Teeth Straightening Kit

Medically Reviewedby Dr. Erica Anand

Written byAlyssa Hill Evidence Based13 sources cited NewMouth is reader supported. We may earn a commission if you purchase something using one of our links.

Clear Aligners Overview

Clear aligners are an excellent way to straighten your teeth if you are looking for a convenient option. They are a discreet and removable alternative to metal braces. The trays are made of BPA-free plastic and are virtually invisible when in your mouth. 

There are two types of clear aligners available, including at-home aligners and in-office aligners. In-office aligners, such as Invisalign and Clear Correct, require you to visit your orthodontist or dentist for check-ups. 

At-home aligners, also called mail-in aligners or direct-to-consumer aligners, do not require in-office visits with an orthodontist. These types of aligners are more convenient than in-office aligners. 

Popular at-home aligner companies include:

What Are Teeth Straightening Kits & How Do They Work?

The first step of at-home aligner treatment is to take a candidacy quiz online. Then, if you are a candidate, you’ll order a teeth straightening kit. These kits are delivered straight to your door, eliminating the need to visit an orthodontist for an in-person teeth scan.

Once you receive the kit in the mail, you will take impressions of your teeth and send them back. From there, a dental technician will create the aligners based on the impressions you sent. They will also send you a treatment preview of how your teeth will look from start to finish. 

After the treatment plan is approved, the aligners will be sent to your home address. You’ll change the trays out every 1 to 2 weeks and wear each new set of aligners for 22 hours every day. The number of aligners you receive depends on how crooked your teeth are and the length of treatment. Virtual appointments with a doctor or orthodontist will also be required to ensure your teeth are moving correctly throughout the treatment process. 

Differences Between Braces & At-Home Clear Aligners

Traditional braces and clear aligners both offer effective ways to straighten your teeth. However, the type of treatment you need depends on a few factors:

1. Aligners are removable and convenient. This means you can eat, drink, brush, and floss more naturally. Although convenient, if removing the aligner trays for eating or drinking anything apart from water seems inconvenient, this treatment may not be for you.
2. At-home aligners can only treat minor to moderate teeth misalignment cases. Severe cases typically require braces and possibly other orthodontic devices like headgear (for children).
3. The success of aligners depends almost entirely on the wearer. If you do not wear your aligners for the right amount of time each day, they will not work correctly. Braces eliminate this risk because they are not removable.

Teens and older adults with minor to moderate misalignment cases are typically the best candidates for aligners. If you are younger than 12 and have severely misaligned teeth, talk with your orthodontist about braces.

How Do I Know if I am Eligible for Online Teeth Aligners?

Not everyone is a candidate for at-home clear aligners because they can only fix mild teeth misalignment cases, such as:

• Crowded teeth — when some or all of your teeth overlap
• Gapped teeth — one gap or multiple gaps between the teeth
• Other minor spacing or bite issues

There are four reasons for ineligibility, including:

• Your teeth are severely misaligned
• You have untreated jaw discrepancies that require in-office orthodontic treatment (e.g., braces)
• You have gum disease or untreated cavities
• You have a permanent retainer (must be removed before treatment)
• You have existing dental restorations, such as implants, bridges, or partial dentures

Only Invisalign and braces can fix more complex cases of teeth misalignment.

Pros and Cons of At-Home Teeth Straightening 

As with any product, at-home aligners have advantages and disadvantages:

Pros of at-home aligners

• They are cheaper than traditional braces, lingual braces, Invisalign, and Clear Correct. Invisalign can cost up to $8,000, while at-home aligners cost up to $2,500. 
• No in-office visits are necessary before, during, or after treatment. All check-ups are completed remotely with a licensed orthodontist or dentist. 
• Treatment is significantly faster than braces or Invisalign, typically between three and six months (only minor cases can be treated, though).
• The aligners are discreet and removable. You don’t have to worry about having visible metal brackets and wires on your teeth throughout treatment.
• Some brands also offer nighttime clear aligners (that you only wear while sleeping), making them even more discreet and convenient. 
• Payment plans are available for those who don’t want to pay for the total cost upfront. 

Cons of at-home aligners

• They only offer remote monitoring, so there is a slightly higher risk of complications because treatment is less predictable without in-office visits. However, when monitored by an experienced orthodontist, remote invisible aligner treatment is effective and safe.
• At-home aligners can only treat minor misalignment cases, including slightly crowded/crooked teeth and gapped teeth. Overbites, underbites, open bites, and similar forms of malocclusion require more invasive orthodontic treatment.
• You will not get x-rays taken of your teeth before the treatment plan is created. It is essential to visit your dentist to ensure you don’t have any cavities or other problematic oral health conditions before beginning clear aligner treatment. 
• At-home aligners are not supported or endorsed by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) because of the risks of tooth and root damage without the direct supervision of a dentist.

How Do I Get Started With At-Home Aligners?

Before ordering a teeth straightening kit, you can take a free candidacy quiz on candidco.com, byteme.com, or smiledirectclub.com to ensure eligibility. If you order the impression kit and are deemed ineligible for treatment, you will get a full refund for the kit.

Best Home Teeth Straightening Kits

Candid Co, Byte, and SmileDirectClub are three of the most popular at-home clear aligner brands. All three companies sell teeth straightening kits online and provide free candidacy quizzes on their websites. Candid and SmileDirect also offer in-office teeth scans, depending on your preference. 

Best Overall (Editor’s Pick) 

Best Remote Orthodontic Care 

Best-Known Brand 

Best on a Budget (up to 50% less) 

Best Aligner Design 

Why You Should Trust Us 

All clear aligner products on this site are heavily researched, vetted, and reviewed before recommending them to readers. These are our standards for determining a reputable clear aligner brand:

1. We figure out if the brand works with dentists or orthodontists. If they don’t work with licensed professionals in the industry, we do not recommend their products. This ensures customers receive the highest quality care and their treatment is overseen by a licensed professional from start to finish. 
2. We talk with company leaders to ensure the product is safe and effective. This may include asking for safety documentation and asking leaders about their manufacturing process. 
3. We compare reviews from multiple sites. Our writers are instructed to read reviews and compare pros and cons. We clearly list the advantages and disadvantages of each clear aligner product to keep the content transparent. 
4. We look into pricing and features. This ensures customers are getting the best quality products at reasonable prices.
5. We check to make sure the customer service is high quality. We only recommend aligner brands that have clear instructions on how to contact them. Brands that offer “lifetime guarantees” are also well-respected. 

All clear aligner product pages are medically reviewed by a licensed dentist or orthodontist. Our dentists are specifically instructed to flag any recommendations they don’t agree with. Any products that don’t meet their high standards are removed.

Byte® is another popular at-home aligner brand. They work with orthodontists, dentists, and doctors.

As a Byte customer, you’ll receive a HyperByte® (an FDA-cleared dental movement acceleration device) with your purchase. You only have to wear it for 5 to 10 minutes per day.

With daily HyperByte use, Byte aligners can straighten your teeth in as little as three months, which is faster than any other brand on the market. Byte also provides two clear aligners options, including All-Day Aligners or At-Night Aligners. Byte also claims using the Hyperbyte makes changing your aligners more comfortable as it uses vibration technology to help adjust the roots to their new position.

Byte aligners cost $1,895 to $2,245 (no credit check required). The teeth straightening kit costs an additional $95. You’ll pay $349 to $419 up-front with the payment plan and $83 to $99/29 months. A first free retainer is included with every purchase. 

Pros

• Completely remote treatment
• Free retainer included
• Night aligners available 
• Aligner-safe whitening foam (BrightByte) included 
• Lifetime guarantee (if you wear your aligners and retainers as directed)
• Good customer support
• No credit check required (100% approval with no credit impact)
• Payment plan available

Cons

• Remote treatment (slightly higher risk for complications to occur than in-office aligners)
• No refunds on aligners
• Can only treat minor cases of misalignment