Best Invisible Braces

Invisible braces are clear retainers that straighten and align your teeth over time. Sometimes called clear aligners or dental aligners, invisible braces usually come in a series and are an excellent option for those with:

• Crooked teeth
• Gapped teeth
• Crowding
• Overlapping
• Overbite
• Underbite

Invisible braces aren't as obvious as other methods because the aligners are made of clear plastic (like clear polypropylene) or acrylic material instead of metal wires.

Some people think of ceramic braces, which are wired to the teeth like traditional metal braces, as invisible braces, but ceramic braces are visible and require extensive in-office orthodontic care. Clear aligners, on the other hand, don’t require hardwiring attached to the teeth.

Clear aligners use a series of clear plastic retainer sets, sometimes called trays. The trays fit tightly and put low-pressure force on your teeth to gradually shift them into place over time.

The first clear aligner tray fits easily because the plastic has been vacuum-formed or thermoformed over a model of your teeth. Each new retainer set presses your teeth into a slightly straighter position than the one before.

Generally, clear aligners must be worn at least 20 to 22 hours per day.

Invisible braces companies use advanced imaging technology to create the right treatment option for every customer’s smile. Some people experience a minimal amount of discomfort each time they put in a new set of aligners, which is required every couple of weeks.

Some companies use attachments, which are tooth-colored bumps fitted to your teeth. The exact points at which these bumps are placed, as well as the shape of these bumps, vary based on the shape of your teeth and the results you're striving to achieve.

These bumps act as pressure points and direct each tooth to move toward the desired position. In some cases, your treatment may require elastics. These are attached to the inner part of your jaw and help aid the tooth movement.

How to use clear aligners

The following are important if you want to get the best results out of your clear aligners:

• Soaking your aligners once a day
• Brushing and flossing each time you take out and put in aligners
• Thinking about your snack and food intake while you have on aligners
• Drinking plenty of water

Behaviors to avoid with clear aligners

The following behaviors are best avoided when you have clear aligners:

• Drinking lots of caffeinated beverages — they can stain your aligners
• Leaving your trays out in the open where they’re susceptible to bacteria
• Forgetting to switch aligners when it's time to do so
• Smoking, which can result in your aligners becoming discolored

Usually, you want to have clear aligners on your teeth at least 20 to 22 hours per day for them to fully work and bring your teeth to the proper position. You can take them out to eat, brush and floss, but that’s about it.

Dr. Fatima Khan, a dentist and the co-founder of Riven Oral Care, says that in order for clear aligners to be effective they, “need to be worn for a minimum of 22 hours per day to achieve the desired results.”

You can drink water with your aligners in, but it's recommended that you avoid soda, coffee, tea and other dark liquids that might stain the retainer sets. Hard candy, crunchy breads and gum should also be avoided to prevent plaque buildup.

Some people who wear clear aligners experience unintentional weight loss due to the hassle of removing the retainer for snacks, which many people refer to as the "Invisalign diet."

Some companies, including some of our top picks, offer nighttime aligners that don’t need to be worn during the day. While these aligners may be more convenient, they typically take longer to achieve full results.

Much like traditional metal braces, clear aligners correct crooked teeth and misaligned bites. Busy professionals and young adults with mild to moderate dental misalignments often prefer invisible braces because they're cheaper, simpler and more discreet than traditional metal braces.

While traditional and lingual braces have wires and brackets, invisible braces use clear retainers. Metal braces require more frequent office visits for regular tightenings and checkups — most clear aligner companies, on the other hand, mail all your trays at once.

Braces are typically worn for years, while dental aligner treatment typically takes months (up to around a year). According to Dr. Khan, “The average treatment time is about 12 to 18 months, although it can vary based on the complexity and severity of the individual’s dental issues and can be shorter or longer.” Clear aligners are also more hygienic, and it’s not a problem to eat all types of food throughout treatment.

Invisible braces aren't always the best fit for extensive teeth straightening or severe alignment issues, though. If your dentist strongly suggests traditional braces, clear aligners may not be an option for you. Clear aligners are great for making small adjustments, but traditional metal or ceramic braces are usually required to complete severe corrections.

» LEARN MORE: Invisible braces statistics

There are a few advantages and disadvantages to invisible braces. Consider the following pros and cons before you pursue this option:

Invisible braces typically cost between $1,000 and $7,000. Depending on your treatment plan and your insurance provider, invisible aligners may be covered in part or in full by dental insurance. Most HSA and FSA plans can also be used to cover the cost, and all the best dental alignment companies offer financing options to help you reduce the upfront costs.

This cost, according to Dr. Khan, “generally covers the consultation, custom aligners and follow-up visits. The price may fluctuate based on the specific treatment plan, the number of aligners needed and geographical location.”

» MORE: How much do invisible braces cost?

Your invisible braces’ cost ultimately depends upon the severity of your case. Some invisible braces companies let you mail in your dental impressions without seeing a doctor, dentist or orthodontist. If your situation requires in-office fittings and approval, you should expect to pay a higher price.

Overall, clear aligner systems are usually more affordable than traditional braces, which may cost anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000; the cheapest invisible braces start at around $1,000, with financing options available.

» COMPARE: The cheapest teeth aligners

Straightening teeth at home with invisible braces is simple. After your initial consultation, an orthodontic specialist creates a treatment plan and fits you for invisible braces. Depending on your plan, the orthodontic treatment duration can be as short as a few months or as long as a year. After your teeth are straight, there are a few post-care boxes to check. The typical steps in the process are:

1. Consultation: The first step to straightening teeth at home is to determine if you’re a candidate for invisible braces. Many invisible braces companies start the process with an online questionnaire that asks about the severity of crowding, spacing and bite issues and whether or not you’ve had previous dental work.
2. Fitting: Some companies require an office visit and X-rays to create dental impressions, but many of the best invisible braces companies provide at-home impression kits so you can do this at home and mail your impressions to the company.
3. Evaluation: Dental impressions are usually scanned and 3D-printed. An orthodontist then evaluates the impression of your mouth and creates a treatment plan for you to review. If you like what you see, a series of clear aligners (called trays) are mailed to you in a few weeks.
4. Orthodontic treatment: You wear each clear aligner for approximately two weeks before moving on to the next tray in the series. Clear aligners typically must be worn around 22 hours each day, so you need to keep the tray in your mouth as much as possible. Most invisible braces treatments take between six and 18 months, but you could start seeing improvements to a misaligned tooth within a month. You can clean the aligners with a little water and soap or peroxide.
5. Aftercare: Once your alignment treatment is complete, the company sends you a post-care retainer to ensure your teeth don’t shift back to how they were before. Removable retainers are available for nighttime wear, or you might opt for a permanent retainer, which is a small strip of metal fastened to the back surface of your teeth.