Affordable Braces By Mail: At-Home Clear Aligner Options

Getting Braces by Mail: Understanding At-Home Aligners

Straightening your teeth with clear aligners that are delivered to your home, also called "braces by mail", is an option that has grown in popularity in recent years. Compared to traditional wire braces, mail-order aligners offer an affordable and convenient way to achieve a straighter smile.

What Are Clear Aligners By Mail?

As the name suggests, clear aligners by mail are a type of at-home straightening system that is shipped directly to your doorstep. Typically, the process involves the following steps:

1. You start by taking oral photos or impressions of your teeth from home.
2. These are submitted to the company who creates a custom treatment plan based on your individual needs.
3. The total treatment plan is sent to you in the mail as a set of BPA-free plastic aligners that gradually shift your teeth over time.
4. As you progress through your treatment, you'll swap to a new set of aligners roughly every 1–2 weeks.

Advantages of At-Home Aligners

Choosing invisible braces delivered by mail offers several benefits over in-office options:

• Cost - Online companies have lower overhead, so prices tend to be around 30-60% less expensive.
• Convenience - All aspects can be done remotely without in-person visits required.
• Comfort - The custom-fit clear plastic is less abrasive than metal wires.
• Discretion - Aligners are barely noticeable compared to conspicuous metal braces.

Considerations Before Ordering

While aligners by mail provide value in many ways, keep the following factors in mind as you evaluate brands:

• Your case complexity - Make sure yours is rated mild to moderate, not severe.
• Clinical oversight - Confirm the treating dentists or orthodontists have proper credentials.
• Accuracy - Treatment accuracy varies so look for a high rating.
• Materials used - Medical-grade BPA-free plastic aligners are essential.

Popular At-Home Aligner Brands

With the rise in aligners by mail, many companies now exist. Three top providers leading the way are:

Byte

• Offers plans starting at only $80/month with innovative aligner material developed by experts from leading universities.
• Over 200 licensed orthodontists remotely oversee every treatment plan.
• Alignment accuracy rated at over 90% by an independent study.

Candid

• Features $95 monthly payment options and a network of 350+ participating orthodontists who design smile plans.
• Aligners made from comfortable, durable plastic blend optimized for shifting teeth.
• Partners with dental monitoring app for easy regular progress tracking from your phone.

SmileDirectClub

• Pioneered at-home smile correction industry as one of the first aligner companies starting in 2014.
• Offers financing plans on $85 monthly payment aligners with 250+ affiliated dentists and orthodontists overseeing treatments.
• Leverages a network of 300+ SmileShops nationwide for in-person 3D scans.

While these three lead today's mail-order aligner market, new entrants continue to disrupt the industry.

How Much Do Home Aligners Cost?

Pricing for aligner treatment sent to your home varies across brands but tends to range from $1,500 to $3,000 total. This breaks down into monthly financing payments around $60 to $100 in most cases.

Compared to traditional braces at the orthodontist, which average $5,000–$8,000 in the U.S., aligners by mail offer significant savings for those eligible.

Are Aligners By Mail Safe?

The level of clinical oversight, number of real doctors, and overall treatment efficacy isn't always equivalent for at-home aligner brands compared to an in-office orthodontist.

However, for mild to moderate cases of crooked teeth or bite issues, aligners by mail can be safe and reliable options—as long as the treatment plan comes from a qualified orthodontic professional. Be sure to carefully research the clinical network behind the brand you consider.

Certain severe orthodontic cases still require a trained specialist, but at-home aligners now work well for those with less intensive adjustment needs.

Getting Started with Aligners by Mail

Ready to pursue teeth straightening through discreet delivered aligners? Here’s a step-by-step overview of the process:

1. Consult with Your Dentist

Have your teeth evaluated during a regular dental checkup for a professional opinion if clear aligners are right for your specific needs.

2. Select a Brand & Start Your Order

Browse top rated aligner brands online, evaluating cost, treatment times, doctor experience, and financing terms to pick your provider.

3. Take Digital Impressions or Photos

Using the company’s home impressions kit or special intraoral camera, capture molds or images of your teeth and bite to submit.

4. Receive Your Custom Treatment Plan

A remote orthodontist will formulate your complete aligner schedule, sending the first box of 15-20 aligners to start treatment.

5. Change Aligners Every 1-2 Weeks

As you progress through aligners, continue taking new impressions periodically so adjustments can be made if necessary.

Expect treatment to last anywhere from 3 to 12 months depending on your individual case and the plan developed by clinical experts.

Leveraging At-Home Aligner Financing

Since braces by mail often cost several thousand dollars for a complete treatment, support paying over time through payment plans directly via the aligner brand or an outside provider.

Aligner Company Payment Plans

The three major aligner brands highlighted earlier all offer monthly financing programs to help spread costs out. For example, SmileDirectClub charges $85 per month for up to 24 months ($2,040 total) instead of full upfront fees.

Medical Credit Cards

Cards like CareCredit have special 0% promotional financing periods for medical treatments, allowing 12–24 months to pay off orthodontic work interest free when requirements are met.

Flex Spending Accounts

If your employer offers a flexible spending account (FSA), you can pay for aligners by mail using pre-tax dollars and reduce costs by up to 30 percent.

Review all flex spending distribution rules andLimits of $2700 to $2850 per year are common.

Dental Insurance

While uncommon, some dental insurance plans partially cover clear aligner treatment. File claims with yours to see if any discounts apply.

Achieving a Healthier Smile From Home

Aligner treatment delivered to your mailbox offers an affordable and convenient way to enhance smile appearance and dental health for those with less complex orthodontic needs.

Do your research to pick an industry leader leveraging qualified remote orthodontic oversight for safely effective outcomes. Combine one of the financing options outlined here for budget-friendly payments over time with minimal visits required.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.