Are you interested in achieving a straighter and healthier smile? Many people use invisible braces, also known as clear aligners, to straighten their teeth. Although traditional metal braces are still used as correction braces, the aesthetic nature of clear aligners has allowed them to grow in popularity. This growing demand can be seen in the number of companies offering their own invisible braces solution.
Although many people consider invisible braces for the goal of achieving a straighter smile, straightening your crooked teeth can have a health-improving impact as well. When you have teeth that are crowded or not where they should be, many problems can arise.
- Your teeth may wear down at a more rapid pace.
- You may have difficulty chewing and biting.
- Your stubborn teeth that are out of position may harm your other teeth and provide more opportunity for bacteria growth that can lead to disease.
- You may have difficulty cleaning your teeth, which can cause bad breath and cavities.
These potential problems can provide further incentive for straightening your smile.
We have compiled a list of the best choices for brands offering invisible braces. We believe Invisalign is the best option for patients to achieve a straight and healthy smile. However, we have provided the information in this article to help you understand the pros and cons of both at-home and in-office aligners to make the best decision for your situation.
At-Home vs. In-Office Clear Aligners: Pros and Cons
There are many effective options for both at-home and in-office invisible braces, each with pros and cons. Although it may be tempting to assume there is a one-size-fits-all solution, everyone’s goals are unique. You should consider your own needs and priorities when looking at your options.
Let’s examine the advantages and drawbacks of each type of invisible braces available. This will give you a clear understanding of how each option works to correct your teeth, as they do not operate the same way.
There are some similarities between the two:
- The trays are clear plastic.
- The trays are made to fit your dental arches snugly.
- The trays are almost invisible.
- The trays adjust the position of your teeth over time.
- You will get a new set of trays several times as part of your treatment. This happens as the position of your teeth shifts into alignment.
Despite these similarities, the orthodontic treatment and use of these clear aligners differ depending on whether you apply them yourself or seek help from a professional.
In-Office Clear Aligners
Some aligner brands, such as Invisalign and ClearCorrect, require application by a licensed professional and provide a more robust treatment than at-home aligners-at the cost of time and money. These types of invisible braces require regular visits to a dentist or orthodontist for them to check the progress being made and potentially adjust the position of your teeth with other devices they have at their disposal in-office. These visits usually take place monthly.
At-Home Clear Aligners
Other aligner brands, such as NewSmile and Byte, allow you to achieve straighter teeth and a “new smile” from the comfort of your own home. Companies like NewSmile have their own team of licensed professionals who create a treatment plan for your unique situation. Your clear plastic trays are then shipped to you.
This process is more affordable because you will not be seeing a dentist or orthodontist for in-person treatment. However, this doesn’t allow for regular oversight from a professional, which could cost in the long run if your situation turns out to be more complex.
Selecting the Right Clear Braces:
In-Office Clear Aligners Options
Invisalign
Invisalign is the original invisible braces company, being the first to offer clear aligners. This industry leader’s product was invented in 1997, giving it over two decades’ worth of patient trials and testimonials for achieving a straighter and healthier smile.
These invisible braces treatments start with a consultation with your dentist or orthodontist who has been trained by Invisalign. Using a mold or scan they have taken of your teeth, they will work with the Invisalign lab to design your aligners and treatment plan.
Invisalign Pros:
- Your treatment plan is administered and overseen by your dentist or orthodontist who has undergone Invisalign training.
- They have the most providers of any in-office treatment option.
- Results are the same as those achieved by metal braces.
- They provide a product called “Smartforce,” which is an attachment that your doctor can utilize to solve a variety of complex problems. Smartforce is discreet while having similar effects as metal brackets.
- They provide a program for children ages 6-10.
Invisalign Cons:
- They can be the most expensive option, though the cost can vary depending on your provider.
- Treatment time length can be longer than initially estimated and longer than at-home treatment.
- Regular office visits are required to complete treatment, which can strain your schedule.
Invisalign Conclusion:
Invisalign may be a good option if you seek an invisible braces treatment plan administered by a trained professional that provides the same high quality results as metal braces.
ClearCorrect
ClearCorrect is another viable in-office treatment option. It has not been around as long as its Invisalign counterpart. However, it has provided results for several patients as one of the largest producers of clear aligners.
Their invisible braces are tailor-made to fit your teeth through the use of either a mold or scan taken by your doctor. These aligners are then shipped to your doctor, which, like Invisalign, requires regular visits from you for treatment.
ClearCorrect treatment may be harder to access because of the number of providers offering it. However, in some cases, it may prove to be a more affordable option than Invisalign.
ClearCorrect Pros:
- Dentists and orthodontists can administer this treatment option, making it more accessible to patients.
- They try to lower dentist and orthodontist costs, which they hope makes their products more affordable for patients. They also have more than one pricing model, which allows your treatment provider to work with you on payment options.
- They provide a product called “Engagers,” which are tooth-colored pieces that your doctor can utilize in more complex cases to assist with shifting tooth position.
ClearCorrect Cons:
- Their treatment time varies depending on the plan your dentist or orthodontist creates. The total time will be at least one year.
- There are few patient reviews and testimonials available, and the ones available provide mixed reviews.
- The cost of their products is significantly higher than at-home options.
- The required regular office visits can be a strain on patient schedules.
ClearCorrect Conclusion:
ClearCorrect may be a good option for you if you seek an invisible braces treatment plan that may include flexible payment options, depending on your provider.
*Note: ClearCorrect does offer an at-home treatment option as well.
SureSmile
Although SureSmile is newer to the clear aligners market, they have been established in the braces industry since 1998. They can provide results in both simple and complex cases. However, the information on their website stresses that they work best for patients that require more minor tooth movements.
Treatment begins with a digital scan of your mouth, and aligners are designed, created, and shipped to your dentist or orthodontist. SureSmile’s clear aligners are worth considering for their affordability, and, in minor cases, they only require a visit to your doctor every three months.
SureSmile Pros:
- Their treatment is more affordable than other in-office options.
- They require fewer visits to your provider.
- They offer two treatment options and claim you will need fewer refinements.
SureSmile Cons:
- They have less experience in the invisible braces industry.
- Some professionals have determined the material of their clear aligners to be less effective.
- Although fewer in-office visits are required, they are still necessary and can cause an inconvenience to patient schedules.
- Few patient reviews.
- Their products require cleaning by SureSmile cleaning products only.
SureSmile Conclusion:
SureSmile may be a good option for you if your case is minor and you are seeking a more affordable in-office invisible braces treatment plan.
At-Home Clear Aligners Option
NewSmile
NewSmile is new to the realm of clear aligners, having been established in 2020. However, this at-home option for invisible braces treatment is one of the most affordable. They offer a monthly payment option as well as discounts.
They will send you an impression kit for you to use to create an impression of your teeth. Once you ship this to them, their team makes a treatment preview for you to approve before creating your clear aligners. They then ship the aligners to you along with retainers and a teeth whitening kit.
You will need to upload videos of your teeth every two weeks using their app for their team to provide oversight.
NewSmile Pros:
- They have one of the most affordable treatment plans in the entire industry.
- Treatment is much quicker than in-office options at an average completion time of 4-6 months.
- Along with day aligners, they also have a night aligners option that allows you to wear them for just 10 hours a day.
NewSmile Cons:
- They do not have any physical locations.
- Your invisible braces treatment depends on the impression quality you can create using their impression kit.
- They need more reviews since they are new.
- Their clear aligners may only work for some cases.
NewSmile Conclusion:
NewSmile may be a good option if your case is minor and you seek one of the most affordable at-home invisible braces treatment plans.
Byte
Byte offers one of the fastest invisible braces treatment lengths in the industry. Their clear aligners have provided final results in as little as two months for some people.
But with fast results comes maximum discomfort. The discomfort comes into play as you are supposed to change aligners weekly.
Byte achieves fast results by using an oral appliance called HyperByte, which reportedly increases the speed of tooth movement through high-frequency vibrations.
Once you purchase and utilize their impression kit, they have a dentist or orthodontist design your treatment plan and aligners, which are then shipped to you.
Byte Pros:
- They offer the fastest treatment length.
- They have thousands of positive reviews.
- Their plans are affordable.
- They provide a nighttime option.
Byte Cons:
- They have received some complaints about their customer service and results.
- Their aligners may cause more discomfort since you have to change them weekly.
- Their aligners are only suitable for minor to moderate cases, not complex issues.
Byte Conclusion:
Byte may be a good option if your case is minor to moderate and you seek the fastest invisible braces treatment at one of the most affordable rates.
Candid Co.
Candid offers one of the highest quality invisible braces treatment plans for at-home options. They work only with orthodontic professionals to create and oversee treatment plans.
As mentioned with NewSmile and Byte, a mold is created from an impression kit they send to you. Once you take the impressions and send them to Candid, their orthodontic team creates your plan.
Like Byte, there is a cost involved with their starter kit. If you prefer, you can schedule an appointment at one of their SmileStudios to get a free scan instead of taking the impression yourself.
They provide a remote monitoring device for you to attach to your smartphone, allowing an orthodontist to track your progress. This device sends scans of your teeth every two weeks.
Candid Co. Pros:
- The creation and oversight of your treatment plan are by orthodontic professionals only.
- They provide remote monitoring technology, which provides a check-in with your progress every two weeks.
Candid Co. Cons:
- They have some poor reviews with complaints about results and customer service.
- They only have 30 SmileStudios across the nation, making them less accessible.
Candid Co. Conclusion:
Candid Co. may be a good option for you if you seek a more comprehensive at-home invisible braces treatment plan designed and overseen by orthodontic professionals only.
Common Questions about Invisible Braces at EVDP
At East Valley Dental Professionals, Invisalign is our preferred treatment option for invisible braces. Our team has seen many patients experience successful results using these clear aligners.
We understand that you may have questions regarding treatment with us. Check out some of our most commonly asked questions and answers below:
Do You Accept Insurance? What are the Invisible Braces Costs?
While Invisalign is usually more expensive than metal braces, the cost is often covered by the patient’s insurance. Call us at 480-838-3033 to learn more about the costs associated with Invisalign treatment.
What Factors Influence Costs?
There are several factors that your doctor will need to consider to provide you with an appropriate cost amount for treatment. It is all based on your specific needs and situation, and your doctor may determine that you have a complex case that will require a lengthened and more involved treatment.
There is a great amount of orthodontic work and technology required to achieve results with Invisalign. However, the lasting effects are well worth it in the long run.
What is the Average Treatment Time?
We cannot provide an exact treatment length as it varies with each patient. Our team takes into account various factors, including your age and how complex your case is, to create a treatment plan unique to your situation. We believe in seeing lasting success with the first treatment plan rather than rushing treatment and achieving only temporary results.
However, to provide you with the average treatment length for adults is around 12 months. But again, this is dependent upon what your doctor determines.
Can I do Teeth Whitening at the Same Time?
Yes, Invisalign does allow patients to undergo teeth whitening treatments simultaneously with undergoing straightening treatments.
*It is important to note that it may be best to wait until after your Invisalign treatment is complete, as your teeth may be more sensitive while undergoing the straightening process. They may also shift in a way that will expose areas of discoloration that were not possible to access before the completion of Invisalign treatment.
Will clear aligners affect my speech?
Depending on your unique speech and pronunciation of words, the way you talk may be affected as you adjust to the new braces. Your speech should return to normal once you have undergone the initial adjustment period or, at the very latest, once your treatment is complete.
How to Get Started with Invisible Braces
Invisalign is a comprehensive treatment available to patients of all ages. It is a revolutionary solution that provides patients with the confidence achieved from a straighter smile without the discomfort of traditional braces.
At East Valley Dental Professionals, we do accept dental insurance, which will often cover a portion or all of the cost of the Invisalign treatment. Call our office to schedule an appointment to learn more about these invisible braces and if they are the best option for you!