moves the teeth slightly closer to the desired position. You move through the aligners, changing every few weeks until your teeth reach the final, straight position. 

3D scans of your teeth are provided so that you can see how your teeth will move from their current position to the end goal.

The aligner course may last 10-24 months, depending on the extent of the correction that is needed. [2] 

Some minor cases may only need as little as 10 weeks. Candid aims to straighten your teeth in around 6 months, making it one of the fastest aligner courses on the market. 

Up to $200 off: Candid

Candid Invisible Teeth Aligner Review

There are a number of invisible aligner providers on the market, but Candid offers a few things which make it unique.

Special Offer on Candid Aligners

$200 off aligners: Candid

Up to $200 off: Candid

What Exactly Is Candid?

Candid provides at-home teeth straightening. It’s a form of ‘teledentistry’ that substitutes face-to-face appointments. Patient statuses are monitored from home by experts assigned to each person. 

Using a device and app for their phone, patients can now take pictures of their own teeth rather than attending physical appointments. These photos are then relayed to their assigned doctor for review. 

Through the photos, doctors can track a patient’s dental wellbeing and see how the treatment is progressing. They can then make any necessary recommendations. This can save time and money while also minimizing the hassle of attending regular appointments in person.  

Up to $200 off: Candid

Candid Aligners – How it Works

Candid aligners work in a similar way to other aligner providers. 

They ask for an initial scan of your teeth so that they can assess if your case is suitable for aligner teeth correction. If it is, they move on to create your treatment. 

They use your scan to create a customized set of aligners. These aligners work to gradually bring your teeth into a straight position. 

To get started, you need to take this initial scan of your teeth to send to them. You have two ways of doing this:

1. Order an at-home starter kit: $95
2. Visit a Candid Studio for a scan: Free

If you choose to do it at home, you can order a starter kit through their website. You will be sent a kit in the mail along with instructions on how to take an impression of your teeth. 

After Candid receive the scan or impression, the doctors will review the data and formulate a course of action. 

They’ll provide a copy of the 3D scan of your teeth as well as a 3D rendering of the desired outcome.

Once your treatment has been signed off, your aligners will be created for you with one aligner for each step. 

The set of invisible braces is delivered in one package along with a remote monitoring device. You use this device to take pictures and scans of your teeth on your phone so that your orthodontist can review progress. 

He or she will advise you when to switch from one aligner to the next over the coming weeks. 

According to Candid, the length of treatment averages around 6 months, though this varies depending on the extent of the correction needed.

Up to $200 off: Candid

How Much Are the Candid Aligners?

Candid aligners cost $2400, which includes all the aligners and the remote monitoring device. They also accept monthly payments of $99.

Candid’s starter kit costs $95, but you can choose to attend a local Candid clinic for a free scan instead. Besides that, there really aren’t any additional costs to Candid aligners.

Candid Before and After

Candid has published some pictures of their patients BEFORE and AFTER the treatment. Here are some samples:

Up to $200 off: Candid

Up to $200 off: Candid

Candid Reviews

Although Candid has only been around since 2017, they have thousands of reviews across several different websites and platforms.

They scored 4.1 out of 5 stars from 568 ratings across two independent websites: Trustpilot and Consumer Affairs.

On their own site, Candid received an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,029 reviews.

Overall, customers seemed to be very happy with the results they saw from the aligners and the general experience. Users loved that:

• aligners were BPA-free.
• customer service was reportedly excellent.
• it was a straightforward and hassle-free experience.
• they had a straight smile at the end.

A small handful of customers found that the treatment was more painful than expected. Some discomfort can be experienced when you move from one aligner to the next, but it should not be painful. 

Overall, the positive customer reviews dominated the negative ones. Customers reported that Candid fixed gaps and crookedness in their teeth that had been bothering them for years within a few short months. 

One of Candid’s strengths is indeed the speed of the treatment they offer. The teeth aligners can work in four to seven months, depending on the correction needed.

Special Offer on Candid Aligners

$200 off aligners: Candid

Candid vs Invisalign Comparison Table

Candid is often compared to Invisalign, who were the original provider of invisible aligners. However, there are certain key differences between the two services. Here’s how they stack up against each other.

Time of treatment	6 months	6 – 18 months
Total Cost	$2,400 or $99 a month	$3,000-$7,000
Covered by insurance?	Insurance may cover up to $1,300.	Insurance may cover up to $3,500.
Initial Consultation Required?	Virtual consultation offered or free in-person scan.	Paid in-person consultation and scan.
In-person appointments	No. Scans or photos are taken using their remote monitoring device.	Yes. In-person appointments needed.
Check-in frequency	10-14 days remotely	6-8 weeks in person
Orthodontist-only supervisions	Yes.	No. A dentist or orthodontist can supervise treatment.
Access to one person supervising treatment?	Yes	Yes
Special Offers	$200 off: Candid	–

Is Invisalign Better Than Candid?

Invisalign was the first provider of clear aligners, so they are a known and trusted service. However, there is no clear evidence that their aligners are better than the remote service that Candid offers. In fact, there are some significant advantages that Candid holds over Invisalign treatments.

Most notably are the treatment time and the treatment price which are both lower with Candid than with Invisalign. Average Candid courses are 6 months long, whereas Invisalign’s treatments can be 12-24 months long.

Invisalign is offered through a dentist or orthodontist who then applies a mark-up to the aligners before pricing the treatment. You also have to pay for the regular in-person consultations that are priced into the package cost. 

So Invisalign tends to come in at between $3,000-$7,000. However, this means you do have the assurance of in-person appointments if this is important to you.

Candid, on the other hand, cuts out the middle man. Instead they assign their own doctors to monitor the treatment for you remotely. This enables them to offer their treatments at a lower cost of $2,400.

Candid also offer reliability as the treatment oversight is exclusively from orthodontists. Whereas Invisalign allows dentists to oversee the treatment, as well as orthodontists.  

Other than price, the key difference between the two is that Candid can all be done remotely, from the comfort of your own home, while Invisalign requires you to attend appointments in person.

Candid provides you with their own remote monitoring device so that you can scan and photograph your teeth to send to your orthodontist. They then send you feedback in remote check-ins.

This is a convenient arrangement for many people and a feature that Candid customers have appreciated as they don’t need to book and attend regular appointments. 

Is Candid Reliable?

Candid is one of the most reliable remote aligner treatments on the market.

This is because they guarantee that you will have an orthodontist overseeing your treatment. Most other treatments are supervised by either an orthodontist or a dentist. 

Orthodontists complete a few years’ further training than dentists after graduate school. They also specialize in tooth and jaw movements, so they’re the most reliable option for overseeing treatments that involve the movement of teeth.

Candid offers you one assigned doctor who monitors your treatment from start to finish. You are given direct access to them for any questions or concerns.

To make their remote check-ins more reliable, Candid provides you with an advanced at-home monitoring kit. This clips onto your phone so you can take comprehensive scans and photographs of your teeth to send to your doctor for review. 

In this way Candid offers one of the safest and most comprehensive remote monitoring systems for teeth straightening.

Do Candid Aligners Work?

Yes, Candid aligners can work for mild to moderate cases of teeth straightening, and they are one of the best options on the market.

They offer orthodontist oversight for their treatments, advanced at-home monitoring kits for remote check-ins, and direct access to your doctor throughout.

They feature their aligners’ results on their website by showing real customers’ before and after pictures.

Clear aligners offer a far more discrete and comfortable option for straightening teeth than traditional braces. Candid are one of the more reliable and comprehensive providers of remote aligner treatments, so they’re a great option to try. 

FAQs Candid Invisible Teeth Aligners

Is Candid Safe For Your Teeth?

Yes, Candid’s initial survey is known to be extremely thorough. They pride themselves on being up-front with candidates as to whether or not their case is ideal for remote aligner treatments. This gives you the assurance that – if you are approved – your teeth are suitable for Candid aligners before you even begin the process.

Candid’s doctors are all orthodontists rather than dentists and members of their team have 20 years of experience on average. Once you begin the treatment, you are assigned one doctor who will be in charge of your aligner course. That way, you know you’re in good hands throughout. 

Candid also use their advanced Remote Monitoring Device (which is placed on your phone) to check how your teeth are progressing. These remote check-ins are done every 10-14 days, which is more frequent than with other providers. 

Are Invisible Aligners Bad For Your Teeth?

When used properly, no, invisible aligners are not bad for your teeth. As with any treatment, it’s important to keep in touch with your doctor. This helps you to track the progress of the treatment and to prevent any complications from arising.

Does Candid Work For Overbite?

Candid can work for certain cases of overbite. A severe overbite may fall into the category of cases Candid is unequipped to address. They will always be honest about whether or not they can help. This is based on the initial assessment, which is a quick questionnaire.

Does Candid Whiten Teeth?

Candid aligners don’t whiten teeth on their own, but the aligners come with a whitening foam which you can add to the treatment. You place the foam in the aligner tray and wear them for a period of time to whiten teeth when necessary.

You can purchase teeth whitening foam at $25 for a pump bottle from Candid’s website. 

How Long Does Candid Take To Ship?

After you have approved your treatment plan, Candid will manufacture the aligners, and you should get them within three weeks. 

Is Candid Cheaper Than Invisalign?

Yes, Candid is significantly cheaper than Invisalign as their treatments cost $2,400 or $99 a month, whereas Invisalign’s start at $3,000 and can go up to $7,000 depending on the case.

Do Teeth Aligners Work?

Teeth aligners do work for mild to moderate cases of overcrowding, gaps between teeth and overbite or underbite. However, the suitability of the treatment is assessed on a case-by-case basis. It’s best to take Candid’s 30-second questionnaire to see if it could be right for you. Alternatively you can see how they compare to other brands in our roundup of the top five home aligners.

Does Candid Offer Additional Support?

Candid’s website has chat support and an FAQ section. From their reviews, customer service has often been praised as being thorough and supportive throughout. 

Is Candid Covered by Insurers?

Candid is partially covered by some FSA and HSA plans. Candid can even file a claim on your behalf. Insurers could cover as much as $1,300 of the treatments. 

Candid may also be covered by insurance groups Aetna and Anthem. However, the company advises that you consult your insurer first to ensure that your policy covers the treatment.