My In-Depth AlignerCo Review After Using Their Clear Aligners

Straightening my slightly crooked teeth with clear aligners rather than old-school metal braces was something I‘d considered for years. I disliked my smile but couldn‘t imagine enduring brackets and wires well into my 20s.

When I started researching aligners, choices seemed overwhelming. Every brand claimed to offer the best quality and value. That‘s when I came across direct-to-consumer companies like AlignerCo promising professional-level treatment without the huge price tag or office visits.

After lots of comparing and agonizing – I decided to give AlignerCo a shot. Now, over a year later, my teeth are beautifully straight. But it wasn‘t quick or always easy. In this sincere AlignerCo review, I‘ll share my full experience as a real customer. My goal is to help you understand precisely what to expect so you can decide if AlignerCo‘s DIY clear aligners are right for your smile goals and lifestyle.

Why I Chose AlignerCo For My Teeth Straightening

In 2019, the clear aligner industry was estimated at $2.41 billion. With so many at-home aligner brands popping up, making the best choice for my specific needs was vital. I based my decision on:

Cost – Their flexible payment plans were way cheaper than in-office alternatives after factoring hidden fees.

Convenience – I liked avoiding regular dentist trips for adjustments as I have a busy work schedule

Comfort – I preferred smooth plastic aligners over brackets ruining my lips

Speed – AlignerCo‘s average treatment length of 6-15 months beat wearing braces for years

Overall, AlignerCo seemed affordable given they‘re an established company with decent customer feedback rather than some budget startup with no credentials.

While it was worrying not having an orthodontist oversee everything in person, AlignerCo did partner with independent dentists and orthos to analyze patient cases. This reassured me somewhat but was still a calculated risk.

Here‘s How The AlignerCo Experience Shook Out For Me

While each patient‘s journey may differ slightly based on their unique teeth, here are the key stages I went through using AlignerCo for my own smile transformation:

Getting Started: Impressions and Aligner Ordering

After signing up online and receiving my home impressions kit, I‘ll admit carefully taking upper and lower molds of my mouth was messier than expected! But I managed to capture every tooth‘s nooks and crannies after a few failed attempts.

6 weeks later I was notified an AlignerCo orthodontist approved my aligners order after assessing if my tooth alignment issues could be safely and effectively treated with their system vs in-office methods.

Another 3 weeks after that, my slick new box of custom aligners arrived on my doorstep containing every set I‘d wear over the next 8 months all mapped out.

Treatment Phase: Wearing My AlignerCo Aligners

Starting aligners was strangely exciting but felt very odd initially having plastic stuck to my teeth all day! The first week involved a lot of lisping, poking my aligners to settle them in place and worrying if I was wearing them enough.

But I quickly got used to them and fell into a routine of wearing my aligners around 22 hours a day, only removing them to eat, brush my teeth etc. As my teeth shifted gradually week by week, each new aligner felt more snug as progress was made.

While aligners weren‘t painful per say, I did experience some discomfort from the constant pressure which I relieved using AlignerCo‘s chewies. Staying hydrated and using oral wax for rub spots also helped manage symptoms.

Monitoring Progress Remotely

One handy AlignerCo feature was their online patient portal allowing you to track your weekly aligner changes and shift check-ins. I uploaded regular photos allowing their orthodontists to ensure my teeth were tracking properly.

If progress stalled or issues arose, their dental team sent adjustment advice or approved new mid-course aligners at no charge. Thankfully my relatively straightforward case of front teeth crookedness and gaps moved along as planned.

Final Retention Phase for Stability

After 8 months of aligner wear, my treatment wrapped up. My final set acted as retainers before I moved onto wearing AlignerCo‘s custom-made Essix plastic retainers full-time for 6 months. This crucial phase locks in your straightened smile for long-term stability.

I‘ll then transition to nighttime retainer wear going forward. I can also order replacement retainers from AlignerCo if my current ones become damaged which provides peace of mind.

Treatment Cost Breakdown:

• Impressions Kit & Review: $40
• Aligners & Retainers: $1250
• Total: $1290 plus $99/replacement retainer

My AlignerCo Before and After Transformation

Rather than just taking AlignerCo‘s word their system works, here are real snapshots showcasing my smile‘s dramatic upgrade thanks to their clear aligner therapy:

I no longer feel self-conscious to show my teeth while laughing or in photos. My new straight smile has done wonders for my self-confidence. Coworkers complimented that I looked happier and clients take me more seriously. 100% worth it!

Takeaway: AlignerCo delivered the promised teeth straightening results for me even doing everything remotely. Their clear aligners effectively closed gaps and rotated my crooked front teeth into near perfect position through incremental movement over 8 months of treatment.

AlignerCo Treatment Experience Pros

Along my journey to a better smile, these were the standout positives as an AlignerCo customer:

Affordable Payment Plans

I spent around $1300 overall – way cheaper than $5000+ alternatives yet with similarly smooth finished outcomes for moderate issues.

Quick, Attentive Customer Service

Response time averaged under 8 hours whenever I had treatment questions or concerns. Polite staff walked me through solutions quickly.

Customized Remote Monitoring

My personalized AlignerCo portal dashboard made self-managing aligner treatment straightforward with orthodontist oversight.

Minimal Lifestyle Disruptions

Aside from intensive aligner wear commitment, I avoided painful wires and endless dental appointments every 6-8 weeks.

AlignerCo Treatment Experience Cons

However, there were a few drawbacks to highlight in this candid AlignerCo assessment:

Extended Delivery Timelines

My aligners took 8 weeks total to produce and ship after kit receipt rather than the advertised 5-6 weeks.

No In-Office Specialist Access

Lacking an orthodontist to consult face-to-face made me uneasy despite AlignerCo‘s dental team reviews.

Aligner Breakage Issues

I broke 2 aligners early on before learning safer removal techniques. Thankfully additional aligner sets were covered under warranty.

Ongoing Retention Requirements

Like most clear aligner brands, you must wear retainers long-term forever really to prevent teeth shifting back.

How Does AlignerCo Compare Against SmileDirectClub, Byte and More?

Curious how AlignerCo stacks up to the best-known dentist-to-door companies? I put together this detailed features comparison guide:

Company	Avg. Treatment Cost	Treatment Length	Orthodontist Involved?	Retainers Included?
AlignerCo	$1,100-$1,600	6-15 months	Yes, remotely	Yes
Byte	$1,895-$2,295	5-8 months	Yes, remotely	Yes
Candid	$2,400-$2,700	4-12 months	No, dentist reviewed	Yes, $99 fee
SmileDirectClub	$1,450-$1,950	4-7 months	No, dentist reviewed	Yes, $99 fee

Prices shown don‘t include initial scans/impressions & retainers. Exact length & pricing varies per patient.

As the table shows, AlignerCo hits a nice balance between comprehensive orthodontic oversight and wallet-friendly pricing. They also have various payment plans including SmilePay financing not offered by competitors.

Treatment times are reasonable – avoiding wearing aligners for years is a major perk over old-school braces! Their integration of both orthodontists AND general dentists when assessing your treatment plan ensures extra quality control before aligners get made.

One concern you‘ll notice is how SmileDirectClub and Candid don‘t involve real orthodontists actively managing your care like AlignerCo does. This seems risky to me for anything beyond very minor tooth movement.

Ultimately AlignerCo won my business due to their unbeatable price-to-quality ratio. Their customer service response times also outperformed competitors substantially whenever I needed questions answered promptly.

Final Verdict – Should You Choose AlignerCo‘s Clear Aligners?

So, is AlignerCo the right DIY solution for fixing an imperfect smile?

My wholehearted recommendation is yes – IF your specific orthodontic needs match their treatment strengths.

Big picture pros:

AlignerCo makes straightening your teeth from home convenient and affordable minus complexcases requiring hands-on orthodontic procedures. I achieved the precise improvements I hoped for based on their smile visualization mapping and remote oversight.

Potential cons depending on your situation:

Lack of in-person dentist interaction means more responsibility falls on you catching any progress issues early through proper aligner wear and upload vigilance. Additionally, certain bite misalignment types like overjets over 5mm can‘t be addressed fully without clinics tools like anchors or elastics.

At the end of the day, I can‘t praise the AlignerCo experience enough for moderately crooked teeth like mine. Their aligners delivered literal life-changing smile upgrades without requiring expensive clinical visits or sacrificing my lifestyle. I‘m glad I took the chance on their modern direct-to-consumer model – and I bet you will be too!