
Main Features
We have researched AlignerCo clear aligners, and we believe that it has the following main features:
- Licensed dentists and orthodontists direct treatment
- At-home impression kit
- No required office visits
- Virtual check-ins
- NightOnly option
- Retainers
- Payment plans
- Worry-Free Protection Plan
What Are AlignerCo Clear Aligners?
AlignerCo clear aligners are clear plastic trays that gradually shift your teeth into a straightened position. Made from BPA-free plastic, the aligners are custom-fitted to your teeth. Treatments consist of a series of aligners that progressively straighten your teeth. A licensed dentist or orthodontist designs the aligners and directs your treatment.
How Do AlignerCo Clear Aligners Work?
Clear aligner treatments consist of several phases, including an evaluation, treatment plan and retainers. Read on to learn how AlignerCo clear aligners work.
At-Home Impression Kit
The first step is to order an at-home impression kit, which will be delivered to your door. The kit includes trays that you will use to make an impression of your teeth. Once you’ve created your impression, you will return it to AlignerCo.
A licensed dentist will examine the impression and decide whether you are a candidate for aligners. If you are, a dentist or orthodontist will design your aligners and treatment plan. If you are not a candidate, AlignerCo will refund the price of the impression kit.
AlignerCo Smile Studio
If you live in the area, you can have your impression made at the AlignerCo Smile Studio in West Hempstead, New York. You can make an appointment to visit the Smile Studio if you have visited your dentist within the past 6 months. Your impression will be forwarded to a licensed dental professional for review in the same manner as the at-home impression.
Treatment Plan
A licensed dentist or orthodontist will design and direct your AlignerCo treatment plan, which can last as little as 4 to 6 months. You will receive a 3-D Smile Projection, which shows you what your teeth should look like after you complete your treatment plan. Once you’ve approved the Smile Projection, AlignerCo will create your aligners and send them to your door.
AlignerCo offers two treatment options:
- Regular — you wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day for as little as 4 to 6 months.
- NightOnly — you wear the aligners for 8 to 10 continuous hours every night for as little as 8 to 10 months.
Virtual Check-Ins
You will periodically send images of your teeth to the dentist or orthodontist who is directing your care so they can review your progress. Based on your progress, they will give you instructions for your treatment. You will switch to the next set of aligners approximately every 10 days. Your dentist, however, may recommend that you go back to a previous set or keep using your current set.
Retainers
Retainers are clear plastic trays that hold your teeth in place after completion of your treatment plan. Unlike aligners, they do not apply pressure but simply prevent your teeth from shifting. AlignerCo will send you a set of retainers for free at the end of your treatment plan. You should wear your retainer for 20 to 22 hours every day for 6 months and then only at night as directed by your provider.
AlignerCo Clear Aligners Review: Pros and Any Limitations
After our research, it is our opinion that AlignerCo clear aligners have the following benefits and limitations.
No Required Office Visits
You don’t have to deal with inconvenient office visits when you use AlignerCo clear aligners. From the at-home impression kit to virtual check-ins, the entire process can take place in your home according to your schedule. If you live in the West Hempstead area of New York, however, you can choose to have your impressions made at AlignerCo’s only SmileStudio.
Directed by Licensed Dentists and Orthodontists
When you use AlignerCo clear aligners, your care is directed by licensed dentists and orthodontists. You don’t have to wonder about the qualifications of your care team. A licensed dental professional will evaluate your impressions, design your aligners and direct your treatment plan. Even the blog posts on the AlignerCo website are reviewed by licensed dentists or orthodontists.
NightOnly Option
Maybe you’d rather not wear your aligners during the day or while you’re at work. AlignerCo’s NightOnly option lets you leave your aligners at home all day and wear them overnight. The Night-Only plan can last a few months longer than the regular plan, but it may be worth it if you prefer a more discreet option.
Pricing and Flexible Financing
AlignerCo clear aligners can cost less than half the price of traditional metal braces, and less than some other aligner brands. The company also offers flexible payment plans that can put clear aligner treatments within reach of your budget:
- SmileAdvantage — a one-time discounted payment.
- SmileFlex — 12 monthly payments, financed through Affirm.
- SmileFlex Easy — 6 monthly payments after a down payment, financed through Partial.ly.
Night Advantage, NightFlex and SmileFlex Easy are equivalent payment plans for the NightOnly option.
If you have dental insurance, you may have coverage for part of the clear aligners price. Ask your insurance company about coverage. FSA and HSA may also be used to pay for your treatment.
Must Remove When Eating, Drinking or Playing Sports
One minor inconvenience is the need to remove your aligners before certain activities. The dental professionals at AlignerCo strongly recommend removing your aligners before eating, drinking (except water), chewing gum or playing sports. These activities can cause cracks, scratches and other damage to your aligners. You can, however, wear your aligners while playing flute, trumpet or other musical instrument.
Limited Refund and Return Policy
AlignerCo has a somewhat limited refund and return policy. If you change your mind about your order, you can get a refund if you cancel within 24 to 48 hours after placing the order. AlignerCo does not accept returns for impression kits. However, they will refund the price of the kit if it is determined that you are not a candidate for invisible aligners.
Before you order your aligners, make sure that you really want to commit to a treatment plan. If the aligners do not fit, they will send you a new set but will not give you a refund..If you are not satisfied with the results after completing your treatment plan, AlignerCo may send you additional aligners after re-evaluating your results.
Worry-Free Protection Plan
Are you wondering how you’ll keep up with ordering your retainers? AlignerCo offers a WorryFree Protection Plan to help you preserve the results of your treatment plan. For a fee, you will receive a new retain every 6 months for 6 years. That’s 12 retainers, with the option to replace a lost retainer. If you enroll in this plan, you won’t have to worry about misplacing or running out of retainers.
AlignerCo Clear Aligners: Final Thoughts
AlignerCo clear aligners are a less costly, convenient alternative to traditional metal braces. In our opinion it is a good value for the following reasons:
AlignerCo aligners and treatment plans are designed and directed by licensed dentists and orthodontists. A licensed dental professional reviews your impressions and prescribes aligners for your specific dental needs.
Your entire treatment plan, including your impressions, can take place in your home. There are no mandatory office visits, although office visits are an option if you live near the AlignerCo Smile Studio in West Hempstead, New York. Your dental provider will monitor your progress through photographs that you upload. These virtual check-ins are a valuable convenience in these hectic times.
The company offers treatment plans that fit your lifestyle and comfort level. You can wear your aligners for 22 hours every day, or for 8 to 10 hours every night if you prefer a more discreet plan. One inconvenience is the need to remove your aligners during sports, eating and drinking. After you complete your treatment plan, you can enroll in the Worry-Free Protection Plan, which provides retainers every 6 months for two years.
The clear aligners cost less than half the price of most traditional braces. AlignerCo also partners with third parties to provide flexible payment plans. Your dental insurance may cover part of the cost of aligners, but you should check with your insurer.
AlignerCo’s refund and return policy is somewhat limited. Unless you cancel your order within 24 to 48 hours, the company will not refund your money. You cannot return the at-home impression kit, but you will get a refund if the dentist decides that you are not a candidate for aligners. If you complete your treatment plan and are not satisfied with the results, however, AlignerCo may send you more aligners to improve the results.
After researching and reviewing AlignerCo clear aligners, we believe that it is an overall quality product and good value.