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.
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.
Byte Aligners – Best Invisible Braces Overall
AlignerCo Aligners – Best Invisible Braces for Adults
Invisalign – Best Invisble Braces for Severe Misalignment
CandidCo – Best Invisible Braces for Teens
Let’s look at the four best reviewed invisible braces today.
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!
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.
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.
There are several advantages to invisible braces over traditional metal braces, alongside some disadvantages too.
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.
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].
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
What are the most important things we need to know about invisible braces?
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.