• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Smile Prep

Smile Comfortably

  • Home
  • Clear Aligner
    Reviews
  • Teeth Straightening
    Options
  • About Us
Home » The 5 Best At-Home Clear Aligners (Reviewed & Ranked)

Advertising Disclosure: when you buy products or services through our links, we may earn commissions. These commissions enable us to produce carefully researched reviews. Unless otherwise stated, we rely on the accuracy of provider claims and have not independently verified them. Learn More.

The 5 Best At-Home Clear Aligners (Reviewed & Ranked)

Last updated on September 15, 2023 14 Comments

The 5 Best At-Home Clear Aligners (Reviewed & Ranked)

Many adults wish they had straighter teeth, but don’t have the time or money to spend on traditional orthodontic treatment. If that sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place. At-home teeth alignment services administer treatment remotely using telehealth technology — eliminating the need for regular office visits.

We’ve reviewed & ranked the five best at-home clear aligners (aka invisible braces) for cost-conscious adults. Read on as we outline the important details that set these companies apart, discuss the pros and cons of remote clear aligner treatment, and help you find the right option for you (and your budget)!

5 Best Home Clear Aligners (Ranked)

  1. Byte: Best Overall Value
  2. Candid: Premium Treatment
  3. SmileDirectClub: Most Convenient
  4. NewSmile: Best Industry Newcomer
  5. AlignerCo: Lowest Prices
  6. Which Clear Aligner Service is Right for You?
  7. Other Options Worth Considering
  8. At-Home Treatment Pros and Cons
  9. How Should I Evaluate My Options?
  10. Frequently Asked Questions

Best At-Home Clear Aligners: At a Glance

  • Byte Logo

    Byte

    Best Overall Value
    • $1,999
    • Includes a high-frequency vibration device intended to reduce discomfort.
    • Provides a lifetime warranty.
  • Candid Logo

    Candid

    Premium Treatment
    • $3,500+
    • Incorporates in-person care.
    • Includes robust remote monitoring.
  • SmileDirectClub Logo

    SmileDirectClub

    Most Convenient
    • $2,250
    • Has 100+ SmileShops for free teeth scans.
    • Offers prorated refunds throughout treatment.
  • NewSmile Logo

    NewSmile

    Best Industry Newcomer
    • $1,595
    • Includes free impression kit, whitening, and retainers.
    • Provides consistent remote oversight.
  • AlignerCo logo

    AlignerCo

    Lowest Prices
    • $995
    • Discounts can drop their prices even lower.
    • Offers multiple financing options.

#1 Byte: Best Overall Value

Byte Logo

$1,999

(or $70/month)

Byte is our #1-recommended home teeth-straightening solution. The company’s top priority is to provide an excellent customer experience, which they achieve through personalized support and clinical innovation.

Byte advertises an average treatment plan length is just 4–5 months, and they’ll include the HyperByte device with your aligners, which they say may reduce discomfort during treatment. Plus, they put a lifetime guarantee on your smile, and for those who’d prefer to straighten their teeth at night, they offer “At-Night” aligners designed with thick, grind-resistant plastic.

Byte Advantages

  • Byte’s high-frequency vibration device, the “HyperByte,” is intended to help provide a more comfortable aligner fit. Plus, some studies suggest that similar devices can encourage faster dental shifts. Byte includes this device in the cost of their aligner bundle.
  • They have a convenient mobile app (My Byte) where you can get reminders to change your aligners, upload photos of your teeth for review, track your HyperByte usage, and live chat with customer support.
  • Byte’s “At-Night” plan provides an even more flexible and discreet treatment option by requiring only ten hours of continuous wear per day. Byte crafts their At-Night aligners from a thicker, grind-resistant material to deliver results even with less daily wear time.
  • Their financing option, BytePay, doesn’t require a credit check, so everyone qualifies.
  • Their Byte for Life guarantee promises that if your teeth shift back after completing treatment, they’ll give you new aligners to realign your smile for free (as long as you purchase retainers every six months and wear them as instructed).

Byte Drawbacks

  • While some providers have physical locations where customers can get their teeth scanned, Byte doesn’t offer this service yet. To get started, you’ll need to complete an impression kit from home.
  • Like most teledentistry services, Byte is designed to correct mild-to-moderate cases of misalignment, focusing on the front teeth. Candid is the only provider on this list whose treatment plans are able to move the molars.
  • “Their hyperbyte vibrate device was a LIFESAVER when it came to the initial discomfort…Their device is basically a vibrating mouth piece and I’d recommend buying it regardless of what company you’d use.”
    Tara T. Urbandale IA
    Verified Customer*
  • “During the process, customer service has been great. Anytime something wasn’t quite fitting or feeling right I reached out and they worked to fix it right away.”
    Kirsten C. Jacksonville, FL
    Verified Customer*
  • “The process went well and it was easy to take my own impressions. They worked with me to continue with additional aligners past my treatment because it wasn’t exactly where I wanted my smile to be and so I did additional aligners until it felt right.”
    Jordan M. Saint Paul MN
    Verified Customer*
  • Want more? We’ve got 200+ Byte reviews from real customers.

Ready To Get Started With Byte?

If you like the idea of a convenient, efficient at-home aligner therapy that doesn’t compromise on quality, Byte’s team of licensed dentists and orthodontists may be able to design your ideal treatment plan.

Special Offer: Save 80% off your impression kit & receive a complementary whitening pen

#2 Candid: Premium Treatment

Candid Logo

$3,500+

Since hitting the market in 2017, Candid has continuously gone the extra mile to deliver a high-quality patient experience. They started as a fully remote clear aligner service, but have recently shifted to a hybrid treatment option called “CandidPro” that combines elements of in-office and at-home care.

After an initial in-person consultation and examination with a local dentist, you’ll check in virtually via their CandidMonitoring service every 14 days for the rest of your treatment. By keeping a local dentist involved for the entire treatment process, Candid offers a level of quality care that sets them apart from other services on this list.

Candid Advantages

  • Although their “CandidPro” hybrid treatment model is fairly new, Candid is one of the most well-established brands that incorporates at-home care. Founded in 2017, they’ve transformed over 100,000 smiles so far.
  • You’ll begin treatment in-person with a local dentist who will collaborate with Candid throughout the entire treatment process. Fully remote teeth alignment services like Byte and SmileDirectClub don’t offer this benefit.
  • The CandidMonitoring system allows you to send photos of your teeth to your dentist and the Candid team via their mobile app, so they can evaluate your progress every step of the way. It’s not the same as hands-on care, but studies show remote monitoring like this is accurate enough for clinical applications.
  • Candid’s treatment plans can move all the teeth (when necessary), rather than just the front ones. Other services only focus on the front teeth and premolars.
  • Candid crafts their aligners from Zendura FLX, which maintains “50+% greater orthodontic force over time,” according to Zendura.

Candid Drawbacks

  • Candid treatment is only available to people who live near one of their 300+ in-network dentists.
  • Because Candid treatment incorporates in-office care, it’s quite a bit more expensive than entirely remote services like Byte. However, it’s often still less expensive than Invisalign.
  • While the other services on this list offer nighttime-only treatment options, Candid treatment is intended only for all-day wear. Your local dentist will ultimately prescribe the wear schedule, but you can expect to wear your aligners for 22+ hours/day.
  • “I would say if you want treatment with an aligner brand you should definitely consider candid because it’s not as expensive as Invisalign but they still monitor you somewhat.”
    Candice M. Orange
    Verified Customer*
  • “They have made the process very easy and seamless so far and I’m honestly surprised at how well treatment is working considering they offer no buttons or attachments.”
    Clarissa D. Belvidere
    Verified Customer*
  • “Candid has done a great job so far, I send in my scans every week for someone to review. Getting them was quick and easy, just had to go in person and they scanned my mouth. It was about a two week wait until they shipped after that.”
    Hannah S. Atlanta GA
    Verified Customer*
  • Check out all our Candid customer reviews. Just keep in mind that some might be from before they adopted their hybrid model.

Interested in Candid?

Candid’s unique model, which combines extensive hands-on care with a robust remote monitoring system, makes them a great option for anyone who’s willing to pay extra for the best of both worlds.

#3 SmileDirectClub: Most Convenient

SmileDirectClub Logo

$2,250

(or $89/month)

Note: In June 2023, SmileDirectClub settled an action brought by the Attorney General of Washington DC alleging that the company had engaged in unfair and deceptive practices by requiring customers, as a condition for receiving refunds, to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Learn More.

SmileDirectClub was one of the first companies to offer at-home clear aligner treatment and continues to be the most popular option. Founded in 2014, SmileDirectClub has treated over 1.8 million patients to date. They’ve also gone the extra mile to make the treatment process easy and convenient.

SmileDirectClub Advantages

  • They have experience treating more than 1.8 million cases, so they’re familiar with various conditions, questions, and complications.
  • SmileDirectClub has more than 100+ SmileShops located across the U.S. You can visit one of these centers today to have your teeth scanned and get approved for treatment. Intraoral scans can be more accurate than impressions completed at home — plus research shows that they’re more time-efficient and comfortable.
  • They have a Partner Network that includes more than 1,000 dentists, so you can get your treatment started with a consultation in a dentist’s office, if you’d prefer.
  • Offers guaranteed treatment financing over 24 months through Smilepay. No credit check required.
  • Their Lifetime Smile Guarantee will provide new aligners if your teeth shift out of place in the future, as long as you purchase two sets of retainers from SmileDirectClub every year and wear them as directed.

SmileDirectClub Drawbacks

  • According to our research, SmileDirectClub’s customer support has historically been hit-or-miss. They’ve accrued a significant number of complaints about shipping delays and inconsistent communication when issues arise during treatment.
  • SmileDirectClub charges an additional $125 fee for retainers after treatment. In contrast, competitors like Byte include your first of aftercare retainers for free.
  • “I chose to have the scan done instead of doing impressions, I highly recommend going to the smile shop and having scans because they are so quick, easy and accurate.”
    Shania C. Ohio
    Verified Customer*
  • “Customer service has been amazing with communicating with me with getting my refinements done. I went to a smileshop and had a scan done and they were so friendly and explained everything.”
    Tiana B. Green Bay, WI
    Verified Customer*
  • “I had a 4 month plan and I completed it with good results, however I felt like the improvement was 75%, not 100% like I had hoped so I went back to the studio for a new scan and got another 3 months of refinements.”
    Ken C. Tennessee TX
    Verified Customer*
  • Read these full reviews and 100+ more on our SmileDirectClub customer reviews page.

Considering SmileDirectClub?

If you like the idea of purchasing aligners from the most established brand in the home teeth straightening industry, SmileDirectClub could be the right fit for you.

Special Offer: SmileDirectClub often provides steep discounts off its impression kit - up to $60 off

#4 NewSmile: Best Industry Newcomer

NewSmile Logo

$1,595

(or $58/month)

NewSmile is a newer and less expensive option than many of their competitors, making them an intriguing option. They also offer highly efficient treatment, flexible financing, and a nighttime-only alignment option.

NewSmile Advantages

  • NewSmile offers low prices, frequent discounts, and a 100% approval financing plan.
  • They include your impression kit, retainers, and three months of whitening products at no extra charge. Many competitors charge extra for these items.
  • They provide a nighttime-only plan that only requires you to wear your aligners for ten hours per day. This option costs $1,695 instead of $1,595, but that’s still less expensive than many of their competitors’ nighttime aligners.
  • If your finished smile doesn’t match the one they initially promised, NewSmile says they will “work with you to determine what the issue may be, and will help you achieve the results of your original Treatment Preview.”
  • NewSmile requires all customers to upload videos of their teeth to their monitoring app every two weeks, providing consistent remote oversight to keep you on track.

NewSmile Drawbacks

  • NewSmile does not currently have any retail locations where you can get an in-office teeth scan. Their at-home impression kits are your only option.
  • NewSmile is one of the youngest companies offering at-home clear aligner treatment, and they don’t have as much customer feedback as their competitors.
  • “If I have any questions, I just email them and they’re very responsive. I feel like their customer service is really great. A lot of the time, I’ll reach out via email and they’ll actually call me and just answer any questions or concerns that I have.”
    Joy, Canada
    Verified Customer*
  • “[The kit] also comes with the retainers that I have to wear at the end of the treatment plan, and I find that this is really, really cool because I don’t have to then go back and pay for retainers because it already comes with the plan.”
    Tino, Canada
    Verified Customer*
  • You can find more NewSmile video reviews on our YouTube page.

Interested in NewSmile?

NewSmile hasn’t been around as long as some competitors, but their low pricing, nighttime-only alignment plan, and widely accessible payment plans make them a strong contender.

Special Offer: Receive a $100 Visa gift card when you purchase NewSmile aligners

#5 AlignerCo: Lowest Prices

AlignerCo logo

$995

(or $83/month)

AlignerCo aims to offer the most affordable at-home aligner treatment in the industry, so they’re a great option for budget-keepers and bargain hunters. They offer amazing prices, frequent discounts, and flexible financing plans, making their treatment exceptionally budget-friendly. And they haven’t sacrificed quality in the name of affordability either.

AlignerCo Advantages

  • At $995, AlignerCo’s aligner package is less expensive than all of their competitors.
  • Like Byte and SmileDirectClub, AlignerCo approves every customer for financing with the SmileFlex Easy plan (their standard SmileFlex plan requires a soft credit check).
  • You’ll email photos of your teeth every two weeks so AlignerCo’s team can make sure everything is progressing as planned and make adjustments if necessary.
  • AlignerCo has a nighttime-only aligner treatment called NightOnly, which requires ten hours of wear per day and they say takes 6–8 months on average. It costs $1,195 instead of the $995 for standard treatment.

AlignerCo Drawbacks

  • Many of their positive reviews are from customers who are very early in the process, so it’s difficult to get a reliable gauge of the entire customer experience.
  • AlignerCo doesn’t have physical locations where you can get teeth scans, so you’ll need to purchase an impression kit and make molds of your teeth at home.
  • While other companies will create free refinement aligners if you’re not satisfied with your smile at the end of treatment, AlignerCo charges extra, and they don’t offer any refunds.
  • “Every step you have to send photos of the treatment so far and they will advise you if it’s going in the right direction, and they’ll tell you ‘hey, you can continue.’ I’ve been doing that with them and they’ve been responding promptly. There’s no delay. If it’s not going right, they’ll say ‘we’ll decide what to do.’ But so far that has not been the case with me.”
    Tori-Ann, United States
    Verified Customer*
  • “The customer service has been really good. They’re legit. Every time I have a question, if it’s a pretty urgent question — which, I don’t have many of those — I’ve called them a couple of times, and I get right through and I talk to somebody. [...] If it’s a non-urgent question, I’ll just shoot them an email and within 24–36 hours (depending on what time of day I email them), I always get an answer really quickly.”
    Chris, Missouri
    Verified Customer*

Thinking about AlignerCo?

If price is your top concern, AlignerCo is worth considering. Although they aren’t as well-established as some of their competitors, they’ve shown a ton of promise and their industry-best price is tough to turn down.

Special Offer: Get $100 off AlignerCo treatment

*Discount only applies to SmileAdvantage payment option*

Our Recommendation

Which Clear Aligner Option is Best for You?

We totally understand if seeing all these options feels overwhelming, especially since they look so similar at first glance. But you don’t have to decide immediately. In fact, we recommend visiting your dentist first, so they can make sure your mouth is healthy enough for clear aligner treatment. They’re the person who knows your teeth the best, and they can advise you on the best teeth-straightening options for your unique case.

If your dentist thinks clear aligners could be a viable option, and you’re ready to commit, we think two brands stand above the rest — Byte and Candid.

Choose Byte if:

You want an excellent overall value, innovative technology incorporated into your treatment, and the option to only wear your aligners at night.

Choose Candid if:

You’re willing to pay extra for a premium service that incorporates in-person care and robust remote monitoring.

Candid
For A Premium Service That
Incorporates In-Person Care

$3,500+

Byte
For The Best Overall Value
Clear Aligner Service

$1,999

Other Options Worth Considering

They might not have made our top five, but there are several other comparable options that we think are worth looking at. Here’s an overview:

StraytMotto2USmilesSmileieOrthoFx
Price$1,848$1,895–$2,495Daytime: $1,495
Nighttime: $1,645
Dual-Arch: $1,399–$1,599
Single-Arch: $999–$1,099
Varies
Type of TreatmentFully RemoteHybridFully RemoteFully RemoteHybrid
Treatable CasesMild to moderateMild to complexMild to moderateMild to moderateMild to complex
Advertised Average Timeline
  • Daytime: 4–8 months
  • Nighttime: 8–12 months
As little as 6 months
  • Daytime: 4–8 months
  • Nighttime: 10–14 months
  • Daytime: 4–6 months
  • Nighttime: 6–8 months
6–18 months
Getting StartedIn-person scan, mobile scan, or impression kitIn-office scanImpression kitImpression kitIn-office scan
Financing
  • Starting at $87/mo.
  • $248 down payment
  • Starting at $52/mo.
  • No down payment
  • Starting at $104/mo
  • $399 down payment
  • Dual-Arch: Starting at $149/mo.
  • Single-Arch: Starting at $100/mo.
Depends on the dentist
Aligner Package Includes
  • Dental scan
  • Whitening kit
  • StraytVIBES vibration device
  • one set of retainers
  • Dental scan
  • Remote monitoring
  • Whitening kit
  • Aftercare retainers (depending on the plan)
  • Impression kit
  • Whitening kit
  • One set of retainers
  • Impression kit
  • Whitening kit
  • One set of retainers
Depends on the dentist
More Information

Pros & Cons of At-Home Teeth Straightening

As we’ve discussed, at-home clear aligners are more convenient and affordable than in-office options like braces or Invisalign. But this doesn’t mean they’re an appropriate choice for everyone. If you have a severe case of misalignment or a complicated bite condition, you may benefit from face-to-face dental care.

To help you decide if at-home teeth straightening is right for you, take a moment to evaluate these pros and cons:

Pros

  • Home aligners cost significantly less than traditional orthodontic treatment—typically somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 the cost of Invisalign or braces.
  • Since treatment is administered remotely, at-home teeth alignment frees up time in your schedule that you’d otherwise spend on ongoing dental office visits. However, before getting home aligners, you should still go to the dentist before beginning treatment to make sure you don’t have any cavities (or other issues that need addressing).
  • Treatment only takes around six months to complete, which is significantly shorter than the average duration of in-office treatment. However, that’s often because in-office options like Invisalign take on more complex cases.
  • At-home clear aligners are designed to be as convenient as possible. Most providers even offer a nighttime-only option for people who don’t want to deal with wearing their aligners for 22+ hours/day.

Cons

  • Home aligners are only designed to treat mild-to-moderate cases of spacing and crowding, and minor bite issues. They aren’t effective for severe cases of misalignment.
  • Your provider won’t take X-rays of your teeth before creating your treatment plan. Before getting started, we recommend visiting your local dentist to make sure there aren’t any issues with your teeth or gums.

How Should I Evaluate My Options?

Reading through this review, it’s possible that one aspect of at-home clear aligner treatment sticks out to you. Perhaps you like the idea of getting the lowest price point, or maybe you’re looking for the most convenient option available.

As you evaluate all these providers, we recommend looking at five factors: Scope of Treatment, Affordability, Convenience, Appearance, and Customer Experience. For our above rankings, we considered all of these criteria combined, but we’ve also examined each factor individually.

Scope of Treatment

With any orthodontic treatment, you want to be sure you’ll get the results you’re after — otherwise, what’s the point of pursuing treatment at all? That’s why it’s crucial to determine whether a particular clear aligner company can even correct your misalignment.

Certain treatments are better for certain types of misalignment. For example, in-office aligners like Invisalign can treat a wider range of severe cases than at-home ones like Byte. In-person oversight, attachments, materials, and more can all contribute to scope of treatment, and it’s a major factor in determining the best option for your smile.

Affordability

When you’re on a tight budget, orthodontic treatment can seem financially out of reach — but at-home clear aligners are surprisingly affordable. Because they take ongoing dental office visits out of the equation, home aligners eliminate the costs associated with face-to-face care. However, cost varies from provider to provider, so some options may be a better fit for your budget than others.

When it comes to sticker price, AlignerCo easily takes the crown for affordability — but there’s more to the equation than a provider’s upfront price point. We dive into the nitty-gritty details in our review of The Most Affordable Clear Aligners to help you get the most bang for your buck.

Convenience

Compared to traditional orthodontics, at-home teeth straightening is highly convenient because the process is entirely remote. Still, some at-home aligner services are more convenient than others. When you dig into the various providers, you’ll notice some variation in their service offerings that make starting or completing treatment much easier — such as free teeth scanning or expedited treatment times.

Based on convenience alone, our top-rated providers are SmileDirectClub and Byte. For a detailed look at how all the details shake out, check out our review of The Most Convenient Clear Aligners.

Appearance

Every home aligner company makes their aligners from clear, BPA-free plastic, but each one uses a slightly different design. Consequently, certain brands can be more or less visible than others. These discrepancies are small, but might influence your decision if your goal is to find the most discreet treatment option out there.

For an in-depth look at these aesthetic differences, check out our review of The Best-Looking Clear Aligners.

Customer Experience

You never want to think about something going wrong with your treatment, but if any issues arise, it’s important to know your provider will take care of it in a kind and timely manner.

Even if you just have a simple question or concern about the treatment process, it’s comforting to know you have a responsive customer support team to lean on. We evaluated thousands of user reviews to determine which companies offer the most responsive and caring customer service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most common questions we get about home teeth aligners.

How do home aligner companies prepare my treatment plan?

After you submit your impression kit or teeth scans, a dental professional will analyze them and use specialized software to create digital models of your teeth and aligners for every stage in the process. The company will send you digital images of the treatment plan for your approval before beginning production.

How long does at-home teeth straightening treatment take?

For most companies, the average treatment time for most cases is six months, although Byte advertises average treatment times of 4–5 months. Your treatment time largely depends on the severity of your condition — severe misalignments take longer to correct than mild ones.

How do I get started with at-home aligner treatment?

You will need to order an impression kit from your chosen home aligner company. The kit includes putty and trays, which you’ll use to make molds of your top and bottom dental arches, before mailing them to the company. This process can sometimes be difficult, so SmileDirectClub offers physical locations where you can get free teeth scans, and Candid has every customer begin treatment by attending an appointment with one of their network dentists.

Which conditions can home aligners treat?

At-home aligners are best for mild-to-moderate cases of crowding and spacing, along with some mild bite issues. If your case is severe or includes a jaw misalignment like crossbite or underbite, home aligners might not have the capacity to induce the larger tooth and jaw shifts you’re after.

How often do I need to wear my aligners?

You’ll need to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours per day, removing them only to eat and drink — unless you pursue nighttime-only treatment with SmileDirectClub, Byte, AlignerCo, or NewSmile. This alternative treatment schedule only requires you to wear the aligners at night (ten hours total).

What if my treatment doesn’t go as planned?

Each home aligner company has different refund and warranty policies. In most cases, you cannot receive a refund after you begin treatment, although the company may work with you to adjust your plan and craft new aligners.

Are financing/payment plans available?

Most home aligner companies offer both financing and payment plans. A few partner with third-party companies that provide financing but require credit checks to qualify. SmileDirectClub, Byte, AlignerCo, and NewSmile all offer their own financing options for which everyone qualifies.

What are clear aligners made of?

All the clear aligner companies we reviewed use clear, BPA-free plastic to make their products.

What happens after my treatment is complete?

At the end of your home aligner treatment, you’ll receive or purchase custom-fit retainers to keep your teeth from shifting back to their original positions. Experts recommend wearing retainers indefinitely after treatment. You’ll wear them for close to 24 hours per day for a period of about two weeks. After that, you’ll only have to wear them at night. Some providers include retainers with the initial cost of treatment, while others charge an additional $80–100 for them after you finish treatment.

Does it hurt to wear clear aligners?

Customers often report experiencing tightness or discomfort during the first 1–2 days wearing a new set of aligners, after which the discomfort subsides. Some companies provide “chewies” or other devices to help ensure a more comfortable aligner fit.


Related Articles

  1. At-Home Teeth Aligners: Too Good to Be True?
  2. Preparing for At-Home Teeth Straightening: A 7-Step Checklist
  3. Can Orthodontic Treatment Improve Your Oral Health?
  4. How to Find Dental Insurance that Covers Orthodontics
  5. Can Home Teeth Aligners Correct Teeth Crowding?
  6. Can At-Home Teeth Aligners Correct Adult Tooth Gap?
  7. Can Home Teeth Aligners Correct Overbite?
  8. Can Home Teeth Aligners Correct Underbite?
  9. Can Home Teeth Aligners Correct Crossbite?
  10. Can At-Home Aligners Correct Midline Misalignment in Adults?
  11. Can Home Teeth Aligners Correct Overjet?
  12. Can Home Teeth Aligners Correct Open Bite?

About Us

Smile Prep Logo

Pursuing orthodontic treatment as an adult can feel stressful and overwhelming. At Smile Prep, we strive to make the process as easy as possible for our readers. Our guides and reviews cut the fluff and give you the information necessary to take a confident step toward your smile goals.

💬 Community Forum | 📹 Youtube Channel

*Smile Prep has directly verified proof of purchase for all reviews. We offer verified customers nominal compensation in exchange for their reviews. We ask each reviewer to provide honest and unbiased feedback, positive or negative.
**Smile Prep is not affiliated with or sponsored by SmileDirectClub.

Concerned About the Cost of Orthodontic Treatment?

Online teeth alignment services now make it possible to straighten your teeth for a fraction of the cost of braces or Invisalign. We've reviewed and ranked the top providers.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heidi Heil says

    July 7, 2023 at 5:54 pm

    Does dental insurance cover the cost?

    Reply
    • Smile Prep says

      July 11, 2023 at 1:50 am

      Hi Heidi – unfortunately there’s not a straightforward answer to your question, as this depends on your insurance plan and your individual circumstances. As a starting point, I suggest reviewing your insurance plan to determine whether it includes orthodontic care for adults. If it does, there’s a chance your plan will cover treatment with some of the providers covered in this article. For more information, I suggest checking out our detailed write up on this topic: https://smileprep.com/dental-insurance-orthodontics-guide/.

      Reply
  2. Dr. Korosh Majidi says

    September 11, 2022 at 1:10 pm

    Very detailed review of the clear aligner systems but you didn’t mention the Spark aligners by ORMCO.

    Reply
    • Smile Prep says

      September 29, 2022 at 2:46 am

      Hi Dr. Majidi – thanks for the tip! We’re actually working on a write-up of Spark aligners right now. It’s unlikely we’ll cover Spark in this article since Spark an “in-office” aligner system and this guide is only intended to cover at-home options, but I’ll add a link in this comment once we have our Spark coverage published.

      Reply
  3. Shay says

    August 30, 2022 at 8:41 am

    Hi, I’m just wondering which company would be best for missing teeth? I have a condition where some teeth just never came in (baby or adult). I can’t afford implants right now and I hate the bulkiness and fake look of the pop on veneers I have. Aligners seem like the way to go for now.

    Reply
    • Smile Prep says

      September 11, 2022 at 10:27 pm

      Hi Shay – all of the companies on this list (as of the date of this reply) state in their FAQs that they are often able to support customers with missing teeth. I’m not sure we’d be able to offer specific advise for your situation, but here’s something that may be worth keeping in mind:

      With missing teeth, it may be desirable to adjust the full arch including molars. It’s our understanding that most at-home aligner companies focus exclusively or primarily on adjusting “social front six” teeth. For example, in its FAQ Byte state that they do not align molars but “in some cases, (they) may move premolars.” Candid is an exception in that they partner with local dentists who (based on our understanding) typically develop treatment plans that involve full arch adjustments, including molars.

      Also, in case it’s helpful, here are a couple of customer reviews we’ve collected from individuals who were also born with missing teeth:

      – Ashley S. – Byte Review
      – Valentina T. – Invisalign Review

      Reply
  4. Ann Austin says

    January 11, 2022 at 2:12 am

    Having worked for an orthodontist when in college years ago and having had braces way back when, I would only work with an orthodontist when it comes to moving teeth around. I’ve sent for a Candid impression kit and will read everything over carefully, but it appears to be the only aligner company that solely uses orthodontists. I only have one set of teeth and I don’t want to risk messing up what I’ve got. I only have a small bit of crowding since I lost my retainers years ago and never bothered to get new ones. (Don’t stop wearing your retainers b/c your teeth WILL MOVE as you age! Looking forward to working with Candid.

    Reply
  5. Diana Ying says

    January 6, 2022 at 9:52 pm

    Hi Smile Prep,

    Which aligner company has the best track record for fixing moderate crossbites?

    Thanks,
    D

    Reply
    • Smile Prep says

      March 21, 2022 at 1:01 am

      Hi Diana,

      At this time, we’re unable to offer recommendations based on specific conditions. With that said, you may find it helpful to check out our customer reviews, which allow you to filter by crossbite cases and see what kinds of experiences others have had:

      – Byte Customer Reviews
      – SmileDirectclub Customer Reviews
      – Invisalign Customer Reviews

      Reply
  6. Karis Whillans says

    November 29, 2021 at 4:06 pm

    Hello I am considering get one of these services for my daughter, She has already had 1000’s of dollars of braces, but a few years back she had some medical issues that required she have her bottom retainer removed, this had caused here bottom teeth to shift. She only need the bottoms done, is there one you would recommend over another.

    Reply
    • Smile Prep says

      December 5, 2021 at 2:04 am

      Hi Karis – a challenge with “single arch” treatment (where just the top or bottom teeth are adjusted) is that there’s some risk of negatively affecting an individual’s bite. With that said, this option may be possible with certain providers if the required correction is extremely minor. For more information, please reference an article we recently published: Can I Get Clear Aligners For Just My Upper or Lower Teeth. This article mentions which providers offer single arch treatment, and gives some additional context with regard to when this option may be suitable.

      Reply
  7. Melanie says

    April 9, 2021 at 12:15 pm

    Stay away from SmileDirectClub! The company uses dishonest business practices to trick people into paying for service that they have no intention of providing. They rope you in to pay thinking that they can help you, but If they cannot fix your (upper/lower) problem teeth and can affect your other (upper or lower) teeth, you will be sent one set of aligners for the part of your teeth the service can shift but not for your worst problem, charged full price and expected to pay the fees to correct their deceit.

    Reply
    • Smile Prep says

      April 10, 2021 at 2:42 pm

      Hi Melanie,

      Thanks for your comment, and sorry to hear about your negative experience with SmileDirectClub. We were of the understanding that SmileDirectClub provides its customers an opportunity, after sending in an impression kit or taking a scan, to review their treatment plan before purchasing.

      Did you have a different experience? If so, I’d love to know more. Did you have chance to review your treatment plan before you were charged the full price for the aligners? Is there anything you feel we’ve misstated about SmileDirectClub in this article, or elsewhere on this site?

      Also, we’ve been working on building a collection of verified clear aligner customer reviews. Would you be willing to help us out by sending in a formal review?

      Thanks! – Chris

      Reply
      • Melanie says

        April 12, 2021 at 1:22 pm

        Hi Chris,

        I was not informed that my problem teeth would not be fixed before paying. I have straight teeth on top and crowding on bottom. I never would have agreed to the service if they had told me they were unable to fix my problem teeth.

        I advise anyone choosing this service to get the exact treatment to be performed in writing and most importantly, to opt out of “fast track shipping”, as that waives the right to inspect the outcome of the alignment.

        I was sent aligners for my straight top teeth and nothing for my problem bottom teeth, and then I was told I had to pay for USP or FedEx registered shipping to return what they sent. Only after filing a complaint with the BBB, did Smiledirectclub provide me a return shipping label.

        I have provided a full account of my experience under the formal review section.

        Thank you for keeping people informed about dental services!

        Melanie

        Reply
  8. Shanalee says

    February 16, 2021 at 9:19 am

    I am half way through my Byte treatment. I could not be happier with the staff or the results so far. They care about your results and you can tell they want to make the experience pleasurable for you. The whole process seems effortless And efficient. Would recommend.

    Reply
    • Smile Prep says

      February 17, 2021 at 2:41 am

      Hi Shanalee – thanks for sharing your experience with byte. So glad to hear it was a positive one!

      If you’d be interested, I’d like to invite you to consider leaving a more detailed review with before/after photos. We’re currently offering $20 gift card credit for verified review submissions. You can learn more about this here: https://smileprep.com/clear-aligner-review-opportunity/. Thanks again!

      Reply
  9. Diane says

    October 10, 2019 at 10:07 pm

    Can any of these companies fix a slight overbite or overlap? I’ve been told Invisalign can but it’s twice the cost, plus some. I need to have it corrected though because it is weakening my teeth and making them thinner/smaller.

    Reply
    • Smile Prep says

      October 10, 2019 at 10:26 pm

      Hi Diane,

      All cases are different, though we have heard from patients who have had good results correcting minor cases of overbite using at-home aligners.

      We recently wrote an article on this topic, which you may find helpful: Can Home Teeth Aligners Correct Overbite?

      In general, since you have a medical concern (weakening tooth enamel), it may also be wise to check with your dentist.

      Reply
      • Scottieboy says

        August 18, 2020 at 8:05 am

        Hello there, a lot of good and informative articles here on SmilePrep. I have not seen one regarding fixing an Overjet, look forward to see your next article!

        Reply
        • Smile Prep says

          August 18, 2020 at 6:02 pm

          Thanks for you comment! So glad to hear that you’re a fan of our articles. It’s always encouraging to receive positive feedback like this form our readers.

          Also, we actually do have an article on correcting Overjet! Hope you like it 🙂

          – Chris

          Reply
  10. Kadi says

    July 3, 2019 at 1:35 pm

    I am trying out byte. From what I’ve collected, they have positive results and great customer service throughout. Also they do state that they give a free retainer at the end. A benefit to their treatment is they will send aligners out free of charge to extend treatment if you are still not satisfied and will guarantee your smile for life. From what they have said, this means if your teeth shift in the future, they will send out more aligners to fix your smile free of charge as well. So far I have had a great experience and I am currently waiting for my aligners to arrive in just a few days.

    Reply
    • Scottieboy says

      August 18, 2020 at 6:23 am

      Hello did you use the all day or all night?

      Reply
  11. Tiffany says

    June 26, 2019 at 1:06 am

    My husband used Invisalign through his dentist and had attachments bonded to his teeth where the aligners snapped onto. Do these online options require these attachments and if so how and who attaches them? Thank you for all of your research and great info here on this topic!!

    Reply
    • Smile Prep says

      July 7, 2019 at 11:42 pm

      Hi Tiffany! Online options can’t currently use the attachments that Invisalign treatment sometimes includes since you have to meet in-person with a dentist to have those attachments placed on the teeth.

      Reply
  12. Haydee says

    May 27, 2019 at 3:09 am

    Notice you stated about SmileLove “The only at-home clear aligner company to offer your full money back if you aren’t satisfied with your results.”. I would love to know your source. I looked at SmileLove’s website (https://smilelove.com/pages/return-policy) and the only time they state they will give a full refund is if you don’t like the preview of your treatment plan and cancel before they are manufactured. “Once you’ve received and approved your preview and production on your SMILELOVETM CUSTOM CLEAR ALIGNERS has started refunds are only allowed for manufacturing defects, including ill-fittings. Manufactured aligners are not eligible for return or refund.” They state “In the unlikely scenario that you are unhappy with the results after your treatment, and you have complied with all the Aligner wear and care instructions, we will work with you to determine a fair refund amount based on a comparison of the original Treatment Preview, and the actual result. ” which sounds like far from a full refund.

    I have been trying to decide between SmileDirectClub and SmileLove, and one of the things that is tipping the scales is SmileDirect’s smile guarantee, full refund within 30 days of receiving the aligners. As far as I can tell they are the only company that will give a full refund AFTER you receive them.

    Reply
  13. Lucy says

    May 11, 2019 at 12:36 pm

    Invisalign trims the retainers for a more comfortable fit. Do any of the alternatives listed here offer that?

    Reply
    • Smile Prep says

      May 19, 2019 at 8:35 pm

      Hi Lucy,

      To our knowledge, of the at-home services, only SnapCorrect (see our review) offers a trimmed/scalloped set of aligners that don’t cover the gums. Some of the other companies occasionally send out trimmed aligners, depending on the specific case, but it is not guaranteed. Some people actually find that untrimmed aligners are more comfortable — the edges of the trimmed aligners, while not sharp, can irritate the gumline. So, untrimmed aligners may end up being a more comfortable fit for some people. Hope this helps!

      Reply
    • Haydee says

      May 27, 2019 at 2:48 am

      SmileLove does. From their FAQ “our aligners are trimmed to your gum line in a scalloped fashion so that they don’t rest on your gums.”.

      Reply
  14. Jim Stancil says

    April 5, 2019 at 6:31 am

    Great article and comparisons. I was not even aware that Smiledirect and Candid had two other competitors. I am considering having this done and I will look at the others as well…..it appears that all four are doing the same thing? I wonder if having your teeth scanned in person yields a better result ?

    Reply
    • Smile Prep says

      April 20, 2019 at 6:21 pm

      Thanks! You raise an interesting question about having your teeth scanned vs taking an impression. I don’t have a complete answer, but I do know that Smile Direct uses Align Tech’s iTero scanning system for in-person scans. Align Tech claims that this scanning system results in fewer rejections and improved aligner fit compared to standard impressions. However, risk of poorly fitted aligners due to a bad impression is quite low as the kit providers will request a new impression in this scenario. In my view, the biggest advantage of having your teeth scanned is that you’ll be able to start treatment a bit sooner, and avoid the possibility of needing to take a second impression.

      Reply
      • Mallorie Moyer says

        April 5, 2022 at 11:43 pm

        I actually went into a smile direct club office and had the scan done. Got home and they called me and said that my scanner was not working and I have to go back in for a second scan. Waste of my time and gas to drive there. I’m going with a different company and sticking with doing my own impressions

        Reply

Join The Discussion: Cancel reply

We love to hear your comments and questions! Your email address will not be published.

Primary Sidebar

5 Best Home Clear Aligners (Ranked)

  1. Byte: Best Overall Value
  2. Candid: Premium Treatment
  3. SmileDirectClub: Most Convenient
  4. NewSmile: Best Industry Newcomer
  5. AlignerCo: Lowest Prices
  6. Which Clear Aligner Service is Right for You?
  7. Other Options Worth Considering
  8. At-Home Treatment Pros and Cons
  9. How Should I Evaluate My Options?
  10. Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing the Best Aligner for You

  • Which is the Best Home Aligner for You?
  • Pros & Cons of At-Home Treatment
  • How Should I Evaluate My Options?
  • Frequently Asked Questions
Facebook Icon Instagram Icon Linkedin Icon Youtube Icon Pinterest Icon

Reviews

  • Best Clear Aligners
  • Best Removable Veneers
  • Best Teeth Whiteners

Guides

  • Get Straighter Teeth
  • Get Whiter Teeth
  • Aligners & Oral Health

Opportunities

  • Honest Smiles Program
  • Submit a Review
  • Braces & Aligners Discussion Group
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • News

Copyright © 2023 · Smile Prep, LLC