Are you debating the best clear braces for your orthodontic treatment? With so many choices, it can be a challenging decision. Luckily, we’ve done a lot of the legwork for you, so hopefully, by the time you reach the end of this article, you’ll have a better idea of the best clear aligners for you.
For decades, teeth straightening only involved unsightly metal brackets and wires, not to mention those awful rubber bands. Nowadays that’s no longer the case, thanks to the invention of invisible braces – One of the best inventions we’ve seen within dentistry – in our opinion.
Also called clear aligners or clear braces, this convenient orthodontic treatment can help a person achieve the straight smile, faster and without a mouthful of metal.
In-office vs at-home invisible braces treatment – what’s the difference?
Firstly, the aligners look very similar. It’s unlikely that you would be able to tell an aligner manufactured for in-office treatment apart from an aligner provided for at-home teeth straightening.
With in-office clear braces, the orthodontist or dentist will regularly ask patients to attend their clinics to monitor their progress and carry out any adjustments needed.
With at-home aligners (otherwise known as Direct To Consumer or DTC) your chosen company will ask you to supply them with impressions or scans of your teeth, enabling them to decide if you’re a suitable candidate.
In addition, a preview image will show you how your new smile will look. Following this, your aligners will be shipped directly to your door.
Once you receive the aligners, all you need to do is wear them as per their schedule.
So now you know the difference between in-office and at-home teeth straightening, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty – the best clear braces.
Naturally, it’s a personal choice which company you choose for your orthodontic treatment. But to make it slightly easier for you, we’ve discussed the pros and cons of 5 top clear braces companies to help you make an informed decision. So here goes…
Best clear braces to use at-home
If you don’t want the hassle of monthly dental visits and you’d like to save thousands of dollars on costly in-office orthodontic treatment, then an at-home clear-aligner company could be the best choice.
Usually, these companies only treat mild to moderate cases such as crowding and spacing issues and, compared to in-office treatment, lack the customisation. There are several differences between at-home aligner companies, so let’s jump in and take a closer look.
#1 Byte – One-time payment $2749 all-day system
If you want to see results in double-quick time, Byte could be the best clear braces for you. They can straighten your teeth in as little as three months, knocking their direct competitors out of the park and speeding past their in-office competitors too. Let’s take a look at why they’re regarded as the best clear braces for DIY aligning at home.
Pros
- More efficient than any other competitor.
- Smile for life guarantee – Byte will work with you to achieve your initial results for free, should your teeth move in years to come.
- Night-time plan offered for those preferring not to wear their clear braces for 22 hours a day.
- Outstanding customer support.
- Thousands of positive customer reviews.
- Dentist-prescribed treatment.
- Free retainer and whitening treatment kit.
Cons
- Byte has the second-highest price point for at-home teeth alignment – SmileDirectClub being slightly higher.
- No physical location where patients can get their teeth scanned professionally.
#2 Ez Smile – One-time payment $2149
Not only are you saving $600 when compared to Byte and thousands of dollars compared to in-office options, but the best thing about Ez Smile’s invisible braces is their money-back guarantee. The company also offers in-office teeth scanning if you would rather avoid the hassle of DIY impressions.
Pros
- Ez Smile is considerably cheaper than Byte.
- The company partners with 13 dentists across Australia, making it easier for patients to get a professional teeth scan if they prefer.
- Treatment includes a free set of aftercare retainers.
- Their 90-day guarantee includes your money back within that time if you’re dissatisfied with your experience.
- An overwhelming majority of customer reviews are positive.
- Treatment takes 4-8 months which, while not as fast as Byte, is more efficient than most in-office and at-home alignment companies.
- 5 payment plans, including some without a credit check or down payment.
Cons
- Only offers all-day aligners.
#3 SmilePath – One-time payment $1899
If price is your main concern, then SmilePath are the best clear braces for you. They are the only primary provider of at-home aligners in Australia that offers prices below $2000.
Pros
- SmilePath often runs significant discounts on what are already extremely low prices. For example, at the time of writing, the price is currently $1449.
- Your first set of retainers are free.
- Patients can benefit from a night-time aligner plan that only costs $100 more than their all-day plan.
- Fantastic customer service that makes SmilePath even more deserving of their place in our list of best clear braces for at-home teeth aligning.
Cons
- All-day aligner treatment can take up to 6-11 months and 8-12 months for night-only alignment, significantly longer than the other at-home options discussed in this article.
- Similar to Byte, SmilePath only offers impression kits to use at home. If you’d prefer to visit a clinic for a professional teeth scan, then sorry, but you’ll have to choose one of their competitors.
Best In-office clear braces
So, what if you feel hesitant about at-home aligners and prefer to settle for in-office alignment? What are the best clear braces companies that provide this service?
#4 Invisalign – Cost ranges between $4500 and $8000
Invisalign is the daddy of the clear aligner industry as they were the first company to provide aligners as an alternative to traditional braces in the late 1990s. To date, they have straightened more than 10 million smiles across the globe and are the most experienced aligner company out there.
Pros
- Experience in bucketfuls!
- Unlike their competitors, Invisalign can correct several severe bite issues, including crossbite, underbite and overbite.
- Invisalign’s ‘Smart-Force’ attachments promote more effective teeth straightening than their competitors.
Cons
- If price is your main concern, then Invisalign is probably not the best clear braces orthodontic treatment for you. While prices vary depending on individual circumstances, you can expect to pay at least $4500 and up to $9000
- As with all in-office treatments, you will have to pay regular visits to your Invisalign dentist. Typically at-home teeth straightening is more convenient because there are fewer if any dental visits.
- The average treatment time with Invisalign is 12 months, but it can take up to 24 months. Far longer than the time quoted by any at-home aligner companies. However, Invisalign is able to take on more complex bite cases as stated above.
#5 ClearCorrect – Costs range between $3000 and $5000
Founded in 2006, ClearCorrect is the other major player in Australia offering in-office clear aligner treatment. If you’re looking for similar aligners to Invisalign, but at a more affordable cost, then this could be the best clear braces treatment for you. Let’s check out how they compare in other areas to Invisalign.
Pros
- ClearCorrect doesn’t charge dentists as highly for their aligners and lab costs as Invisalign, which means their system is often cheaper.
- ClearCorrect also uses attachments to help their aligners shift teeth faster (similar to Invisalign). Attachments are like tiny handles that assist the aligners in gripping the teeth.
- While ClearCorrect hasn’t been in the business as long as Invisalign, they still have the longest track record than any at-home competitor.
Cons
- Like Invisalign, patients can expect their ClearCorrect treatment to take at least 12 months which is far longer than most at-home aligner companies.
- While their prices are lower than Invisalign, they are higher than most at-home companies.
- ClearCorrect treatment takes up just as much time with dental visits as Invisalign.
How can I evaluate my options?
While for most people, price matters, it isn’t the be-all and end-all. For example, we’ve placed Byte as the best invisible braces at-home aligner treatment despite being one of the most expensive options.
The points we consider critical when weighing up the options are:
- Affordability
- Convenience
- Appearance
- Effectiveness
- Customer support
It’s best not to become too focused on any one element. Instead, take a look at the bigger picture before reaching your decision. The best invisible braces providers are those that score highly in all aspects, not just one.
So which companies excel the most in each area?
- Effectiveness – Invisalign and Byte
- Convenience – Ez Smile
- Affordability – SmilePath
- Best appearance – Invisalign
When it comes to the services provided by clear braces companies, everyone has their priorities. Our advice is to look for a company with well-rounded treatments that closely match your needs.
But don’t be governed by our choice of the best clear braces. It’s just a starting point for your alignment journey to help you discover which company best meets your needs, lifestyle and budget.
If you’re looking to straighten your teeth, why not contact Dental 266 on (02) 9051 0600. We utilise the latest technologies and devices, including metal and ceramic braces and Invisalign. We’ll be happy to evaluate your condition and discuss your best treatment options.