Candid is one of the telehealth players in the market that offers an affordable clear aligner treatment (although less affordable than some competitors, such as Byte) for those with mild to moderate teeth alignment problems. It is one of the best alternatives to Invisalign as it offers a hybrid treatment model.
In a survey done in 2020, more than half of respondents said they had consulted with a dentist prior to purchasing remote clear aligners. Though many respondents would have preferred traditional treatment from a dentist or orthodontist, they opted for remote clear aligners because of cost and convenience.
And that’s where Candid comes in! Candid lets you monitor your teeth at home but requires you to visit a qualified CandidPro provider to begin treatment. CandidPro providers are expert orthodontists who will take scans and assess if Candid aligners are suitable for your case. This is a big game changer for a remote clear aligner brand because patients are now more confident that a professional has seen them prior to starting treatment.
Aside from working on customers’ smiles, they are involved in charity work in partnership with Smile Train. According to their website, a portion of what you pay for your Candid aligners goes to SmileTrain to help children globally get their lip and palate treatment.
A hybrid of in-office and at-home treatment, more expensive, but provides 1-on-1 orthodontist support
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PROs of Candid
- A licensed dentist or orthodontist will screen, take scans, and do mouth examinations to ensure you are eligible for Candid at-home aligners.
- A Candid orthodontist will be assigned to design a treatment plan for you and monitor your progress until the end of the treatment.
- Eligible for most mild to severe teeth spacing issues.
- No monthly office visits are required.
- Candid will provide you with a device you can use with your mobile phone to take clear photos of your progress easily.
- Improved aesthetics, comfort, and oral hygiene since Candid aligners are removable.
- Kind, responsive customer service.
CONs of Candid
- No longer offer at-home mouth impressions.
- Cost varies significantly and is more pricey than other teleorthodontic brands such as Byte and SmileDirectClub.
- Not advised for those with dental implants and existing dental problems (i.e., cavities, gum problems)
How Candid aligners work
Candid is a hybrid teleorthodontic option that requires you to visit their network of dentists and orthodontists for an in-office consultation, examination, scanning of teeth, and taking of x-rays. If you are eligible for Candid aligners, your records will be sent to a licensed Candid orthodontist to design your treatment plan.
Once the treatment plan is finalized, you’ll receive your Candid aligners within a few weeks. During the treatment, you are required to take photos of your teeth every 14 days via CandidMonitoring™ to update your Candid orthodontist and ensure your treatment stays on track.
Your last set of aligners also serve as your first retainers and should be replaced after 6 months. You must purchase your Candid retainers for $99 every 6 months to prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original position.
How long does treatment take?
The length of the treatment depends on your specific needs, and Candid says most of their customers complete treatment in an average of 6 months and, most of the time, not longer than 10 months. Treatment duration can be influenced by several factors, such as the level of teeth alignment problems and how long you wear your aligners daily.
How much does Candid cost?
Before they changed their business model, they offered Candid aligners for $1900, which you can pay upfront or through a monthly payment plan. However, as of August 2022, the cost of Candid aligners varies significantly depending on your case and is decided by the orthodontist who will do your initial screening. This is very similar to how Invisalign works.
Some customers reported spending $3,500 for Candid aligners, and others paid as much as $5,000, which makes it closer to how much Invisalign costs.
Monthly plans or installments entirely depend on the dental provider you go to for your initial consultation. Some dental offices may offer payment plans, but some accept upfront payments only. So, it is best to inquire about payment plans with the dental office you plan to go to before scheduling a Candid aligner assessment.
Does Candid really work?
Candid is really one of the top players when it comes to teleorthodontic companies because of the added step of seeing an expert dentist or orthodontist assess your teeth thoroughly. And because these dental professionals are experienced enough to say whether or not you are eligible for clear aligners, most reviews found online are positive and found Candid aligners effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Candid offer discounts?
With Candid’s new business model, costs and discounts now depend on which CandidPro orthodontist you would go to for your initial consultation. Most of their partner dental offices post deals on social media during major holidays.
Are Candid Aligners safe?
Yes! It is the only hybrid at-home clear aligner system that requires you to see an orthodontist before moving on to full virtual monitoring at home. Most patients feel more comfortable having Candid aligners, knowing that an expert orthodontist examined their case personally.
Does Candid accept insurance?
You will have to check with your dentist to find out if they’ll accept your insurance to cover your Candid treatment.
Does Candid fix overbite?
Most experts won’t recommend clear aligners for overbite cases, which stays true with Candid – a company owned by an orthodontist. According to Candid’s co-owner Dr. Lynn Hurst, “sometimes saying no to a patient may be the best thing for that patient.” Since every Candid doctor is a specialist in the area, they all agree that an overbite requires a more complex treatment that Candid aligners can’t fix.
Candid comparison to others
Candid is definitely the crowd’s current favorite remote clear aligner treatment because, unlike other remote clear aligner brands (i.e., Byte, SmileDirectClub, NewSmile, AlignerCo), given confidence by the fact that an expert orthodontist sees them before starting treatment.
Cost-wise, Candid is a close competitor of Invisalign. Although it can be more expensive than other remote clear aligner brands, Candid prices are more budget-friendly than Invisalign, especially for customers who prefer 100% remote clear aligner treatment.
In addition, Candid doesn’t offer nighttime aligners, unlike Byte, SmileDirectClub, AlignerCo, and NewSmile. Candid’s co-owner Dr. Lynn Hurst believes that lack of consistent wear with nighttime aligners can cause your teeth to shift back to their original position over the course of the day – which is very unhealthy for your gums, bone, and periodontal tissues.
Moreover, Candid is the only at-home clear aligner provider that doesn’t have its own teeth whitening brand. They have partnered with the world’s most trusted teeth whitening kit by dental professionals, the Philips Zoom Whitening Kit. And instead of using your Candid aligners, the kit includes a set of whitening trays made specifically for whitening teeth.
Verdict
Candid aligners are effective for those with mild to moderate teeth alignment issues and to customers who want to be assured that their case is treatable with clear aligners by being seen initially by an expert orthodontist.
Patients with busy lifestyles, demanding work schedules, and those who cannot commit to making time for dental office visits make excellent candidates for Candid aligners as they can track progress at home.
References:
Wexler, A. et al. Direct-to-Consumer Orthodontics: Surveying the User Experience. J Am Dent Assoc. 2020 Aug; 151(8): 625–636.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2020.02.025. Available online at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7391059/
Ke, Y. et al. A comparison of treatment effectiveness between clear aligner and fixed appliance therapies. BMC Oral Health. 2019. doi: 10.1186/s12903-018-0695-z Available online at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6343314/
