If you’ve decided now’s the time to invest in an aligned smile but don’t want the hassle of visiting an orthodontist, you may be interested in at-home aligner kits.
Byte, a teledentistry company that sells clear teeth aligners designed to yield quick results, is one such option. But is Byte right for you? Here’s everything you need to know.
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Byte Teeth Aligners
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What Are Byte Aligners?
Byte is a teledentistry company offering at-home aligner products and programs designed to straighten your teeth quicker—and at a lower price —than traditional braces. It appeals to people looking for a fast and affordable at-home dental alignment program.
With licensed orthodontists and dentists throughout the U.S., Byte accepts people who are the right candidates for teledentistry—which generally includes patients that have minor bite issues. They don’t recommend their products for people with problems such as severe overbite, open bites, overjet, malocclusion that requires surgical correction or active tooth decay. Byte’s dental professionals have an average of 12 years of expertise with invisible aligners, according to the company.
Byte is ideal for those who don’t have severe malocclusion (imperfect positioning of the teeth), are comfortable making at-home impressions and working with a dental professional remotely to monitor their progress, want a short treatment time of a few months and are in search of a more affordable option compared to braces or competing clear aligners.
How Does Byte Work?
Established in 2017, Byte’s product lineup includes an all-day aligner to be worn for 22 hours each day and a “Byte-at-Night” system as an alternative to the all-day aligner (only to be worn for 10 hours at night). Included in each aligner kit is the optional HyperByte technology device, to be used for five minutes a day in conjunction with either the daytime aligner or overnight aligner. The average treatment time for the all-day aligner is four months, while the night system aligner is five to six months.
HyperByte is Byte’s proprietary high-frequency vibration (HFV) technology that helps seat the aligners more comfortably on your teeth. By doing so, it may reduce the treatment time due to a stronger fit. It works by transmitting soft micropulses through the roots of your teeth and their surrounding bone. Byte’s HFV therapy is cleared by the FDA as a Class II medical device and only needs to be used for five minutes per day.
The Byte process begins by ordering an impression kit straight to your home. The impression kit serves as a tool to take a mold of your mouth so that Byte can create a 3D visualization of the current state of your smile and what it will look like after Byte treatment.
Once you approve what your new smile could look like, simply order your All-Day or At-Night aligners and expect your aligners to arrive about four to six weeks after an orthodontist signs off on your treatment plan.
Once you receive your aligners, download the My Byte app to track your progress! Through the app, you can also communicate with Byte’s Professional Care Team if you have any questions during treatment. You’ll also be able to log into your Byte Account Center online to see the “before and after” visuals of how your teeth will progress.
As noted above, you have the option of using a daytime or nighttime aligners. Using HyperByte in your treatment plan may shorten your overall treatment time—the technology helps you to achieve a straighter smile in as little as four months. Byte notes on their website that if they determine you aren’t the right candidate for their aligner system, you will receive a full refund for the cost of the kit.
Upon completion of treatment, you will receive a free set of retainers. It is recommended to change these out every six months to one year.
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How Much Do Byte Aligners Cost?
Byte has two payment options for both all-day and at-night alignment systems. For the all-day aligner system, you can either complete a one-time payment of $1,999 or a $249 down payment with a monthly charge of $70 for 36 months, which comes to $2,750. Meanwhile, the at-night alignment system requires either a one-time payment of $2,399 or a $299 down payment with a monthly charge of $84 for 36 months, which comes to $3,301. Note that the one-time payment is almost $1,000 less than the installment plan.
However, the payment plans include the Byte Protection Plan, which provides additional coverage of items like lost or stolen aligners, and a biannual retainer replacement for up to five years after the end of your treatment.
You can use your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) funds to cover the cost of Byte. Your dental insurance plan may cover Byte products if it covers orthodontia, according to the company.
Pros and Cons of Byte Aligners
Here’s how Byte compares in terms of procedure, cost, maintenance and effectiveness.
Procedure
Using Byte is a relatively quick procedure when compared to traditional braces—a key reason it’s very appealing to teenagers and adults. The typical treatment plan at Byte takes four to six months.
But that doesn’t mean the at-home process Byte provides is the smartest choice when making a decision that could seriously affect your smile
“We should not assume that at-home aligners are more convenient than having an appropriate professional direct the case,” says Dr. Mairaj Ahmed, co-director of the orthodontic program at Montefiore Health System in New York. “In today’s digital world, orthodontists have adapted and are well equipped to conduct virtual consultations and virtual continued care appointments, which has been shown to increase patient satisfaction and compliance and treatment efficiency.”
Cost
Braces can “range in price from $800 to $8,000, with the average range being $4,400 to $5,500,” according to Rajendra Rana, director of orthodontics at Montefiore Health System and assistant professor of dentistry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.
So it’s no wonder that when it comes to the price tag of Byte, consumers have something to smile about. Byte is more affordable than traditional in-office orthodontic procedures and products. However, it’s important to consider that price is only part of the equation.
Maintenance
Byte comes with a straightforward maintenance plan of wearing a retainer at night. Some might find it reassuring to work with a company that has a post-treatment plan for your smile, especially one that involves wearing a night-only device.
Effectiveness
Byte’s website advertises its 4.8/5-star ranking from its 2,845 Google reviews, but many dental professionals consider the long-term effects of at-home alignment products to be more detrimental than the initial draws like cost and a quick treatment time.
According to an American Association of Orthodontists survey, nearly 13% of its member orthodontists see patients who have done DIY teeth straightening, with some of those attempts causing irreparable damage. This statistic contributed to the guidance from the American Dental Association which “strongly discourages” do-it-yourself orthodontists, as outlined in a 2017 ADA policy.
Are Byte Aligners Worth It?
If you’re looking for an affordable, fast and remote option for fixing only a minor misalignment of your pearly whites, it’s very tempting to consider a teledentistry company like Byte. These qualities make Byte appealing, but consumers who would like professionally guided clinical results should seek an orthodontist’s advice directly—at least for the initial consultation.
Impress Yourself, With Byte Teeth Aligners
The journey to a new smile starts by taking impressions of your teeth from the comfort of your home. With your purchase from Byte, receive a free retainer, free whitening treatment, and help from a clinical team.
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