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OrthoFX vs Six Month Smiles

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

Prices verified Sep 30, 2026FDA records verified Sep 30, 2026
22comparisons with OrthoFX
22comparisons with Six Month Smiles

OrthoFX (AirFlex (formerly NiTime), FXClear (formerly Tetra), FXBright, FXRetainers)ยทSix Month Smiles (6MS Invisible Aligners, 6MS Relapse Aligners, 6MS Mixed Appliance)

OrthoFX
In-office
Six Month Smiles
In-office
At a glance
Starting price
$2,000-5,500provider-set
Provider-setnot published

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.

The bottom line

What actually differs

  • Neither is marked lower, since only monthly prices quoted in US dollars are ranked against each other: OrthoFX $2,000-5,500 (provider-set) and Six Month Smiles Provider-set.
  • Typical treatment differs: OrthoFX 6-18 months and Six Month Smiles 6-10 months.
Go deeper

Open the full record

OrthoFX
  • Prices
  • Treatment length
  • Supervision
  • FDA safety
  • Specs
  • Sources
  • Where to get it
Six Month Smiles
  • Prices
  • Treatment length
  • Supervision
Keep comparing

Every comparison with these brands

Each brand against every other brand on the market. All comparisons

All 22 comparisons with OrthoFX

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  • vs Flash Aligners
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Typical treatment
6-18 months
6-10 months
Supervision
In-office
In-office
FDA safety
No recalls
No recalls
FDA adverse-event reports
3
0
Treatment
Treats
CrowdingSpacing and gapsOverbiteUnderbiteCrossbite
CrowdingSpacing and gapsCrossbiteOpen biteDeep biteRelapse after bracesMild to moderate misalignment
Product lines
AirFlex (formerly NiTime), FXClear (formerly Tetra), FXBright, FXRetainers
6MS Invisible Aligners, 6MS Relapse Aligners, 6MS Mixed Appliance
Wear schedule
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
Trays changed every 2 weeks; wear hours not published
Spec sheet
Start method
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)
Taken by the dentist in the practice: an intraoral scan (3Shape, iTero, Cerec or STL files accepted) or PVS impressions, with x-rays and photos; there is no at-home kit.
Material
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
Zendura FLX, a dual-shell material (hard outer shell, elastomeric middle layer), 0.76 mm (0.030 in), per 6MS; the FDA summary describes a thermoformed polyurethane-polyester composite.
Retainers
One complimentary set of FXRetainers included after treatment; replacement retainers offered via subscription (about $99 quarterly, $149 semi-annually, or $324 annually)
Not included in the patient tray kit; the dentist orders removable retainers from 6MS after treatment and sets their price
Whitening
FXBright aligners give teeth a whiter appearance without whitening gels; other whitening is at the provider's discretion
Not published
Refinements / touch-ups
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
Up to 2 refinements within 2 years are included in the 6MS Invisible Aligners product (aligner page); a no-charge upgrade to a braces solution is offered to the dentist if braces would produce a better outcome.
Guarantee
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
No patient guarantee in the current terms: a limited warranty to the dentist covers defects in material and workmanship, not the outcome
Clinical oversight
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
In-office: a trained dentist examines, prescribes, fits and monitors; 6MS specialists prepare the plan, overseen by its orthodontists, and the dentist approves it
Financing
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
Set by each practice
HSA / FSA
Generally HSA/FSA eligible as orthodontic treatment; depends on the provider and plan
The brand's cost page says HSA or FSA accounts can help offset the cost; acceptance is the practice's decision
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
Some dental plans may cover part of treatment (brand's cost page)
Availability
United States, through OrthoFX-authorized dentists and orthodontists (also operates in India via orthofx.in)
United States and United Kingdom through trained dentists (the company says its providers are in over 50 countries, without separating braces from aligners)
Headquarters
Fremont, California, USA
Carrollton, Texas, United States
Spec sources
  1. 1.orthofx.com
  2. 2.prnewswire.com
  3. 3.segoviaorthodonticslakewoodranch.com
  4. 4.smileprep.com
  1. 1.6monthsmiles.com
  2. 2.6monthsmiles.com
  3. 3.6monthsmiles.com
  4. 4.6monthsmiles.com
  5. 5.6monthsmiles.com
  6. 6.6monthsmiles.com
  7. 7.6monthsmiles.com
  8. 8.6monthsmiles.com
  9. 9.6monthsmiles.com
  10. 10.6monthsmiles.com
  11. 11.api.fda.gov
Company
On the market since
2019
2019
Parent company
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)
Xplora USA LLC, doing business as Six Month Smiles, Carrollton, Texas, United States
  • FDA safety
  • Specs
  • Sources
  • Where to get it
    • vs Glidewell Clear Aligners
  • vs Graphy
  • vs Illusion Aligners
  • vs Invisalign
  • vs K Clear
  • vs Motto
  • vs Orthocaps
  • vs OrthoSnap
  • vs Rejove32
  • vs Six Month Smiles (this page)
  • vs Smilers
  • vs Spark
  • vs SureSmile
  • vs uLab
  • vs Whistle

    • All 22 comparisons with Six Month Smiles

    • vs 32Co
    • vs Alineadent
    • vs Angel Aligner
    • vs Clarity Aligners
    • vs ClearCorrect
    • vs ClearPath
    • vs Dandy Clear Aligners
    • vs Glidewell Clear Aligners
    • vs Graphy
    • vs Invisalign
    • vs K Clear
    • vs Motto
    • vs Nuvola
    • vs Orthocaps
    • vs OrthoFX (this page)
    • vs OrthoSnap
    • vs Smartee
    • vs Smilelign
    • vs Smilers
    • vs Spark
    • vs SureSmile
    • vs uLab