Clear Aligners in 2026: Costs, Brands Still Operating, and the SmileDirectClub Lesson
The direct-to-consumer (DTC) aligner market changed fundamentally in late 2023 when SmileDirectClub collapsed. In 2026, the landscape for clear aligners outside of Invisalign is smaller, more cautious, and mostly moving toward dentist supervision. Here is what remains, what it costs, and what to watch for.
SmileDirectClub: What Happened
SmileDirectClub (SDC) was the largest DTC aligner company in the US, offering treatment plans at $1,950-$2,300 based on home impression kits or in-person "SmileShops" without direct orthodontist involvement. At peak, the company was valued at over $8 billion.
The model had structural problems from inception. Treatment was supervised by a network of remote-access dentists and orthodontists who reviewed scan data but had no in-person contact with patients. When problems arose - broken trays, pain, bite changes - customer service response was inadequate. The FDA and multiple state dental boards had ongoing regulatory concerns.
In September 2023, SDC filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. On 8 December 2023, the company abruptly shut down all operations, leaving an estimated 28,000 active treatment customers without access to replacement trays, retainers, or clinical support. The New York Attorney General reached a $4.8M consumer protection settlement with the company in December 2024. The refund claim deadline passed on 31 March 2025. Customers who did not file claims by that date have no recourse.
The lesson is not that all clear aligners are dangerous. It is that unsupervised, mail-order orthodontic treatment carries patient-safety risk that low prices do not justify.
The Byte / FDA Pause
Byte (acquired by Dentsply Sirona in 2021) was the second-largest DTC aligner provider. In early 2024, the FDA issued a warning letter to Byte regarding compliance issues with its oversight and quality management practices. Byte paused new patient enrollment during the period to address FDA concerns. As of 2026, Byte has resumed operations with a modified model that includes greater dentist supervision than the original remote-only format.
Byte's pricing in 2026 ranges from $2,299 (standard aligner plan) to $3,499, with monthly financing available. Their current model requires a licensed dental professional to approve treatment plans and review progress at defined intervals. This is meaningfully different from the original pure-remote model, though it is still not equivalent to in-person orthodontic supervision.
Brands Currently Operating in 2026
| Brand | 2026 Cost | Supervision Model |
|---|---|---|
| Byte | $2,299-$3,499 | Remote dentist review, more oversight post-FDA |
| Candid | $2,400-$3,200 | In-office only since 2022 (abandoned DTC) |
| NewSmile | $1,295-$1,895 | Remote only |
| AlignerCo | $1,145-$1,695 | Remote only |
| SmileDirectClub | N/A | Shut down December 2023 |
Note: Candid's shift to an in-office model means it is now effectively an alternative to Invisalign rather than a DTC product. Pricing is set by the treating dentist, not the company centrally.
Red Flags When Shopping Clear Aligners
Treatment should not begin without someone physically examining your teeth, bite, and jaw. Home impression kits cannot detect bone loss, gum disease, or complex bite issues that would contraindicate treatment.
In 2026, legitimate supervised aligner treatment does not come under $1,500. Sub-$1,500 pricing signals severe quality or supervision shortcuts.
SDC's lack of a viable refund process left 28,000 customers with no remedy. Read the contract carefully for what happens if you are unhappy mid-treatment.
You should be able to identify by name the licensed dental professional supervising your treatment and verify their credentials with your state dental board.
No DTC aligner has peer-reviewed evidence of comparable outcomes to in-office supervised treatment across a broad case range. Treat such claims with healthy scepticism.