Top 10 Best Invisible Braces & Aligners (2024) – Straighten Your Teeth at Home
If you are a candidate for treatment with teeth aligners, going through a direct-to-consumer company can save you money compared to visiting the orthodontist.
When choosing a brand of invisible aligners, you can choose how to get started, methods of checking in with doctors, and what kind of extras are included in your kit.
In this article, we highlight the top brands of invisible braces. We also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about aligners and how to determine if they are a good choice for you.
- Byte – Best for science-based tech
- Byte Night –
- 2Usmiles – Best for clear aligners
- Candid – Best for invisible aligners
- Aligner32 – Nighttime aligners
- ALIGNERCO – Best for smaller budgets
- Strayt – Price-match guarantees
- NewSmile – Ultra clear, comfortable aligners
Starting price $1,895 ($82/month financing)
Treatment duration 3-4 months on average
Accepts Insurance Yes:
Like many invisible aligner options, Byte aligners are made of soft, BPA-free plastic. You can wear them all day or at night, depending on how fast you want results.
The HyperByte is included in your treatment plan, and the company recommends using it for five minutes daily during treatment. The device helps position your teeth aligners and may speed up your treatment timeline to as few as two months.
- HyperByte vibration device included
- Results in as little as two months
- 200+ licensed dental professionals in the network
Cons - Retainers costs over $100/year
- Not available for severe bite issues
Starting price$1,895 ($82/month financing)
Treatment duration3-4 months on average
Accepts insurance
Like many invisible aligner options, Byte aligners are made of soft, BPA-free plastic. You can wear them all day or at night, depending on how fast you want results. But what's unique about Byte is the HyperByte, an FDA-cleared medical device that sends high-frequency vibrations through your teeth to the roots and surrounding bone.
The HyperByte is included in your treatment plan, and the company recommends using it for five minutes daily during treatment. The device helps position your teeth aligners and may speed up your treatment timeline to as few as two months.
Pros
- HyperByte vibration device included
- Results in as little as two months
- 200+ licensed dental professionals in the network
Cons - Retainers costs over $100/year
- Not available for severe bite issues
Starting price $1,495 ($104/month financing)
Treatment duration 4-8 months on average
Accepts Insurance Yes:
When considering invisible braces, 2Usmiles offers some of the most affordable prices in the at-home aligner industry—without compromising quality.
With 2Usmiles, everything is remotely—including ordering an impression kit, purchasing aligners, and monitoring your treatment.
Pros
- Lifetime warranty with free aligners if teeth move post-treatment
- Free teeth whitening kit in aligner bundle
- Generous discounts:
Cons - Relatively new brand
- Limited customer reviews:
Starting price$3000-$5000 (varies by office)
Treatment duration6 months on average
Accepts insurance (varies by office)
Candid was initially launched as an at-home aligner system, like Byte and SmileDirectClub. However, they have switched to an office-based system, where you start with a local office and check in with them virtually. Each office sets its own price and insurance coverage terms.
On the Candid website, you can take a quiz to see if you may be a candidate for their aligners and find a local office. The office will coordinate your scans and design your treatment. You'll receive your aligners in the mail and a scanning tool to share your progress with your doctor virtually. Treatment times average six months; you'll need to wear a retainer to maintain your results.
Pros
- Orthodontist-managed treatment
- Virtual treatment updates are available
- Aligners are delivered to you after the initial in-office visit
Cons - Must work with a local office
- More expensive than other aligner options
Starting price All-Day Plan $1299 or $65/month Night Wear Plan $1399 or $70/month
Treatment duration 4-6 months All-Day Plan 6-8 months Night Wear Plan
Accepts Insurance No
- Orthodontist-managed treatment
- Free whitening gel included
- Customer service 24/7
- We will need to purchase new retainers every six months
- Not suitable for severe orthodontic issues
- Does not accept insurance
Starting price $895 ($81/month)
Treatment duration 4-6 months on average
Accepts Insurance No
AlignerCo aligners are made from ultra-clear, BPA-free, biodegradable plastic. Their treatment system is the lowest-priced option, starting at $895 if paid upfront. Their business model is remote, so you'll make an impression at home and mail it to them.
You can choose a 20-22 hour wearing schedule (with results in 4-6 months) or nighttime aligners for 8-10 hours per night (with results in 6-8 months).
Pros
- Lowest price on the market
- Fully remote treatment
- Prompt customer support via chat
- Does not accept insurance
- The impression kit is not accessible if you aren't a match
Methodology – How We Rate Invisible Braces
Our brand partners are scored on a scale of up to 9.9, based on an algorithm that considers four parameters – Consumer Engagement, Customer Feedback, Brand Reputation, and Features and Benefits.
When reviewing brands of invisible aligners, we research the features and benefits of each brand, the value you get for the price of each teeth straightening kit, and the availability of reliable customer service.
What Are Invisible Braces? (Teeth Aligners)
There are three main categories of braces:
Metal braces
Traditional metal braces are a system of brackets attached to each tooth. The brackets connect with wire, which, when tightened, causes the teeth to move in the correct direction. Metal braces must be installed and maintained at an orthodontist's office. Usually, patients visit the office once every four to eight weeks to have their wires tightened.
Clear braces
These work the same way as traditional braces but are made out of transparent ceramic to match the colour of your teeth. Like metal braces, treatment with clear braces requires regular visits to an orthodontist's office.
Teeth aligners
Clear aligners, also known as invisible braces, are a series of clear plastic trays that resemble mouth guards. They are worn on the top and bottom teeth to move them into the correct position gradually. Although they are not truly invisible, it is often difficult to tell when someone is wearing them.
Teeth Aligners vs. Metal Braces
There are several things to keep in mind when deciding whether to opt for traditional braces (made of transparent or metallic materials) or aligners:
- Cosmetic appeal. Since aligners are challenging to see, they are an attractive option for those looking to correct their teeth subtly.
- Cost The cost of traditional braces varies by region and severity of the need for correction but often falls in the $5-6,000 range. Treatment with teeth aligners can be as low as $895 with a fully-remote option like AlignerCo or up to $5,000 in certain regions for an office-based option like Candid.
- Severity. Invisible aligners are ideal for many mild to moderate corrections. Stillyou'll need to see an orthodontist for traditional metal or clear braces if you have severe orthodontic issues if you have severe orthodontic issues.
- Convenience. Many people find that aligners offer increased convenience, with the ability to remove them to eat and clean their teeth. Traditional braces require regular office visits to tighten and maintain the braces, usually every 4-8 weeks.
- Adherence. The convenience of removable teeth aligners can also backfire. Adherence issues can affect both teen and adult users.
How Do Teeth Aligners Work?
Teeth straightening with clear teeth aligners is relatively quick – on average, about four to six months. To begin, you'll need to decide whether you want to opt for a fully remote service or a company that uses some combination of virtual and office-based care. Various companies use a 100% remote version,, and several require visits to a local office. Most websites offer a screening process to see if you might be a candidate for their product before buying an entire service or an impression kit.
Teeth Aligners – DIY Home Kits
Most of the companies we have reviewed offer an at-home impression kit to get you started with treatment. Some companies—Like AlignerCo—only offer this option.
The impression kit includes a tray and a putty-like substance to fill it with. You will gently bite down on the tray. The putty hardens after removal from your mouth. You'll then send the mould to the aligner company so they can make your aligners. Most companies offer clear directions, online videos, and customer support to walk you through the impression process.
Clear Braces – In-Person Scans and Treatments
Several companies also offer the option to visit an office to get a 3D scan of your teeth instead of a putty impression. SmileDirectClub and Strayt offer both options, while Candid only offers the in-person option. With a 3D scan, the orthodontist takes a picture using a unique software system that maps the position of your teeth.
Whether you opt for at-home impressions or office scans, you'll need to wait several weeks to receive your custom-made teeth aligners. You'll wear each pair of aligners for a specific time, usually two or so.
With most companies, you can choose a wearing schedule: 20-22 hours per day for a quicker treatment time or 8-10 hours per night with a longer treatment time. As you progress through your series of aligners, your teeth will move closer to their ideal positions.
Several companies include a first set of retainers in their treatment package. You'll need to keep up with your retainers and replace them every six months to keep your teeth in line and maintain any money-back guarantees from the company.
Invisible Braces Cost and Treatment Times
Aligners are used in several situations, and a professional orthodontist will be equipped to assess your situation to determine if you are a good candidate for this type of procedure. Some of the most commonly experienced dental problems that teeth aligners are used to correct include:
- Overly crowded teeth
- Widely spaced teeth
- Overbites
- Crossbites
- Mild relapse after previous orthodontic treatment
- Simple bite irregularities
You'll need to opt for traditional braces for more complex cases and severe dental irregularities.
Most companies we've reviewed offer online quizzes to see if you are a good fit for their product. You can also contact the company through their website or call them to discuss your needs and concerns.
Sometimes, the aligner company's in-house doctors will review your impressions or 3D scan and discover that you are not a good candidate for correction with their product. In most of these cases, you'll be able to receive a refund for anything you've paid so far.
Do Invisible Braces Work Faster?
The duration of treatment with any orthodontic solution varies significantly according to the needs of each patient. In general, you can get faster results with aligners than with traditional braces:
- Metal or clear braces: treatment times average 1-2 years
- Teeth aligners: treatment times average 4-8 months
It's essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions with invisible aligners. Not wearing them as directed means longer treatment times.
Maintenance and Cleaning of Invisible Braces
Maintaining your aligners properly is important so they don't degrade or cause bad breath or other problems. Each company provides instructions on how to keep their aligners. Usually, this involves soaking briefly in a cleaning substance–like vinegar, soap, or baking soda–and rinsing thoroughly. Several companies sell special devices to clean and disinfect your aligners.