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Dentistry
General
Malocclusion
Cosmetic
Braces are a great way to straighten permanent teeth in older children, teens, and adults.
Dental crowding and bite issues are the most obvious during the teenage years. If left untreated, teeth misalignment will get worse with age.
The most common age to get braces is between 10 and 14 years old. All permanent teeth have grown in by then, but the jaw is still not fully developed. This makes it possible to fix complex issues with headgear, palate expanders, or space maintainers.
Older teens and adults are also candidates for braces. But they are typically not candidates for other devices like headgear because the jaw fully develops by age 16 to 20.
Clear aligners (a removable and invisible alternative to braces) are often the better option for adults.
It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons to determine if braces are right for you.
Summary
Braces can vary with age because some children in transitional dentition need early orthodontics. These devices enhance your smile, boost your confidence, and improve your oral health. But they are not suitable for everyone and can be expensive.
The four most common types of braces include:
Summary
There are four types of braces to choose from, including traditional, clear, lingual, and Invisalign. Traditional braces are the most visible, while clear and lingual braces are more discreet (but pricier). Invisalign is a brand of invisible aligners that costs about the same as metal braces.
In many cases, patients are hesitant about getting braces because of the cost and inconvenience (especially adults). However, there are ways to pay for braces without going over budget:
Smile for a Lifetime and Smiles Change Lives are nonprofit organizations that offer affordable braces to low-income families. Depending on where you live and your treatment case, the braces may be fully covered. In most cases, though, you’ll end up paying up to $500 out-of-pocket.
Some low-income families and individuals qualify for Medicaid, state-sponsored insurance programs, or the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP).
Some states cover children up to 18, while others cover them up to age 21. In addition, your child must have an orthodontic condition that is considered “medically necessary.”
Dental discount plans, also called dental savings plans, work like a club membership. You’ll pay an annual fee and save on oral care services (including braces) throughout the year.
After signing up, you’ll gain access to a nationwide network of dentists that offer 10 to 60 percent savings on preventive and restorative treatments.
Discount dental plans do not require time-consuming paperwork or claim filing. There are also no pre-existing condition restrictions.
DentalPlans offers cost-effective dental discount plans from more than 30 of the most trusted insurance companies in the U.S., including Aetna and Cigna. They are also accepted by more than 140,000 dentists and orthodontists across the country.
Summary
Braces can be expensive. Fortunately, there are ways to find low-cost braces and alternatives. Braces discount programs (nonprofits), Medicaid, CHIP, state-sponsored insurance programs, and dental savings plans (like DentalPlans) are a few options.
Braces consist of metal brackets and wires, which are visible and cannot be removed. If you are looking for a more discreet teeth straightening option, at-home aligners could be a good fit.
Aligners are a nearly invisible and removable alternative to braces designed around convenience and comfort. They can be removed at any time for cleaning, eating, and brushing.
Aligner trays are made of clear, BPA-free, medical-grade plastic. They are molded to the shape of your teeth and gradually move them into the correct position.
Each custom-made aligner is worn for about two weeks at a time (22+ hours a day). The length of treatment depends on your plan and the severity of misalignment.
At-home aligner treatment is monitored 100% remotely, which means you will not visit an orthodontist for in-person checkups. Instead, you will send in progress photos through an app to ensure your teeth are moving safely and accurately.
Our order of aligner recommendations recently changed in 2022.
Byte is now our top recommendation for convenient, at-home teeth straightening. The aligners are affordable and don’t require any in-office visits. We recommend them if you have mild teeth misalignment.
Candid is our top recommendation for ‘hybrid’ aligner treatment. The aligners are pricier and you must visit a provider to begin treatment. We recommend them if you have mild to severe teeth misalignment. Treatment is more comprehensive.
Here are the four cheapest at-home aligner brands that cost thousands less than braces:
Byte is a popular brand that stands out in the at-home aligner industry for its strong customer support and fast treatment times (4 to 6 months).
Byte aligners can straighten teeth in under 6 months (most cases) with consistent HyperByte use, according to Byte. This is a unique acceleration device that safely moves teeth faster with HFV (high-frequency vibration). Read our article comparing the positives and negatives of the HyperByte and similar vibration-based aligner therapies.
Byte's All-Day Aligners can straighten teeth in 4 months, while the At-Night Aligners straighten teeth in about 6 months (while you sleep).
We do not recommend night aligners because there is no scientific proof that they are safe.
Byte aligners cost between $1,895 and $2,245.
Read our full review of byte here.
Candid treatment costs $3,300. This price may change depending on factors like your provider and level of malocclusion.
Candid is a popular at-home aligner brand that is somewhat of a hybrid option for those who want some of the convenience of at-home teeth-straightening without sacrificing the quality of care.
Candid places patient satisfaction at the forefront. The brand also does not sacrifice clinical oversight over quick results. This means you'll receive high-quality care at a very affordable price.
Every Candid treatment plan is overseen by a highly qualified orthodontist. The onboarding and remote monitoring process are more detailed than other remote aligner brands.
Candid doesn’t have a ‘night aligner’ option and treatment tends to take longer than other brands. This is because there is no proof that night aligners are effective; they may actually do more harm to your teeth than good.
According to Stephen Belli, a board-certified orthodontist who has treated over 15,000 patients, “if you move a tooth too fast, you can actually cause damage to the bone and gums. And if you don’t put the tooth in the right position, you could throw off your bite, leading to additional damage and wear on the teeth.” (Washington Post).
In addition, Candid treatment is monitored remotely (except for a final in-office visit at the end of treatment) through the CandidApp. This app is a complete ‘teledentistry service’ that allows you to connect to a Candid orthodontist at any time.
Read our full review of Candid here.
NewSmile is a newer brand of aligners that take between 4 and 10 months to straighten teeth.
They are also the only brand that offers a video call service with an impression specialist.
NewSmile aligners do not touch your gums. The trays are trimmed to sit along your gum line in a ‘scalloped fashion.’ This design results in less irritation and makes the aligners even more invisible.
NewSmile aligners cost between $1,195 and $1,295.
We do not recommend night aligners because there is no scientific proof that they are safe.
Read our full review of NewSmile here.
ALIGNERCO is one of the most affordable at-home aligners on the market. The aligners cost between $1,145 and $1,345, which is up to $1,000 cheaper than leading competitors.
ALIGNERCO is typically a great option if you are on a budget, only have minor teeth misalignment, and do not require hands-on care.
We do not recommend night aligners because there is no scientific proof that they are safe.
Read our full review of ALIGNERCO here.
To determine whether braces or at-home aligners are right for you, read the comparisons below:
Traditional braces can fix complex orthodontic issues like overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites. This is because braces can move teeth individually, while aligners move all of your teeth at once.
At-home aligners are only recommended for minor cases of teeth misalignment. In some cases, moderate misalignment issues may qualify.
Candid is the only at-home aligner brand that can treat more complex bite issues.
At-home aligners require consistency. They must be worn for 22+ hours a day and can be removed at any time. Because of this, remote aligners are only recommended for older teens and adults.
Braces are fixed to your teeth, so they cannot be removed. Many children also require add-on treatments like headgear and palate expanders. These treatments are not possible with at-home aligners or Invisalign.
At-home aligners cost between $1,145 and $2,300. Braces, including Invisalign, cost between $3,000 and $10,000. Braces may be the only option in many cases (especially if you have severe misalignment issues).
With braces, you have to visit your orthodontist for an initial consultation. After the braces are fixed to your teeth, you’ll see them every few weeks to check progress and adjust the brackets.
With at-home aligners, treatment is 100% remote. You’ll order a kit online, take the impressions yourself, and then send them back.
If you’re a candidate, the company will create your aligners and send them back to you all at once. You’ll send in progress photos/videos via an app throughout treatment.
Since at-home aligners are removable, they can be taken out at any time for eating, drinking, and brushing. However, you have to brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in. This ensures the aligners stay clean and plaque-free.
Braces are difficult to clean between and require special flossing tools. This can be inconvenient for many people.
Summary
Traditional braces are more expensive than at-home aligners (but treatment is more intensive and accurate). At-home aligners are cheaper and more convenient (but treatment is not monitored as closely).
Remote aligners can treat minor/moderate bite issues. Braces can fix complex orthodontic problems. Candid aligners are the only exception.
Braces are expensive because treatment is monitored closely by an orthodontist. Treatment also takes longer than other orthodontic services. In addition, many patients require add-on treatments like spacers and headgear, which can raise the cost significantly.
The minimum cost of traditional braces is $3,000.
Yes. Many orthodontists allow patients to pay with a payment plan. Speak with your provider for more details.
Some patients are eligible for free braces through Medicaid or nonprofit programs.
Braces take between 12 and 24 months. Aligners take between 3 and 24 months, depending on the brand.
Only minor to moderate teeth misalignment cases are eligible for at-home aligners. If you have severe bite issues, braces or Invisalign will be necessary.
Candid is the only brand of at-home aligners that can treat more complex bite issues. Invisalign can also treat complex issues with the use of 'buttons.'
NewSmile is the cheapest teeth aligner available (under $1,300). However, treatment is not monitored closely, so you get what you pay for.
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What’s Next?
The most popular at-home clear aligner kits can be found right here:
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