Best Invisible Braces

When making our top picks for invisible braces, we considered some trustworthy ConsumerAffairs Authorized Partners. We weighed several factors: customer reviews and ratings, cost, average treatment plan, impression types, and daytime versus nighttime options.

We also looked at other factors including payment plan options, whether or not you can use your insurance for the treatment and the specifics of the aligners' fit and issues they cover. ConsumerAffairs looked at 10 companies and selected this list of five invisible braces providers.

All prices are correct as of the time of publishing.

Byte is an at-home clear aligner brand that serves customers in all 50 states. Start by taking a five-minute assessment, then the company sends an impression kit to your doorstep with instructions. Byte’s team analyzes your answers and impressions to decide if you’re a candidate for treatment. If you do not qualify, the cost of the impression kit is refunded.

One of the biggest advantages of Byte is that you don't have to visit an orthodontist in person. Byte works with you through a teledentistry service, which makes it a convenient choice.

Cost: The impression kit costs $95 (refundable upon non-qualification). The nighttime aligners cost $2,295, and the daytime aligners cost $1,895.

Treatment time: Byte’s daytime aligners need to be worn for about 10 to 22 hours a day for up to six months.

Impression type: Byte delivers a putty mold impression kit to your home.

Day/night options: Both nighttime and daytime options are available, but the nighttime option is recommended only for very mild corrections.

Candid follows a hybrid service model that uses at-home impression kits and more than 30 studio locations across the country. You can either visit one of their locations, where you'll get a free X-ray and intraoral scan and have all your questions answered by a care specialist, or order a starter kit for $95. The company uses the kit to determine whether or not you qualify for the aligners — if you don’t, the cost of the kit is refunded.

Candid exclusively uses orthodontists — many other dental service providers use both general dentists and orthodontists. Orthodontists typically have three more years of training than general dentists.

Cost: The starter kit costs $95 (refundable upon non-qualification). For the aligners, you can choose between a one-time payment of $1,895 or monthly payments of $65 for 36 months with $199 down.

Treatment time: Candid treatment can last from six months to about eleven months.

Impression type: 3D scan for in-person visits and putty impressions used at home.

Day/night options: Daytime only.

Since its inception in 2014, SmileDirectClub has helped more than a million patients. The company offers in-person and at-home assistance. For the latter, you can order an impression kit for $59. If you’d prefer in-person assistance, you can visit one of its 300 clinics nationwide.

SmileDirectClub offers one-time and monthly payment options. This is particularly helpful for those on a budget.

Cost: The impression kit costs $59, and the treatment costs $2,050 upfront or $89 monthly for 26 months with a $250 down payment.

Treatment time: SmileDirectClub aligners can work to correct teeth alignment within four to six months.

Impression type: 3D scan available in person and impression kit available at home.

Day/night options: SmileDirectClub offers nighttime and daytime aligners.

Invisalign offers in-person checkups and treatment only. While this may not be the most convenient option, the company provides smart solutions to more complex dental problems. Invisalign employs SmartForce technology to attach tooth-colored shapes to your teeth for additional correction. For more information, see how Invisalign compares to Smile Direct Club.

Invisalign's treatment is slightly more expensive than you'll find with our other picks, but it’s a good option for those who need major corrections. It can also take longer if complex corrections are necessary.

Cost: Invisalign treatments typically cost between $3,000 and $7,100, depending on the level of correction required.

Treatment time: The estimated treatment period ranges from 12 to 18 months.

Impression type: 3D scans and X-rays available on location.

Day/night options: Both nighttime and daytime aligners are available, depending on the kind of treatment needed.

AlignerCo is an affordable at-home dental treatment service. Its clear aligners are typically less expensive than other clear aligner options. The process is simple — you need to answer an online questionnaire and then purchase an impression kit to see if you qualify for treatment. The kit costs $39.99, which is refunded if you’re not a good candidate for treatment. The impression kit is also more affordable than that of some of its counterparts.

AlignerCo doesn't have any physical locations for customers to visit. The company’s aligners are handmade with FDA-approved materials and should be worn for approximately 20 to 22 hours a day for the best results.

Cost: The impression kit costs $39.99 (refundable upon non-qualification), and the treatment costs $1,145 — one of the lowest prices on the market.

Treatment time: AlignerCo’s treatment takes between 6 to 11 months.

Impression type: Putty mold available at home.

Day/night options: Both nighttime and daytime aligners are available, depending on the kind of correction needed.

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 slightly straighter positions than the one before.

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.

Clear aligners do’s and don'ts

Do:

• Soak your aligners once a day.
• Brush and floss your teeth each time you take out and put in aligners.
• Think about your snack and food intake while you have on aligners.
• Drink plenty of water and keep track of your progress.

Don't:

• Drink many caffeinated beverages — they can stain your aligners.
• Leave your trays out in the open where they’re susceptible to bacteria.
• Forget to switch aligners when it's time to do so.
• Smoke, which can result in your aligners becoming discolored.

You must typically keep 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. 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." If you are actively trying to determine whether Invisalign or braces would be the best fit for you, consider reading Invisalign vs. Braces to look at some of the pros and cons of both.

Some companies 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 typically prefer invisible braces. They're cheaper, easier and more discreet than traditional metal braces.

Instead of wires and brackets like traditional or lingual braces, invisible braces use clear retainers. Traditional braces require more frequent office visits for regular tightenings and checkups, whereas most clear aligner companies mail you all your trays at one time. Braces must often be worn for years, while dental aligner treatment typically takes months. Clear aligners are also more hygienic and let you eat all types of food throughout treatment.

Invisible braces aren't always the best fit for extensive teeth straightening or severe alignment issues. If your dentist requires you to use traditional braces, such as the typical metallic wired ones, then clear aligners may not be an option for you.

Otherwise, you have the option to get clear plastic aligners, which may not be as visible, or lingual braces that attach to the back of your teeth. Clear aligners are great for making small adjustments, but traditional metal or ceramic braces are usually required to complete severe corrections.

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.

Invisible braces typically cost between $2,000 and $8,500. 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 of invisible braces. Additionally, all the best dental alignment companies offer financing options to help you reduce the upfront costs.

Compare invisible braces costs

Authorized partner
Cost of treatment	$1,895 (daytime) $2,295 (nighttime)	$2,400	$1,950	$1,145
Cost of impression kit	$95	$95	$59	$39.99
Duration	3 to 6 months	6 to 11 months	4 to 6 months	6 to 11 months
Insurance	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

	Authorized partner	Cost of treatment	Cost of impression kit	Duration	Insurance
		$1,895 (daytime) $2,295 (nighttime)	$95	3 to 6 months	Yes
		$2,400	$95	6 to 11 months	Yes
		$1,950	$59	4 to 6 months	Yes
		$1,145	$39.99	6 to 11 months	Yes

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. The cost of traditional braces can be anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000. The cheapest invisible braces start at around $1,000 and have financing options available.

There are a few advantages and disadvantages to having invisible braces that you should consider. Here are a few pros and cons you'll want to be aware of: