If you’re on the quest for a straighter smile, metal and wire braces are no longer your only option. Widely available at dentist’s offices, teeth aligners give you multiple at-home treatment options as well. In addition to being discreet, many people find teeth aligners to be more comfortable, convenient and affordable. And research notes that aligners may work faster than braces[1].
To find the best at-home teeth aligners, the Forbes Health Editorial team analyzed data across a dozen brands. To determine our ranking, we looked at factors like price, duration of treatment, expert recommendations, accreditation and more. Read on to see which brands we found to be the best options for at-home teeth alignment.
In determining the best teeth aligners of 2022, the Forbes Health editorial team evaluated data on a dozen leading, at-home teeth aligner brands. Additionally, a dentist on the Forbes Health Advisory Board was asked for their recommendation on the brands reviewed. We also analyzed brands based on:
Teeth aligners are clear, mouth appliances that move your teeth without the wires and brackets used in traditional orthodontics, says William Busch, D.M.D., a dentist and director of North Kansas City Dental in Kansas City, Missouri.
“Instead of using a bracket in the wire to move a tooth from one direction, aligners actually move the tooth in three directions at the same time,” says Busch. That’s because aligners put pressure on the front, top and back side of the tooth all at once, achieving results about 20% faster than traditional braces, he adds.
Recent research shows invisible braces (or clear aligners) are as effective in straightening teeth as traditional braces, though there may be differences in treatment time and duration. Clear aligners tend to have a shorter treatment time but may not offer as much retention (especially without continued retainer wear). However, the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) notes that there’s no single correct way to approach orthodontic treatment, and the right method depends largely on the patient’s needs and preferences. Receiving an accurate diagnosis from an orthodontist is the first step to any successful braces treatment—invisible or not.
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Invisible braces in general offer a number of benefits, says Payam C. Ataii, D.M.D., a dentist at Laser Dental Center in Laguna Hills, California. Aligners have been proven to be a faster and significantly more efficient way to straighten your teeth when compared to traditional braces, with an average treatment time of four to eight months, Ataii says.
Another benefit of invisible braces is improved oral hygiene. “With braces, some may find it difficult to do something as simple as brushing their teeth effectively. Clear aligners give you the ability to take them off, brush and floss your teeth and put them right back in when you’re done,” says Ataii.
Because they’re removable, invisible braces offer more flexibility when it comes to food choices as well—your diet isn’t limited by hard, chewy or brittle foods, says Patricia J. Panucci D.M.D., a dentist and owner of Beach Braces in Manhattan Beach, California.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of at-home teeth aligners is their convenience, offering an improved smile right from the comfort of home, Panucci adds. “For those worried about their appearance with metal braces, clear aligners allow you to go through your smile journey most discreetly.”
The ease of virtual teeth aligners makes them very appealing, but experts say it’s still important to visit your dentist or orthodontist in person prior to and during your treatment with at-home aligners. That’s because it’s important to identify any underlying issues, says Busch. For example, if you haven’t seen a dentist for four or five years and you have cavities, aligners cut off all the oxygen to the gum tissue and the teeth, creating an environment where the bacteria that causes decay to thrive, he adds.
There are other drawbacks to consider, adds Panucci. Aligners must be worn as prescribed to be effective and obtain the desired results. “As I tell my patients, ‘The aligners only work when they are in your mouth!’ Additionally, not everyone is a good candidate for clear aligners. I always recommend meeting with an expert before starting any treatment, to ensure the best fit for your personal needs,” she says.
The best candidates for at-home teeth aligners are patients with mild crowding who just need a little tweak, according to Busch. Those who may not qualify as candidates include patients with a discrepancy in jaw position as the aligners cannot correct this, as well as those with issues with their supporting tissues (bone and gingiva), adds Panucci. In these cases, orthodontic treatment needs to be carefully prescribed by a dental professional to ensure that the situation is not worsened.
Without insurance, an invisible braces brand like Invisalign can cost anywhere from $1,800 to $9,500, depending on the patient’s needs and the extent of their treatment. On average, Invisalign treatment for a teenager is estimated to cost $3,000, according to GoodRX, a pharmaceutical and health care price comparison resource. For perspective, traditional metal-bracket braces typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000.
Some dental insurance plans may cover Invisalign as an orthodontic treatment, though some classify clear aligners as a cosmetic cost, in which case treatment is not covered. If you have dental insurance, speak with your insurance provider to determine whether invisible braces are covered under your plan.
Make sure your teeth and gums are healthy before starting at-home teeth aligners, says Victoria Veytsman, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist at Cosmetic Dental Studios in Beverly Hills, California and New York City. “If you have a history of poor oral hygiene or gum disease, it can worsen the problem. If your misalignment is a little more complex, you’ll likely need a more thorough treatment, and meeting with a professional would be the best case as every treatment is not one-size-fits-all,” says Veytsman.
But for those with mild to moderate crowding or spacing issues, aligners can be a great option. When choosing a specific treatment plan, it’s helpful to consider the following.
To ensure success with at-home aligners, check in with your orthodontist and/or follow the procedures that are required by your teeth alignment program; otherwise, your treatment may become ineffective and even unsafe, says Panucci. Check-ins will also help to avoid any issues with your bite or teeth as they begin to shift. Some aligner providers offer both daily 22-hour wear and nighttime-only treatment options, and though you may have a preference for one or the other, the doctor guiding your treatment will determine if you are a candidate for the overnight only option, says Ataii.
Patients using Invisalign report having lower levels of pain during the first few days of treatment compared to those with traditional braces, according to research. However, pain and discomfort are subjective and vary from patient to patient depending on personal tolerance.
Invisible braces tend to work faster than traditional braces, though treatment time is dependent on an individual’s diagnosis.
Depending on your treatment plan, you may need to wear invisible braces anywhere from six to 12 months. In some cases, required treatment time can be less than six months or more than 12 months.
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