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10 Best Braces and Invisible Aligners (2024) – Straighten Your Teeth at Home

If you think you need to wear braces for a year or two to have a perfect, beautiful smile, think again. In the past, the only way to straighten your teeth was to spend a year or two in expensive, uncomfortable, and sometimes painful braces. You had to deal with a whole bunch of metal, avoid certain foods, and visit your dentist every month or two to have the wires adjusted.

If you’re a candidate for orthodontic treatment, choosing a direct-to-consumer company can save you money compared to going to a dentist.

By choosing a brand of invisible aligners, you can decide how to get started, how to consult with a dentist, and what kind of extras your kit should include.

In this article, we’ll highlight the best brands of invisible braces. We also answer the most frequently asked questions about aligners and whether they’re a good option for you.

HyperByte is included in your treatment plan, and the company recommends wearing it for five minutes a day during treatment. The device helps position the aligners and can reduce treatment time by up to two months.

Pros

The HyperByte is included in your treatment plan, and the company recommends wearing it for five minutes each day during treatment. The device helps position the guides and can reduce treatment time by up to two months. Pros

Includes HyperByte vibration device
See results in just two months
Over 200 licensed dentists in the network
Cons
Retainers cost over $100 per year
Not available for serious bite problems
Starting price: $1,495 (financing: $104 per month)
Average treatment time: 4-8 months
Insurance accepted. Yes
If you’re looking for invisible orthodontics, 2Usmiles offers some of the most affordable prices in the home aligners industry without compromising on quality.

With 2Usmiles, everything is done remotely, including ordering a print set, purchasing aligners, and monitoring your treatment.

Pros

Cons

On Candid’s website, you can fill out a questionnaire to see if you are a candidate for their referrals and find a local clinic. The clinic will coordinate your scans and process your treatment. You will receive your referrals in the mail and a scan to share your progress virtually with your dentist. The average treatment time is six months. You will need to wear retainers to maintain the results.

Pros

Pros

You can choose between a 20-22 hour wear plan (with results in 4-6 months) or an 8-10 hour night wear plan (with results in 6-8 months).

Pros

Methodology – How We Rate Invisible Braces

Our partner brands are rated on a 9.9 scale based on an algorithm that considers four parameters: consumer engagement, customer feedback, brand reputation, and features and benefits.

When reviewing invisible aligner brands, we look at the features and benefits of each brand, the price-to-quality ratio of each aligner set, and the availability of reliable customer service.

What Are Invisible Braces? (Teeth Aligners)

There are three main categories of braces:

Metal braces

Traditional metal braces are a system of brackets that are attached to each tooth. The brackets are connected by a wire that, when tightened, moves the teeth in the correct direction. Metal braces must be placed and maintained in an orthodontist’s office. Patients usually visit the clinic every four to eight weeks to have their wires adjusted.

Clear braces

These work in the same way as traditional braces, but are made of clear ceramic to match the color of the teeth. Like metal braces, treatment with clear braces requires regular visits to the orthodontist’s clinic.

Teeth aligners

Clear aligners, also known as invisible braces, are a series of clear plastic trays that look like mouth guards. They are placed on the upper and lower teeth to gradually straighten them. While they are not completely invisible, it is often difficult to tell when they are being worn.

Dental aligners vs. metal braces
There are several aspects to consider when deciding between traditional braces (made of clear or metal materials) and aligners.

Aesthetics. Because aligners are difficult to see, they are an attractive option for those looking for subtle corrections.

Cost. The cost of traditional braces varies by region and the severity of the correction needed, but is typically around $5,000-$6,000. Treatment with dental aligners can cost as little as $895 for a fully remote-controlled option like AlignerCo, or up to $5,000 in some areas for a clinic-based option like Candid.
Strict degree. Invisible aligners are ideal for many mild to moderate corrections. However, if you have serious orthodontic problems, you should see a doctor for a referral to use traditional metal or clear braces.
Comfort: Many people find that aligners are more comfortable because they can be removed for eating and brushing. Traditional braces require regular visits to the clinic for adjustments and maintenance, usually every 4-8 weeks.
Adhesion: The comfort of removable dental aligners can also be detrimental. Adhesion problems can affect both adolescents and adults.

How Do Teeth Aligners Work?

Straightening your teeth with clear aligners is relatively quick, taking an average of four to six months. To get started, you’ll need to decide whether you’d prefer a completely remote service or a company that combines virtual and in-person care. A few companies offer a 100% remote option, while a few require visits to a local office. Most websites offer a screening process to determine if you’re a candidate for their product before you can purchase a full service or an impression kit.

Aligners: DIY Home Kits
Most of the companies we reviewed offer a home impression kit to get you started on your treatment. Some companies, like AlignerCo, only offer this option.

The impression kit includes a tray and a putty-like material to fill it with. You’ll need to bite down gently on the tray. The paste hardens when you remove it from your mouth. You’ll then send the mold to an orthodontic company so they can make your aligners. Most companies offer clear instructions, online videos, and customer service to guide you through the impression process.

Clear Braces: Scans and In-Person Treatments
A few companies also offer the option of visiting a clinic to get a 3D scan of your teeth instead of a dental impression. SmileDirectClub and Strayt offer both options, while Candid only offers an in-person visit. With a 3D scan, a dental hygienist takes an image using a unique software program that maps the position of your teeth.

Whether you choose to have at-home molds or have an in-clinic scan, you’ll have to wait a few weeks to receive your custom-made dental aligners. You’ll wear each pair of aligners for a set period of time, usually two.

With most companies, you can choose to wear your retainers for 8-10 hours a day for faster healing, or 8-10 hours a night for longer healing. Over the course of your series of aligners, your teeth will move closer to their ideal position.

Many companies include an initial set of retainers in your treatment package. You should maintain your retainers and replace them every six months to keep your teeth aligned and maintain the company’s money-back guarantee.

Invisible Braces Cost and Treatment Time
Are Invisible Braces Right for You?
Retainers are used in a variety of situations, and a professional orthodontist will be trained to assess your situation and determine if you are a good candidate for this type of procedure. Some of the most common dental problems corrected with dental aligners include:

Overcrowding
Widely spaced teeth
Overcrowding
Crossbite
Mild relapse after previous orthodontic treatment
Simple bite irregularities
For more complex cases and serious dental irregularities, you should opt for traditional braces.

Most of the companies we reviewed offer online questionnaires to find out if their products are right for you. You can also contact the company through their website or call them to discuss your needs and concerns.

Sometimes, the doctors at the aligner company will review your impressions or 3D scans and determine that you are not a good candidate for correction with their product. In most of these cases, you can get a refund for the money you have paid so far.

Do invisible braces work faster?
The length of treatment with any orthodontic solution varies greatly depending on the needs of each patient. In general, faster results can be achieved with aligners than with traditional braces.

Metal or clear braces: The average treatment time is 1 to 2 years.
Dental aligners: The average treatment time is 4 to 8 months.
With invisible aligners, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Not using them as directed will result in a longer treatment time.
Maintaining and cleaning invisible aligners
It is important to properly care for your aligners so that they do not deteriorate or cause bad breath or other problems. Each company provides instructions on how to care for their aligners. This usually involves soaking them briefly in a cleaning solution such as vinegar, soap, or baking soda, and rinsing them thoroughly. Several companies sell special devices for cleaning and disinfecting grinders.

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