What are invisible braces?

Invisible braces are an alternative to traditional metal or ceramic braces. A dentist will scan your teeth and create a clear mold that is printed with special technology to make a perfect fit that clips over your teeth. They can be removed for eating or other activities, whereas traditional braces cannot. The invisible braces are as their name suggests: nearly invisible unless you look up close. The set you're wearing is often referred to as "trays" or "aligners".

Are invisible braces effective?

If you have crooked teeth, crowded teeth, gap teeth, or malocclusion (problems with how your teeth fit together) invisible braces could work for you. Depending on the severity of your case, invisible braces can take longer to fix the issue you're dealing with when compared to traditional braces. However, the fact that they are easy to remove and not noticeable often make the extra time wearing them worth it to people.

How long does it take for invisible braces to work?

If you only have one or two teeth that need a small adjustment, you might be done with invisible braces in just a few months. If you have a more complicated case, invisible braces may have to be worn for years. The process will drastically vary person-by-person. People opt for invisible braces because even when used long-term, you're frequently getting a new set that feels clean and fresh and since they are harder to see, a person's appearance isn't altered in a negative way while they have them.

How do invisible braces move my teeth?

When your dentist scans your teeth initially, they'll come up with a comprehensive plan of where they want your teeth to end up by the time the process is over. This involves multiple small adjustments to different areas of your mouth. Every couple of weeks, you'll get a new set of invisible braces that are especially tight around the teeth as each set has its own job and slowly moves your teeth through controlled force to where they should be. Some sets have "buttons" that click onto little dots on your teeth that your dentist applies so that they have better grip as they slowly, gently pull your teeth to where they should be.

Do invisible braces need to be worn 24/7?

Although you can easily remove invisible braces, they should be worn at all times, except when eating or sometimes drinking. Other potential short-term instances where you might remove your aligners are for special occasions like a job interview, speaking engagement, wedding, or playing a sport. During the periods of adjustment, your teeth are extra "loose" and can easily move back into their original, incorrect places. If you go without invisible braces too long, you may risk going backwards in your overall process. The more you wear your invisible braces, the shorter your treatment plan will have to be.

Are invisible braces expensive?

The cost of your invisible braces will vary a bit by company and how long you need to wear them. Oftentimes, if you have dental insurance, it will cover a big portion of the cost. Some of the most popular brands of invisible braces say their prices can range from $3,000 to $9,000. These are similar numbers to what you might pay for traditional braces, so depending on your case, invisible braces may be just as affordable or even cheaper than metal braces.

How do I keep my invisible braces clean?

If you've ever dealt with metal or ceramic braces before, you know that food easily gets stuck in them and it's harder to keep your mouth feeling fresh and clean. Since invisible braces can be removed, you avoid this altogether. However, some people notice that their invisible braces start to get a film over them after a couple of days and need to be cleaned. Your dentist will direct you in the best way to care for your exact type of invisible braces, but a great way to keep them clean is to brush your teeth well after you eat and remove your invisible braces for meals and even when you drink anything besides water. Aside from this, invisible braces can be brushed with a soft-bristle toothbrush and rinsed well. Some brands of invisible braces offer a cleaning solution that you can use to soak your trays every few days.

Are there any foods I should avoid when using invisible braces?

Of course you should always remove your aligners to eat or drink (this includes chewing gum). The beauty of invisible braces is that you can eat and drink whatever you want, though. Hello popcorn, caramel, and chips! Invisible braces are the easiest way to keep your mouth fresh and clean while still getting the benefits of achieving straight teeth. The key is just to make sure your teeth are flossed and brushed well between every meal and snack.

Candid Review for September 2026 | Best Invisible Braces

Item: Candid Review
Rating: 3.5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Tuesday, September 15th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2026 Invisible Braces Reviews

What are the best invisible braces? Who doesn't love the idea of perfectly straight teeth? Everyone knows that a beautiful smile can make you feel better about yourself. Fewer people realize that it can also help in your relationships, both personal and at work. And while traditional braces are often viewed as unattractive and cumbersome, invisible braces have soared in popularity.

3.5

GOOD

Good

Candid

Work with a local dentist or orthodontist
Remote check-ins with CandidMonitoring
Results in 8.5 months on average
HSA and FSA-eligible
Likely to be able to use insurance
"A+" Better Business Bureau rating

GOOD

3.5

On the Candid website

Candid was founded to offer revolutionary oral care through best-in-class technology and quality care. They were developed by orthodontists and partner with other dental professionals to bring clear aligners to their patients. They use a remote system called CandidMonitoring to track your progress, monitor hygiene, and scan compliance so patients can get more oversight without having to visit a dental office as frequently. On average, 70% of patients who utilize CandidMonitoring complete their treatment plan in 8.5 months.

Lots of benefits from Candid

Some of the signs Candid lists that indicate you could benefit from their treatment is if you have difficulty flossing, have pain when chewing or biting, or you snore. Even a subtle misalignment of your bite could expose your teeth to damage from everyday use. If you decide to fix your oral concerns with Candid, you'll get a provider consultation, full set of aligners, teeth whitening foam, at-home progress tracking, and additional aligners as needed.

Work with a local professional

You'll need to work with a local dentist or orthodontist to use Candid. From their website, you can input your zip code and find someone who offers their treatment plans near you. Once you get set up with your doctor, they'll do scans of your teeth, create a customized plan for you, and then you'll receive your first set of aligners, CandidMonitoring materials, and whitening foam.

Remote progress tracking

Every 14 days you'll use the CandidPro app to send scans of your teeth to your doctor to make sure you're staying on track. This makes it easier to monitor your results without having to make frequent trips to an in-house office.

Price varies

Since you work directly with a doctor to use Candid, there's no pricing listed on the website. This will vary greatly depending on who you work with and what they charge as well as your insurance plan. Most practices accept quite a few insurance plans and allow you to pay with FSA and HSA accounts. You may also be able to set up a payment plan for Candid so that you're not spending the full amount upfront.

Returns at the discretion of provider

Just like there is no set price for Candid for patients across the board, the same goes for their return policy. Returns, exchanges, or other changes to treatment are at the discretion of your Candid provider, so you'll need to address questions directly with them.

Changing business model

On top of their "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, Candid has been featured by CNBC, Forbes, CBS, USA Today, and Dentistry Today. The company has a lot of reviews based on their old way of treating patients, which was fully remote monitoring. Now that they work with local doctors and dentists, your experience with the company will largely be based on how your experience with your dentist or orthodontist is. Overall, Candid is set up to provide great success for patients and works well for those who follow all the directions from their provider.

Pros and cons

If you're strictly looking for an at-home dental solution for straightening your teeth, then Candid is not it. However, there are major perks to working with a dentist in-person to take care of your orthodontic issues. Having someone who can examine your mouth up close, answer all your questions, and make adjustments to your treatment will in many ways be your best bet for getting the perfect smile you're aiming for. This may also prove more expensive, so there are definite trade-offs. Overall, if you work through a dentist or orthodontist that uses Candid, we have no doubt that you'll get great results.

On the Candid website

Continued from above...

What Are the Best Invisible Braces?

Who doesn't love the idea of perfectly straight teeth? Everyone knows that a beautiful smile can make you feel better about yourself. Fewer people realize that it can also help in your relationships, both personal and at work. And while traditional braces are often viewed as unattractive and cumbersome, invisible braces have soared in popularity.

One of the main reasons behind the popularity of invisible braces is their discreet appearance. Unlike traditional metal braces, which are conspicuous and often draw unwanted attention, invisible braces offer a subtle and nearly invisible alternative. Made from clear aligner trays or tooth-colored materials, they blend seamlessly with the natural teeth, allowing wearers to undergo orthodontic treatment without feeling self-conscious about their smile.

Many people also find invisible braces more comfortable and convenient that traditional metal braces. This is because invisible braces are crafted from smooth, comfortable materials that minimize irritation to the gums and soft tissues. Additionally, the removable nature of some invisible braces, such as clear aligners, allows patients to enjoy greater freedom and flexibility in their daily activities such as eating and brushing their teeth.

No one ever loves having their dentist tell them that they have issues of crowding, gaps, or misalignment and that they are going to need braces. Usually this is because traditional metal or ceramic braces are bulky, limit the foods you can eat, sometimes painful, and can really alter your appearance. With the new technology of invisible braces, everyone has the freedom to get the perfect teeth they dreamed of without anyone else hardly noticing the process. You'll be able to remove the aligners easily to eat and drink or for special occasions, so having braces is no longer a big deal.

Invisible braces (often referred to as aligners or trays), come in a top and/or bottom set depending on the teeth you're working to move. They can easily be clipped on or off to eat or brush your teeth. They are made through a comprehensive scan of your mouth using dental technology. This allows your physician to create a treatment plan for how your teeth should gradually adjust over time with new sets of aligners every few weeks. Invisible braces are usually made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) because it is transparent, durable, and strong.

Oftentimes people look back on photos from their youth and laugh about the awkward times when they had a funny choice in clothing, were growing into their bodies, and had giant braces to top it off. It's hard finding your confidence as a kid and needing hunks of metal in your mouth while you do it. The same goes for adults. Many people who could benefit from braces later in life often opt not to do it because of the way traditional braces look. With invisible braces, kids as young as six or as old as a hundred could benefit from them without some of the unwanted side effects that came with metal braces.

Since invisible braces work in phases where different sets of aligners are formed to shift specific teeth into place, it is a gradual process. In young kids, a dentist may identify a potential problem with the way their permanent teeth are growing in and recommend a short stint of aligners to nip the problem in the bud. Years down the road as all their adult teeth have settled, they may need another round of invisible braces to straighten things out for good. It's a flexible process that works great for people of all ages and is the least life-altering or noticeable way to get perfect teeth.

As invisible braces have gained popularity, quite a few companies have emerged that offer services to provide them. It can be hard to know which company will give you the best results, so we recommend taking the following things into consideration when deciding who to trust with your smile:

Price. How does the cost of a treatment plan through one company compared to another? Do they give you upfront costs depending on how long you'll need the aligners? Do they accept insurance or the use of an HSA or FSA account? Does the company require payment upfront or can you set up a payment plan for the duration of your treatment?
Customer reviews. One of the best ways to gauge the efficacy and reliability of a company is through the feedback of other people who have used their service. Does the company have a good Better Business Bureau rating? Do they have unfiltered testimonials on their site with before and after pictures? Do your research to find out if people have genuinely had a good experience with the invisible braces and the company's service overall.
Guarantee. Do the invisible braces come with some sort of guarantee? If you're paying for a treatment plan, it's imperative that you get the results you were looking for, otherwise the company should adjust the process or provide some sort of discount or refund.

You're well on your way to perfectly straight teeth. This can boost your overall confidence and also has a wealth of health benefits as well. We're glad you discovered invisible braces as it will be the easiest way to achieve your desired results. Our experts at Top Consumer Reviews have researched a variety of the top companies out there for aligners and hope this information helps you find the perfect fit for your pearly whites!

Candid Review: Invisible Braces

2026 Invisible Braces Reviews

Candid

What Are the Best Invisible Braces?

Invisible Braces FAQ