For decades, chunky and painful metal braces were the only option to correct crooked or crowded teeth. While metal braces are very effective in straightening teeth, there are several downsides, the main one being visibility. Metal braces often make people feel self-conscious, especially about smiling which can change how they express themselves. In addition to this, metal braces trap food and it’s very difficult to keep them clean which increases the risk of tooth discoloration and even decay. Invisible braces eliminate both these issues – they are pretty much invisible and do not impact dental health because they are removed before meals. There are several brands of invisible braces but not all of them are equally reliable which is why it is important to do your homework before you make a choice.
Top 5 Affordable Invisible Braces
We often assume that an expensive or well-known brand will deliver a high-quality product. However, in today’s world, it’s common for big brands to funnel most of their money into marketing and advertising. This means that a high price tag on invisible braces does not guarantee quality. On the other hand, there are plenty of smaller brands that don’t have much to invest in marketing but can produce excellent invisible braces. While the cost of invisible braces is a big factor, you should also look at whether the brand offers payment plans, free check-ins, and other perks. You can compare the best invisible braces in the market to find the pros and cons of each as this will help you decide which one is the best fit for you.
AlignerCo
AlignerCo is easily the most affordable invisible braces company in the market today as they cost just a fraction of the amount that you would normally pay. For instance, if you get invisible braces through your dentist, even with insurance, it would typically cost you about $5,000. However, AlignerCo invisible braces start at just $875 when you pay your treatment costs upfront. These invisible braces are ideal for mild issues such as gaps but they are not recommended for moderately or severely complex issues. The biggest drawbacks with AlignerCo are that a lot of people have complained about their customer service and they do not offer a treatment guarantee.
Byte
Byte is an excellent option for those who are willing to spend a little more to get an excellent product. You can expect to spend anywhere between $1,999 and $2,399 but the higher cost comes with several perks, the most important is their free treatment guarantee. Furthermore, you also get the option of using daytime or nighttime-only braces. The daytime aligners require you to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day but the nighttime-only braces have to be worn for just 10 hours. Many of the bigger brands of clean aligners including Byte use 3D-printing technology to ensure precision and quality. These sets of 3D-printed plastic aligners are able to slowly move your teeth to the desired positions. 3D-printing technology has been a game-changer in several fields, including dentistry as it can also be used to create 3D printed dental crowns in different materials.
Strayt
Strayt is a relatively new brand that launched in 2019 which means that it is over two decades behind other well-known invisible braces brands like Invisalign. However, Strayt is comparatively affordable as their invisible braces start at just $$1,848 while the starting price for Invisalign is $3000 and it can be as much as $8,000! Another perk that Strayt offers is a free mobile scan consultation where a Strayt Mobile Scan professional will drive to your home or office for the scan. Your dental insurance may cover some of the costs of your Strayt invisible braces or you may be able to use your FSA or HSA.
NewSmile
NewSmile is another relatively new brand in the market but they offer a lot of perks. While this brand deals with mild to moderately complex issues, it’s best to use them only if you have minor issues. On the plus side, the average treatment time is just four to six months and is very reasonably priced at $1,595. Once you have completed your treatment plan, you can start using retainers which will ensure that you retain your new smile. NewSmile retainers cost only $99 per set and they need to be changed every 6 months because they tend to stretch with use. Even if you have used conventional metal braces to straighten your teeth, you can still switch to NewSmile retainers to prevent your teeth from shifting.
Candid
One of the major selling points of invisible braces is that most companies send a kit with a putty mold to your home along with instructions on how to create a mold of your teeth. This means that you don’t have to spend time and effort going to a dentist. However, not everyone is comfortable doing this by themselves so it’s good to have the option of in-person appointments. During your appointment, your Candid dentist or orthodontist will take your impressions as well as any scans or x-rays if needed in order to determine if you are a good candidate or not. Candid is also a little more expensive as it starts at $3,000.
