Teeth Straightening Kit

Clear Aligners Overview

Clear aligners are an excellent way to straighten your teeth if you are looking for a convenient option. They are a discreet and removable alternative to metal braces. The trays are made of BPA-free plastic and are virtually invisible when in your mouth. 

There are two types of clear aligners available, including at-home aligners and in-office aligners. In-office aligners, such as Invisalign and Clear Correct, require you to visit your orthodontist or dentist for check-ups. 

At-home aligners, also called mail-in aligners or direct-to-consumer aligners, do not require in-office visits with an orthodontist. These types of aligners are more convenient than in-office aligners. 

Popular at-home aligner companies include:

• Candid Co
• Byte®
• SmileDirectClub
• Aligner Co
• SmileLove

What Are Teeth Straightening Kits & How Do They Work?

The first step of at-home aligner treatment is to take a candidacy quiz online. Then, if you are a candidate, you’ll order a teeth straightening kit. These kits are delivered straight to your door, eliminating the need to visit an orthodontist for an in-person teeth scan.

Once you receive the kit in the mail, you will take impressions of your teeth and send them back. From there, a dental technician will create the aligners based on the impressions you sent. They will also send you a treatment preview of how your teeth will look from start to finish. 

After the treatment plan is approved, the aligners will be sent to your home address. You’ll change the trays out every 1 to 2 weeks and wear each new set of aligners for 22 hours every day. The number of aligners you receive depends on how crooked your teeth are and the length of treatment. Virtual appointments with a doctor or orthodontist will also be required to ensure your teeth are moving correctly throughout the treatment process. 

How Do I Know if I am Eligible for Online Teeth Aligners?

There are four reasons for ineligibility, including:

• Your teeth are severely misaligned.
• You have untreated jaw discrepancies that require in-office orthodontic treatment (e.g., braces).
• You have gum disease or untreated cavities. 
• You have a permanent retainer (must be removed before treatment).
• You have existing dental restorations, such as implants, bridges, or partial dentures.

Only Invisalign and braces can fix more complex cases of teeth misalignment.

Pros and Cons of At-Home Teeth Straightening 

Pros of at-home aligners

• They are cheaper than traditional braces, lingual braces, Invisalign, and Clear Correct. Invisalign can cost up to $8000, while at-home aligners cost up to $2500. 
• No in-office visits are necessary before, during, or after treatment. All check-ups are completed remotely with a licensed orthodontist or dentist. 
• Treatment is significantly faster than braces or Invisalign, typically between three and six months (only minor cases can be treated, though).
• The aligners are discreet and removable. You don’t have to worry about having visible metal brackets and wires on your teeth throughout treatment.
• Some brands also offer nighttime clear aligners (that you only wear while sleeping), making them even more discreet and convenient. 
• Payment plans are available for those who don’t want to pay for the total cost upfront. 

Cons of at-home aligners

• They only offer remote monitoring, so there is a slightly higher risk of complications because treatment is less predictable without in-office visits. However, when monitored by an experienced orthodontist, remote invisible aligner treatment is effective and safe.
• At-home aligners can only treat minor misalignment cases, including slightly crowded/crooked teeth and gapped teeth. Overbites, underbites, open bites, and similar forms of malocclusion require more invasive orthodontic treatment.
• You will not get x-rays taken of your teeth before the treatment plan is created. It is essential to visit your dentist to ensure you don’t have any cavities or other problematic oral health conditions before beginning clear aligner treatment. 
• At-home aligners are not supported or endorsed by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) because of the risks of tooth and root damage without the direct supervision of a dentist.

Best Home Teeth Straightening Kits

Candid Co, Byte, and SmileDirectClub are three of the most popular at-home clear aligner brands. All three companies sell teeth straightening kits online and provide free candidacy quizzes on their websites. Candid and SmileDirect also offer in-office teeth scans, depending on your preference. 

Candid Co

Candid Co only works with licensed and qualified orthodontists, rather than general dentists and other dental professionals. This ensures you receive high-quality treatment from a professional with years of experience in the teeth straightening industry. 

To begin treatment with Candid, you will order an impression kit online or visit a Candid Studio for a free scan (risk-free). If you are approved for treatment, you’ll receive the aligners within 2 to 3 weeks. The same orthodontist who creates your treatment plan will oversee your treatment from start to finish. On average, Candid aligner treatment takes about six months. 

Candid aligners cost $2400 (credit check required). You can get a free dental impression at a Candid Studio or buy a $95 teeth straightening starter kit. With the payment plan, you’ll pay $399 up-front and $99/24 months. After treatment, you’ll buy a custom retainer for $100 to keep your teeth straight. 

Candid Advantages

• Customer safety is a top priority; only minor cases of teeth misalignment are eligible for treatment
• Convenient and affordable aligners
• Completely remote treatment 
• Risk-free teeth scan 
• No diet restrictions 
• Free teeth whitening treatment
• Monitored by experienced orthodontists (an established orthodontist, Dr. Hurst, oversees the product, vision, and safety of customers)
• Communicative customer service
• Payment plan available

Candid Disadvantages 

• No refunds on Candid aligners
• No nighttime aligners available 
• A credit check is required
• Can only treatment minor cases of misalignment
• Remote treatment (slightly higher risk for complications to occur than in-office aligners)

Byte®

Byte® is another popular at-home aligner brand. Similar to Candid, they work exclusively with orthodontists. As a Byte customer, you’ll receive a HyperByte® (an FDA-cleared dental movement acceleration device) with your purchase. You only have to wear it for 5 to 10 minutes per day.

With daily HyperByte use, Byte aligners can straighten your teeth in as little as three months, which is faster than any other brand on the market. Byte also provides two clear aligners options, including All-Day Aligners or At-Night Aligners. Byte also claims using the Hyperbyte makes changing your aligners more comfortable as it uses vibration technology to help adjust the roots to their new position.

Byte aligners cost $1895 to $2245 (no credit check required). The teeth straightening kit costs an additional $95. You’ll pay $349 to $419 up-front with the payment plan and $83 to $99/29 months. A first free retainer is included with every purchase. 

Byte Advantages

• Completely remote treatment (orthodontists only)
• Free retainer included
• Treatment time is 2x faster than competitors (with HyperByte use)
• Night aligners available 
• Aligner-safe whitening gel (BrightByte) included 
• Lifetime guarantee (if you wear your aligners and retainers as directed)
• Good customer support
• No credit check required (100% approval with no credit impact)
• Payment plan available

Byte Disadvantages

• Remote treatment (slightly higher risk for complications to occur than in-office aligners)
• No refunds on aligners
• Can only treatment minor cases of misalignment

SmileDirectClub

SmileDirectClub is a 6-year-old company that offers home teeth straightening for 60 percent less than braces. SmileDirect works with licensed doctors, dentists, and orthodontists to ensure each treatment case runs smoothly and effectively. During treatment, you will track your progress remotely with a dentist or orthodontist from the comfort of home.

SmileDirectClub aligners cost $1950 (no credit check required). You can get a free 3D scan at a SmileShop or buy a $59 teeth straightening starter kit. With the payment plan, you’ll pay $250 up-front and $89/24 months. After treatment, you’ll buy a custom retainer for $100 to keep your teeth straight. 

SmileDirect Advantages

• Treatment is monitored remotely
• Affordable nighttime and traditional clear aligners 
• Risk-free teeth scan 
• No diet restrictions 
• Free whitening treatment
• Insurance is accepted
• No credit check required
• Payment plan available

SmileDirect Disadvantages

• Remote treatment (slightly higher risk for complications to occur than in-office aligners)
• Treatment can be overseen by a dentist or orthodontist (less predictable)
• No refunds on aligners
• Can only treatment minor cases of misalignment
• Customer service can be hard-to-reach 

Teeth Straightening Kit — FAQs