Comparing the Best Mail-In Teeth Aligners

At-home clear teeth aligners are rapidly growing in popularity. Just as more people are opting for greater convenience in their shopping and health routines, many also see mail-order teeth straightening aligners as a win-win. They can enjoy the results and cutting-edge technology of clear aligners with the convenience of at-home treatment. 

This also means there are more mail-order clear teeth aligners on the market. Choosing the right product and service can make all the difference in your results and aligner experience, so it's important to research and find the right provider.

Comparing the best mail-order aligners in 2023

Many companies want to sell you aligners. Which should you choose? 

The best teeth straighteners come from the four companies we'll discuss in depth in the sections below. Read about the different types of clear aligners, and make a choice that's right for your smile.

Byte

Byte offers mail-in aligners to consumers all across the country. Here's what you need to know:

• Completely mail-order or requires in-office visits? Byte’s products are completely mail-order.
• Average treatment time: 4 months (can vary per patient)
• Cost: The Byte Impression Kit ($95) helps medical professionals determine if you’re a treatment candidate. If you’re not, the impression kit is refundable. The full aligner set (including byte’s HyperByte* teeth movement accelerator and BrightByte™ teeth whitener) is $1,999.
• Customer service: They are available 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST through telephone, online chat, Facebook messenger, text, and email.
• Maintenance and guarantees: During treatment, Byte will provide any additional aligners needed to achieve the desired result. Once treatment is complete, Byte offers the Byte for Life™ guarantee, ensuring you'll get help if your teeth shift.
• Standout accessories and products: HyperByte* (a high-frequency vibrational device that helps the aligner achieve proper teeth movement) and a one-month supply of BrightByte™ (a whitener that doesn’t cause tooth sensitivity) are included with your aligners.
• Benefits: Byte’s lifetime guarantee and user-friendly impression kit make it a favorite among reviewers. The average length of treatment is shorter than many other options. In addition, the technology behind vibrational devices for aligners, such as HyperByte*, has shown promise in improving results and minimizing discomfort.
• Potential downfalls: Byte offers a fully remote option for those looking for an aligner treatment that can be completed at home from start to finish. So, if you’re looking for in-office visits, it’s probably not the best choice for you.

Candid 

Here's what you need to know about mail order teeth aligners from Candid:

• Completely mail-order or requires in-office visits? Candid offers a hybrid approach. They require an in-office consultation with one of their CandidPro doctors before at-home treatment. 
• Average treatment time: 6 months (can vary per patient)
• Cost: This varies by patient and provider. On Candid’s website, they use $3,500 as an example of what their aligners could cost in a hypothetical situation.
• Customer service: They are available 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week, through online chat or phone.
• Maintenance and guarantees: Candid does not provide any. Guarantees or service agreements are made between CandidPro providers and patients. 
• Standout accessories and products: Candid focuses on doctor-directed care and offers their trademarked CandidMonitoring virtual checkups, so patients can send their follow-up pictures every 14 days to be reviewed by their CandidPro doctors. Candid aligner kits come with the CandidMonitoring tool and premium whitening gel.
• Benefits: Virtual check-ins with a CandidPro provider make Candid an appealing option for those seeking a hybrid of in-office and mail-order alignment treatment.
• Potential downfalls: Because payment and service agreements are worked out between the patient and CandidPro provider, there could be more confusion about pricing and warranty.

ALIGNERCO

Here's what you need to know about mail-order aligners from ALIGNERCO:

• Completely mail-order or requires in-office visits? These are completely mail-order products.
• Average treatment time:  4 to 6 months (can vary per patient)
• Cost: An ALIGNERCO kit, which includes the at-home impression kit, aligner set, and retainer, costs $895. During some promotions, a teeth whitener is also included.
• Customer service: They are available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST via a toll-free number or email. Online chat is available 24/7. A patient is assigned a Smile Crew Member from ALIGNERCO. Any treatment questions will be addressed with the Smile Crew Member, who will then refer any questions or concerns to the dentist assigned to the treatment. 
• Maintenance and guarantees: ALIGNERCO offers a WorryFree Protection plan, which costs $499 to $599, depending on promotions. It covers a new retainer every six months and an on-demand retainer in case of a lost retainer.
• Standout accessories and products: ALIGNERCO describes their clear aligners as “customized, handcrafted & trimmed to the gum line, making them a snug fit and more comfortable to wear.”
• Benefits: With low prices and many payment plans available, ALIGNERCO appeals to those looking for teeth straightening aligners on a budget.
• Potential downfalls: For those looking for direct contact with their dental professional or a clear guarantee or warranty on service, ALIGNERCO may not be their top choice.

SmileDirectClub

You can straighten teeth by mail with SmileDirectClub. Here's what you need to know:

• Completely mail-order or requires in-office visits? SmileDirectClub offers the choice of coming to an in-office smile shop for the initial tooth scan or using an at-home impression kit.
• Average treatment time: 4 to 6 months for 22-hour per day aligners and 8-10 months for the nighttime aligners (can vary per patient)
• Cost: An initial scan or impression kit is $59. Mail-order aligners start at $2,050 or $89/month.
• Customer service: A toll-free number and online chat assistance are available 24/7.
• Maintenance and guarantees: As part of their Lifetime Smile Guarantee™, SmileDirectClub offers a 30-day money-back promise and aligner touch-ups throughout treatment. After treatment, patients who wear their retainer as prescribed and replace it ($99) every six months are eligible for a free aligner touch-up every year if approved by a SmileDirectClub dental professional.
• Standout accessories and products: Aligners are created with Comfort Sense™ lasers to precision cut for a comfortable fit.
• Benefits: SmileDirectClub offers many customer service options and a teen benefit program.
• Potential downfalls: The after-service guarantee depends on purchasing retainer replacements twice a year. The company has also received some bad press for handling customer complaints.

Pros & cons of mail-order aligners

Whether you call them mail-order braces, braces by mail, or mail-in aligners, these products can be right for some people who want to change their smile. But they do come with some drawbacks you should know about.

Pros

Mail-order aligners allow patients with moderate dental issues to get the smiles they always wanted without long office visits and the hassle of in-person appointments. These benefits are clear and easy for anyone to recognize. But other hidden benefits of clear aligners vs. traditional braces could be even more important to you. 

Researchers say that clear aligners are significantly less painful than traditional appliances (like braces). They don't rip your lips or tug on your gums, and their gentle pressure can push your teeth into position. Researchers say high pain levels during treatment lead to more dissatisfied patients, so aligners could make for a happier smile. 

Aligners can also be more cost-effective than braces, as at-home visits come with a smaller price tag. And since staff is available 24/7 via chat with many aligner companies, people can get their questions answered quicker. 

Cons

Traditional braces have been used for decades to help people get the smiles they always wanted. A significant amount of published data is available about how these devices work, why they work, and who needs them. Aligners are relatively new, and for some people, that newness is a bit of a concern. 

Since aligner technology is new, it's not always covered by insurance plans. And trays may not be as effective as braces in treating significant dental problems. Since no in-person checkups are required, some people worry that they're not using their devices properly and harming their teeth.

Mail-in aligners vs. Invisalign

Invisalign by mail isn't a product anyone can buy. While Invisalign uses clear aligners to straighten teeth, they're managed in a series of in-person appointments with a dental professional. The trays are similar, but the treatment process is very different. 

When comparing Byte and Invisalign, cost differences become clear. The at-home model means you’re not required to subsidize office space and equipment. Your costs are dramatically reduced as a result. 

But for people with significant dental issues, in-person visits could be an important part of the treatment process. A dental professional might need to examine your smile in person to determine what should happen next. And an in-person option allows you to switch to conventional braces if needed.

When should you visit an orthodontist for teeth alignment?

In-person orthodontic treatment isn't required for every person. Some get by just fine with at-home aligners to straighten their teeth. But there are some scenarios in which it's best to visit a conventional dentist to get help with your teeth.

Those scenarios include the following:

• Extreme teeth misalignment: Very misaligned teeth often need more help than at-home aligners can provide. If your teeth are far out of place, you may need traditional braces to treat them.
• Jaw misalignment: A significant overbite, underbite, crossbite, or other issues can benefit from braces and other orthopedic appliances. Jaw misalignment treatment isn't possible with all aligner products. 
• Jaw pain: Some types of jaw pain stem from significant dental issues that could be treated with braces or dental appliances. 
• Gum and teeth pain: Some oral pain, including pain in your teeth, could get better with traditional orthopedic appliances. 
• Missing teeth: Significant gaps between your teeth, caused by one or two missing molars, might need more help than aligners can provide.
• Misaligned molars: Few aligner treatment plans move molars. If these teeth need to move, you may need to visit an orthodontist.

Mail-order aligner FAQs

These are some of the questions people often ask about mail-order teeth aligners:

References

Straightening Your Teeth Is the Latest Pandemic Project. (January 2021). Self. 

The Effects of Brief Daily Vibration on Clear Aligner Orthodontic Treatment. (December 2018). Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists. 

This Company Says It Will Fix Your Smile. It May Shush You if It Doesn't. (January 2020). The New York Times. 

Discomfort Associated with Invisalign and Traditional Brackets: A Randomized, Prospective Trial. (July 2017). The Angle Orthodontist. 

Factors Associated With Patient and Parent Satisfaction After Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review. (October 2015). American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.