Can You Fix Your Teeth Sitting at Home?
In the past years, invisible braces were used for simple issues. However, that is no longer the case.
With advancements in technology, people can now expect treatments that can rival metal braces. This technology also eliminates several complications that people had when using metal braces.
And to top it all off, you can now treat yourself to these treatments at the comfort of your house. There is no need to book appointments at your dentist and waste time waiting for a prognosis.
This guide is compiled to help you decide on the best home treatment that suits you and your dental needs. But before we get to the good stuff, let’s discuss if invisible braces are suited for you and how they differ from standard metal braces.
So, let's not waste any time and get right to it.
Invisible Braces: What Are They?
Invisible braces are also known as clear aligners. They're utilized for the same objectives that traditional metal braces are used for: to move teeth into the proper position to address dental problems.
They do, however, have a substantial visual difference. Invisible braces are generally constructed of plastic or acrylic material, which allows you to remove them more easily than standard metal braces.
Almost every direct-to-consumer company sends you an impression kit that scans your teeth or provides you with a device to scan your teeth's structure.
The results of these scans are then utilized to create the aligners that will be worn during the treatment.
Invisible Braces vs Metal Braces
Metal braces and clear aligners are used to treat a variety of dental issues. These can include:
- Gaps in your teeth
- A severe misalignment
- Crowded teeth
When it comes to straightening your teeth, you have a couple of options to choose from. The most common ones that you can relate to, are probably the steel braces you have seen on kids and teenagers.
These braces are made of brackets and wires in a complex structure to make your teeth straight. The structure then provides a constant force that pushes your teeth into the right alignment.
There is almost no dental complication that metal braces cannot fix.
Clear aligners, on the other hand, also operate by applying pressure to teeth, helping them shift into the proper position. You do, however, have the option of removing the aligners as needed. This might be for eating, drinking, or sleeping.
Aligners are often made out of plastic and are nearly invisible to the human eye.
How Long Do Invisible Braces Have to Be Worn?
You would generally have to wear the invisible braces for about 20-22 hours a day. The total treatment period may vary from person to person but usually lasts between 5-14 months. It can be longer as the treatment period is dependent on the degree of misalignment of the teeth.
It should be noted that the treatment period is significantly lesser than using standard metal braces.
Can Everyone Use Invisible Braces?
These types of braces are usually not for everyone and have a limitation on the issues they can fix. Invisible braces can treat several issues like:
- Problems with over and underbite
- Gaps between teeth less than 2mm
- Teeth that are crowded
However, the severity of any of the cases above may not be addressed by invisible braces. In addition to this, the braces may not be suitable to treat issues such as:
- Rotation of teeth due to severe crowding
- Intrusions and extrusions of teeth
- Teeth that are misshapen and don’t fall in the midline movement
If you don't have any severe difficulties, though, you are good to go to select any of the companies in our guide to begin your road to having your teeth corrected for a better smile.
Why Should I Straighten Teeth at Home?
There can be some aspects of anxiety and stress when it comes to opting for an in-home treatment to straighten your teeth.
However, let’s highlight some of the reasons that might change this fear into excitement.
As mentioned earlier, invisible braces are difficult to spot but in case you want to be more discreet, you can choose the in-house all-night aligner regimen to keep your secret hidden as much as possible.
In addition to this, invisible braces are comfortable and they will help you gain all the confidence in the world by getting your smile back all in the comfort of your own home.
What are the Best in-home Options for You?
It should come as no surprise that in a world where everything is connected to the internet, you may have your whole treatment delivered to your home.
Here are some of the best companies that allow you to get started on your journey.
Smile Direct Club
This teledentistry company put a focus on cutting out all the effort that is required to get your teeth straightened. Here are some of the features of Smile Direct Club :
- Uses fitted and tight plastic aligners that can be worn overnight or during the day.
- No dental or orthodontist visits are required during the whole treatment process.
- Focuses on offering services by overcoming cost and convenience barriers.
The process begins by making a 3D analysis at the nearest SmileShop or by having the impression kit delivered to you. After the impression is made and reviewed, you are sent your set of aligners to begin the treatment.
The treatment process with Smile Direct Club can last anywhere between 6-9 months. This can take longer depending on your number of adjustments.
There are two payment structures provided by Smile Direct Club. You can either pay $1950 in one go or pay $89/month over 24 months.
Or read our complete review of Smile Direct Club
Byte
Another company that has been making headlines is Byte. It offers the quickest treatments in the current market and is shockingly impressive. Here are some of the features of Byte:
- One of the cheapest options out there to get teeth straightened at home.
- Option to choose from an All-day plan or an All-night plan.
- Reputable with a strong customer base.
Byte uses a gadget called HyperByte to provide the quickest treatment times. It works by vibrating at a high frequency and sending the vibrations to the corresponding bone in the teeth. This enables the teeth to be pushed in quicker, cutting the treatment time in half.
The average treatment time with Byte can range between 3-4 months. This is the fastest in the current industry.
To get started, you would need to have the impression kit delivered to you and send your impressions back. The impressions will be reviewed and if you are a good fit, Byte will send you a treatment plan with your set of aligners.
The all-day aligner system has a one-time price of $1895 or an $82/month plan over 32 months.
On the other hand, the all-night aligner system will set you back $2295 or $99/month over 32 months.
Or read our complete review of Byte
Candid
Candid used to offer in-house impression kits but have recently taken the option off for consumers. However, the company is a golden standard when it comes to invisible braces so don’t count them out yet. Some notable features of the company include:
- Orthodontists who have over 20 years of experience ensuring quality.
- In-person scans to create impressions of your teeth.
- Aligners designed to move all teeth into position at the same time to provide better results.
To begin the treatment, you’d need to travel to a CandidPro location and get your teeth scanned. The treatment plan will be crafted based on your scans and you’ll be provided with a set of aligners.
The entire treatment can be done from home and it will be monitored using Candid’s monitoring app, CandidMonitoring.
Depending on the structure of your teeth, the treatment might last anywhere from 8 to 11 months.
Candid's treatments have no set price because it depends on the shape of your teeth and how many adjustments you require. However, based on user ratings, we can reasonably estimate that it can cost around $3300 on average.
Or read our complete review of Candid
NewSmile
NewSmile, based in Vancouver, is one of the most well-known names in the industry for treating tooth misalignment. The firm has a few distinguishing features that set it apart from the competition.
- Offers retainers and whitening foams post-treatment without any extra cost.
- Regulated by Health Canada.
- Guarantee of no risk.
Unlike some of the companies mentioned earlier, the entire process of NewSmile is remote. An impression kit will be given to you so that you may take scans of your teeth.
After you send the scans back, you will be given a preview of what your new teeth could look like.
The procedure may be completed at home, but you will need to send NewSmile photos of your teeth. This is to ensure that you're on the correct track and that everything is running well.
The treatment costs $1395 or $83/month for 18 months. You'll have the option of purchasing an impression kit with a preview for $49 to see whether you're a good fit and then pay the remaining balance later.
Or read our complete review of NewSmile
AlignerCo
AlignerCo‘s invisible braces are custom-made and substantially less noticeable than other invisible braces on the market. They provide teeth straightening options that are both professional and cost-effective. The following are some of the prominent features:
- Custom-made hence more comfortable to wear and have a better fit.
- The treatment plan is approved by a team of experienced orthodontists.
- Provides quicker treatment results without requiring the use of aligners for an extended period.
The company’s treatments are all offered remotely and your impressions are reviewed on video calls. One of the many service representatives will walk you through the procedure of utilizing the impression kit to capture your impressions.
After the specialists at AlignerCo have cleared your scans, you will be mailed a series of aligners to begin your treatment. The entire treatment can take around 6-8 months. You have the option to choose between All-day invisible aligners and All-night invisible aligners.
The prices are different for each package. If you choose the All-day invisible aligner, it would cost you $1145 or $81/month over 12 months. The all-night invisible aligners, on the other hand, will cost you $1345 or $99/month over 12 months.
Strayt
Strayt is one of the companies that provide you with the best of both worlds. It offers both in-house impression scans and office scans. These are some of the other aspects of the business that drew our attention to them:
- Flexibility with treatments and payment plans.
- 3D preview of the entire treatment process.
- 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
After you have taken your scans, you’ll be notified if the treatment is suitable for you. Once approved, you will receive a 3D plan preview of your treatment and your aligners will be sent.
The treatment can take anywhere between 4 to 8 months depending on the structure of your teeth. The treatment plan comes in three payment structures.
You can pay for the entire service in one go at $1848 or opt for a 12-month or 24-month plan. The former will cost you $87/month over 24 months and the latter will cost you $154/month over 12 months.
Our Take on At-home Invisible Braces
It's hardly surprising that people prefer invisible braces to regular metal braces. It is one of the most advanced dental technologies for giving you a terrific smile without sacrificing your appearance or putting you through excruciating discomfort.
If the idea of straightening your teeth at home intrigues you, make sure you check out all of the firms included in this article.
Examine all of the options and pick one that works for you and your daily schedule. However, do keep in mind that aligners used at night will almost always take longer to produce effects.
You're only a few months away from having the smile of your dreams thanks to the treatments provided by these companies.
Good luck on your mission to get a perfect smile!
FAQ
Should I still see a dentist before getting Clear Aligners?
All the brands mentioned above offer home delivery. You do not need to visit a dentist before ordering them. However, your teeth are delicate and permanent so you should always consult a doctor before getting them. Medical healthcare professionals have all the expert advice you need to see if you are applicable for Clear Aligners.
Do I need to keep seeing a dentist if I have Clear Aligners?
Of course! You should see a dentist every 6 months, with or without ongoing treatment. The dentist can make sure everything is in check with your oral health and fix any issues with the Clear Aligner. If you have any questions, your dentist appointment is a great time to clear them up. Never skip dentist appointments.
Do I need special products to clean my Clear Aligner?
Clear Aligners do not necessarily require special products for cleaning, but you can buy them if you’d like. All you need at the end of the day is some cool or lukewarm water and a toothbrush, nothing more. Do not use soap or toothpaste as it could be abrasive to the texture. Gently scrub the surfaces every night.
