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Byte® is a brand of at-home clear aligners. Aligners are a removable, convenient, and transparent alternative to traditional metal braces.
Byte was founded in 2017 and began operations in the U.S. in 2019. They expanded their operations to Australia in 2020.
Your Byte treatment is monitored 100% remotely by a state-licensed dentist or orthodontist. Unlike Invisalign treatment, you’ll never visit an orthodontist's office.
Byte aligners are barely visible when in your mouth. They can be removed at any time, making it easier to eat and brush your teeth.
Byte is known for its fast treatment time. Every customer receives a HyperByte® device with their aligners. This dental movement acceleration device can reduce treatment time by approximately 50 percent.
*NewMouth Disclaimer: There is no scientific proof pointing to the safety and effectiveness of moving teeth quickly. Successful orthodontics requires precise tooth movement.
Are byte aligners right for you? Compare the pros and cons:
You can get started with Byte in a few simple steps:
The first step is to order an impression kit on Byte's website.
The kit should arrive within a week. Once you receive it, take the teeth impressions using the impression tray, smile stretcher, and putty.
The impressions should be sent back to Byte within 3 days of receiving the kit. They include a free return shipping box.
If Byte doesn’t accept you as a candidate, they’ll refund you for the impression kit. If you are a candidate, there is no obligation to buy aligners.
After you send in your impressions, a state-licensed dentist or orthodontist will use Byte’s SmileScience system to create your customized treatment plan.
After you approve the 3D treatment plan, Byte will deliver all of the aligners straight to your door. This will take five to seven weeks. They’ll also include step-by-step instructions.
The aligners will move your teeth a little at a time. You’ll wear one set of aligners for one to two weeks, then throw them out and use the next pair. This cycle continues until your new smile is achieved.
You’ll also receive the HyperByte®, a dental movement acceleration device. This device claims to straighten teeth faster than other aligners with HFV (high-frequency vibration).
You only have to use the device for 5 minutes each day (10 minutes per day for night aligners).
*NewMouth Disclaimer: Although 'quick treatment' may sound convenient, we are concerned about the safety of this teeth-straightening method. Orthodontic treatment requires precise tooth movement. Moving teeth too fast increases the risk for future bite problems. Learn more here.
If you're going to be wearing aligners for 20+ hours a day, why not whiten your teeth as well?
Byte includes a BrightByte system with every treatment plan. It is a 3-in-1 foam cleanser, whitener, and breath freshener.
To use the BrightByte whitening treatment, follow these steps:
After treatment, you will receive a custom-made retainer to keep your teeth in place.
Your first set of retainers is included in the total treatment cost. The retainers are made for comfortable overnight wear. They also include a teeth whitening foam (BrightByte) and carrying case.
Byte treatment typically takes 3 to 6 months if you use the HyperByte device every day.
Braces can take up to 24 months to straighten your teeth. Invisalign takes between 12 and 18 months.
Byte also recommends that you send in photo updates at least once per month. How long you wear each set of aligners depends on your unique treatment plan.
The treatment length will vary depending on the type of Byte aligner you choose:
If your new smile moves out of alignment during treatment, Byte will help get it back for free.
NewMouth recommends Byte's All-Day Aligners over the At-Night Aligners for safety reasons (learn why here).
All-Day Aligners cost $2,749. These aligners must be worn for 22+ hours a day.
At-Night Aligners cost $3,399. These aligners only need to be worn for 10 hours a night. Treatment usually takes longer.
Although night aligners may be convenient, NewMouth recommends the All-Day aligners. Many oral health experts are concerned about At-Night Aligners’ safety and effectiveness.
In fact, there is no scientific proof that night aligners are safe. They may actually do more harm to your teeth than good.9
There are also concerns about what could go wrong if aligners are worn for less than 20 to 22 hours per day.9, 10
Every hour that you are not wearing your aligners increases the chances of your teeth shifting in an undesired direction.9, 10
Without a longer and more consistent wear schedule, your teeth can be left in a state of inflammation. This means your teeth and gums take longer to heal, or they might not heal.9
Night aligner treatment is less predictable. You may also experience:
Clear aligners have been around for more than 20 years. At-home clear aligner treatment is safer and more effective than ever. This is due to advancements in 3D modeling, video conferencing technology, and digital cameras.
However, not everyone is eligible for clear aligners.
For example, if you have:
Like any orthodontic treatment, at-home aligner treatment comes with risks. However, current research shows that risks are low if you only need mild to moderate corrections.
It is essential to follow your dentist’s instructions very carefully throughout the treatment. That will minimize risks and keep your mouth safe.
According to one study:
At-home aligner treatment is still relatively new, so research is still being done on the risks and benefits of treatment.
But overall, most patients are satisfied with the results and prefer these aligners over traditional treatment due to cost and convenience.8
Keep in mind that direct-to-consumer clear aligners are monitored remotely. There is a slightly higher risk for complications to occur. Orthodontic treatment is less predictable without in-person office visits.
Invisalign is the most well-known clear aligner brand around the world. Invisalign treatment takes place 100% in-office. You’ll have to go to regular appointments every four to six weeks.
With in-office treatment, you’ll receive a higher standard of care. However, this also means the aligners will be more expensive than at-home options.
With Byte, a licensed dentist or orthodontist tracks your progress via virtual scans. These appointments are completely remote and flexible. You will never visit a specialist in person.
In-office aligners like Invisalign are recommended for patients who have complex cases of teeth misalignment. Byte is only recommended for minor to moderate cases.
Invisalign typically costs anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000. This does not include the cost of the retainers that keep your teeth straight after treatment. Byte costs significantly less (under $3,400).
Wondersmile is a relatively new Australian-based remote aligner company.
They are making a name for themselves by offering:
Byte only offers mail-in impression kits. With Wondersmile, you can order an impression kit online or visit a studio for a 3D scan. They have over 20 studio locations in Australia.
After receiving your impressions or scans, a Wondersmile orthodontist will determine if you are eligible or not. If you’re eligible, they will create a customized treatment plan.
They’ll send a 3D model of how your teeth will move, along with a personalized walk-through of your treatment plan.
If your teeth shift post-treatment, they have a guarantee that covers the teeth initially involved in your Wondersmile treatment plan. (You'll have to show that you have been wearing your retainers as recommended).
Cost of Wondersmile All-Day Aligners: $2,690
Cost of Wondersmile NightClear Aligners: $2,760
Cost of Byte's All-Day Aligners: $2,749
Cost of Byte's At-Night Aligners: $3,399
EZ Smile has more affordable prices than most other competitors. They also have several payment plans to make their aligners easier to afford.
EZ Smile has over 10 locations in Australia and New Zealand and is planning to add more. You can visit one of these locations to get a 3D scan or order mail-in aligner impressions.
EZ Smile also has a 90-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with your progress.
Cost of EZ Smile Aligners: $2,149
Cost of Byte's All-Day Aligners: $2,749
SmileDirectClub, founded in 2013, is the oldest and most well-known home aligner company. They’ve treated over 1 million and expanded their services to Australia in 2019.
Byte only offers mail-in impression kits. SmileDirectClub offers a mail-in option or you can visit a SmileShop for free 3D images and a consultation.
There are currently have SmileShop locations in:
Cost of SmileDirectClub Regular Aligners: $2,825
Cost of SmileDirectClub Nighttime Aligners: $2,825
Cost of Byte's All-Day Aligners: $2,749
Cost of Byte's At-Night Aligners: $3,399
SmilePath is the most affordable aligner company in our list. The only way to begin treatment is by ordering an impression kit online.
Once SmilePath receives your impressions, a custom treatment plan is made. Treatment typically takes less than 6 months.
But they don’t offer detailed remote monitoring. Your treatment may not be overseen by a licensed orthodontist.
While more expensive, we recommend the other options mentioned in this article because they provide more comprehensive care. SmilePath may be a good option if you need very minor corrections.
Cost of SmilePath: $1,899
Cost of Byte: $2,749
Byte offers several payment options.
All-Day Aligner payment plans:
At-Night Aligner payment plans:
The Byte protection plan covers:
The Byte Protection Plan is a non-refundable warranty on Byte treatment.
At-home aligners like Byte are monitored remotely. This means you never have to visit an orthodontist for progress scans throughout the treatment process.
Rating by Alyssa Hill
Byte stands out in the at-home aligner industry because of its quick treatment time. This is made possible with the HyperByte — Byte’s very own HFV device that’s included in every treatment plan.
HFV stands for high-frequency vibrations. It uses soft micro pulses that transmit through the roots of teeth to the surrounding bone. The gentle vibration has been shown to reduce discomfort and help set the aligners. This results in quicker tooth movement and faster treatment times.
Disclaimer: Read our article comparing the positives and negatives of the HyperByte and similar vibration-based aligner therapies. We also talk about the risks of moving teeth too fast.
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