Best Invisible Braces for Adults and Teens in 2023 [APRIL UPDATE]

Invisible braces are a discreet, convenient alternative to traditional braces. If conventional orthodontic treatment is inaccessible to you, especially if you are priced out, consider invisible teeth braces.

They are faster, removable, cheaper, and all the products we review are FDA-approved. We found Byte aligners to be the best products in 2023, AlignerCo aligners placing a close second.

What are Invisible Braces?

Invisible braces are orthodontic devices used to straighten your teeth gradually over time. With invisible teeth braces, you get to treat misaligned teeth while avoiding the discomfort and expenses of traditional braces.

Invisible teeth braces are usually made from high-quality BPA-free plastic which is transparent, making them very subtle compared to traditional metal braces. As such, they are popular with adults and teens who want to smile without attracting attention to their braces.

Best Invisible Braces of 2023

The Best Invisible Braces: Comprehensive Reviews

Let’s look at the four best reviewed invisible braces today.

1. Byte Aligners – Best Invisible Braces Overall

Special offers : Love your smile with Byte! A straighter more confident smile awaits! A $17.95 impression kit starts your journey, PLUS FREE LED teeth whitener & whitening travel pens with aligner purchase!

Feature Description Star Rating
Price $1,895 (All-Day) or $2,295 (At-Night) +$95 Impression Kit
Treatment Time Minimum of 3 months (All-Day) or 5–6 months (At-Night)
Hours/Day Required 10 or 22 hours
Personal Support Seven-day access to care team for questions and concerns
Refund Policy Impression kit; additional treatment offered if needed

 

Byte offers high-quality invisible teeth braces with convenient remote monitoring and support.

These aligners have been found effective in the treatment of teeth crowding and spacing; as well as overbites, underbites, or crossbites.

Developed with the Smile Science system of cosmetic dentistry, these invisible teeth braces are made from a five-point analysis for the best results.

HyperByte technology is Byte’s high-frequency vibration therapy than minimizes discomfort.

You also get to choose between all-day and nighttime aligners. They offer a lifetime guarantee, where you are entitled to free retainer treatment if you relapse.

That said, Byte aligners will not completely fix issues originating from jaw bone structure.

Bottom Line: 

Byte aligner is our top pick if you want to straighten teeth at home. It offers convenience, flexibility, and support for a range of mild to moderate orthodontic issues.

Pros

  • Very comfortable
  • Free retainers after treatment.
  • Non-candidates refunded for impression kit.
  • Some insurers refund Byte expenses.

Cons

  • Not covered by many insurers.

2. AlignerCo Aligners – Best Invisible Braces for Adults

Special offers : Free Assesment with AlignerCO. Learn if you are a fit for at-home treatment from the comfort of your home. Just 60 seconds, and the assessment is complete.

Feature Description Star Rating
Price $1,145, but discount offers are often available
Treatment Time 4–6 months (All-Day); 6–8 months (NightOnly)
Hours/Day Required 20–22 hours (All-Day); 8–10 hours (NightOnly)
Personal Support Available; indirect from dentists only
Refund Policy Yes for the impression kit, extra support or re-aligning available if they are ill-fitting

 

AlignerCo’s top advantage is that it is one of the cheapest invisible braces in the market.

Like other invisible teeth braces, you first receive an at-home impression kit to make a mold of your teeth. A team of dentists and orthodontists then analyze it and construct a custom-made aligner.

After your aligner treatment process is over, you can purchase retainers to prevent relapse.

Their WorryFree plan gives you new post-treatment retainers every six months, with on-demand replacements in case you lose your retainer.

Bottom Line: 

AlignerCo aligners are the best invisible brace for adults. That said, don’t offer specialized braces to cater to the complexities of younger jaws.

Pros

  • Very competitive pricing.
  • Nighttime aligners available.
  • Trimmed to the gumline for comfort.
  • Retainers for sale on the website.

Cons

  • Customer support can be better.

3. Invisalign – Best Invisible Braces for Severe Misalignment

Feature Description Star Rating
Price $3,000–$8,000 (average of $5,000)
Treatment Time Minimum of 6 months
Hours/Day Required 20–22 hours per day
Personal Support Available through in-person providers
Refund Policy No, but can be reimbursed through many insurance providers

Invisalign is an evidence-based way to straighten your teeth. It’s among the the only invisible teeth braces specifically studied and described by name in the research.

It is partly through this academic research that Invisalign’s efficacy has improved over time, with an average accuracy of 50% for all tooth movements [2].

Improvement in the buccal-lingual crown tip has the highest overall tooth movement accuracy of 56%, while the lowest improvement belongs to rotation accuracy, sitting at 46%.

An earlier review found a lower overall accuracy, at only 41%. Digital scans replacing impression kits, superior aligner material, and smart pressure zones are behind these gains.

Invisalign is indicated for a range of orthodontic treatment needs, ranging from crowding to misalignment. It’s also one of the few aligners that work with younger kids.

Bottom Line: 

Invisalign is more expensive than other invisible braces brands that offer remote treatment.

That said, its ability to work for mild to moderate teeth straightening needs is backed up by evidence. See how Invisalign alternatives compare.

Pros

  • Backed by solid research.
  • In-person treatment.
  • Time tested, originating in the 90s.
  • Advanced digital scanning.
  • Accommodates younger patients.

Cons

  • Quite costly.
  • Not available everywhere.

4. Candid –Best Invisible Braces for Teens

Feature Description Star Rating
Price $1,895
Treatment Time Average of 6 months
Hours/Day Required 22 hours per day; no night aligners available
Personal Support Fortnightly check-ins, orthodontists only.
Refund Policy Yes, for the impression kit and any upfront payment

Candid is very big on quality remote treatment. Only orthodontists are employed for patient support, as they have an average of seven years of training, compared to the four years for dentists.

When choosing between a dentist or orthodontist, remember that orthodontists specifically train to straighten teeth, looking at the underlying muscle and bone issues as well as dental ones.

In line with the American Board of Orthodontics’ standards, you start by sending eight photos. Then, with the CandidMonitoring system, you send in quality scans each fortnight, instead of regular cell phone photos.

Your results determine whether your orthodontist will give you the green light to move to your next invisible braces, which may be several days earlier or later than average.

Support for teenage customers is more comprehensive. Candid is unique among invisible braces for teens in that teenagers require X-rays to initiate treatment, because their bone structure is still developing.

There is also a smaller 10-day interval between each check-in due to the higher needs brought on by continued development.

Bottom Line: 

Candid offers the best invisible brace for teens. It seems to leave no stone unturned when it comes to remote monitoring of your teeth straightening journey.

Teens get specialized treatment plans that take into account their growing jaws.

Pros

  • Teen-centric treatment options.
  • Only orthodontists are consulted for support.
  • Comprehensive CandidMonitoring system.
  • Retainers are available.

Cons

  • No option given for night aligners.
  • Stricter requirements for acceptance into treatment.

Invisible Teeth Braces vs Traditional Braces

Invisible braces are best if you have a mild to moderate cases of misaligned teeth. A research review comparing invisible braces treatment to traditional braces found that they were overall less effective in teeth straightening, but their effects may be enough in less severe cases [2].

However, one study found that invisible teeth braces increased intercanine width more than traditional braces, which allows more space for the incisors (front teeth). Others showed roughly equal benefits in enhancing the intermolar width.

It is also important to remember that the studies showing more positive results were also more recent. Research and technology used in invisible braces are constantly evolving, as market forces select for effective alternatives to painful, more invasive traditional treatments.

Invisible Braces vs Metal Braces: Pros and Cons

There are several advantages to invisible braces over traditional metal braces, alongside some disadvantages too.

Pros

  • Invisible teeth braces are more esthetically pleasing, with no bulky “metal mouth” look associated with awkward teenage years.
  • Invisible braces for adults are pain-free, both when being applied and in your everyday life. Metal brackets can irritate or injure the inside of your cheeks, causing ulceration.
  • Invisible teeth braces do not interfere with chewing or lead to some chewy or crunchy foods being off-limits [3].
  • Invisible braces for teens do not have the long-term risks of traditional metal braces. These include chronic infection, bone loss, gingivitis, and inflammation-induced overgrowth of tissue. The risk of these issues is higher if you have a history of gingivitis [4].
  • You are able to remove your invisible braces when eating and brushing your teeth. Being unable to do so with traditional braces leads to a higher risk of tooth decay.
  • There is a shorter average treatment time.
  • Remote monitoring is possible with invisible braces, as you do not need to travel to a dentist or orthodontist for services such as tightening them.

Cons

  • Some research suggests that invisible braces are less effective in correcting malocclusion, so they may only be helpful in mild to moderate cases of issues such as overbite or poor alignment [2].
  • Invisible braces are more likely to cause difficulties in speaking [3].
  • Remote monitoring can lead to important issues being missed, such as a skeletal cause of your crooked teeth, or oral habits that may contribute to relapse if they are left unaddressed.
  • Invisible braces can require more effort on the patients’ side to be effective.
  • Currently, the American Dental Association does not support the use of invisible braces prescribed by remote treatment.

Do Invisible Braces Really Work?

Invisible braces are effective in mild to moderate cases of misaligned or crooked teeth. A 2020 review testing the Invisalign aligners found an average correction of 50%, meaning half of the original defect was corrected. Although this was an improvement over the 41% correction rate seen in 2009, there is still work that must be done.

best invisible braces How the effectiveness of clear braces have improved between 2009-2020 The effectiveness of invisible braces for adults increased from 41% to 50% between 2009 and 2020

The buccal-lingual crown tip improved the most, at 56% on average. This is the easiest aspect of teeth alignment to correct, due to the large surface area. While rotation seemed to be the least improved aspect, at 46%, this was because rounded teeth are least likely to grip the invisible teeth braces [1].

Are Invisible Braces Painful?

As they do not involve metal brackets, invisible braces won’t irritate or hurt the inside of your mouth. You can also take them off at will if things get too uncomfortable. That’s why they are the most popular alternative to braces.

That said, the force exerted by your invisible brace can result in some mild soreness. The Byte aligner website describes this as normal for the first few days after changing to new invisble teeth braces. Like stepping up your gym workouts, it is seen as a sign that the treatment process is progressing.

Do Invisible Braces Work Faster?

Research shows that invisible teeth braces have a shorter average treatment time than traditional braces. Three studies comparing the two found that invisible braces for teens had a 13.4, 13.35, and 20.9-month average treatment time, all less than two years. In contrast, the average treatment time for regular braces was 20.2, 19.1, and 28.1 months, respectively [1].

Invisible Braces Cost in 2023

Invisible braces’ cost depends on the brand. While a course of Byte aligner treatment costs a little under $2,000, Invisalign treatment may set you back up to $8,000, depending on your needs.

Important considerations to make when judging the price of each invisible braces treatment plan are whether your dental insurance covers it, and your individual needs. A more expensive invisible braces company likely to work for you is more worthwhile than a cheaper brand that doesn’t cover your level of severity or type of issue.

Where To Buy Invisible Braces?

Invisible braces for adults are predominantly teledentistry products. You usually make orders from the relevant websites although you can also get them via select orthodontic offices.

Invisible Braces Near Me

As easily the oldest of all invisible teeth braces, and as a product designed for in-person support, Invisalign has the largest number of physical locations. The Doctor Locator allows you to find providers near your zip code, with options for teenage patients and ranking. The downside is that you pay for the extra attention, making this invisble braces significantly costlier than the other products reviewed here. Read more on invisalign treatment cost.

Candid has an increasing number of in-person locations. Here, you can ask questions about your treatment options with a care specialist, and get the scans you need so the orthodontists can design your treatment plan. These are spread out across 14 states, including California, New York, and Texas.

SmileDirectClub’s SmileShops allow you to have your scan performed by a professional with experience, so there’s no need to worry that you aren’t getting it right. There are currently locations in 34 US states, including Hawaii, New York, Florida, and California.

1. Byte - Best Overall

What You Get

Byte aligners combine new technology with the support you need to build a better smile with invisible braces. Faster and cheaper than traditional braces, yet still FDA-Approved.

Read the full Byte Review

Invisible Braces Online

Most invisible braces companies, including four of the five invisible teeth braces brands being reviewed in this article, are available online: Byte, AlignerCo, Candid, and SmileDirectClub. You must purchase the invisible braces from their official websites, as you need an initial assessment with the impression kit.

Invisible Braces FAQs

What are the most important things we need to know about invisible braces?

Can Braces Be Invisible?

What Invisible Braces are the Best?

What Is the Best Invisalign Alternative?

What Are the Best Invisible Braces for Adults for Crowded Teeth?

What Are the Best Invisible Braces for Teens for Overbite?

Do Invisible Braces for Adults Really Work?

So What’s the Best Invisible Teeth Braces Brand?

Byte aligners are among the few invisible braces for adults with FDA approval. With their quick action and favorable pricing, they are our #1 recommendation. AlignerCo braces are a very close second. That said, it’s important to only use invisible braces on very mild cases. For any severe cases of teeth misalignment, we strongly suggest that you only start treatment after talking to a registered orthodontist.

1. Byte - Best Overall

What You Get

Byte aligners combine new technology with the support you need to build a better smile with invisible braces. Faster and cheaper than traditional braces, yet still FDA-Approved.

Read the full Byte Review

References:

  1. Ke, Yunyan et al. “A comparison of treatment effectiveness between clear aligner and fixed appliance therapies.” BMC oral health vol. 19,1 24. 23 Jan. 2019, doi:10.1186/s12903-018-0695-z
  2. Haouili, Nada et al. “Has Invisalign improved? A prospective follow-up study on the efficacy of tooth movement with Invisalign.” American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics : official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics vol. 158,3 (2020): 420-425. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2019.12.015
  3. Alajmi, Saitah et al. “Comparison of Short-Term Oral Impacts Experienced by Patients Treated with Invisalign or Conventional Fixed Orthodontic Appliances.” Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre vol. 29,4 (2020): 382-388.
  4. Boke, Fatma et al. “Relationship between orthodontic treatment and gingival health: A retrospective study.” European journal of dentistry vol. 8,3 (2014): 373-380. doi:10.4103/1305-7456.137651

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