Invisalign is one of the most popular options for patients looking to have clear aligner orthodontic treatment. Invisalign is an in-office treatment but does not require as many visits as traditional braces. There are other clear aligner options on the market available to patients that enable them to receive treatment at home without regular visits to their dentist.
What is the difference between at-home and in-office treatment?
At-home and in-office clear aligner treatments work the same way but at-home options do not require office visits. This usually gives at-home aligners a smaller price tag than in-office but are also typically less effective for more severe cases and are not tracked by a dentist.
If you have a mild-to-moderate misalignment, at-home clear aligners could be the right choice for you. Below are listed some of the best at-home clear aligner services available.
Best At-Home Alternatives to Invisalign
Byte
byte is one of the newest home treatments but in their short time on the market, has achieved incredible effectiveness and convenience. Technological and procedural innovations have allowed byte to deliver shorter treatment times, averaging 3 months and do so without compromising quality. The cost of byte is about $1, 795.
Pros:
* Shorter treatment time: around half that of other home aligner companies and nearly a quarter of Invisalign
* Life-time guarantee: this ensures that your smile is covered for a lifetime and in the event that your teeth shift, they will fabricate new aligners to readjust them
* Financing and customer service: regardless of credit score, customers can receive financing and will have a personal customer service advisor to check in throughout treatment
* NIght-time only option: they offer a night time only treatment that requires only 10 hours per day as opposed to the typical 22 hours per day
Cons:
* No physical locations: this requires the patient to take impressions of their mouth on their own which can be challenging to get right
* New company: byte came to the scene in 2018 and therefore do not have the long-term studies of Invisalign
* Smaller scope of treatment: byte does not have the ability to treat the wide range of dental issues that Invisalign does, such as bite problems
SmileDirectClub
This is probably the most well-known at-home aligner brand as one of the first on the market to rival Invisalign. With a strong physical presence of more than 300 stores across the country, SmileDirectClub goes above and beyond to provide customers with the most convenient treatment available. SmileDirectClub costs about $1,950.
Pros:
* Physical presence: allows the customer to have their impressions taken by professional instead of trying to take them themselves
* Night-time option: like byte, SmileDirect also offers a night-time only treatment option
* Cost: at $1,950, the cost is significantly less than Invisalign and they also offer payment plans that do not require a credit check
Cons:
* Scope of treatment: as with other at-home options, SmileDirect does not have the capacity to treat as many issues as Invisalign
* Monitoring: they do work with dental professionals but it is not a guarantee that they are an orthodontist
* Negative reviews: customer support for SmileDirectClub has unfortunately received some negative feedback over the years whereas Invisalign allows you to speak directly to your dentist when you have questions or concerns
Best In-Office Alternatives to Invisalign
ClearCorrect
As the only direct competitor of Invisalign, ClearCorrect is a great option for in-office treatment and has the experience to back it. Though they have only been around since 2006, ClearCorrect develops your treatment with your dentist and is overseen by your dentist for the duration of treatment. Your dentist will be able to place attachments and other appliances when necessary as dictated by your treatment plan. ClearCorrect is able to treat a wide range of dental issues just like Invisalign and sometimes has a lower price tag at $2,500-$5,000.
Pros:
* Cost: the products and lab fees are usually less than that of Invisalign which translates to a smaller price tag for the patient
* Design: the plastic used to fabricate the aligners is thinner than that of Invisalign and can be even more comfortable and less noticeable
* Monitoring: like Invisalign, ClearCorrect is directly overseen by your dentist
Cons:
* Material: since the trays are thinner, they are not as durable as Invisalign, which has since moved on to new materials that are arguably more durable and effective
* Newer: Invisalign has about 9 years on ClearCorrect, giving them a better long-term track record
Six Month Smiles
Having started out selling clear braces, Six Month Smiles now offers clear aligners as well. Like Invisalign, they are monitored by a dentist and require regular office visits but typically come with a shorter treatment time. Six Month Smiles costs between $2,500-$5,000.
Pros:
* Treatment time: averaging 6 months, about half that of Invisalign
* Treatment options: your dentist can decide if you would be best served by clear aligner trays or clear braces
* Cost: since the timeframe of treatment is shorter, they often cost almost half of Invisalign
Cons:
* Smaller scope of treatment: as with at-home options, Six Month Smiles cannot treat more extensive cases
* Cost: though they are less than Invisalign, they cost more than at-home alternatives and offer similar results