Best Over-the-Counter Teeth Aligners: What to Know Before You Buy

Clinical content featured by Byte is reviewed and fact-checked by a licensed dentist or orthodontist to help ensure clinical accuracy.
We follow strict sourcing guidelines and each page contains a full list of sources for complete transparency.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- How OTC Aligners Work
- OTC vs Doctor-Directed Aligners
- Best OTC Aligners
- Issues with OTC Aligners
- Tips for OTC Aligners
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
Teeth aligners, like other medical devices, are now available over the counter and online.
Consumers do not need a prescription to have custom aligners made.
Ordering aligners online can be cheaper than getting aligners through an orthodontist, but people with complicated teeth issues should be wary of any over-the-counter options.
Introduction
Fortunately, there are different ways of straightening your teeth. One of them is to use over-the-counter (OTC) teeth aligners.
Although shopping for aligners is not what dentists and orthodontists recommend, consumers are migrating to do-it-yourself fixes for conditions like malocclusion, a condition that leads to the misalignment of teeth.
So much of the world’s consumer economy is online, particularly on Amazon and Alibaba, that it’s no surprise that medical devices like teeth aligners have migrated there.
Let’s take a look at your options and what to be aware of if you decide to by your aligners over the counter.
How Do OTC Teeth Aligners Work?
First things first: Yes, you can buy teeth aligners without a dentist’s prescription. Teeth aligners are thin, transparent tray-like equipment you wear over your teeth to help realign crooked teeth.
Aligners work by applying gentle force to your teeth, slowly shifting them to the preferred position. They work the same as braces.
When acquiring OTC aligners, the company you pick will provide a molding kit. After you receive the kit, you will create teeth impressions with the mold and return them back. Your mold company will make the teeth aligners using thermoplastic materials.
Many companies use computer-aided technology software when creating the aligners. On completion, they will send the newly made OTC aligners to you.
Difference Between OTC Aligners and Doctor-Directed Aligners
You buy OTC aligners directly from a manufacturer. But it would be best if you had a prescription for doctor-directed aligners. With any luck, your orthodontist will send a copy of your prescription to aligner maker.
That in itself makes OTC aligners cheaper than doctor-directed aligners, as you will save on the appointment cost.
Unlike OTC aligners, doctor-directed aligners treat more complex cases. You will need doctor-directed aligners if you have severely spaced teeth.
Best OTC Aligners
Many teeth aligners exist in the market today. No all are effective or approved for use as OTC teeth aligners.
Two OTC aligners approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration include:
- MTM Clear Aligner
- Eon Aligners
MTM Clear Aligner
MTM clear aligner is the latest OTC teeth aligner in the market. It fixes crooked teeth and gets rid of tooth gaps.
MTM also has force points that make removing and placing the aligners easy.
Eon Aligners
Potential Issues with OTC Aligners
Many people prefer over-the-counter teeth aligners to doctor-directed ones. That’s because they are convenient and more affordable. But at-home products could harm your dental health.
You might experience the following issues while using OTC aligners:
Missed Dental Health Issues
Loose, cracked, or broken teeth could all impact how your teeth move. And these issues could also cause intense pain during aligner treatment.
Work with a dental professional, and those issues will be addressed before aligner work begins. But if you buy a product alone without help, you could miss issues impacting your long-term health.
Poor Customization Options
Low Levels of Supervision
Detailed treatment plans give your dental health professional a good idea of how your teeth will move. But sometimes, the unexpected happens.
If you're working with an aligner company or a dentist, your progress is monitored at each step. Buy a product from Amazon or a private dealer, and you may not get help when something goes wrong.
Long-Term Oral Health Issues
Using a DIY dental appliance can change your oral health in long-lasting ways. These devices have been linked to the following issues:
- Root resorption: Although reported cases are relatively low, OTC aligners can cause root resorption. Root resorption is a condition where your body breaks down the roots of your teeth.
- Gum disease: Aligners can cause gum damage, especially if you don’t practice oral hygiene. Clean your teeth and your aligners regularly to avoid this problem.
Poor Patient Experience
Tips for OTC Aligners
It will take time before over-the-counter teeth aligners straighten your teeth. The process is slow but progressive and effective — but only if you follow instructions to the letter. Tips that can improve the success of your OTC aligners include:
- Clean your OTC aligners. Do this regularly and use the right cleaning product. Avoid toothpaste as it can scratch the plastic.
- Change your aligners. Wear OTC aligners for no more than two weeks. Don’t change them too early or too late, which could prolong the treatment time.
- Repetition builds perfection. You will find it difficult to speak with an aligner on your teeth at first, but it will get easier with time.
- Clean your teeth. Always brush your teeth before putting on the OTC teeth aligners. Doing so will protect your teeth from diseases resulting from wearing aligners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get aligners without going to a dentist?
References
Malocclusion of teeth. (February 2022). MedlinePlus.
Braces Have Changed, From Metal to Tooth-Colored to Clear. (June 2017). U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Computational design and engineering of polymeric orthodontic aligners. (2017 August). International Journal for Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering.
K180346: Byte Aligner System. (2019 February). U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
MTM clear aligner. (November 2013). U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Eon Aligner. (September 2020). U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Orthodontically-induced external apical root resorption. (2017 January). The Angle Orthodontist.
Teeth Straightening: Don’t Do It Yourself. (September 2015). University of Utah.
AAO Consumer Alert. American Association of Orthodontists.
TOP