Better, Cheaper Clear Braces than Byte® – New Jersey

Nu Smile Aligner® and Byte®: A Comparison

A beautiful smile is always in style, and so is saving money. Hence, it makes sense that so many people use Byte and similar at-home orthodontic options to straighten their teeth. But let’s get real here — DIY options like Byte aren’t nearly as safe, effective, or reliable as treatments that take place under clinical supervision. As you’ll learn on this page where we compare the Nu Smile Aligner and Byte clear braces systems, Nu Smile Aligner gives you the opportunity to achieve straighter teeth at a low price — without the risks that are an inherent part of at-home systems.

Animated hand pointing
Price
Technology
Process
Effectiveness
Appearance
Support

Nu Smile Aligner®

$2,500 Complete or $110/month
  • Digital Smile Preview
  • Digital Scanning & Impressions
  • All-Digital Treatment Planning
  • Latest, Greatest Biocompatible
    + Hypoallergenic Materials
  • One Price No Matter the Case
    (All-Inclusive Aligners)
  • Digital Scanning & Impressions
  • Custom Molds
  • In-House 3D Aligner Fabrication
    (Made in New Jersey, USA)
  • Custom-Trimmed to Fit
  • Personalized Quality Check
  • Just as Effective as Traditional Braces
  • For Teens and Adults
  • Completely Invisible Polyethylene Material
  • Biocompatible
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Start-to-Finish Personal Concierge
  • Treatment Plan & Expert Oversight
  • All-Inclusive, Unlimited Aligners
  • Check-Ins Every 6 Weeks

Byte®

$1,895 Complete
  • Patient Takes Their Own, Traditional Molds and Mails to Byte®
  • One Price No Matter the Case (All-Inclusive Aligners)
  • NO Digital Scanning
  • Traditional Impressions
  • Custom Molds
  • Aligners manufactured in China
  • Custom-Trimmed to Fit
  • Factory Worker Quality Check
  • Just as Effective as Traditional Braces
  • For Teens and Adults
  • Inexpensive, BPA-Free Plastic
  • Complete DIY Option
  • No Oversight from a Qualified Dentist or Provider

Price

Person holding a piggy bank

Before you even get started with Byte, you’ll have to pay $95 for an impression kit. Then, your full set of aligners will set you back $1,895. That’s about $2,000 altogether. Nu Smile Aligner comes in at a much more affordable rate; it’s just $2,500 or $110 per month for 24 months.

Technology

Digital smile design system on computer screen

Taking your own dental molds for Byte presents a significant risk. This low-tech approach makes it more likely that your aligners will not fit properly and that they will damage your teeth or gums. The digital scanning process with Nu Smile Aligner is much more accurate and gets your treatment off to the best start possible.

Process

Digital printing and clear braces crafting system

Byte provides a low-tech treatment process that is pretty much all DIY. Plus, the aligners have to get shipped all the way from China! Nu Smile Aligner uses the latest technology. We fabricate the aligners right here in New Jersey so you can enjoy a localized, streamlined treatment process.

Effectiveness

Animated placement of Nu Smile Aligner tray over teeth

The effectiveness of Byte can be seriously compromised if you make a mistake when you are taking your dental impressions. You could even end up worsening the alignment of your teeth. In contrast, Nu Smile Aligner is proven effective because it involves the best technology and expert clinical supervision.

Appearance

Patient placing her Nu Smile Aligner tray

The whole point of clear aligners is for them not to call a lot of attention to themselves, right? Byte uses cheap plastic that may be more noticeable than Nu Smile aligners. We use medical-grade polyethylene aligners that are carefully trimmed for your unique teeth. They are virtually invisible.

Support

Doctor G talking to Nu Smile Aligner patient

You should feel confident that you’ll have the support of an expert dentist and team throughout your orthodontic treatment. Byte is all DIY and deprives you of that. Nu Smile Aligner, on the other hand, partners you with local experts who truly want to see your treatment succeed.

Nu Smile Aligner vs. Byte FAQs

Byte has become a popular option for budget-conscious individuals who want to use clear aligners to straighten their teeth without regular dental appointments — but it is vastly inferior to the Nu Smile Aligner system. In the following list of FAQs, we address some common questions that patients have regarding how the two treatments compare. If you would like further explanation on anything you read here, or you are ready to schedule a consultation with our team, please contact us directly.

What Is the Difference in Cost Between Nu Smile Aligners and Byte?

The Nu Smile Aligner system costs $2,500 or $110/month. Byte costs $1,895. Byte and other DIY clear aligner systems, like Candid and SmileDirectClub, offer lower quality and a greatly reduced level of service for a higher price. Byte even expects you to take your own dental molds, and the support they offer throughout treatment is limited. Clearly, the Nu Smile Aligner system presents a much better value.

Where Are Nu Smile Aligners and Byte Made?

Nu Smile Aligners are made right here in New Jersey using state-of-the-art 3D printing. Not only does this expedite the treatment process, but it also eliminates high shipping costs. Byte aligners, on the other hand, are manufactured all the way over in China.

How Long Is the Process?

Because Nu Smile Aligners are made locally, the process is efficient. You come in for your consultation, Dr. G sets up your treatment plan, and you can expect to get started on straightening your teeth fairly quickly. Byte may take longer to get started because you have to order an impression kit, send the impression back to the company, and wait for your aligners.

Once you begin wearing the aligners, total treatment time may be fairly similar. That is, if Byte is successful. Without proper supervision from a dentist, it may produce low-quality results.

Do Nu Smile Aligners and Byte Use the Same Materials?

Similar to Invisalign, the Nu Smile Aligner system uses high-quality polyethylene material. It is designed for comfort, discretion, and efficient tooth movements. Byte aligners, conversely, are constructed out of a much cheaper form of plastic. They may be more visible and less comfortable than Nu Smile Aligners.

Do the Two Treatments Use the Same Technology?

No. Nu Smile Aligners feature an all-digital workflow, including digital impressions, high-tech treatment planning, and 3D printing of the aligners. Byte uses manual impressions that patients take themselves. Manual impressions, especially when they are not taken by a professional, are much more likely to be inaccurate and produce aligners that are of poor quality.