Orthodontic treatments such as braces have long been the solution to correct gaps and crooked teeth. The invention of clear aligner therapy, along with the shift toward direct-to-consumer orthodontic treatment, has changed the way patients perceive orthodontic treatment. It’s metal-free and, most of the time can be done without seeing a dentist.
Three of the best at-home clear aligners available in the market now are Byte, NewSmile, and AlignerCo.
How we review and score
Product research
We perform an extensive review of the offer, paying special attention to user experience, claimed results, and affordability.
Review analysis
We analyze all available reviews online ranging from the brands’ own websites to TrustPilot.
An affordable option with refundable impression kits, free HyperByte, and Byte for Life guarantee
75% Off Your Impression Kit + Free Teeth Whitening with your aligners
Affordable at-home treatment with positive reviews offering superior look and comfort
$100 Visa gift card
The cheapest at-home aligners, with monthly plans, no down payment, and considerable discounts, but no app
Labor Day offer – Invisible aligners for just $895
More about our picks
In-Office vs At-home Aligners
In-office orthodontic treatment requires patients to see a dentist or orthodontist to have an orthodontic assessment and frequent dental visits to monitor progress. Some patients still prefer it this way because of the assurance that an expert dentist or orthodontist is in control of the treatment and will be able to identify issues immediately.
Many came to prefer the at-home options during COVID, as, according to a survey by Dusseja et al. in 2020, almost 70.7% of respondents were unwilling to visit dental clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 80.5% of the participants were in favor of teledentistry to resolve their dental problems.
Another strong reason for picking the at-home aligner treatment is its affordability vs. the in-office treatment (for example, Byte aligners can be as cheap as $1,895 while Invisalign and metal braces cost between $3,000 and $8,000).
Best for: Affordability, free HyperByte and teeth whitening kit, lifetime guarantee
Why is it recommended?
Byte Aligners are at-home clear aligner therapy suitable for patients looking at straightening their teeth conveniently in the comforts of their home. It is one of the most affordable options, along with NewSmile and AlignerCO, but already includes a HyperByte device, a teeth whitening kit, and a lifetime guarantee.
PROs
- Get your clear aligners without visiting a dentist or orthodontist.
- You can take impressions of your mouth at home.
- No monthly office visits are required.
- Available in two options: all-day and nighttime aligners.
- Track your progress by checking your doctor-directed treatment plan online via their MyByte App.
- The package includes a HyperByte and Whitening Kit.
- Refund your impression kit purchase if you are not a good candidate for Byte aligners.
- Byte for Life Guarantee
CONs
- Not suitable for patients with severe crowding and bite problems.
- Taking mouth impressions at home might be tricky for some people.
- Slow customer service and response times
Description
To get started with Byte, you will need to take impressions of your upper and lower jaw with the at-home impression kit that will be sent to you. Dentists and orthodontists will then analyze your impressions and, if you are a good candidate, design a personalized treatment plan. You’ll also get a HyperByte and Whitening kit together with your aligners. HyperByte is a high-frequency device that will help speed up your treatment. Once treatment is completed, a set of retainers will be provided to help keep the smile (and alignment) in place.
See also: Is Byte Worth It? – Review of Byte Clear Aligners
How much does it cost?
The Byte All-Day Aligners are $1,999, while the At-Night Aligners cost $2,399. You also need to pay $95 for the Byte Impression Kit, which is refundable if the Byte team determines you’re not a candidate for clear aligners.
Take the 30-second assessment to see if Byte is for you.
Treatment time
Treatment time varies for every case, but according to Byte the average treatment plan is 4 months and relies on how many hours you use your clear aligners daily.
Best for: affordability, free teeth whitening kit and retainers, superior aesthetics
Why is it recommended?
NewSmile, currently operating in the U.S. and Canada, is an at-home clear aligner provider that doesn’t require you to visit a dental office. They are one of the most affordable remote clear aligners you can get for as low as $1,595 (rivaling Byte), which already includes an impression kit, whitening foam, aligners, and a set of retainers.
PROs
- Cheaper pricing and monthly plan cost as compared to Byte, Candid, and Invisalign.
- Free whitening foam and retainers with your aligners package
- You can take impressions of your mouth at home.
- Video call with an Impression Specialist to help you in taking mouth impressions.
- No down payment is required for their monthly plans.
- No monthly office visits are required.
- Available in two options: all-day and nighttime aligners.
- Edges are cut in a scalloped fashion to match your gum line, which offers superior aesthetics and comfort.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- Free, easy online assessment.
- Refer-a-friend Program
CONs
- Not suitable for patients with severe crowding and bite problems.
- Taking mouth impressions at home might be tricky for some people.
- No physical shops where you can go to have your teeth scanned.
Description
NewSmile aims to correct mild spacing or crowding with a set of clear aligners that will move your teeth gradually to their ideal positions. Customers love the aligners’ scalloped edges that mimic the gum line, which makes them more discreet and comfortable for wear all day.
How much does it cost?
You have the option to start your NewSmile journey with the Fast Track option and pay upfront for only $1,595 (all-day aligners) or $1,695 (night aligners) – cheaper than Byte, Candid, and Invisalign. It already includes an impression kit, treatment preview, clear aligners, whitening foam, and retainers.
Take the 30-second assessment to see if NewSmile is for you.
Treatment time
Treatment duration varies in every case, every patient, and whether you’re using all-day or nighttime aligners. On average, NewSmile treatment may take around 4 to 6 months.
Best for: cheapest option, no down payment on the monthly plan
Why is it recommended?
AlignerCo is a popular budget-friendly at-home clear aligner provider. They are cheaper than competitor at-home aligner brands (i.e., Byte, NewSmile) as well as in-office treatments such as braces and Invisalign.
PROs
- Cheapest at-home clear aligner brand.
- Significantly cheaper than braces and in-office clear aligners like Invisalign.
- You can take impressions of your mouth at home.
- No monthly office visits are required.
- Available in two options: all-day and nighttime aligners.
- They offer a monthly plan without a down payment required.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- Free online assessment questionnaire.
CONs
- Not suitable for patients with severe crowding and bite problems.
- They don’t have a monitoring app which could negatively impact in-depth remote monitoring and care.
- To set an appointment with their Smile Studio, you must pay $49.99 – just to get help with impression taking.
Description
You can either have your impression kit delivered to your house or book an appointment at their Smile Studio located in New York for an additional $39.99 to get help with taking mouth impressions. The only drawback of AlignerCo is that they don’t have a remote monitoring app to remind you to change your aligners or submit photos of your case. You will have to take progress photos and send them via email.
See also: ALIGNERCO Review
How much does it cost?
You have two options to get started with your AlignerCo journey: to pay an upfront fee ($895 for All Day aligners or $1,095 for Night Only aligners) or purchase just the impression kit for $49.99, which is deductible from your aligners fee if you ever decide to move forward.
Take the 30-second assessment to see if ALIGNERCO is for you.
Treatment time
Treatment with AlignerCo may take a minimum of 4 months and a maximum of 12 months, depending on the severity of teeth alignment issues, type of aligner (All Day or Night Only), and patient compliance in wearing the aligners at recommended hours daily.
Frequently asked questions
Do invisible aligners actually work?
According to the systemic review done by Mortazavi, M. in 2020, after reviewing 550 articles and 18 studies, clear aligners seem to be a viable alternative to conventional metal braces in correcting mild to moderate malocclusions.
Thousands of reviews from the at-home clear aligner systems mentioned above showed positive feedback from real people of real cases, which further proves the study’s findings.
Are invisible aligners safe?
As with any orthodontic treatment, they are generally safe as long as your case is suitable for the type of clear aligners. They are made from medical-grade plastic and do not contain bisphenol-A, an industrial chemical better known as “BPA.”
Are invisible aligners worth it?
They are definitely worth it for people who want to correct minor teeth alignment issues discreetly and affordably and avoid metal showing when they talk or smile. For many, it is a better choice, cost- and aesthetic-wise.
What are the cheapest invisible aligners?
Of all 5 options reviewed above, AlignerCo is undoubtedly the cheapest of all at-home clear aligners brands. The monthly payment plans are also much shorter, with 6- and 12-month plans, whereas the other brands take 22 to 32 months.
How long does treatment take?
As with any clear aligners, the average treatment time is 4 to 6 months. However, nighttime aligners may take longer than all-day aligners to 12 months. Clear aligners only work on your teeth when you’re wearing them, which is why some orthodontists don’t recommend night aligners.
References:
- Dusseja SH, Rao D, Panwar S, Ameen S. Patients’ views regarding dental concerns and teledentistry during COVID-19 pandemic Int J Sci Healthc Res. (2020) 5:423–9. Available online at: https://ijshr.com/IJSHR_Vol.5_Issue.4_Oct2020/IJSHR_Abstract.0056.html
- Mortazavi,M., et al. An updated systematic review on the effectivity of clear aligner therapy: A review. Journal of Craniomaxillofacial Research. (2020). Available online at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349579223_An_updated_systematic_review_on_the_effectivity_of_clear_aligner_therapy
