Clear Aligners vs Metal Braces: Is There a Winner?
Is it difficult to ignore all the online ads for clear aligners? They are popping up for a reason! What was once a fantasy, can now be a reality. That’s right, you can now straighten your teeth without compromising your looks or putting yourself through immense pain.
Clear aligners, like traditional metal braces, are products that straighten teeth. But modern-day clear aligners outweigh almost all the advantages of metal braces.
It should be emphasized, however, that each has its own set of prerequisites. We'll go over every element of clear aligners and metal braces, starting from their pros and cons, to how they compare in terms of final results.
We’ll also look at some of the companies that offer you the best services without spending a fortune. Without further ado, let’s get into the discussion.
Metal Braces: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Can Fix Severe Misalignments
Metal braces provide the option to treat a wide range of cases, starting from minor to major misalignments. The force that metal braces provide is much higher and thus can be used to fix severe misalignments.
- Cannot Be Easily Removed
Metal braces cannot be easily displaced from their position (as they are set in one place). This allows consistent force on your teeth which aids in pushing the teeth effectively.
Cons:
- Can Be Easily Spotted By Others
Getting a pair of metal braces isn’t exactly discreet. They are obvious to sight and don’t exactly give you a great appearance. This can harm one’s confidence levels.
- Need To Be Careful 24/7
Metal braces come with the added hassle of limitations on the foods you can consume. Food particles can easily get stuck in the brackets or wires and may require a painful trip to your orthodontist in extreme cases (such as broken bone pieces).
- Uncomfortable and Painful.
The brackets and the wires in metal braces take time to get used to. They usually lead to you having cuts and abrasions in your mouth that can be rather painful.
- Can Cause Discoloration of Teeth
Since braces can take some time (1-2 years) to push teeth into place, they may cause stains on your teeth. Brushing with braces is a hard task since there are places your toothbrush simply cannot reach due to the presence of the braces.
Clear Aligners: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Does Not Compromise On Looks
Clear aligners are almost invisible and do not ruin the great photos you take with your friends and family.
- Does Not Cause Pain
Since clear aligners do not use a fixed pair of brackets and wires, you don’t need to worry about hurting yourself and going to the orthodontist for a painful check-up.
- No Diet Limitations
You can enjoy whatever food you want with clear aligners as you have the option to remove them whenever you eat.
- Does Not Require A Complicated Dental Process To Brush
Because the aligners are removable, you won't have to worry about cleaning your teeth incorrectly. Simply take them off to brush, and pop them back on when you’re done.
Cons:
- Limitations On Corrections
Clear aligners cannot be used by people who have severe misalignments as the pushing force isn’t as high compared to metal braces.
- Easily Damaged
The aligners are made of plastic hence, they can be easily damaged if you drink anything particularly hot, or bite into anything that’s too sharp.
Which Is Cheaper: Clear Aligners or Metal Braces?
When it comes to comparing prices, a lot of factors are included. In general, metal braces can cost anywhere between $3000 to $6000 depending on the severity of your dental conditions.
Clear aligners, on the other hand, can range between $2000 to $4000, based on the company you choose. These are also comparatively cheaper than metal braces as you don’t have to visit your dentist or orthodontist often.
In addition to this, clear aligners usually take less treatment time which can significantly reduce your costs.
However, this is subjective and is dependent on the severity of your dental issues. Currently, there are a handful of companies that offer the best prices to get your teeth straightened.
What are the Affordable Options You have?
We have compiled a list of all the best affordable companies and ranked them in order. Some even provide home facilities.
Each company has a price tag that is cheaper than getting metal braces. We will now look into how each company is different, how the process works, and how much the services will cost.
Smile Direct Club
Smile Direct Club, a teledentistry company, focuses on a direct-to-consumer business model. It's designed for people who wish to straighten their teeth in the privacy of their own homes.
To get started, you would need to travel to one of the many SmileShops, and get a 3D scan of your teeth. The licensed orthodontists of Smile Direct Club then review the 3D scans and will decide if you are a suitable candidate.
If all looks good, you will be sent a set of all the clear aligners directly to your homes. It will include all instructions on how long you’d need to wear the aligners and how the treatment will be monitored.
As the treatment progresses, you’ll constantly be in touch with a licensed orthodontist from the company. You will send weekly check-ins to make sure you’re on track with photos and receive updates on when the next stage of your treatment will begin.
There are currently two payment options for the entire treatment. These are:
- Single Pay
Pay for everything in one go with a total payment of $1950.
- SmilePay
Use an installment model to pay for the treatment. This will cost $89/month over 24 months with a $250 deposit.
Customers also have the choice between daytime and Night-time Aligners. They are both priced the same and will cost you nothing extra.
Or read our complete review of Smile Direct Club
Byte
Another teledentistry firm, Byte, provides teeth straightening procedures in the privacy of your own home. It was founded in 2017 and has since successfully grown a strong consumer base.
The company offers one of the fastest teeth straightening programs in the industry. It does this by using a device called HyperByte. The device gives out a frequency of vibrations that go through the teeth and travel to the corresponding bone. This phenomenon allows the aligners to move the teeth faster in a short amount of time.
To get started, you would need to take impressions of your teeth using the impression kit that is sent to your home. You would then mail the impressions back to Byte and they will analyze them to create 3D impressions of your teeth. After this, you’ll receive a series of clear aligners to start your treatment.
The entire treatment is monitored remotely by specialized orthodontists at Byte and you can expect results in about 3-4 months. After the completion of the treatment, you will have to use a set of retainers to maintain that perfect smile.
Byte currently comes in two packages, an All-Day Aligner System and an At-Night Aligner System. The prices of the packages are as follows:
- All-Day Aligner System
This package is set at a one-time payment of $1895. You alternatively can choose an $82/month installment plan over 32 months with a $249 down payment.
- All-Night Aligner System
You can pay for this package in one go set for $2295 or choose a $99/month installment plan over 32 months with a $299 down payment.
Or read our complete review of Byte
Candid
Candid is a company that specializes in providing quality aligners for straightening your teeth. In addition to this, the company has specialized orthodontists who have over 20 years of experience.
Customers would have to visit one of CandidPro's many locations to get started with Candid. After a detailed explanation of the procedure, a CandidPro specialist will scan your teeth and generate an imprint of them.
A suitable treatment plan will then be crafted by the CandidPro doctor. After this, a set of clear aligners, a CandidMonitoring device, and a whitening foam will be sent in the mail. The treatment progress will be monitored every 14 days by sending scans of the teeth to ensure you are on the right track.
The treatment will cost anywhere between $3000-$3300 on average, depending on the number of adjustments required.
Once the treatment is completed, you would need to use retainers that will hold your teeth in place. These are priced at $99 and will have to be replaced every 6-9 months.
Or read our complete review of Candid
NewSmile
NewSmile offers services that are comparable to those offered by other teledentistry companies, with the exception of the type aligners they offer.
NewSmile aligners are composed of a different type of plastic called Raintree Essix. Because this is the clearest type of plastic, NewSmile aligners are nearly undetectable.
The process to start NewSmile’s treatment is relatively straightforward. The first step is to receive an impression kit to create molds of teeth. You then send the molds back to NewSmile and book an appointment with the impression specialist at NewSmile.
The company will provide a 3D preview of how your teeth will be pushed into place for a perfect smile. If you like what you see, you give the final approval and receive a series of aligners to begin the treatment.
Currently, there are three packages that NewSmile offers:
- Fast Track
This is for customers who are happy with what they see from the start and want to waste no time in getting started.
The package is set at a fixed price of $1395 with an installment option of $83/month over 18 months with 0 down payment.
- Only Impression Kit + Preview
This is a package devised for the more wary customers who want to be 100% sure before paying the full amount.
It is priced at $49 and will include an impression kit with a preview of your fixed teeth. If everything looks great, you can later pay the rest of the amount, and get started with the treatment.
Or read our complete review of NewSmile
AlignerCo
AlignerCo is another company that facilitates providing customers with clear and almost invisible aligners.
The aligners are also handmade which ensures that medical professionals take their time to craft the aligners that are to be used by you.
As usual, you start the treatment by making a dental impression and sending it back to AlignerCo. A treatment plan is devised, and you receive a pair of aligners sitting at your home.
There are currently three ways you can subscribe to AlignerCo’s services.
- SmileAdvantage
One-time payment of $1145 to start the treatment. This includes everything from impression kits, aligners, and retainers.
- SmileFlex
Installment plan for 12 months set at $81/month which includes a free whitening kit.
- SmileFlex Easy
Another plan is set for 11 months at $95/month with a $275 down payment.
Or read our complete review of AlignerCo
Strayt
Strayt promises its customers that they don’t need to leave their houses even for an impression of their teeth. The whole treatment can be done from home from the beginning to the end.
You also have the option to choose between Strayt Night Aligners and Strayt Clear Aligners. The former gives results slower as they are used for a shorter amount of time. (10 hours)
The pricing between them, however, is the same. Strayt offers three payment structures as of the time of writing this guide.
- Strayt Pay
A total of $1848 is to be paid in one go. This price includes all the services starting from impression kits, aligners, whitening foams, and retainers.
- 12-month plan
A set plan for $117/month over 12 months with a $199 down payment.
- 24-month plan
Plan set at $87/ month over 24 months with a $248 down payment.
The Final Verdict
When compared to metal braces, clear aligners are an absolute game-changer. They are a much superior and cheaper solution.
However, clear aligners have their limitations and cannot be utilized by everyone. We recommend that you visit any of the companies above to see whether they are a good fit for you.
FAQ
Do I need to see a dentist before getting Clear Aligners?
You can get some brands of Clear Aligners delivered to your home without the supervision of a dentist required. However, when it comes to matters of dental healthcare, it is always best to speak to a dentist first. While Clear Aligners are easier to use than metal braces, you do need some expert opinions from medical professionals.
Do I need to wear Clear Aligners all day long?
The benefit of Clear Aligners over metal braces is that you can remove them before you eat or brush your teeth, and just pop them right back in when you are done. Clear Aligners need to be worn for 22 hours a day, so it’s best to not take them off unless you need to.
How long do I need to continue Clear Aligners?
The great thing about Clear Aligners is that they can take almost half the time as metal braces to work. Metal braces generally need to be worn for 1 to 3 years. Clear Aligners on the other hand usually don’t need to be worn for longer than 18 months. The range can be anywhere from 12 to 24 months.
How should I clean my teeth with metal braces on?
If you’re wearing metal braces, you should brush your teeth 3 times a day and floss after each meal. Simply brushing your teeth is not enough because your toothbrush will not be able to reach all the places it used to before braces. A water pick might be easier to use than traditional floss.
