About Candid
Candid claims to be the future of teeth straightening, using the power of AI to align teeth up to 30% faster than traditional orthodontist treatments, and at a lower cost. These tantalizing promises naturally caught the attention of everyone from people suffering from crooked teeth to media outlets like Forbes and Business Insider.
When you think of braces, you might think of awkward middle schoolers. However, it turns out that 1 in 3[1] orthodontic patients are over the age of 18. So if you’ve always wanted to straighten your teeth but feel uncomfortable with braces as an adult, Candid could help: This review of Candid introduces the brand and its products in detail to help you decide if Candid is worth buying.
Overview of Candid
This Candid teeth review will only reflect the truth and give you an honest look at the brand and whether it really deserves all the hype that is made around it. There are tons of aligners and teeth whiteners on the market, like SmileDirectClub and Invisalign.1 Does Candid bring something new to the table? Read on to find out.
Candid has a cool origin story as an entrepreneur with a mission. In 2012, recent Stanford graduate Nick Greenfield was working at Lyft and got dental insurance for the first time in his life. He tried to get his teeth fixed, but that path proved to be a dead end – he found out that this treatment would cost thousands of dollars, even with his insurance. Unwilling to accept a future with crooked teeth, Nick set out with his Ivy League brain to develop a low-cost alternative to expensive visits to the orthodontist.
Greenfield was inspired by the success of Warby Parker, Casper and other companies thriving in the direct-to-consumer market. Greenfield and co-founder Lilla Cosgrove launched Candid in the fall of 2017 and raised $63 million (!) to offer a better alternative to braces.
As a Millenial who wore braces for 6 years, I inwardly curse the timing of this innovation. I wore these babies throughout high school and my freshman year of college and dreaded the photo shoot and yearbook pictures.
Fortunately, tens of thousands of Candid customers are benefiting from this new and improved era of teeth straightening. The Candid team includes a network of 50 leading orthodontists with 13 retail locations across the US. We will discuss the orthodontic science behind the teeth straightening program in this Candid Teeth review.
How aligners work
Why does Candid claim to offer such a special treatment? After an appointment at a Candid studio, you’ll receive personalized 3D-printed aligners (that’s the fancy AI we mentioned earlier). It’s the most advanced way of straightening teeth, and it’s pretty clear that braces will soon be a thing of the past. Good riddance, you won’t be missed by anyone.
If you have any doubts about the effectiveness of aligners compared to traditional braces, don’t worry: studies[2] have shown that aligners are just as successful as braces when it comes to straightening crooked teeth. What’s more, aligners have been shown to be more efficient than braces. Aligners require less treatment time[3], helping you achieve a straighter smile faster.
Aligners hold your teeth in their new position, which is determined by a customized shape structure. Your teeth are constantly shifting[4] until they reach their final position. Most Candid clients only need to wear their aligners at night for the first two weeks, after which they can use them all day.
If you don’t have time to read the juicy details of this review of Candid teeth, here are the key points:
Highlights
- Accredited by the Better Business Bureau
- Personalized treatment through AI/3D-printed clear aligners
- Approximately $1900-$4600 cheaper than competing treatments
- Average treatment time is 6 months, compared to 23.5 months[5] for traditional orthodontic treatments
- No obligation to continue treatment once you have started
- 100% remote monitoring by orthodontists
- Free priority shipping
- More than 10,000 satisfied customers
Candid vs. Competitors
Our review of Candid teeth included helpful details about how the brand differs from its competitors – and these differences are huge. Candid’s average treatment time is 6 months, compared to 23.5 months for traditional orthodontic treatment.
Candid’s remote treatment model offers the same quality of treatment as in-office treatment, without the added cost. Candid eliminates the costs associated with clinical overhead, office visits and clinical markups, resulting in savings of approximately $1900-$4600 compared to the cost of alternative treatments.
Candidates have the option to pay the $2400 upfront or $99/month for 24 months, starting with a down payment of only $399. These prices include remote monitoring and all additional products that come with the aligners.
Are you a candidate?
Potential clients are asked to complete a 30-second questionnaire to find out if they are eligible for treatment. There are several circumstances in which you may not be eligible for treatment, such as if you have a permanent retainer or are under the age of 16 (unless all baby teeth have fallen out). Candid cannot be used to treat severe misaligned or spaced teeth or to make bite corrections.
In addition, you are not a suitable candidate if you have not been to the dentist recently or if treatment is planned. Before treatment, basic oral care needs must be addressed, including cavities, tooth decay, and unhealthy gums.
In the next part of this overview of candid teeth, we’ll look at the individual products and associated costs.
Candid Starter Kit Review
The Candid Starter Kit 2is the first step in your treatment. You take photos and impressions of your teeth at home using the products in this kit, then a Candid orthodontist assesses your case and designs your treatment plan – no office visit necessary.
There is no obligation to purchase aligners, which is definitely a good sign. If you decide after the initial consultation that this product is not right for you, Candid will not pressure you to continue treatment, and you will not be locked into a program if you are not satisfied with your plan.
The Starter Kit contains six pieces, including instructions on how to create your first aligner:
- Cheek Tensioner
- Putty catalyst and aligner base
- Bite template
- Splints for the lower teeth (2)
- Splints for the upper teeth (3)
- Prepaid return box
The Candid Starter Kit has a regular price of $95, currently on sale for $47.
Candid Clear Aligner Kit Review
The Clear Aligner Kit includes the Starter Kit, meaning it’s essentially your entire treatment for $2400. In addition to the starter kit, the Clear Aligner Kit includes all the aligners for the treatment and a free whitening foam.
Candid aligners are made of high-quality thermoplastic, free of BPA and phthalates. This material makes the clear aligners comfortable, durable and stain resistant. Nevertheless, you need to be careful! Studies[6] have shown that drinks like red wine and black tea are the worst culprits when it comes to discoloring your clear aligners.
Candid Whitening Foam Review
Candid’s hydrogen peroxide-based whitening foam can be used together with aligners, allowing you to straighten and whiten your teeth in one step.
Hydrogen peroxide[7] oxidizes the organic matrix of the teeth – this reaction causes the teeth to appear whiter without changing the enamel. When the enamel[8] of the teeth is worn away, they can feel very sensitive. The Whitening Foam is only available to Candid Aligner customers at a cost of $25.
The Whitening Foam is easy to use: ½ pump into each tray, reinsert the aligners and then spit out the excess foam. The solution gradually whitens the teeth without causing sensitivity. This is important because a study[9] showed that around 68% of people claim to have sensitive teeth. The solution is also gentle enough to be left in the trays overnight and can be used up to four times a day to clean aligners and retainers. Sweet bonus: It freshens your breath!
Candid Retainer Review
Retainers are slightly different from aligners: they are thicker and should be used after the alignment treatment has been completed. Retainers are highly recommended to maintain the new position of your teeth and are usually worn overnight. Retainers[10] are important to help your smile maintain its new, straightened appearance.
Candid retainers have a customized and comfortable fit. This product includes a retainer, a case and a free whitening foam for $99. This is a very reasonable price considering that a retainer purchased from an orthodontist can cost up to $500.
Candid Whitening Pen Review
The Candid Whitening Pen is designed to remove tooth discoloration in minutes, with effects lasting up to 60 days. You will only achieve these results if you use the solution once a day, so you need to be very careful when using it.
The whitening pen contains the same formula used by dentists, so no surprises. The pens are available in packs of three and are currently on sale for $20 with a $10 discount.
Candid Teeth Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Brands can make as many promises as they want, but in this Candid tooth test, it really comes down to customer feedback. There are 1087 reviews for Candid on their website, with an impressive 900 rated 5 stars. These are some of the glowing testimonials:
“My goal for my wedding was perfect teeth, and Candid delivered”.
“My overall experience was great! I am very happy with my new smile, highly recommended!”
“Good price, easy process, fun and my teeth look straight and my smile is beautiful!”
There were a few minor negative comments. One customer reported that he suffered from severe dry mouth after wearing the braces at night. Others complained about delivery delays and difficulties contacting customer service. There were only four 1-star and seven 2-star reviews out of over a thousand, and all of these complaints were responded to by customer service.
Website reviews can be deceiving, so for this Candid dental review, we looked elsewhere to get the full story. Candid was rated 5/5 by theteethblog.com and 4/5 by customersadvocate.org. A Candidco review on Business Insider had this to say, “You’ll like Candid’s services if you want to straighten your teeth with subtle, unobtrusive aligners without spending an exorbitant amount of money or time.”
Candid has a Better Business Bureau accreditation with an overall rating of A+. Despite this rating, the company has 52 complaints regarding product and service, most of which describe the aligners as unsuccessful despite going through the entire treatment.
Our Verdict on Candid
After hours of research on the brand, we now come to the crux of this candid tooth test: are candid aligners really worth it? Many signs point to yes. An A+ BBB accreditation is relatively rare, and the positive reviews far outweigh the negative ones.
Candid is designed to fix different types of dental problems with customized aligners, but every set of teeth is different. The aligners may not work for you, but it is much more likely that they will.
Aside from the very positive reviews, the treatment is significantly less costly and time consuming than other methods of teeth straightening. You don’t have to accept a higher price for good results, as is the case with other products on the market.
All in all, this Candid dental report recommends aligner treatment. A straighter and brighter smile for less money and in a shorter period of time? Do you hear that? Listen… It’s the sound of braces choking in the dust of aligners.
Candid Promotions & Discounts
During our review of Candid teeth, we discovered some promising special offers. Candid is currently offering 50% off starter kits for a limited time. There’s also a refer-a-friend and refer-a-family program: you’ll receive a $100 e-gift card for the people you refer who purchase Candid aligners. Candid runs contests throughout the year and you can sign up for alerts to stay in the loop.
Sign Up for Candid
Starting the fitting process with Candid is pretty simple:
- Have your teeth scanned at a Candid Studio
- Receive your clear aligners within 2-3 weeks, additional treatment products included
- Set up the Dental Monitoring App by logging in to portal.candidco.com.
- An orthodontist will track your treatment progress based on scans you take with your phone
Since you have to visit one of the retail stores to begin treatment, Candid is only available if you live in the US. Too bad.
Candid Retail Stores
Candid stores are currently closed due to COVID-19, but you can sign up with your email on the website to receive an update on the reopening. For now, Candid is allowing new customers to order starter kits and skip the first in-person visit.
If you prefer to wait until you can consult with an alignment expert in person, you can visit a Candid studio in Austin, Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Irvine, New York City (Chelsea, Upper East Side), San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Monica, Washington DC and West Hollywood once stores reopen.
FAQ
How do you clean aligners?
Cleaning your aligners is very simple: you can rinse them with cold water and then scrub them with a soft toothbrush. Never rinse your aligners with hot water or soak them in mouthwash.
Can you eat and drink with aligners?
You can eat and drink with aligners. Candid recommends rinsing the aligners with cold water and brushing and flossing your teeth when you’re done. Hot liquids such as tea and coffee are fine, unless you like your drinks scalding hot. In this case, you should remove the aligners beforehand.
How long do the aligners last?
Candid recommends that you replace your aligners every six months.
Can you play musical instruments, play sports and kiss with aligners?
The good news: Yes, yes and yes.
Is Candid treatment covered by insurance?
That depends on your insurance cover. Depending on your insurance policy, you may be reimbursed up to $1,300 by your insurance company. Candid can submit a claim to your insurance company on your behalf with procedure code D8040 (limited adult orthodontic treatment).
In-Network customers can save on treatment upfront without waiting for refunds or subsequent savings. Candid will deduct the price before you begin treatment. This policy applies to customers with Anthem Insurance Group, including Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, Empire BlueCross and Empire BlueCross BlueShield.
Candid Shipping Policy
Candid customers receive free shipping within the USA. After your first visit to Candid Studio and after your treatment plan has been created, you will receive your aligners in the mail within 2-3 weeks.
Candid Return Policy
You are not a suitable candidate
In this case, your payment will be refunded in full. However, this rule does not apply if you return a starter kit with distorted or unusable models.
Candid Studio customers only
Once you receive your treatment plan, you will work with the team to customize the plan and have it approved by the orthodontist if necessary. If you are still not satisfied with your treatment plan, you will receive a full refund. Please note that once you have accepted your treatment plan, Candid will begin manufacturing your custom aligners and refunds are no longer available.
Kit return policy
As your starter kit or aligner kit cannot be used by anyone else, returns are not possible for these products (unless your orthodontist deems you an unsuitable candidate).
Exchange policy
If you receive a defective product from Candid, call us at 1-844-295-6915 or email us at portal.candidco.com to request a replacement.
New treatment plan
If your orthodontist is of the opinion that a new treatment plan is clinically advisable, you will receive this at no extra charge.
Contact Candid
If you have any questions beyond this teeth check, please contact the team at Candid:
- Customer Service Phone: 1-844-295-6915 (Monday-Sunday 9am-7pm EST)
- Chat form on the website
- Email: portal.candidco.com
