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Clear braces are clear and removable alternatives to traditional braces. They’re also called clear aligners, invisible aligners, or invisible braces.
Invisible braces work by moving your teeth, straightening them in small increments for a better and more confident smile. Although they’re typically more expensive than conventional metal braces, they come with a few benefits
| Pros of Clear Aligners | Cons of Clear Aligners |
| Virtually invisible, with no metal brackets or wires | Easy to misplace |
| Convenient, easy to clean, and removable | Can only correct mild to moderate cases of teeth misalignment |
| Easier to floss your teeth than with braces | A lisp can develop when the aligners are in your mouth |
| Completely remote orthodontic treatment | |
| In-office visits are not necessary for at-home aligners | |
| Impression kit refunds to ineligible candidates | |
| Payment plans available | |
| No diet restrictions are necessary | |
| Quicker treatment time than braces | |
| Cheaper than braces |
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The Best Invisible Aligners:
Other Brands:
Clear braces cost anywhere between $1,000 and $8,500. Different braces (metal, ceramic, or lingual) can cost between $3,000 to $10,000.
At-home aligners are less expensive than in-office aligners and the different types of braces. However, not everyone is a candidate for aligner treatment.
Suppose you have a severe case of teeth and/or jaw misalignment. In that case, you may be better suited for:
Clear aligners can save you thousands of dollars compared to braces. Learn about clear aligners.
Many dental insurance plans offer coverage for orthodontics, including braces or clear aligners. This can drastically reduce the overall treatment cost.
However, your coverage may depend on the following:
If you want to know if your dental insurance plan covers clear aligners, contact your insurance provider.
You can use a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to help pay for clear aligners. However, there are limits on what types of medical care are covered.
As long as your treatment is essential to your health, it’s covered. If the treatment is cosmetic, it isn’t.
There are two different types of clear braces available:
You can only get in-office aligners by visiting an orthodontist. Brands include Invisalign and ClearCorrect. The treatment process will be monitored more closely than at-home clear aligner treatment.
Byte, SmileDirectClub, and ALIGNERCO are popular examples of at-home clear aligners. They are only recommended for minor to moderate cases of teeth misalignment. At-home aligners won’t be recommended if you have more severe misalignment or a bite problem (malocclusion), such as an overbite or underbite.
We recommend at-home clear aligners if you have mild teeth misalignment. View our top recommendations.
Read below to compare the costs of five top aligner brands:
Invisalign aligners cost between $3,000 and $8,000. Some dental insurance plans cover up to $3,500 of the cost of treatment. Payment plans are also available.
Invisalign is the most popular in-office clear aligner. Treatment is monitored in person by a licensed dentist or orthodontist.
Talk with your orthodontist to determine whether Invisalign is your best option. In some cases, traditional metal or ceramic braces may be more effective.
Byte's All-Day Aligners cost $1,999. You can also choose a payment plan, which costs $70/month for 36 months with a $249 deposit.
Byte only works with licensed and experienced dentists and orthodontists, ensuring you receive high-quality remote treatment. Byte also only accepts patients with minor cases of teeth misalignment. You have to be a good candidate for teledentistry appointments.
They also provide each patient with a HyperByte device, which Byte claims can speed up the treatment for some patients. Read our article comparing the positives and negatives of the HyperByte and similar vibration-based aligner therapies.
Byte's At-Night Aligners cost $2,399. The payment plan costs $84/month for 36 months with a $299 deposit. NewMouth does not recommend night aligners because there is no scientific proof that they are safe.
Black Friday Sale: Impression Kit for only $14.95 with $600 off retail pricing.
SmileDirectClub offers traditional Clear Aligners or Nighttime Clear Aligners® for the same price: $2,050. The impression kit costs $59, or you can visit a SmileShop and get a free scan of your teeth.
Traditional clear aligner treatment takes approximately 4 to 6 months, while Nighttime Clear Aligners take about 10 months. A retainer for aftercare will cost $99 a set.
Notice: SmileDirectClub filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 29, 2023. The company plans to "maintain normal operations" as it restructures debts and seeks a buyer or funding. The founders invested $20 million and committed more to ensure SmileDirectClub can meet commitments without disruption. However, successful reorganization is not guaranteed.
We do not recommend night aligners because there is no scientific proof that they are safe.
SmileDirectClub is the largest and longest-standing clear aligner manufacturer. With hundreds of physical locations, you can choose an in-person consultation or order a mail-in impression kit.
Sale: $15 impression kit - FREE after return, plus 6 months FREE teeth whitening. Code: NYNY23
NewSmile’s Fast Track Aligners are forn for 22+ hours a day and cost $1,595. NewSmile is one of the most affordable at-home aligners but is also one of the newest companies.
They claim to make the most discreet and comfortable at-home aligners available. They are available in the U.S., Canada, and Hong Kong. You can order an impression kit directly from their website and should receive it within a week.
Once you receive the kit, you will get an email to book a time with an Impression Specialist. During this video call, they will walk you through the process to ensure accuracy. You can ask the specialist any questions during this call.
NewSmile's Night Aligners require less daily wear (10+ hours daily). They cost $1,695. However, NewMouth does not recommend night aligners because there is no scientific proof that they are safe.
Use code NewMouthDeal for $100 off Aligners and code NewMouthKit for $20 off impression kit.
ALIGNERCO’s most popular treatment is the SmileAdvantage Clear Aligner which costs $995. ALIGNERCO aligners are typically a great option if you are on a budget, only have minor teeth misalignment, and do not require intensive remote monitoring.
With certain payment plans, you may also receive a free teeth-whitening kit. ALIGNERCO also offers NightAdvantage Clear Aligners, which cost $1,095.
Although the price point of ALIGNERCO is appealing, it’s not always the best idea to go with the cheapest option. For example, if you are looking for more hands-on care and remote monitoring, ALIGNERCO may not be right.
Black Friday Sale: $875 for aligners with free aligner cleaner.
Candid treatment costs $3,300 (price may change depending on various factors). They only work with highly qualified orthodontists when designing and monitoring your treatment.
Apart from one initial consultation with a qualified CandidPro provider and one end-of-treatment check-up, no office visits are required. They protect customer safety by only accepting cases they are confident will benefit from clear aligner treatment.
Candid is a more expensive hybrid aligner brand. However, they provide excellent remote monitoring and care to every patient. You can message them with questions or concerns (and they respond quickly).
Candid requires you to upload photos every two weeks during your treatment. These photos are then reviewed by the same orthodontist that designed your treatment.
You can begin treatment by visiting a CandidPro location:
Straightening teeth can take some time, but it’s different for everyone. The average treatment time for clear braces is between 12 to 18 months.
The length of treatment can also depend on factors like how frequently you wear them and the severity of your case. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to help maintain the consistency of your treatment.
Interested in straightening your teeth at home? Here are the best clear aligner companies.
Whether or not you think clear braces are worth it depends on your budget and if you find their benefits appealing. However, clear aligners are just as effective as traditional metal braces.
Clear aligners can sometimes be quicker than traditional braces. This is because the forces applied to your teeth are more precise.
Consider contacting your dentist if you’re wondering whether you should get clear or traditional braces. You can discuss which braces are better for oral health and hygiene.
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What’s Next?
The most popular at-home clear aligner kits can be found right here:
