Clear teeth aligners are an increasingly popular alternative to traditional metal braces, and there is no shortage of brands available to choose from. While established brand names such as Invisalign might be what initially pops into your head when you think about teeth aligners, there are a variety of different brands to choose from. Read on to find out more about some of the best at-home teeth aligners available- and all the important details about each of them.
What are teeth aligners?
Teeth aligners are clear plastic trays that can gently shift your teeth into their correct positions. They are intended to have the same end results as metal braces: a corrected and straightened smile.
How do aligners work?
Aligners work by putting slight pressure on your teeth, causing them to shift over time. In a typical course of treatment with dental aligners, patients go through multiple sets of aligners. Each set of aligners is slightly different, therefore allowing patients to progress through their treatment plan.
How much are teeth aligners?
The average price for teeth aligners can range from under $1,000 to over $2,000, depending on the brand. This variation in cost stems from several causes, including the quality of care received and the frequency of check-ins from dental professions. Additionally, the quality of the material used in the creation of the aligners can play a role in the final cost of the treatment.
Unfortunately, insurance does not typically cover teeth aligners. Braces tend to be cheaper than more established aligner brands like Invisalign, meaning that insurance companies will prefer to cover braces. Other brands of teeth aligners, including many of those discussed within this article, are newer and therefore insurance companies continue to be wary of them.
Top Teeth Aligners Brands
Looking for the best invisible teeth aligners but not sure where to start? Not sure whether or not you qualify for treatment with clear teeth aligners due to conditions such as root decay? The information below provides all of the important details about several popular teeth aligner brands.
Price
- Overall aligner system: $1,875
- Monthly payment plan with Byte Protection Plan (BPP): $83 per month
- At-night only aligner system: $2,295
- At-night only monthly payment plan with BPP: $99 per month
Average treatment time
3-4 months
Impressions
At-home impression kit
Treatment
Fully remote treatment plan and Monitored by licensed dental professionals
Nighttime option
Yes! Byte offers both an “All-Day” and an “At-Night” option for their aligners.
Pros
- Fully remote: Patients do not need to spend time travelling back and forth to an orthodontist’s office
- A night-only option is available
Cons
- Patients must feel comfortable doing their initial impression kit at home instead of having this step completed by dental professionals
Price
- SmileAdvantage one-time payment: $995
- SmileFlex monthly payment plan: $90 per month for 12 months
- SmileFlex Easy monthly payment plan: $95 per month for 11 months with $275 down payment
- NightAdvantage one-time payment: $1,195
- NightFlex monthly payment plan: $109 per month
- NightFlex Easy monthly payment plan: $95 per month for 11 months with $345 down payment
Average treatment time
6 months (dependent on complexity of the individual case)
Impressions
At-home impression kit, patient takes their own impression and sends it back to AlignerCo
Treatment
Completely remote treatment plan and patients can contact assigned dentist during treatment if questions or any issues arise
Nighttime option
Yes, a nighttime option is available
Pros
- Both daytime and nighttime options are available
- Fully remote treatment plan is convenient and allows patients to avoid commuting to an orthodontist in person
Cons
- Potential for difficulty with at-home impression kit
Average treatment time
6 months
Impressions
Using an at-home impression kit- this allows the process to be fully remote or coming in to one of its in-person studio location to receive a scan.
Treatment
Can be fully remote if the patient decides to go with an at-home impression kit to initiate the process.
Nighttime option
Candid does not currently offer a nighttime treatment plan
Pros
- The ability to receive treatment fully remotely can be convenient for patients- can avoid going to an orthodontist’s office in person
- Option to receive a scan of teeth instead of having to use an at-home impression kit
Cons
- No nighttime only option
Price
- Daytime aligner system: $1,950 one-time payment
- Daytime aligner system monthly payment plan: $89 per month
- Nighttime aligner system: $1,950 one time payment
- Nighttime aligner system: $89 per month
Average treatment time
4 to 6 months
Impressions
In-person scan at one of SmileDirect Club’s SmileShops or using an at-home impression kit that they complete themselves
Treatment
Fully remote if the patient chooses to use an at-home impression kit
Nighttime option
Yes
Pros
- The fully remote treatment plan allows patients to avoid travelling to and from an orthodontist’s office
- There is a nighttime option available
- Option of doing an in-person scan or an at-home impression kit
Cons
- Like with many aligner brands, more complex cases might not be ideal candidates for treatment
- Depending where you are within your wisdom teeth recovery process or other pre-existing dental conditions (such as root decay or missing teeth), you might not be eligible for treatment (this can be applicable to other brands as well)
Best at-home teeth aligners: How can these brands be compared?
With so many options for at home teeth aligners, it can be difficult to keep all of the important details organized in your mind. Check out the chart below to see the key details to keep in mind for each teeth aligner brand discussed.
| Brand | Remote or In-Person? | Average Treatment Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| byte | Remote | 3-4 months | $1,875 |
| AlignerCo | Remote | 6 months | $995 |
| Candid | Combination | 6 months | $2,400 |
| SmileDirectClub | Combination | 4-6 months | $1,950 |
Clear Teeth Aligners vs. Braces
While both are effective forms of orthodontic treatment, clear teeth aligners and braces each have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages. The tables below lay out a quick comparison of each type of orthodontic treatment to make deciding between them an easier and simpler process.
While a remote treatment option is beneficial to patients in terms of convenience, it is important to keep in mind that the remote treatment might not be as comprehensive compared to if the treatment was being done in person. When looking at an aligner brand that claims to offer a remote option, be sure to thoroughly investigate how often a dental professional will be in contact with you.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Do teeth aligners hurt?
While they may cause mild discomfort, teeth aligners should not be painful
Are teeth aligners safe?
Be wary of the speed with which some teeth aligner brands claim to shift teeth, as this is where some brands might become problematic. Generally speaking, reputable brands of teeth aligners are a safe orthodontic treatment option.
What dental conditions can be treated with teeth aligners?
Usually, teeth aligners can be used to treat mild to moderate cases of gap teeth and crowding, as well as some mild bite issues.
How to clean aligners?
There are several different ways that you can clean teeth aligners, and you should always refer to the website of the brand of aligners that you are using to ensure that you choose an appropriate method. Some common methods are using vinegar and water, baking soda and water, or cleaning tablets.
