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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 straightening your teeth 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 |
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:
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.
Notice: On October 25, 2024, Byte paused its shipment and processing of new and recent clear aligner orders due to safety concerns identified by the FDA. For further questions and concerns, people are encouraged to send a support request through Byte’s Patient Account Center.
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The Best Invisible Aligners:
Other Brands:
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.
Candid 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.
Read below to compare the costs of four top aligner brands:
ALIGNERCO’s most popular treatment is the SmileAdvantage Clear Aligner, which costs $995. ALIGNERCO aligners is the best option for reliable results without breaking the bank.
With certain payment plans, you may also receive a free teeth-whitening kit. ALIGNERCO also offers NightAdvantage Clear Aligners, which cost $1,095.
If you are looking for more hands-on care and remote monitoring, ALIGNERCO may not be right for you. You should choose another brand like Invisalign or Candid, which offer in-person consultations with dental experts.
New Year Sale: $795 for aligners with free aligner cleaner.
Depending on the type of treatment you want, Smileie treatment can cost $699 to $1,499 upfront or $63 to $81 monthly. It is fully remote, so treatment can conveniently be accomplished in the comfort of your own home.
You can even schedule a video consultation to take impressions of your teeth or monitor your progress. They also send 2 sets of retainers for free.
Before you can buy Smileie's treatments or impression kits, you'll first need to take an online quiz to see if you're eligible. After that, an impression kit will be sent to your home so you can take molds of your teeth.
Once they get a mold of your teeth, they can make a personalized treatment plan that suits your needs. Smileie will send you your clear aligners when they're ready. During the treatment, dental specialists will track your progress through an online portal.
Although they're a great option for at-home treatment, they're not great for complex teeth misalignments. They're also not as established as other clear aligner brands, and their free refinements option is limited to Smileie PRO users.
NewSmile’s Fast Track Aligners are forn for 22+ hours a day and cost $1,595. NewSmile is one of the most discreet at-home aligners but is also one of the newest companies.
They claim to make the most 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 receive an email to book a time with an Impression Specialist. During this video call, the specialist 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.
Candid treatment costs $3,300 (the price may change depending on various factors). When designing and monitoring your treatment, they only work with highly qualified orthodontists.
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. The same orthodontist who designed your treatment reviews these photos.
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.
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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