Candid Vs. Byte Clear Aligners: Your Guide to the Best Smile Journey

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect clear aligner solution, you probably come across Byte and Candid. But how do you decide which one’s the best fit for your dental goals? 

In this article, we’re taking a closer look at these two popular choices in the world of orthodontics. We’ll compare their treatment plans, technologies, costs, and more to give you a clear picture of what they offer. From the comfort of Byte’s entirely remote process to the personalized touch of Candid’s hybrid approach, we’re here to help you sift through the details.

What is Candid

Founded in 2017, Candid established itself as a leading direct-to-consumer clear aligner brand. They served nearly 100,000 patients in their first 5 years through an e-commerce model and retail locations. However, in 2021, Candid introduced CandidPro – aligners distributed exclusively through dental professionals. This shifted their business focus completely to in-office aligner services by 2022.

The CandidPro aligners themselves are constructed using medical-grade BPA-free plastic approved by the FDA. Each custom aligner slowly shifts the patient’s teeth over time toward the final alignment in their personalized treatment plan.

A key differentiation of CandidPro is the convenience and remote oversight it provides. After the initial in-office consultation, patients can conduct check-ups and share updates from home through Candid’s app and CandidMonitoringTM system. This AI-powered platform tracks scan and hygiene compliance, reducing the need for frequent office visits.

Who Is A Good Candidate for Candid

CandidPro aligners are well-suited for adults and teens with mild to moderate tooth alignment issues. Typically, CandidPro works best for patients experiencing crowding, spacing, overlapped teeth, or teeth sticking out. They are not suitable for more severe cases, including underbites, overbites, or severely crooked teeth.

PROs and CONs of Candid

Let’s explore the pros and cons of undergoing Candid treatment.

PROs of Candid

• Convenience: CandidPro offers a hybrid of in-office and at-home orthodontic treatment, reducing the need for frequent office visits. Remote monitoring through CandidMonitoring™ and the CandidApp allows for check-ups from home, reducing the necessity of regular in-office visits while providing patients with peace of mind that they can always schedule an in-person visit if needed.
• Online Treatment Monitoring: The CandidMonitoring™ System employs advanced AI technology to enhance treatment management. Patients benefit from the tools used in CandidPro’s approach, as they only need to visit the orthodontist’s office when problems arise.
• Treatment Only by Orthodontists: CandidPro exclusively utilizes orthodontists, ensuring specialized care quality. The orthodontist involved in the treatment planning also tracks progress through Candid’s app.
• Teeth Whitening: CandidPro collaborates with Philips Sonicare, offering Philips Zoom Whitening as part of its orthodontic treatment.
• Patent-Pending CandidRx Tooth Movement Methodology: This method aligns teeth by moving them backward and outward, avoiding the need for interproximal reduction. According to Candid, it offers a more efficient and less invasive alternative for orthodontic treatment.

CONs of Candid

• Higher Price Point: CandidPro is more expensive than at-home clear aligner brands like Byte.
• Not Suitable for All Cases: CandidPro may not be effective for more complex orthodontic issues, like underbite and overbite.
• Age Restrictions: CandidPro aligners are suitable only for teens and adults.
• No Extra Tools: Candid does not offer any specific devices designed to assist in fitting aligners or accelerate the treatment process.

See also: Full Review of CandidPro

How Candid Works

Candid Pro aligner treatment starts with an orthodontist consultation to assess suitability. Once confirmed, a teeth scan is sent to Candid Pro, where advanced computing technology plans out the needed tooth movements. These movements are then divided into steps, each with its own set of aligners.

You’ll receive the entire set of aligners and the CandidMonitoring™ tool (ScanBox Pro) for progress tracking via detailed images taken with your smartphone. You’ll wear each aligner for at least 22 hours a day for about two weeks, regularly sending progress photos to your orthodontist and Candid Pro using ScanBox Pro. Based on your progress, you’ll move to the next aligner at the appropriate time.

Your treatment is concluded after completing all steps, which should result in a straighter smile. The final set of aligners doubles as your first set of retainers to maintain your new smile, recommended to be replaced every 6 months.

What is Byte

Byte is a direct-to-consumer clear aligner system that brings the convenience of teeth straightening to your doorstep. Launched in 2019 and later acquired by oral care leader Dentsply Sirona in 2021, Byte was founded to provide an affordable and accessible alternative to traditional braces.

Their custom-fit aligners are constructed from BPA-free medical-grade polymer. Treatment is supervised remotely by licensed orthodontists who approve initial plans and monitor progress through Byte’s telehealth platform.

Byte also offers supplementary devices like HyperByte pulse technology to speed up the therapy process. Moreover, they provide warranty protections for post-treatment retention needs through their Byte for Life program, ensuring lasting smiles.

See also: Is Byte Worth It? – Review of Byte Clear Aligners

Who Is A Good Candidate for Byte

Byte Aligners are suitable for individuals aged 12 and older, provided they have all their permanent teeth. For those under 18, parental consent is required. 

Byte aligners are effective for minor to moderate dental issues like spacing, crowding, or slightly crooked teeth, though they are not typically used for moving molars. For more significant dental concerns like pronounced overbites, underbites, or crossbites, Byte Aligners may not be the ideal solution.

PROs and CONs of Byte

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of undergoing Byte treatment.

PROs of Byte

• Industry-Leading Support: Byte benefits from the expertise and industry backing of Dentsply Sirona, alongside SureSmile aligners.
• Doctor-Directed, At-Home Convenience: It combines professional orthodontic guidance with the convenience of at-home treatment.
• No In-Office Dental Visits: Byte eliminates the need for regular office visits, providing a hassle-free experience.
• Easy At-Home Impressions: The process allows for taking dental impressions in the comfort of your home.
• Online Treatment Monitoring: Byte provides an online platform for patients to track their treatment progress according to the plan set by their orthodontist.
• Whitening Advantage: Included with Byte aligners, BrightByte Whitening and Cleaning Foam allows for simultaneous teeth whitening and aligner cleaning.
• HyperByte Technology: According to Byte, this proprietary device lessens orthodontic discomfort and can accelerate treatment duration by up to 4 months.
• Comprehensive Post-Treatment Guarantee: The Byte for Life Guarantee provides peace of mind, offering additional treatments, including impression kits, new aligners, and treatment plans at no extra cost if alignment issues occur after treatment.

CONs of Byte

• Inability to Correct Complex Issues: Byte may not fully address complex dental issues like severe overbites, underbites, or open bites.
• Challenges with DIY Impressions: Some users may struggle with accurate at-home impressions.
• Age Restrictions: Byte aligners are not suitable for children under 11 years old.
• Customer Service Concerns: Some users have reported slow response times from Byte’s customer service, potentially impacting the overall treatment experience.

How Byte Works

First, patients receive an at-home dental impression kit from Byte. They use this kit to make molds of their teeth, which capture their unique tooth anatomy and alignment. Byte then has affiliated orthodontists assess the impressions and dental history to determine candidacy for treatment. If aligners are appropriate, the orthodontist creates a tailored treatment plan.

Next, using the patient’s information, Byte generates 3D renderings projecting how their smile could look post-treatment. This digital preview lets patients visualize the possible esthetic improvements before committing. If the patient approves, Byte manufactures a complete set of custom sequential aligners based on the intended incremental tooth movements.

The aligner series then gets shipped to the patient to begin treatment. The patient wears the aligners for 22 hours per day, switching to the next set every week over the approximate 4-6 month regimen. Byte’s app enables patients to digitally track progress and communicate with their monitoring dentists throughout their treatment.

Finally, once the prescribed aligner sequence concludes, Byte provides custom retainers. The retainers help prevent teeth from shifting back.

Candid vs Byte – Main Differences

Effectiveness

Both Byte and CandidPro aligners provide removable tray-based treatment for adults and teens needing minor to mid-range tooth straightening. Neither can fully correct more serious alignment or structural bite conditions compared to braces or surgery. However, both suffice for slight-to-moderate smile imperfections related to small gaps, overlaps or slightly crooked fronts.

Treatment Process

Byte and CandidPro provide clear aligner treatments with distinct approaches. Byte is a fully remote, direct-to-consumer service that includes unique devices like HyperByte for discomfort reduction and accelerated treatment, and BrightByte for teeth whitening. The treatment plan is managed remotely by licensed professionals and progress is tracked via the MyByte App.

CandidPro, on the other hand, offers a hybrid treatment model combining initial in-office consultations with remote monitoring using advanced AI technology. This treatment is exclusively provided through orthodontists, ensuring specialized care. CandidPro includes Philips Zoom Whitening in its treatment package and uses the CandidMonitoring™ System for progress tracking.

See also: Invisalign vs. Byte: Choosing the Right Treatment

Price

Byte offers two types of aligner systems: the All-Day Aligner System priced at $1,999 and the At-Night Aligner System at $2,399. Both options include the HyperByte teeth movement accelerator and the BrightByte teeth whitener. Additionally, there’s a $95 fee for the Byte Impression Kit, which can be reduced to $29.95 with a promotional link. For those preferring to pay over time, Byte offers monthly payment plans: $74 per month for 36 months for the all-day aligners, and $88 per month for 36 months for the at-night aligners. 

In contrast, the cost of CandidPro aligners is not fixed and varies significantly depending on individual cases, determined by the orthodontist at the initial screening. This pricing model is similar to that of Invisalign. The cost can vary considerably, with some customers reporting spending between $3,500 to $5,000 on Candid aligners. Payment options for CandidPro are dependent on the dental provider, with some offering monthly plans and others requiring upfront payments.

Treatment Time

The treatment times for Byte and Candid differ, largely due to the nature of the dental issues and their treatment methodologies.

Candid typically offers a longer treatment duration, averaging around 8.5 to 10 months, influenced by factors like the severity of alignment issues and daily wear time. Byte, in contrast, presents a shorter average treatment plan of 3-4 months, although this can vary based on daily usage hours, with longer times noted for at-night aligners and less frequent wear.

Candid vs. Byte: Choosing the Right Treatment

When deciding between Byte and Candid for clear aligners, each offers a unique approach. Byte is all about convenience and efficiency, providing a fully remote treatment experience. This is great if you’re looking for a straightforward, at-home process. They use innovative tools like HyperByte to potentially speed up treatment and BrightByte for teeth whitening, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a quick and hassle-free path to a better smile.

Candid offers a hybrid model, combining an initial in-person orthodontist consultation with the ease of remote check-ins. This approach is ideal if you prefer starting with a direct professional assessment followed by the convenience of monitoring your progress from home. Candid’s treatments are exclusively handled by orthodontists, offering a level of specialized care, and they incorporate advanced AI technology for tracking treatment progress.

In summary, Byte is well-suited for those prioritizing speed and convenience in their treatment, while Candid is a good fit if you value a blend of professional in-office consultation and remote treatment monitoring. Both paths aim to provide effective teeth straightening, just with different approaches to care and convenience.

Sources

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Olsen, J., Comparison of Patient Factors Influencing the Selection of an Orthodontist, General Dentist, or Direct-To-Consumer Aligners for Orthodontic Treatment. Virginia Commonwealth University. (2019). Available online at: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6855&context=etd

Wexler, A. et al. Direct-to-Consumer Orthodontics: Surveying the User Experience. J Am Dent Assoc. 2020 Aug; 151(8): 625–636.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2020.02.025. Available online at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7391059/

Wexler, A., Nagappan, A., Beswerchij, A., Choi, R., Direct-to-consumer orthodontics: surveying the user experience, J Am Dent Assoc. 2020. DOI: 10.1016/j.adaj.2020.02.025. Available online at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32718492/