If you are looking for a convenient way to achieve your ideal smile, the teledentistry company Byte could be a great option. You can consult an orthodontist remotely and avoid having to take the time for regular in-person orthodontist appointments. However, there are countless options aside from Byte that could work just as well or even better for you. Continue reading to learn more about both Byte teeth aligners and alternative options!
What is Byte?
Byte is a teledentistry platform that offers clear plastic aligners to those looking to improve their smile. They work with board-certified orthodontists to create and oversee your treatment plan, which is based upon a dental impression that you can order and then send back for review. According to Byte’s website, the treatment time for Byte is typically 3-4 months shorter than that of top competitors.
How are these invisible aligners different from other treatments?
Byte’s invisible aligners are different from other treatments, mainly due to their unique Hyperbyte technology, which is what enables their shorter treatment time. Hyperbyte is a device that fits in your mouth and emits high-frequency vibrations (HFVs) that can reduce discomfort during treatment, improve the accuracy of teeth movement, and shorten the treatment time. This technology is an FDA-approved Class II medical device and is what makes Byte’s orthodontic treatment plan unique. You only need to wear Hyperbyte for 5 minutes per day, and its vibrations are more gentle than an electric toothbrush. To learn more details about Byte and its treatment plan, check out this easy to follow Byte review.
Best Byte Alternatives
If you feel as though Byte is not the best choice for you, or if you simply want to learn more about other companies before making a final decision, be sure to continue reading about the following five alternative options to Byte. Everyone has different priorities when it comes to choosing a plan for orthodontic treatment, and what might work the best for one person might not be the best choice for someone else.
Invisible Aligners
There are many invisible aligner options available other than Byte, many of which also function via teledentistry or remote consultations. Given that invisible aligners are more visually appealing than traditional braces and can be taken on and off, they are a popular choice for many patients who are seeking orthodontic treatment.
Candid
Candid is another company that offers clear invisible aligners and remote check-ins with certified orthodontists. Candid’s website explains that they only work with orthodontists, and not dentists when creating and mentoring your treatment plan. The reasoning behind this is that orthodontists are specifically trained in the prevention of “malocclusions,” or problems with your bite. In addition to dental school, orthodontists complete an additional two to three-year residency in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.
Candid claims to deliver results in six months on average and highlights the successful treatment of dental issues, including but not limited to protrusion and crowding. See this Candid co review for more information.
SmileDirectClub
SmileDirectClub is another website promising the successful treatment of many orthodontic problems through the use of clear aligners and a telehealth program. SmileDirectClub offers two options for your first step in their program: you can either order an impression kit, or you can choose to visit one of their in-person SmileShops for your initial visit. At these SmileShops, you will complete a scan of your teeth that will help the professionals working with SmileDirectClub determine your best treatment plan. This option to do your initial visit in person is something that sets SmileDirectClub apart from some of its leading teledentistry competitors like Candid or Byte.
Furthermore, SmileDirectClub works with both dentists and orthodontists to create and monitor your treatment plan. On their website, they list the following common dental issues as treatable: teeth crowding, teeth spacing, overbite, underbite, and crossbite. If you’re interested in learning more about SmileDirectClub and what they may be able to offer you, you should check out this SmileDirect review.
AlignerCo
A third alternative to Byte is Aligner Co. Aligner Co. is more similar to Byte and Candid than SmileDirectClub. Like all of the options listed in this section, Aligner Co. offers clear plastic aligners via a teledentistry system. Its system is entirely remote, which is similar to the way in which both Byte and Candid operate. SmileDirectClub, on the other hand, offers both remote and in-person options, at least for your initial visit.
On the first page of their website, Aligner Co. offers to walk you through a short assessment meant to determine whether their clear plastic aligners could work for you. This Aligner Co review can help you discover more about this specific teledentistry company and if they would be a good option for you.
New Smile
One of the first things you see when you visit New Smile’s website is their claim that their aligners’ average treatment time is four to six months. They also offer an impression kit as the first step in your orthodontic treatment, but unlike the previously discussed companies, they also explain that you book a video call to ensure that you take your dental impressions correctly. This additional step seems to set New Smile apart from its competitors Byte, Candid, and Aligner Co, as it further ensures the success of your treatment.
New Smile also works with a team of both dentists and orthodontists on your treatment plan. Once this team receives the dental impressions that you took during the video call, they can create your aligners. With New Smile, as with many other teledentistry companies, your aligners and your retainer will be sent to you via mail.
Traditional Braces
Byte and all of the alternatives listed previously are clear plastic aligners created by a teledentistry program. Traditional braces are much different from any of those options in several ways, the most significant and obvious of the treatments’ appearance. Clear plastic retainers are essentially invisible, which is perhaps their most valuable and attractive asset to potential patients. Traditional braces, on the other hand, are made out of metal brackets and wires, which many patients feel is not visually appealing.
Beyond the difference in the appearance of clear plastic aligners and traditional braces, they also differ in terms of commitment to in-office orthodontic visits and lifestyle. Traditional braces require more intricate adjustments made by the orthodontist and therefore require more frequent trips to the orthodontist’s office. The clear plastic aligners mentioned above, however, are monitored mostly via teledentistry. An orthodontist or dentist will remotely monitor the progress of your treatment and adjust it as needed. Furthermore, clear plastic aligners are removable and can be taken out at your convenience to eat or drink, while traditional braces must stay on until the end of your treatment. Therefore, you may need to avoid certain types of food that may get caught in the metal brackets and wires of traditional braces.
Byte Alternatives Cost
For many patients, the cost of orthodontic treatments is the most crucial detail. See below for a breakdown in the cost comparison between Byte and other plastic aligner companies, as well as a comparison to the cost of traditional braces.
| Brand | Single Payment | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| byte | $1,999 | $70/month for 36 months with $249 deposit |
| Candid | $2,400 | $99/month for 24 months with $399 down |
| SmileDirectClub | $2,250 | $89/month for 24 months with $250 deposit |
| Aligner Co. | $995 | $110/month for 12 months or $95/month for 11 months with $275 deposit |
| New Smile | $1,595 | $58/month for 24 months with $295 deposit |
In the end, the orthodontic treatment plan you end up choosing is a very individual decision. Out of the options discussed in this article, Byte has the distinction of their Hyperbyte technology, which has been shown to lead to a faster and more comfortable treatment experience. Alternative teledentistry options include Candid, SmileDirectClub, Aligner Co., and New Smile. Out of these alternative options, the most affordable is Aligner Co., although this company also appears to provide the least customer support based on the information available on their website. The next cheapest option is New Smile.
Additionally, each teledentistry company discussed in this article listed monthly payment options, with the exception of Candid. If teledentistry is not an option for you or you would rather see an orthodontist in person on a regular basis to keep an eye on your progression, traditional braces might be a better option. There are some dental problems that cannot be addressed appropriately with removable plastic aligners, and individuals with these problems would be best served by getting traditional braces. With this being said, however, traditional braces do tend to be more expensive than their teledentistry counterparts. All in all, the final decision that you make for your orthodontic treatment is highly individual, but there are plentiful options available to choose from.
