Head to head

Clarity Aligners vs OrthoFX

Starting price, treatment length, supervision, FDA safety record and full spec sheet for Clarity Aligners and OrthoFX, side by side. Every figure links to the source that states it.

Prices checked against their sources Nov 12, 2026FDA records read Nov 10, 2026
18comparisons with Clarity Aligners
22comparisons with OrthoFX

Clarity Aligners (Clarity Aligners clear aligners)ยทOrthoFX (AirFlex (formerly NiTime), FXClear (formerly Tetra), FXBright, FXRetainers)

Clarity Aligners
In-office
OrthoFX
In-office
At a glance
Starting price
$3,000-8,000provider-set
$2,000-5,500provider-set
Typical treatment
6-12+ months
6-18 months
Supervision
In-office
In-office
FDA safety
Recall
No recalls
FDA adverse-event reports
3
3
Treatment
Treats
Complex / comprehensive cases (per provider)
CrowdingSpacing and gapsOverbiteUnderbiteCrossbite
Product lines
Clarity Aligners clear aligners
AirFlex (formerly NiTime), FXClear (formerly Tetra), FXBright, FXRetainers
Wear schedule
20 to 22 hrs/day, each set worn about 1 to 2 weeks
Varies by product: AirFlex worn about 9 to 12 hrs/day (reduced-wear); FXClear and FXBright worn 20 to 22 hrs/day; trays typically changed about weekly per the treatment plan
Spec sheet
Start method
In-office 3D digital scan at an orthodontist; plan built in 3M/Clarity software (Clarity Portal) and aligners ordered by the doctor
In-office consultation with a licensed dentist or orthodontist, including a 3D intraoral digital scan and diagnostic records; the provider designs the plan and fits the aligners (a provider 'Try It' sample kit is also offered before committing)
Material
Two options: Clarity Aligners Flex (flexible five-layer material, 0.625 mm, covers the gumline) and Clarity Aligners Force (rigid single-layer material, 0.75 mm, more force for bite correction)
Proprietary polymers by product: AirFlex uses a patented HyperElastic multi-copolymer engineered for sustained gentle force and reduced 9 to 12 hour daily wear; FXClear uses the tri-layer FXTetra polymer (two tough outer layers that resist bruxing plus an elastomeric inner layer for comfort), durable and stain-resistant; FXBright is a translucent aligner that brightens tooth appearance without whitening gels
Retainers
Retainers required post-treatment to hold results
One complimentary set of FXRetainers included after treatment; replacement retainers offered via subscription (about $99 quarterly, $149 semi-annually, or $324 annually)
Whitening
Not published
FXBright aligners give teeth a whiter appearance without whitening gels; other whitening is at the provider's discretion
Refinements / touch-ups
Additional/refinement aligners available, ordered by the treating orthodontist
Provider-managed additional aligners; refinement policy and cost are set by the treating provider. Broken aligners are replaced free, and a prorated refund is given for remaining aligners if treatment is discontinued
Guarantee
Not published (depends on the treating practice)
No manufacturer money-back satisfaction guarantee to consumers; free replacement of broken aligners and a prorated refund for unused aligners, with any results guarantee set by the individual provider
Clinical oversight
Orthodontist-supervised with in-person visits; optional remote monitoring via Grin at some practices (partnership since 2020)
Doctor-directed: an in-person consultation and periodic office visits about every 6 to 8 weeks, with FXOnTrack AI remote monitoring and virtual check-ins between visits
Financing
Set by the treating practice; in-office payment plans vary by office
FXPay patient financing: plans from about $99/month, 0% APR options, no or low down payment, up to $10,000, with instant approval, subject to credit approval (checking your plan does not affect your credit score; offered through the provider); a 98% approval rate is advertised
HSA / FSA
Generally HSA/FSA eligible as orthodontic treatment (subject to administrator approval)
Generally HSA/FSA eligible as orthodontic treatment; depends on the provider and plan
Insurance
Partial coverage possible when considered medically necessary; the practice bills insurance
Often covered under orthodontic benefits (dental insurance with orthodontic coverage typically covers about $1,000 to $2,500); coverage varies by plan and provider
Availability
US and international, only through orthodontists and dentists
United States, through OrthoFX-authorized dentists and orthodontists (also operates in India via orthofx.in)
Headquarters
Maplewood, Minnesota, USA
Fremont, California, USA
Spec sources
  1. 1.newmouth.com
  2. 2.solventum.com
  3. 3.dentalproductshopper.com
  4. 4.3m.com
  1. 1.orthofx.com
  2. 2.prnewswire.com
  3. 3.segoviaorthodonticslakewoodranch.com
  4. 4.smileprep.com
Company
On the market since
2018
2019
Parent company
Solventum (NYSE: SOLV), formerly 3M Oral Care / 3M Health Care
OrthoFX, Inc. (Fremont, California), founded 2017 by former Align Technology executives Ren Menon (co-founder and CEO), Nichole Garcia, and Henry Chan (co-founder and CTO)

Blue marks the lower price only where every compared price is quoted the same way (a monthly price in US dollars); prices quoted in another currency, as a one-time fee or as a provider-set range are shown exactly as stated and never converted. Adverse-event figures are raw counts of reports filed with the FDA, not rates (what the reports mean). Each spec value opens that brand's spec sheet, and its numbered sources verify the specs as a set. None of this is a recommendation: the right choice depends on your case, your budget and, above all, an in-person exam by a dentist or orthodontist.

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InvisibleBraces is an informational data platform, not a dentist, an orthodontist, or a seller of aligners. Nothing here is dental or medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to start, stop, or change any treatment. At-home clear aligners are not right for every case, and moving teeth without an in-person exam carries real risk. Data is aggregated from public sources and each brand's own terms and can be incomplete or out of date. Always consult a licensed dentist or orthodontist and confirm current prices and terms with the provider.