Candid vs Byte

Is Candid or Byte Better?

Candid and Byte offer at-home aligner treatment (also called direct-to-consumer aligners). Both provide affordable teeth straightening for thousands less than braces and Invisalign. 

Unlike braces, you don’t have to visit an orthodontist throughout treatment. The entire process can be completed from the comfort of home.

Byte treatment is typically quicker than Candid (4-6 months vs. 4-12 months). For this reason, we only recommend Byte for mild cases of teeth misalignment. Moving teeth too fast can result in an improper bite, pain, and/or root resorption, which can lead to tooth loss. 

Candid is a great choice for most patients with mild to moderate teeth misalignment. However, it can also treat the most severe cases of teeth misalignment. Braces are the best and most effective option for patients with jaw misalignment. 

* Social 6/12 addresses cosmetic concerns (i.e., straightening the front teeth). It does not fix the entire bite. Full arch addresses function first and cosmetics second. The aligners move all teeth, rather than just the front teeth. 

In this article, we’ll compare Byte and Candid in-depth to ensure you pick the best aligner for your needs.

Candid Aligners Overview

Candid is a popular and effective aligner option. Treatment outcomes are similar to Invisalign but the aligners might cost less ($3,300 on average vs. up to $8,000). 

Candid aligners address function first and cosmetics second. They are designed to move all of your teeth, rather than just the front teeth. This is known as full arch orthodontic treatment.

Candid is also the only at-home aligner company that works exclusively with orthodontists (teeth straightening experts). 

You’ll receive high-quality care from a dental professional with years of experience in the industry. The same orthodontist who creates your treatment plan will track your progress via the CandidApp. 

How Candid Works

1. Set up an appointment with a qualified CandidPro provider for an initial consultation. Here, your bite is digitally scanned and impressions are taken. The dental professional will determine if you're a good candidate for treatment (most mild to severe cases are accepted).
2. If you're approved, the provider will send the scans to a licensed Candid orthodontist. They will personally design your treatment plan. The cost of treatment depends entirely on the provider but costs $3,300 on average.
3. Once the treatment plan is made and approved, you’ll receive the aligners within a few weeks. 
4. Wear each set of aligners for at least 22 hours a day. You can remove them to brush, floss, eat, and drink. They are swapped out every 2 weeks (unless told otherwise).
5. During treatment, your progress is monitored remotely via CandidMonitoring™, the company’s telehealth platform (mobile app). You won't set up in-person appointments.
6. The same Candid orthodontist who designs your treatment plan will track your progress in the app. These check-ins are completely remote and flexible. Candid's mobile app is available on iOS and Android.
7. Treatment takes 4 to 12 months. Your final set of aligners acts as your retainers, which you'll wear every night to maintain your new smile. These retainers should be replaced every six months.

Byte Aligners Overview

Byte is known for its fast treatment time (between 3 and 6 months). Every customer receives a HyperByte® with their aligners. This is a dental movement acceleration device that claims to reduce treatment time by about 50 percent.

Byte offers two treatment options:

1. Byte's All-Day Aligners are worn for 22 hours a day. They cost $1,999.
2. Byte's At-Night Aligners are worn for 10 hours a night. They cost $2,399.

Byte aligners can treat most minor to moderate cases of teeth misalignment. We recommend them for minor cases. More complicated cases typically require longer treatment times. 

Although 'quick treatment' is convenient, NewMouth is concerned about the safety of straightening teeth too fast. We also recommend regular aligners over night aligners. Learn why.

How Byte Works

1. Order an impression kit. Treatment is completed remotely and there is no in-person option.
2. The kit will arrive within a week. Take the impressions and send them back within 3 days.
3. After reviewing your impressions, a dental professional will make a custom treatment plan using Byte's SmileScience system. The result is a digital 3D model that shows your smile before, during, and after treatment. 
4. If you’re not a candidate for Byte, you’ll get a full refund for the impression kit. If you are a candidate, there is no obligation to purchase the aligners.
5. If you approve the plan and buy the aligners, they should arrive within 3 weeks. You’ll wear them for 20+ hours a day and switch them out every 1 to 3 weeks.
6. Send in progress photos every few weeks to ensure your teeth are tracking correctly. 
7. Use the HyperByte® for a few minutes each day. This device claims to straighten teeth faster with HFV (high-frequency vibration). 
8. After treatment, you’ll get a free retainer to keep your teeth straight. It should be worn every night. 

Candid vs. Byte Comparison

Here are the main differences between Byte and Candid: 

1. Treatment Costs 

Candid treatment costs $3,300 (on average, depending on the provider).

Note: Candid discontinued at-home impression kits in 2023. The only way to begin treatment is by visiting a qualified CandidPro provider in your area. They are licensed dental professionals. The rest of your treatment will be monitored remotely by a Candid orthodontist.

Byte treatment costs $1,999 (all-day aligners). The night aligners cost $2,399 and treatment takes longer. The impression kit is an additional $95. Byte does not have an in-person consultation option. 

We recommend regular aligners over night aligners. Learn why.

Retainers

With Candid, your first set of retainers is free. They recommend replacing them every six months ($99 per set).  

With Byte, you’ll get free replacement retainers biannually. They’ll also replace two stolen or lost retainers free of charge.

Payment Plans & Insurance

• With Candid, ask your provider about payment plans. This depends entirely on your dentist. Patients have no direct financial relationship with Candid. the CandidPro providers are also the health care providers.
• With Byte, pay as low as $83/month ($349 down) for 29 months. The night aligners cost $99/month ($449 down). No credit check is required; everyone is approved for financing with BytePay. Byte is also in-network with a few insurance providers. 

2. Brand Track Records

At-home aligner treatment is still a fairly new practice. SmileDirectClub was the first home teeth-straightening company that opened in 2014. They offer both in-person scans and impression kits.

Candid is the second-largest company. It has been around since 2017. 

In terms of patient care, Candid has surpassed both SmileDirectClub and Byte. They offer the most hands-on remote monitoring and provide comprehensive care. 

Candid is also the only at-home aligner brand that works exclusively with orthodontists (teeth straightening experts).

Byte is the youngest of all three. It opened its doors in 2018 but is quickly becoming more popular. 

Byte currently offers the best deals on refinements and has a Lifetime Guarantee. 

3. Treatment Quality & Safety

Based on our research, Candid and Byte are both safe and effective at-home aligner options. 

However, Candid is better in terms of overall treatment quality because they use the ‘full arch’ straightening method. In other words, Candid aligners move all of your teeth, rather than just the front teeth. 

This means you’ll receive a more comprehensive treatment plan that addresses function first and cosmetics second. The bite is treated as a whole to ensure long-term success. 

Byte aligners only move your top six and bottom six teeth. This form of treatment is referred to as 'social 6' or 'social 12.' It consists of flaring the front teeth out without moving the molars.

Candid also doesn’t have a ‘night aligner’ option. This is because there is no proof that night aligners are safe or effective.

Without a more consistent wear schedule, your teeth can be left in a limbo state of inflammation. It would take your teeth and gums longer to heal. This results in more discomfort and longer treatment times.

4. Remote Monitoring

Of all at-home aligners, Candid has the best remote monitoring. 

Candid treatment is monitored remotely through the CandidApp. This app is available on iOS and Android. It allows you to connect to your virtual orthodontist office at any time. 

You’ll send in progress photos every 2 weeks using the CandidScan and Smile Stretcher. The scan box connects to your phone and takes detailed images of tooth movement. You can also set up push notifications to ensure you don’t miss a scan.

Once you submit the photos, you’ll hear back from your orthodontist within a few hours. They will let you know if it’s safe to move on to the next aligner set.

If treatment isn’t tracking correctly, your orthodontist will send screenshots of your teeth showing what went wrong and steps to get it back on track. 

Byte does not have a mobile app for remote monitoring. But you are asked to send in progress photos every few weeks. Also, your treatment case may not be overseen by a licensed orthodontist. Byte works with orthodontists, general dentists, and doctors.

5. Treatment Speed 

Candid treatment takes between 4 and 12 months. Byte treatment takes between 4 and 6 months. 

Moving teeth too fast can result in an improper bite, more pain, and/or root resorption. This is why we recommend Byte for minor cases of teeth misalignment. Candid is a better choice for complex cases. 

6. Appearance

Candid aligners are fabricated in Silicon Valley. They are made of Zendura FLX, a tri-layer material that provides a mixture of comfort and force. It is a textured, frosted plastic that looks similar to your tooth surfaces. 

Byte was acquired by Dentsply Sirona in 2020, a reputable dental manufacturing company. The aligners are made of shiny, smooth, clear plastic. This can make your teeth look abnormally shiny. Despite this, many reviews say the aligners are still very natural-looking. 

Both aligners are stain-resistant, durable, and BPA- and phthalate-free. A gentle whitening foam is also included in every purchase. We recommend only drinking water with the aligners in. Don’t drink hot liquids as they can warp the plastic. 

In addition, Candid and Byte aligners are cut straight across the top and slightly overlap the gums, which has been shown to increase tooth movement effectiveness.

7. Customer Service

Candid and Byte both have good customer service. You can expect a reply within 24 hours, although they usually respond within a few minutes. 

Byte’s customer service is available daily from 8am to 6pm (Pacific time). Candid’s customer support is available daily from 9am to 7pm (Eastern time). This includes weekends. 

Candid has several platforms where you can reach customer service, including a chatbot and video chats. The CandidApp also has a 4.9/5 star rating on the App Store. This app allows you to connect to a customer service representative very easily. 

Byte is available via phone, email, and social media channels. Candid support is also available on social media, including Instagram. 

8. Refinements, Guarantees & Refunds 

If you aren’t a candidate for treatment, Byte offers refunds on impression kits. But you can't get a refund once you accept the treatment plan and pay for the aligners. 

The in-person consultations with Candid are usually free. But this depends entirely on your provider.

If you are unhappy with your results after treatment, Byte offers refinements (additional aligners). Candid may or may not offer refinements, depending on your provider.

Byte also offers a 5-year Smile Protection Plan and a Lifetime Guarantee. If your smile moves out of alignment, they’ll help get it back at no additional cost. 

9. Getting Started With Treatment 

It is very easy to begin treatment with Byte. The brand offers a candidacy quiz online that you can take before ordering an impression kit. The kits cost under $100. 

The main difference is that Candid only offers in-person consultations. This may be inconvenient for some people.

More specifically, with Candid, you have to visit a qualified CandidPro provider to begin treatment. These are licensed dentists who take digital scans and impressions of your teeth. You can't order an impression kit online.

After this consultation, the provider will send your scans to a Candid orthodontist, who designs your custom treatment plan.

With both brands, you’ll receive a digital treatment plan within a few weeks of taking the impressions (byte) or an in-person scan (Candid). From there, you can decide whether to approve or deny treatment.

10. Convenience

Byte treatment is 100% remote, while Candid treatment starts in person and is monitored remotely. This means Byte is slightly more convenient, but not everyone is a candidate for treatment. For example, since Byte treatment is more hands-off, we only recommend them for minor alignment issues.

Candid treatment is overseen by a dental professional who takes your initial scans in person. This reduces the risk of error. For this reason, we recommend Candid for minor to moderate misalignment cases.

The Final Verdict: Which Aligner is Right for You?

Byte and Candid are both good options for at-home aligner treatment. Here are the main differences:

1. Treatment costs — $3,300 (average) for Candid vs. up to $2,399 for Byte.
2. Track records — Candid has been around since 2017 and has more comprehensive care. Byte has been around since 2018 and offers affordable, 100% remote treatment.
3. Treatment quality — Candid aligners move all of your teeth, not just the front ones. Byte aligners move your front teeth only (best for minor cases).
4. Remote monitoring — Candid offers remote monitoring via a mobile app, requires in-person consultations, and works exclusively with orthodontists. Byte is less expensive but doesn't have detailed remote monitoring with orthodontists.
5. Treatment speed — Byte treatment times are typically faster than Candid. Because of this, we only recommend Byte for minor cases of teeth misalignment. Candid is best for most mild to severe cases. 
6. Aligner material — Based on reviews, both aligners are clear, discreet, and relatively comfortable. The main difference is that Candid aligners are ‘frosted’ to blend in with your natural tooth structure. 
7. Customer service — Based on reviews, both Byte and Candid have responsive customer service.
8. Refinements, guarantees & refunds — Byte offers a ‘Byte for Life’ guarantee. If your teeth shift after treatment, Byte will send you new aligners to fix your smile. Candid refinements are not guaranteed.
9. Getting started with treatment – Byte allows you to start treatment remotely, while Candid requires in-person consultations.