Thanks to their remote treatment model, clear aligner services like Byte have given millions of people access to affordable dental care. But Byte hasn’t stopped there.
They wanted to make teeth-straightening treatment not only accessible, but also convenient, and that’s why they introduced Byte At-Night. This nighttime-only option allows users to wear their aligners for just 10 consecutive hours a night instead of 22 hours a day.
But is Byte At-Night right for you? In this review, we’ll dig into the specifics of Byte At-Night, from pricing to treatment oversight and everything in between.
Pro Tip: Byte At-Night is our #1-recommended nighttime treatment option. If you decide to use Byte, be sure to take advantage of our special discount below for $150 off.
How Does Byte At-Night Work?
For the most part, Byte At-Night treatment looks similar to traditional aligners. You take an impression of your teeth, Byte creates a treatment plan for you, and you wear your aligners for the prescribed amount of time.
That’s the process in a nutshell. Here’s a more thorough idea of what to expect from Byte’s nighttime aligners:
- Step 1: Take impressions of your teeth using Byte’s impression kit. Essentially, you create 3D molds of your teeth, which Byte’s treatment team uses to put together your personalized treatment plan.
- Step 2: Approve your treatment plan once you receive it from Byte. It will show you a prediction of what your teeth will look like after treatment.
- Step 3: Wear the aligners Byte sends you. To be both successful and safe, you’ll need to wear your aligners for 10 continuous hours per night—no removing them!
- Step 4: Immediately after you put in your aligners each evening, you’ll use your HyperByte tool for 10 minutes. This device gently vibrates your teeth to help them move into a new position.
What Sets Byte At-Night Apart?
Byte is just one company offering teledentistry, which is still a relatively new industry (the “oldest” company launched in 2014). If the name isn’t too familiar to you, don’t freak out. They have been operating in the U.S. since 2018 but they didn’t come over to Australia until 2020.
But even in the short time their aligners have been available in Australia, Byte has established themselves as the most innovative at-home aligner company. So far, they’ve served thousands of customers, and they’re ready to help thousands more. And there is a lot to love about them: the shortest treatment lengths, nighttime treatment, a lifetime guarantee, and much more.
Traditionally, at-home teeth aligners take an average of 6 months for all-day treatment, but nighttime treatments typically take longer (more like 9 months) simply because you wear your aligners less time each day. But Byte At-Night breaks that pattern. Byte’s nighttime aligners use a thicker, medical-grade plastic specifically designed for nighttime wear. Pair that with their proprietary HyperByte system, and your Byte At-Night treatment could last as little as 5 months—even less than the all-day aligner options of their competitors.
The HyperByte releases gentle, high frequency vibrations, which help loosen your tooth’s ligaments to ensure more comfort—and potentially shorten treatment lengths. Just pop in your aligners, bite down lightly on the HyperByte for 10 minutes each day, and you’ll help your treatment unfold more comfortably and effectively.
Byte is the only at-home clear aligner provider offering this kind of therapy—but that doesn’t mean it’s sketchy. The HyperByte is a HFV (high frequency vibration) device, which is a technology that’s been safely used in orthodontics for over a decade. If you’re curious about HFV devices, you can learn more here.
Basically, there isn’t much bad to say about Byte’s treatment offerings (although we’ll cover a few issues later). The biggest con is that Byte only corrects mild to moderate cosmetic cases, but that is true of all online aligner systems.
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Product Quality
All of Byte’s aligners are made from BPA-free plastic, but there are a few differences between their all-day aligners and their At-Night aligners. Let’s take a closer look.
Materials
Byte’s At-Night aligners are made from a thicker, more premium plastic than their all-day aligners. These durable nighttime only aligners can withstand any overnight teeth grinding you throw at them.
Byte’s At-Night aligners cost a bit more than their all-day treatment, but we can appreciate that the price difference is because the night aligners are made with premium materials. Many of Byte’s competitors also charge more for their nighttime-only treatments, even if the aligners are made with the same materials as the all-day options.
Appearance
Among clear aligner providers, there are two ways to cut the tops of the aligners: straight across, or scalloped to match the gumline.
Byte’s aligners are cut straight across. This helps them exert more force than scalloped aligners because the overlap with the gums acts as an anchor. Scalloped aligners are slightly more discreet, but they can’t exert as much force. It’s a bit of a tradeoff, but we tend to prefer aligners cut straight across.
Byte’s aligners are made of shiny plastic. Other aligner providers (like Invisalign and Smile Direct) make their aligners from slightly frosted plastic. These matte aligners tend to have a more natural look, since the surface of our teeth is porous; not shiny.
That being said, plenty of Byte customers like having a little extra sparkle in their smiles! Appearance is subjective, so choose the aligners that suit your unique preferences.
Treatment Oversight
Just because you complete your entire treatment from home doesn’t mean you’ll be left high and dry. In fact, each Byte customer is assigned their own personal Byte advisor. This advisor checks in periodically to ensure your journey to a straight smile is going well. No other home aligner company provides this level of personalized care.
Byte keeps its customers at the center of all they do, and it shines through in its customer support. For example, if you opt in to text messaging, a Byte representative will reach out through each step of the process: impressions, ordering your treatment plan, wearing your aligners, and so on.
To help the Byte team keep an eye on your progress, you’ll submit photo updates to your patient portal every 3-4 weeks of treatment. If you’re wondering how to capture quality photos for these updates; don’t worry—Byte has you covered. In your treatment bundle, you’ll receive a cheek retractor; this aptly named tool moves your pesky cheeks aside so that you can take clear images of your teeth.
Whenever it’s time to send in your progress photos, Byte will remind you via a green banner on your treatment portal. With just 10 minutes of HyperByte use a day, simple photo updates every few weeks, and treatments as short as 5 months, Byte At-Night can easily fit into a busy schedule.
In stark contrast, traditional in-office options like Invisalign and braces can take 18-24 months to complete. On top of that, these treatments require in-person appointments every 4-8 weeks of treatment. Accommodating a dozen or so appointments is no easy task for a busy adult.
If you run into any issues during your treatment, you’ll need to reach out to customer support. We’ve tested Byte’s customer support ourselves, and we found them to be pretty prompt, especially by phone. Email is a bit slower, but you can expect a response within 24 hours. You can also reach out to them on social media, but for specific questions, a phone call is a fastest and most secure method.
Bang For Your Buck
It’s probably evident that at-home clear aligners are more affordable than in-office options like braces or Invisalign. But how much savings are we talking about? Let’s take a look at the nitty-gritty details of the cost of Byte At-Night.
Startup Costs
Byte’s $95 impression kit is how you can get the ball rolling on treatment. The cost includes the forms, putty, evaluation by a dentist or orthodontist, and the creation of a treatment plan. It’s a seriously great value. Keep an eye out for sales, too; we’ve seen this kit discounted from time to time.
Aligner Kit
Your At-Night aligner bundle costs $3,399. This kit comes with everything you need to straighten your teeth without visiting the orthodontist’s office. It includes the aligners, the HyperByte (which is $999 when bought separately), a bottle of whitening foam, and your first set of aftercare retainers.
Potential Add-Ons
Byte throws in a bottle of whitening in your aligner package, but if you run out you can purchase more for $49. The per bottle price goes down the more you buy, so if you love the stuff you can opt for the 6 pack, which brings the cost to $39/bottle.
For an additional $999, you can opt into the Byte Protection Plan. This includes free replacements for any lost or broken aligners throughout your treatment, and 5 years’ worth of free retainers (a $1,690 value). If you can pay a little more up front, this Protection Plan will ensure your smile for less in the long term.
Financing
If the total sticker price of $3,399 is more than your wallet can chew through, then don’t worry. Byte offers BytePay, a pay-as-you-go plan. It doesn’t even require a credit check, so everyone qualifies.
There are two different payment plans you can choose, and the main difference between them is that one includes the $999 Byte Protection Plan and one doesn’t.
For the payment plan that includes Byte’s Protection Plan, you’ll make fortnightly payments of $68 for 30 months (plus a $40 account set up and $8 monthly maintenance charge), bringing your total to $4,678.
To use BytePay without the Protection Plan; you’ll make fortnightly payments of $65 for 24 months (plus the same maintenance charges), bringing your total to $3,631.
Insurance
Medicare classifies at-home clear aligner treatments as “cosmetic,” so your Byte At-Night treatment won’t be eligible for coverage. However, if you have any additional orthodontic benefits you might be eligible for some reimbursement. Coverage varies from provider to provider, so be sure to check with yours to see what your options are.
Post-Treatment Costs
The best way to preserve your new smile is to wear aftercare retainers. When your treatment first ends you’ll need to wear retainers (top and bottom) full time. After a few weeks, you’ll get the go-ahead from Byte to switch to overnight wear—which you’ll continue indefinitely.
Lucky for you, Byte includes your first set of aftercare retainers for free in your treatment bundle. These retainers are durable, but they’re not everlasting; they’ll need to be replaced every 6 months or so.
You can buy these retainers outright for $189 per set; but if you opted for the Byte Protection Plan, your retainers will be covered for 5 years.
Customer Experience
The price and quality of your treatment are important, but so is how you’re treated throughout your process. Let’s take a look at what you can expect when you choose Byte At-Night for your clear aligner treatment.
Reviews
If you’re like a lot of online shoppers, you like to read customer reviews before making a purchase. That’s just good sense. For Byte, however, there are hundreds of reviews to sift through. To make your life a little easier, we’ve combed through the feedback and summarized what customers had to say.
Just a note before we dive into the details: most of these comments are from people who went with traditional, 22-hour wear. But since Byte At-Night is fundamentally similar to Byte’s all-day method, the reviews are still very helpful:
Without further ado, here’s what customers loved about Byte:
- Aligners and impression kits are user-friendly.
- Initial results are visible in just weeks.
- Excellent, friendly customer service.
And here’s what they didn’t like so much:
- Mix-ups can occur with insurance reimbursements. (Byte is not covered by Medicare, but if you have additional orthodontic benefits, you can get help with the cost.)
- Monthly financing increases the cost by quite a bit.
Honestly, there aren’t a ton of drawbacks to Byte. It’s straightforward to use, gets results fast, and is backed by prompt customer service. Insurance issues can happen with any company in any industry, so that’s not a make-or-break factor to us. We think Byte’s positives far outweigh their negatives.
Comfort
Let’s be clear: there’s always going to be some discomfort in teeth alignment. This is true with all orthodontia—even traditional options like Invisalign and braces involve some aches and pains.
Sometimes nighttime only treatments cause a bit more discomfort than traditional methods since your teeth spend so many hours a day outside of the aligners. Luckily, your Byte treatment comes with the HyperByte.
With its gentle pulses, 10 minutes of the HyperByte a day can help make your aligners fit better, and relieve some of the soreness. These aren’t just empty words, either—Byte’s reviews are full of customers crediting the HyperByte for making their treatment as pain-free as possible.
Guarantees
Ordering anything online can feel like a leap of faith; so we appreciate when providers have policies that protect your purchase. Byte offers plenty of peace of mind with their Byte For Life Guarantee. Here’s how it works: if your teeth ever shift out of place post-treatment (even years later), Byte will correct your smile for free. All you need to do is stay up on wearing and replacing your retainer, and Byte will take care of the rest.
What if I break an aligner?
Accidents happen—if you break an aligner during your treatment, reach out to Byte right away. If you’re enrolled in Byte Protection Plan, then this replacement will be covered for free! If you aren’t in that program, your replacement aligner will cost just $59. While you’re waiting for your replacement aligner to arrive, wear your most recent set of trays to keep your teeth from moving out of place.
Refinement Policy
Sometimes teeth can be a little stubborn, and you may need a few more aligners than your initial treatment plan predicted. These extra aligners are called refinements, and some providers charge extra for them; but not Byte. If you’ve followed their treatment guidelines, then you’ll receive all of the aligners you need to get the results you want.
The Best Byte At-Night Alternatives
Byte At-Night is a very convenient method to straighten your teeth while you sleep. However, they’re not the only option to consider.
SmilePath
If nighttime treatment is a priority for you, then you can also check out SmilePath’s NightOnly plan. If you’re looking for the convenience of nighttime treatment and affordability, they’re your best bet. They charge just $1,999 for nighttime treatment. On average, their treatment takes between 8-12 months. So while they’re slower than Byte At-Night, they’re a bit easier on your wallet.
WonderSmile
Another nighttime alternative is WonderSmile. Their NightClear option boasts a treatment speed of 9 months on average. And when it comes to price, they fall in the middle of the road: $2,460. That’s just $70 more expensive than their daytime treatment (a very small price to pay in exchange for convenience). Plus, unlike other companies, WonderSmile does offer a steep $500 discount for single-arch treatments. Not many people fit that category, but it’s worth noting in case you do.
Should You Use Byte At-Night?
Byte At-Night is great, but it’s not the right treatment method for everyone. Let’s talk about when you should use Byte At-Night and when you should keep on shopping.
✔ When to use Byte At-Night:
Let’s say you drink lots of coffee, all day long (hey, no judgments here). Taking out your aligners and brushing your teeth after every single cup would be a pain. Thankfully, Byte At-Night takes away that hassle. And with Byte, you can combine the convenience of nighttime treatment with the speed and efficiency of the fastest aligner company on the market.
✖ When NOT to use Byte At-Night:
Not everyone is a candidate for Byte At-Night. Unfortunately, tougher cases will need to opt for Byte’s All-Day option or an in-office treatment like Invisalign. And if your budget is tight, there are cheaper methods—Byte’s daytime method included. $3,399 is a bit tough to pay all at once, and that’s totally understandable.
Final Verdict
Byte At-Night is a good addition to a service that was already competitive. Technically speaking, nighttime treatment is not the fastest way to straighten your teeth. But thanks to HyperByte, even the “slower” Byte At-Night treatment matches (or even exceeds) other companies’ daytime treatment speeds.
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– Compare Your Options
– Find the Best for YouAccording to Byte: “If you send your impressions back and we can’t create an accurate set of aligners, we’ll contact you and send another impression kit.” Pretty great, right?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Byte ever offer discounts?
Byte does have the occasional sale, especially around the holidays. Get on their email list to receive special offers. The only continuous discounts Byte offers are their student and military discounts. You have to contact the company to get in on those, though: write to military@Byteme.com or student@Byteme.com to get started.
What if I’m not happy with the outcome?
Byte does not offer refunds on treatment. However, they do promise that you’ll love your smile for life. That’s why they give you your first set of post-treatment retainers for free. But if your teeth still shift despite following post-treatment instructions, Byte will give you new nighttime aligners, free of charge.
Do I need an X-ray before Byte treatment?
Nope! The impression kit is all you need to get started; it measures the spaces and orientation of your teeth. Assuming you have a relatively normal bone structure, you won’t need an X-ray.
How does Byte compare to EZ Smile, WonderSmile, SmilePath, and Smile Direct?
Byte doesn’t have the smallest price tag (that would be SmilePath), nor is it the oldest at-home aligner company on the market (Smile Direct Club). But they do combine value with exceptional customer service. Their stand-out feature is their HyperByte device; even with the “slower” At-Night plan, your treatment could wrap up in just 5 months.
Is Byte better than braces and Invisalign?
It depends on what “better” means to you. Braces, Invisalign, and Byte will all get the job done and have you smiling bright. But of these three options, Byte is the cheapest and quickest way to get treatment.
Is Byte At-Night cheaper than braces or Invisalign?
Yes! Byte is cheaper than both traditional braces and Invisalign. Before insurance, Byte At-Night costs $3,399. Invisalign can cost several thousand dollars before insurance. The same goes for braces. Ultimately, Byte At-Night can cost thousands less.
Does Byte treatment last forever?
Occasionally, teeth will migrate once you finish treatment. As you get older (or during a pregnancy), teeth can shift. If that happens, Byte promises to help. Just let them know that you’ve had some alignment changes and they’ll provide you with new aligners free of charge.
Does Byte offer teeth whitening services?
They do! All Byte treatment kits include BrightByte. If you ever run out, you can buy a new bottle for $49 each or purchase a 6-bottle supply at a unit price of $39 per bottle.
I’m in a rush – is Byte At-Night the fastest at-home treatment option available?
Ironically, Byte At-Night’s biggest competitor for treatment speed is Byte! Byte At-Night can wrap up as quickly as 5 months. But if raw speed is all that matters, we’d recommend that you opt for Byte’s daytime treatment schedule, which can be as short as 4 months in some cases.
Of the three companies offering nighttime treatment options, though, Byte is definitely the fastest.
Does Byte have a refund policy?
Byte does not offer refunds for their nighttime system or impression kits. The only refund they offer is for the impression kit if you take impressions and turn out not to be a good candidate for treatment.
What happens if I mess up my impressions?
According to Byte: “If you send your impressions back and we can’t create an accurate set of aligners, we’ll contact you and send another impression kit.” Pretty great, right?
Does Byte have upsells?
Byte doesn’t really have any upsells. They do include a free bottle of their whitening treatment, but there’s no commitment to buy anything.
Does Byte have an age requirement?
Byte treats anyone ages 12 and up. However, they require written parental consent to treat anyone younger than 18.
A related note: Byte suggests you consider your wisdom teeth before changing your smile. If you’ll need them removed, it’s in your best interest to take care of that first. If not, they can compromise treatment results.
Will Byte At-Night make me talk funny?
Aligners are a foreign object, so your mouth might feel a bit funny, and you could have the slightest hint of a lisp. But since you’re wearing these aligners at night, that shouldn’t be too much of an issue, right? If you’re a sleeptalker, that’s another story.
How many hours a day should I wear my Byte At-Night aligners?
Byte recommends that you wear your aligners for 10 continuous hours each day. For the most part, you’ll wear them while you sleep. Unless you’re the rare person who actually gets ten hours of z’s each day, then you should put them in a few hours before bedtime to get the full required wear.
Can I drink coffee while using Byte?
We generally don’t recommend that you drink coffee while sleeping. The two don’t go together.
In all seriousness, though, you shouldn’t eat or drink anything except water when wearing your Byte At-Night aligners. If you do decide to grab a late-night snack or drink, then you should take out your aligners and brush your teeth before replacing them. This helps avoid stains and keeps your aligners fresh and clean, too.
What happens if I lose my aligners (or retainers)?
Byte doesn’t include replacement aligners. However, you can order them for $189. Byte also suggests you wear your most recent aligner until the replacement arrives.
Is Byte covered by insurance?
Medicare classifies Byte as a cosmetic treatment, which means it is not covered. If you have additional orthodontic benefits, your provider might offer some coverage. Check with yours to learn what coverage applies to you.
How can I contact Byte’s customer support?
You can contact Byte through their social media channels, but for more traditional support, it’s best to contact them via phone at 1-800-298-3631. If you’d rather email, you can reach them at support@trybyte.com.au.