Wellness

Candid Teeth Review

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 treatments at an orthodontist’s office, and at a lesser cost. These attractive promises naturally drew attention, from crooked teeth sufferers 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 been wanting to straighten your teeth, but feel a bit awkward about having braces as an adult, Candid might be able to help.This Candid teeth review explores the brand and its products in detail, to help you decide if Candid is worth the buy.

Candid Teeth Review 1
@livecandid

Overview of Candid

This Candid teeth review will only relay the truth, giving you an honest look at the brand and if it really deserves all the hype it’s getting. There are tons of teeth aligners and whiteners on the market like SmileDirectClub and Invisalign. Does Candid bring anything new to the table? Read on to find out. 

Candid has a cool entrepreneur-on-a-mission origin story. In 2012, recent Stanford graduate Nick Greenfield worked at Lyft and received dental insurance for the first time in his life. He looked into getting his teeth straightened, but that avenue proved to be a dead end—he found out that this treatment would cost thousands of dollars, even with his insurance coverage. Nick wouldn’t accept a future with crooked teeth, and set his Ivy League brain power to the task of developing a low-cost alternative to expensive trips to the orthodontist.

Greenfield was inspired by the success of Warby Parker, Casper, and other businesses that thrive in the direct-to-consumer market. Greenfield and co-founder Lilla Cosgrove launched Candid in the fall of 2017, having raised $63 million (!) to offer a better option than braces.

Candid Teeth Review 2
Before & After Candid

As a Millenial who wore braces for 6 years, I’m inwardly cursing at the timing of this innovation. I repped those babies throughout high school and the first year of my undergrad, dreading picture day and yearbook photos.

Fortunately, Candid customers numbering in the tens of thousands are benefitting from this new and improved era of teeth straightening. The Candid team includes a network of 50 leading orthodontists, with 13 retail locations throughout the US. We’ll get into the orthodontic science behind their teeth alignment program next in this Candid teeth review.

Candid Teeth Review 3
@livecandid

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 (this is the fancy AI we mentioned earlier). This is as modern as teeth alignment gets, and it’s pretty clear that braces will soon be left in the past. Good riddance, you will be missed by no one.

Candid Teeth Review 4
@livecandid

If you’re hesitant about the effectiveness of aligners compared to traditional braces, fear not: studies[2] have shown that aligners are just as successful as braces when it comes to straightening crooked teeth. Additionally, aligners have been shown to be more efficient than braces. Aligners require a shorter treatment time[3], thereby helping you to get a straighter smile faster.

Aligners work by keeping your teeth in their new position guided by a customized mold structure. Your teeth will constantly shift[4] leading up to their final alignment. Most Candid customers are only required to wear their aligners at night in the first two weeks, followed by all-day use. 

If you don’t have time to read the juicy details of this Candid teeth review, here are the highlights:

Highlights

  • Better Business Bureau accredited
  • Personalized treatment through AI/3D-printed clear aligners
  • Approximately $1900-$4600 less costly than competing treatments
  • Average treatment time is 6 months, compared to 23.5 months[5] for traditional orthodontic treatment
  • No commitment to continue treatment once you start
  • 100% remote monitoring by orthodontists
  • Free priority shipping 
  • 10,000+ satisfied customers

Candid vs. Competitors

Candid Teeth Review 5

Our Candid teeth review found helpful details on how the brand differs from its competitors—and those differences are huge. The average Candid treatment is 6 months, while the duration of traditional orthodontic treatment is 23.5 months.

Candid’s teledentistry model provides the same quality of care as you’d receive in-office, without the extra costs. Candid cut out the costs that come from clinical overhead, office visits, and clinical markups, resulting in approximately $1900$4600 in savings compared to the cost of alternative treatments.

Check out how Candid pricing differs from its top competitors: 

Price100% remote monitoringDoctors are orthodontists
Candid$2,400YesYes
Invisalign$7,000NoNo
Braces$5,000No No
Candid vs. Competitors

Candid customers have the option of paying the $2400 up front or $99/month for 24 months, beginning with a down payment as low as $399. These prices include the remote monitoring and all additional products that come with the aligners.

Are You a Candidate?

Potential customers are asked to fill out a 30-second survey to find out if they qualify for treatment. Several circumstances make you an unsuitable candidate, including having a permanent retainer or being under the age of 16 (unless all your baby teeth have fallen out). Candid does not treat severe alignment and spacing issues or offer bite correction

Additionally, you will not be a suitable candidate if you haven’t been to the dentist recently or have upcoming work scheduled. Primary oral care needs have to be addressed before treatment, including cavities, tooth decay, and unhealthy gums.

Next up in this Candid teeth review, we’ll get into specific products and their associated costs.

Candid Starter Kit Review

Candid’s Starter Kit is the first step in their treatment. You take photos and impressions of your teeth at home with the help of the products in this kit, then a Candid orthodontist assesses your case and designs your treatment plan – no office visits necessary.

There is no commitment to buying aligners, which is definitely a good sign. If you have your first consultation and decide that this product isn’t for you, Candid won’t pressure you to continue treatment and you won’t be stuck in a program if you’re not happy with your plan.

The Starter Kit comes with six items, including instructions on how to create your first aligner:

  • Cheek stretcher
  • Putty catalyst and aligner base
  • Bite guide
  • Lower teeth trays (2)
  • Upper teeth trays (3)
  • Prepaid return shipping 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, so it’s essentially your entire treatment for $2400. Along with items in the Starter Kit, the Clear Aligner Kit comes with all your aligners for the treatment and free whitening foam.  

Candid aligners are made of premium thermoplastic, free of BPAs and phthalate. This material makes the clear aligners comfortable, durable, and stain-resistant. But, you still need to be careful! Studies[6] have shown that beverages like red wine and black tea are the worst culprits when it comes to staining your clear aligners.

Candid Whitening Foam Review

Candid’s hydrogen peroxide-based Whitening Foam can be used along with aligners, allowing you to straighten and whiten your teeth all at once. 

Hydrogen peroxide[7] oxidizes the organic matrix of the teeth – this reaction is what causes the teeth to appear whiter without changing the tooth enamel. When the enamel[8] of your teeth is worn down, they can feel very sensitive. This Whitening Foam is only available to Candid aligner customers for $25.

The Whitening Foam is easy to use: ½ a pump in each tray, pop the aligners back in, then spit out the excess foam. The solution gradually whitens teeth without causing tooth sensitivity. This is a big deal, as one study[9] showed that about 68% of people report having sensitive teeth. It’s also gentle enough to keep in your trays overnight and can be used as an aligner and retainer cleaner up to 4 times a day. Sweet bonus: it freshens your breath!

Candid Retainer Review

Retainers are slightly different than aligners: they’re thicker and are meant to be used after the alignment treatment is finished. Retainers are highly recommended to maintain the new position of your teeth and are generally worn overnight. Retainers[10] are important for helping your smile keep its new, straightened look.

Candid Retainers have a customized and comfortable fit. This product includes a retainer, carrying case, and free whitening foam for $99. This is a highly reasonable price, considering a retainer purchased through an orthodontist can cost up to $500

Candid Whitening Pen Review

The Candid Whitening Pen is formulated to remove tooth stains within minutes, with effects lasting up to 60 days. You only experience these results if the solution is applied once daily, so you have to be diligent with application. 

The whitening pen contains the same formula used by dentists, so no surprises there. The pens are available in packs of three and are currently offered for $20 at a $10 discount.

Candid Teeth Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

Candid Teeth Review 11
@livecandid

Brands can make as many promises as they want, but it really comes down to customer feedback in this Candid teeth review. 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 got me there.”

“My overall experience was great! I’m 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 said that he experienced serious dry mouth after wearing the retainer at night. Others complained of shipment delays and difficulty getting in touch with customer service. There were only four 1-star and seven two-star reviews out of over a thousand, and all of these complaints received a reply from customer service.

Website reviews can be deceiving, so we looked elsewhere to get the full story for this Candid teeth review. 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, non-obtrusive 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 related to product and service, most of which describe the aligners as unsuccessful, despite progressing through the entire treatment.

Our Verdict on Candid

Candid Teeth Review 12
@livecandid

After hours spent researching the brand, we now come to the crux of this Candid teeth review—are Candid aligners really worth it? Many signs point to yes. Having an A+ BBB accreditation is relatively rare, and positive reviews vastly outnumbered the negative ones. 

Candid is designed to fix several types of teeth issues through custom-fit aligners, but every set of teeth is different. The aligners may not work for you, but it’s much more likely that they will. 

Alongside highly complimentary reviews, the treatment is significantly less costly and time consuming than other alignment methods. You don’t have to rationalize a higher price point for good results, which is true for other products on the market.

All in all, this Candid teeth review recommends the aligner treatment. A straight and brighter smile for less money and within a shorter time frame? Do you hear that? Listen… It’s the sound of braces choking in aligner’s dust. 

Candid Promotions & Discounts

Candid Teeth Review 13

Our Candid teeth review turned up some promising promotions. Candid is currently offering 50% off starter kits for a limited time. They also have a Refer Friends and Family Program: you receive a $100 e-gift card for individuals who you refer that purchase Candid aligners. Candid runs contests throughout the year and you can sign up for notifications to stay in the know.

Sign Up for Candid

Starting the alignment process with Candid is pretty easy:

  1. Have your teeth scanned at a Candid Studio
  2. Get your clear aligners within 2-3 weeks, additional treatment products included
  3. Set up the Dental Monitoring app by logging into portal.candidco.com
  4. An orthodontist tracks your process with scans you take from your phone

Given that you’re required to visit one of their retail stores to begin treatment, Candid is only available if you live in the US. Bummer.

Candid Retail Stores

Candid Teeth Review 14
@livecandid

Candid stores are currently closed due to COVID-19, but you can sign up with your email on their website to receive an update on their reopening. For now, Candid is allowing new customers to order starter kits and skip the initial in-person visit.

If you prefer to wait until you can consult an alignment expert in person, once stores reopen again 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.

FAQ

How do you clean aligners?

Cleaning your aligners is really simple: rinse them off with cold water, plus an optional scrub with a soft bristle 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 that you rinse them off with cold water and brush and floss your teeth when you’re finished. Hot liquids like tea and coffee are fine, unless you like your drinks scalding hot. In that case, take your aligners out first.

How long do the aligners last?

Candid recommends that you change your aligners every six months.

Can you play musical instruments, exercise, and kiss with aligners? 

Good news: yes, yes, and yes.

Is Candid treatment covered by insurance?

This depends on your specific coverage. You may be reimbursed for up to $1300 by your insurance provider, depending on your policy. Candid can file a claim with your insurance provider on your behalf with procedure code D8040 (limited orthodontic treatment for adults).

In-network customers can save upfront on treatment, no waiting for reimbursements or after-the-fact savings. Candid will take off 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 throughout the US. After your initial visit to the Candid Studio and after your treatment plan is generated, you’ll receive your aligners by mail in approximately 2-3 weeks.

Candid Return Policy

You Are Not a Suitable Candidate

In this case, your payment will be refunded in full. However, this policy does not apply if you send back a starter kit with distorted or unusable models.

Candid Studio Customers Only

Once you receive your treatment plan, you’ll work with the team to adjust the plan and have it approved by the orthodontist if necessary. If you’re still not satisfied with your treatment plan, you’ll receive a full refund. Note that once you accept your treatment plan, Candid begins producing your custom aligners and a refund will no longer be available.

Kit Return Policy

Since your Starter Kit or Alignment Kit cannot be used by anyone else, returns for these products are not accepted (unless your orthodontist deems you an unsuitable candidate).

Exchange Policy

If you receive a defective product from Candid, call them at 1-844-295-6915 or email portal.candidco.com to request a replacement.

New Treatment Plan

Given your orthodontist feels that a new treatment plan is clinically advisable, you will receive one at no extra charge.

Contact Candid

Candid Teeth Review 15
@livecandid

If you have questions beyond this Candid teeth review, contact the team via: 

  • Customer service phone: 1-844-295-6915 (Monday-Sunday 9am-7pm EST)
  • Chat form on their website
  • Email: portal.candidco.com

Check out our reviews on these popular dental care brands: Snow teeth whitening and Quip toothbrushes.

Article Sources

  1. American Association of Orthodontists Why the Number of Adults Seeing an Orthodontist Is at an All-Time High American Association of Orthodontists
  2. Ke, Y., Zhu, Y., & Zhu, M. A comparison of treatment effectiveness between clear aligner and fixed appliance therapies BMC Oral Health, 19(1), 1-10
  3. Buschang, P. H., Shaw, S. G., Ross, M. Comparative time efficiency of aligner therapy and conventional edgewise braces | The Angle Orthodontist The Angle Orthodontist, 84(3), 391-396
  4. Wheeler, T. T. Orthodontic clear aligner treatment ScienceDirect Seminars in Orthodontics (Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 83-89). WB Saunders
  5. Skidmore, K. J., Brook, K. J., Thomson, W. M., & Harding, W. J. Factors influencing treatment time in orthodontic patients ScienceDirect American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 129(2), 230-238
  6. Bernard, G., Rompré, P., Tavares, J. R., & Montpetit, A. Colorimetric and spectrophotometric measurements of orthodontic thermoplastic aligners exposed to various staining sources and cleaning methods SpringerLinks Head & face medicine, 16(1), 1-11
  7. Eimar, H., Siciliano, R., Abdallah, M. N., Abi Nader, S., Amin, W. M., Martinez, P. P., ... & Tamimi, F. Hydrogen peroxide whitens teeth by oxidizing the organic structure ScienceDirect Journal of Dentistry, 40, e25-e33
  8. Salinas, T. J. What causes sensitive teeth, and how can I treat them? Mayo Clinic
  9. Bamise, C. T., Kolawole, K. A., Oloyede, E. O., & Esan, T. A. Tooth sensitivity experience among residential university students Wiley Online Library International journal of dental hygiene, 8(2), 95-100
  10. Rowland, H., Hichens, L., Williams, A., Hills, D., Killingback, N., Ewings, P., ... & Sandy, J. R. The effectiveness of Hawley and vacuum-formed retainers: A single-center randomized controlled trial ScienceDirect American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 132(6), 730-737

Ask the community or leave a comment

WRITE A REVIEW

Customer Reviews

Leave a review

empty
5 Stars
0%
4 Stars
0%
3 Stars
0%
2 Stars
0%
1 Stars
0%
Heather Linaugh
3 years ago Reply
Experience

As far as I can tell you could go about switching Aligners every few days with out even checking in with Candid. I had the unfortunate problem of being told my progress was great and to move up to the next step only to have it pop out one of my veneers. To follow candid has not been able to help after many photos being sent, time on chat, phone calls and emails. I have not been in touch with a single orthodontist through them after a month of trying to reach a solution. A customer rep suggested I put my Aligners back in of which my dentist told me it would only make my now damaged veneer pop out again. If you are thinking of doing a mail in plan I would strongly consider looking else where. Check to see if you can actually leave a review on a company’s site. If you go on Candid their reviews are not to be believed, bc there is no way to leave a review there.

Sebastian
3 years ago Reply
Experience

Be aware! Once you are done with your final step they will have a survey asking about your satisfaction. If you, like me, are missing the expected results (my teeth are still moving back when I take my retainers out for a few hours) they won’t call to make sure you know that they have a (!) 30 DAY window to get continous steps of treatment for FREE. I was told this when I was about to go in to a phase two because of the bad result from the first year(!) of treatment.

Now my choice is to keep wearing the final step of my first phase to hope my teeth one day will stop moving and stop aching with time, OR to pay a new price of $800. (?!?!)

I mean, I don’t mind paying $100 per new retainer like I will do every six months anyways to renew my night time retianer- but to upcharge a few steps extra to $800 is just insane- WHEN I COULD HAVE GOTTEN THEM FOR FREE my first 30 days but none cared to checkup on my progress even though I submitted a survey stating this.

I really wish I could say only good things about Candid Co. But to deny people a reasonably priced followup treatment to their customers who already spent thousands of dollars in belief of showcased results- in the midst of a pandemic year when jobs are out the window, and make them feel left to the choice of having loose teeth….? Yea, no. Not today.

But good luck if you go with Candid!

Ask the community or leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This field is required