Best Teeth Aligners At Home – A Complete Guide!

 

Are you looking for a way to straighten your teeth without having to wear traditional metal braces? Clear aligners, known as at-home aligner treatment, are a great option. They are nearly invisible, can be removed when eating and drinking, and give you a beautiful smile!

At-home teeth straightening kits, also called mail-in aligners, are a more affordable option to clear aligners, such as Invisalign, used by orthodontists. These at-home aligners let you start the teeth straightening process from home.

If you are considering teeth aligners at home, this guide will tell you everything you need to know including pros & cons, the at-home aligner treatment, conditions that clear aligners treat, duration of treatment, and much more!

So let’s dive in!

Aligners At Home Pros & Cons

When looking into at-home teeth straightening kits, it is important to consider the pros and cons. You’ll find that these aligners are useful, affordable, convenient, and comfortable, but there are some limitations.

At-Home Aligners Pros & Cons

1. Affordable

At-home aligners are typically between one-third and one-half that of traditional orthodontic treatments like braces. Unlike in-office aligners such as ClearCorrect or Invisalign, at-home aligners, or mail-in aligners, do not require you to visit the orthodontist. Although, some brands of at-home aligners do offer in-person consultations with a dental professional. At-home aligners typically cost $2,000 or less whereas in-office aligners which require a visit to the orthodontist or dentist for an initial scan and routine visits can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $8,500. So at-home aligners are more cost-effective than in-office aligners.

2. Convenience

Convenience is a major advantage of at-home teeth straightening kits. At-home aligners do not require frequent trips to the orthodontist or dentist. Another convenience of at-home aligners is the fact that they are removable. You simply remove the aligners when you eat or drink so you are not restricted on the types of food you eat. In addition, at-home aligners are removed when brushing and flossing which allows for better oral hygiene.

3. Quicker treatment time

In some ways, home teeth aligners are more time-efficient than dental office orthodontics. In fact, treatment typically takes around six months, which is significantly shorter than the average duration of in-office aligners or traditional braces. Nevertheless, you must remain consistent and follow the prescribed treatment plan in order to achieve the desired results.

Cons Of Home Aligner Treatment

1. Safety

The biggest disadvantage of the home aligner treatment is that it doesn’t offer the same level of safety as an in-office treatment. A dental professional does not directly overlook your treatment process, so there may be health risks, including gum disease. Thus, it’s important to visit your dentist before starting to make sure that there aren’t any problems with your teeth and gums.

2. Risk of Relapse

Another negative aspect of the home aligner treatment is the risk of relapse. In the case of non-adherence to the treatment plan, there is a possibility of slight relapse. In addition, it’s possible that your teeth may move back to their original positions after a full treatment plan.

Conditions That Clear At-Home Aligners Treat?

There are certain conditions that can be treated by a clear aligner at home. Before you begin treatment with at-home teeth straightening kits, you will take a quiz to determine if you are a good candidate. More complicated cases require that you seek the care of an orthodontist or dentist. But clear at-home aligners are a great option for many issues including:

• Teeth misalignment
• Open Bite
• Crowded Teeth
• Underbite
• Crossbite

How Is The Clear Aligners At-Home Treatment Plan?

In order to get started with at-home aligners, you must determine if you are a candidate for this type of teeth straightening treatment. Although home aligners can improve mild-to-moderate crowding and spacing, they can not fix severe misalignments or bite problems.

If you are a candidate for at-home aligners, you will then order an impression kit and eliminate the need for a visit to the orthodontist. When you receive your impression kit, you will follow the directions provided and send the impressions of your teeth back to the company.

Next, an orthodontist will make a 3D model of your teeth. You will be able to view the entire teeth straightening process from start to finish. Now you know what that beautiful smile will look like after treatment.

Your at-home clear aligners will be sent to your home. You will have multiple sets of aligners for your top and bottom teeth. Every one to two weeks, or as determined by the aligner company, you will replace your clear aligners. Each set of aligners will shift your teeth to the desired position. The number of sets of aligners you receive will depend on your individual case. You will wear your aligners for 22 hours (or more) a day, only removing them to eat, drink, brush, and floss. It’s very important that you comply with the directions to achieve the best results.

Unlike traditional in-office aligners, at-home teeth straightening kits do not require a visit to your dental professional. If a visit is needed, the company will schedule a virtual visit.

Duration Of The Treatment

The average treatment time for clear at-home aligners is typically 6 months. You will generally see changes to your smile within the first month of wearing your new clear aligners. It’s recommended that you wear your clear aligners for at least 22 hours a day for the best results.

TYPES OF AT-HOME CLEAR ALIGNERS

SmileDirectClub (SDC)

SDC works with orthodontists and dental professionals to ensure that your treatment is effective and problem-free. Your dental professional will track your progress virtually for the best results. SDC at-home clear aligners typically cost $2,000.

Byte®

Byte® is one of the most popular clear aligner brands. Byte® has two at-home clear aligner options, All-Day Aligners which cost around $2,000 or At-Night Aligners that cost $2,400. Both options have some of the fastest treatment times on the market and Byte® works with dentists and orthodontists so you can have peace of mind. Byte® a high-frequency vibration device that is used for 5-10 minutes a day to use micro pulses that transmit through the root of your teeth to the bone.

NewSmile

NewSmile is one of the newest at-home clear aligner companies. One of the novel aspects of NewSmile is the way that the clear aligners set on your teeth. Unlike other aligners, NewSmile aligners are trimmed to sit along your gums rather than touching them which causes less irritation and makes the aligners less visible. Two NewSmile aligner options are available, NewSmile’s Night Aligners, worn 10+ hours a day, for $1,600 and NewSmile’s Fast Track Aligners which are worn for 22+ houses a day and cost $1,500.

Candid

For those who want the best of both worlds, the convenience of at-home clear aligners but with the added layer of care received from dental professionals, Candid is a great option. Your initial visit is with a dentist or orthodontist certified in CandidPro. You will have an impression or 3D scan taken on your initial visit and you will receive a treatment plan. All appointments after that will be remote through CandidMonitoring, the company’s virtual telehealth platform. Your final visit will be in-person at your orthodontist or dental office.

 

Conclusion – A Few final thoughts

In short,at-home clear aligners are a convenient way to get excellent orthodontic results without having to visit the dentist. However, these aligners don’t offer the same level of care that you will receive from your dental professional.

 

If you have any questions about at-home clear aligners or are considering aligners for a better smile, please contact our office. We are always here to help you explore your options and determine the best treatment plan for you! A beautiful smile is just a phone call away!