Best Invisible Braces: Which Clear Aligner Brand is Right for You?

What are the best invisible braces? With so many brands to choose from it can be hard to know for sure. Our favorites include brands like Invisalign, NewSmile, Candid, and Byte, but there are plenty of others to choose from as well.

To help you decide which is the best clear aligners brand to straighten your teeth, we'll have a look at things like:

• Eligibility for treatment
• Cost of treatment
• Treatment time
• Dentist or orthodontist supervision

We hope that by the end of this article you have a much clearer idea of which type of adult braces could work for you.

How do invisible braces work?

Invisible braces consist of plastic trays that are designed to gradually move your teeth into an aligned position. These trays are removable, and must be taken out when you eat.

With invisible braces companies, you can choose between two main types: In-office and at-home.

In-office braces mean you have regular visits with your dentist or orthodontist. Invisalign is the best-known and most well-established brand of this type of aligner. Check out our comparison article on Invisalign vs braces.

At-home aligners work very much like in-office clear aligners, except that everything is done remotely. This might sound odd at first, but studies have found that teledentistry outcomes could be comparable to regular braces.

A quick comparison

Have a look at some of our top picks for clear aligners. Further down we'll go into a more in-depth comparison of the different brands.

The best teeth aligners: At-home

As promised let's take a look at some of the best invisible aligners brands on the market today. We will review a variety, but we think the most important things to look for are licensed orthodontist monitoring and a great customer service record.

Byte

Byte is one of the newer brands to the clear aligner game, and our final top pick for best teeth aligners. It's an at-home teeth straightening brand, founded to increase access to orthodontic treatment with shorter treatment time and a lower price tag of just $1,895 for standard treatment. Your treatment is planned with orthodontists and they offer a nighttime version for just $2,245 with a monthly payment plan that available for both treatment options.

One of the things that really sets Byte apart from other brands is their HyperByte technology, which can cut treatment time down to just 3 months in some cases.

Byte pros

• Treatment time: Shortest treatment time of all aligners — just 3 months in some cases
• Nighttime: They offer a nighttime option
• Support: They have great customer support
• Tech: HyperByte technology speeds up treatment time and reduces discomfort

Byte cons

• Byte is only meant for mild to moderate cases of malocclusion
• Byte has no physical locations where you can go to get your teeth scanned

Is Byte right for me?

Choose Byte if:

• You want a discreet way to straighten your teeth
• You want the convenience of remote treatment
• You want to work with orthodontists
• You have mild to moderate malocclusion
• You don't mind paying more for a nighttime option
• You want to use HyperByte technology to speed up treatment

We have a whole Byte reviews article if you want to find out more. We also have a Byte and Candid comparison article.

Otherwise, check out the table below:

Smileie

Smileie is a newer brand that stands out from the crowd with their various treatment options, making it easier for you to find a plan that best fits your lifestyle and budget.

Their Daytime OneGo is the standard package that straightens both your top and bottom teeth and requires wearing 20 hours per day.

They also have a Single Arch treatment plan, ideal for people who just want to straighten their top teeth — or bottom teeth if that's your case.

For further convenience, Smileie also offers a nighttime treatment option so you can straighten your teeth while you sleep. With nighttime aligners you can also choose to straighten just your top or bottom teeth.

All of the treatment options can be paid for upfront, or in installments.

Smileie pros

• Wide variety of options: Including single-arch straightening and nighttime straightening
• Ultra clear: These are some of the clearest aligners on the market
• Quick turnaround: Once you approve your treatment plan, you'll get your aligners in just 5-7 days
• Free refinements: If you aren't 100% satisfied with your results, you can get adjustments for free

Smileie cons

• Smileie is only meant to treat mild to slightly moderate cases
• There are no physical locations or in-office meetings with your dentist — which some people may feel more comfortable with

Is Smileie right for me?

Choose Smileie if:

• You want a discreet way to straighten your teeth
• You want the convenience of remote treatment
• You want the option of just straightening one arch
• You have mild to moderate malocclusion
• You want a nighttime option
• You want some of the clearest aligners

We have a whole Smileie article if you want to find out more.

Otherwise, check out the table below:

ALIGNERCO

ALIGNERCO is another brand we recommend as some of the best clear aligners, primarily because of the cost and the fact that just like Candid, they work with orthodontists to plan and monitor your treatment.

The cost is especially appealing with ALIGNERCO as it is the cheapest option available. ALIGNERCO costs just $1,145 if you decide to purchase their standard plan called SmileAdvantage.

This includes everything for your treatment: impression kit, clear teeth aligners, retainers, the lot—even a free whitening kit!

ALIGNERCO pros

• Price: It's the cheapest clear aligner on the market
• Nighttime: They offer a nighttime option
• Payment plans: They offer a range of monthly payment plan options

ALIGNERCO cons

• Lower costs mean fewer frills
• There's only one physical location so far
• Only meant to treat mild to moderate cases of malocclusion

Is ALIGNERCO right for me?

Choose ALIGNERCO if:

• You want a discreet way to straighten your teeth
• You want an in-person consultation (NY only)
• You want the convenience of remote treatment
• You are looking for the best price
• You want your treatment monitored by an orthodontist
• You have mild to moderate malocclusion
• You want a free whitening kit

You can find out more about ALIGNERCO in our ALIGNERCO review. And now there is an ALIGNERCO SmileStudio in New York for residents of the Big Apple who want to have an in-person consultation and get help taking their impressions.

Here's a recap of what you get with ALIGNERCO:

NewSmile

NewSmile is another of our top picks for best teeth aligners. Their aligners are the second-fast in the industry (just behind Byte) and they also offer a nighttime-only option.

NewSmile pros

• Clear aligner material: NewSmile clear teeth aligners are made from Raintree Essix plastic which is said to be the clearest available.
• Price: Starting at just $1,495 for standard treatment, NewSmile offers a great price for high-quality treatment.
• Orthodontists: NewSmile orthodontist help plan and supervise your treatment.
• Night aligners: NewSmile is one of the only brands to offer nighttime aligners. These only have to be worn at night, and cost just a bit more than standard treatment.

NewSmile cons

• There are no studio locations where you can go if you need in-person help, or to get a 3D scan instead of impressions
• NewSmile is only meant to treat mild to moderate cases of malocclusion

Is NewSmile right for me?

Choose NewSmile if:

• You want a discreet way to straighten your teeth
• You want the convenience of remote treatment
• You want to pay less than you would for in-office brands like Invisalign
• You want your treatment monitored by an orthodontist
• You want the clearest aligners on the market
• Customer service is important to you
• You don't want to compromise quality of care for a lower price tag
• You have mild to moderate malocclusion

Read more about NewSmile in our full NewSmile review here.

Candid

Candid has is an aligner brand with a partnership with medical tech company Dental Monitoring. Through this partnership, they use AI-based remote monitoring technology, including a ScanBox that you use every 10 days to take pictures of your teeth.

This special remote monitoring system results in an average of a 20 to 30% reduction rate in treatment time.

Candid pros

• In-office and at-home: Candid is currently transitioning to a treatment model that combines in-person and remote monitoring for more effective treatment.
• Customer service: According to Candid invisible aligners reviews, Candid has wonderful customer service, including an online video chat option so you can talk with someone in real-time if you have any issues.

Candid cons

• Like the majority of clear aligners, Candid can only treat mild to moderate cases of malocclusion; this system is not meant for more severe teeth straightening treatment.

Is Candid right for me?

Choose Candid if:

• You want a discreet way to straighten your teeth
• You want the convenience of remote treatment
• You want to also see a dentist in-person
• You want to pay less than you would for in-office brands like Invisalign
• You want more accurate and efficient treatment with AI technology
• Customer service is important to you
• You don't want to compromise quality of care for a lower price tag
• You have mild to moderate malocclusion

Read more about Candid in our in-depth review here!

Other brands of at-home clear aligners

There are myriad brands of clear aligners and teledentistry aligners options on the market today, and the offerings are bound to keep growing. Other brands that we've reviewed are Smilint, Smilelove, SnapCorrect and Smile Direct Club.

They are quite similar with a bit of a price difference and treatment time difference, although Smile Direct Club is a bit more well-known. Read more about Smile Direct Club here, or check out some Smile Direct Club reviews and Smile Direct Club alternatives. You may also be interested in reading our Smilelove reviews, or finding out more about SnapCorrect here.

Another brand you might be interested in is Uniform Teeth. They're a bit different since they offer a hybrid option between at-home and in-office aligners. So while you do have some in-office appointments, you don't have as many as you would with Invisalign, and this helps keeps prices down. To find out more, read our Uniform Teeth reviews article.

For faster treatment time, Inman Aligners straightens only the front few teeth, which may work for some people, but not everyone. Read more about Inman Aligner cost.

The best teeth aligners: In-office

In-office invisible aligners tend to be more expensive than their at-home counterparts, however they may be your only option (besides traditional metal braces) if you have a more complex case of malocclusion. Let's take a closer look at two of the most popular and potentially best in-office brands: Invisalign and ClearCorrect.

Invisalign

Invisalign is the poster child for invisible aligners teeth straightening. Besides their invisible and removable nature, these braces are almost more similar to traditional braces than they are to at-home options.

Invisalign treatment time can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months and these invisible braces cost between $3,500 and $8,500. Your treatment is monitored during in-person visits with your dentist, which is why Invisalign can also be used to treat more severe cases of malocclusion. Find out more about Invisalign in our complete guide here, and see how they compare to Smile Direct (mentioned above) in our Smile Direct Club vs. Invisalign article.

ClearCorrect

ClearCorrect is the same as Invisalign in process and treatment time. The differences are the price and orthodontist vs dentist involvement. The price for ClearCorrect can be anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000, and treatment is planned with orthodontists. Read more about ClearCorrect here.

Other brands of in-office invisible braces

Recently, other in-office aligners have hit the market, including Six Month Smiles, a brand that focuses on only the teeth visible when you smile. They promise results in, you guessed it, six months. Depending on the complexity of your case, you will be eligible for either clear aligners or clear braces, and these invisible braces cost between $3,000-$5,000.

SureSmile aligners are similar and are made with durable Essix Ace plastic. Cost will vary depending on the treatment time, but it averages around $4,000.

How do all these brands differ?

There's a lot of information to sort through when it comes to choosing the best aligners for you, and it can definitely become overwhelming. The most important differences to look for when deciding which invisible braces are best for you are generally the following:

• In-office or at-home: Some people prefer the convenience of remote treatment, while others feel more comfortable with in-person monitoring.
• Cases they treat: Some brands like Invisalign or ClearCorrect can treat more complex cases of malocclusion, while the majority of at-home invisible brands are only meant for mild to moderate malocclusion.
• Cost: If price is a big issue for you you may want to consider one of the more affordable, at-home invisible options, especially those that offer a monthly payment plan.
• Nighttime option: Standard treatment plans usually involve wearing your aligners for at least 22 hours every day. If you know that you don't want to wear your aligners during the day, you'll have to consider a brand that offers nighttime clear aligners, like NewSmile or Byte.
• Average treatment time: Ultimately, it's really not your decision how long treatment will take; it depends on the severity of straightening that you need. But if you are dead-set on spending as little time with aligners as possible you may want to check out the brands with the fastest average treatment time, or brands like Candid that offer special technology to speed treatment up.

You've got a big decision ahead of you. Whatever you decide, invisible braces are considered by many to be the best way to straighten teeth. Have a look at the video below to see why the Chief Dental Officer of Candid recommends clear aligners over regular braces.

The clear aligners vs. braces decision can be tricky. In this video, Dr. Lynn Hurst explains the benefits of clear aligners. This video touches on three main differences between clear aligners (also known as clear braces or invisible braces) and traditional fixed braces. While both of these teeth straightening options are effective, clear aligners have some very significant advantages. Here are the topics Dr. Hurst addresses in this video: 1) Oral hygiene. Because invisible aligners are removable, they make it much easier to maintain your oral health than braces do. Plus, they don’t leave white spots on your teeth after treatment. 2) Comfort. Dr. Hurst describes the difference between controlled and uncontrolled tooth movement: in other words, the targeted precision of treatment with clear aligners vs. the more generalized movement you get with braces. 3) Discreteness. This one is pretty simple. By the way, Dr. Hurst has treated tens of thousands of patients with traditional braces and now with invisible braces, too — so he’s an expert in these two methods of teeth alignment. He was an early adopter of Invisalign, and he’s been treating his own patients with clear aligners exclusively for years. And, as he told us during the shoot: “I had traditional braces in my twenties — the bands, the brackets, the wires, all of those things.” Which makes him the perfect person to speak to clear aligners vs. braces, since he’s lived the difference himself. Want to learn more about the different options for straightening your teeth? Check out these articles: All Your Teeth Straightening Options, Explained https://www.candidco.com/theimpression/article/teeth-straightening-options 9 Questions About Clear Aligners, Answered https://www.candidco.com/theimpression/article/questions-about-clear-aligners One more difference between braces and clear aligners that this video *doesn’t* touch on is price. At Candid, we provide clear aligner treatment with remote monitoring by an orthodontist for thousands less than braces. So you can get care directed by experts like Dr. Hurst no matter where you are.

Conclusion

With so many invisible braces options it can be overwhelming to figure out the best option for you. Choosing a brand that works with orthodontists, and which has a great customer service record, will help you narrow down your options.

Candid, NewSmile, Byte, and ALIGNERCO all meet these criteria. ALIGNERCO is best if price is your main concern, since they have by far the cheapest clear aligner package out there. Candid has the benefit of physical locations for in-person assistance. They also use Dental Monitoring and AI technology to make treatment more accurate and efficient. NewSmile offers an easy way to pay and has the clearest plastic on the market. And Byte's technology means they are some of the fastest braces out there.

However, when choosing the best brand for you, you'll need to consider your budget, your level of malocclusion, and how long you want to spend on treatment. And keep in mind that if you have severely crooked or misaligned teeth or jaws, you will most likely need to opt for an in-office version like Invisalign or ClearCorrect, and you might even have to go with traditional braces.

If budget is a concern, be sure to check out our article on cheap braces here, as well as our article on dental insurance for braces.

Whichever option you choose, straightening your teeth can aid better oral health and overall health, and give you more confidence with your smile!

FAQs

Which brand of invisible braces has the best customer service?

According to many customer reviews, Candid and NewSmile have some of the best customer service of all of the brands. Both offer live video chat for real-time assistance for taking impressions. There are also support reps available 24/7 with NewSmile.

What are the cheapest invisible braces?

The cheapest option currently on the market is ALIGNERCO at $1,145, with a monthly payment plan if that works better for you. If you find options that are much cheaper, approach with caution. When in doubt, you should probably ask your dentist about them.

What works better, braces or Invisalign?

Both Invisalign and traditional metal braces are highly effective treatment methods for those who have mild to severe malocclusion. This may not be the case if you have very crooked teeth. People with a particularly complex case of crooked or misaligned teeth or jaws, may have to go with traditional metal braces.