If there’s one thing that makes Byte stand out from other clear aligner services, it’s their speed. Byte achieves faster treatment times than any other clear aligner company. But how do they do it?
Their warp-speed treatment times are all thanks to the HyperByte device, a high-frequency vibration device that’s meant to help your teeth shift faster and easier. Sound too good to be true? This article will explain what the HyperByte does, how it actually works, and how to decide if Byte’s clear aligner system is right for you.
Ready To Get Started w/ Byte? In addition to impressive treatment speed, Byte also offers the best customer support of any clear aligner service on the market. We recommend Byte to anyone looking to correct a mild-to-moderate case of crowding, spacing, or minor bite issues.
Meet the HyperByte
Technically speaking, the HyperByte is a high-frequency vibration (HFV) therapy device that’s FDA-approved as a Class II medical device. But who wants to talk technically? That sounds like a bunch of orthodontist jargon.
Here’s the simple version: the HyperByte is the “secret sauce” of Byte’s treatment regimen. It’s a little tool (about the size of your hand) that looks like a horseshoe attached to a base. Using it is as easy as 1-2-3:
- Pop in your aligners (wearing them while using the HyperByte improves aligner fit).
- Place the bite plate (the U-shaped section) between your teeth—no need to clamp down; a gentle hold will do the trick.
- Turn on the HyperByte for five minutes and let it work its magic.
During those five minutes, the HyperByte sends tiny vibrations up through your teeth. Essentially, those vibrations “shake things up” in your mouth by breaking up the connections between your teeth and bone structure. The result? Drastically faster tooth movements.
But those drastic movements don’t equal discomfort. Byte promises that using the HyperByte feels like using a power toothbrush. It’s completely gentle.
Advantages & Disadvantages of the HyperByte
Let’s talk about the good and the bad of HyperByte. But because we like to focus on the positive side of things, let’s start with the good:
- Speeds up treatment time: Studies show that HFV therapy can cut treatment times down by 64%. And Byte’s HyperByte system is no exception. On average, patients who use their HyperByte compliantly finish treatment in 3-4 months. The industry average is 6 months. The rest of the industry doesn’t include an HFV tool in their treatment kits. Coincidence? We think not.
- Reduces treatment discomfort: No matter what orthodontic treatment method you choose, you’ll encounter some discomfort. After all, orthodontics disrupt the soft tissues in your mouth in order to move your teeth. That causes inflammation. But the HyperByte’s soft vibrations reduce that inflammation.
- Improves aligner fit: The vibrations of the HyperByte help “shake” your teeth into their proper positions within your aligner trays. When your aligners fit poorly, they can mess up your treatment. A perfect fit keeps both your teeth and your aligners in good shape.
- Included in your treatment bundle: Byte isn’t the only one to sell a HFV device; lots of orthodontists and dentists offer them…for a price. On average, they cost $900. Byte sells theirs separately for $699, but it’s included in every treatment bundle for free. You get the speed at no extra cost.
And now for the bad:
- Umm, you have to remember to charge the system? Honestly, we’re kinda grasping at straws because there aren’t really any drawbacks to the HyperByte.
All told, the HyperByte drastically improves your treatment at no cost to you (literally and figuratively).
So how exactly does the HyperByte work?
Byte gives an interesting metaphor to describe how the HyperByte works: an ice cube tray. When you pull it out of the freezer, you have to shake it up to get the ice cubes to move.
Your teeth are kind of like the ice cubes anchored into the tray, except they’re anchored in your bone structure. Your aligners act as part of the “shaking” needed to move them—harsher, more aggressive shakes. But when you use the gentler vibrations of the HyperByte, the aligners don’t have to pull as hard; the vibrations loosen up the connection.
Is the HyperByte safe?
In general, clear aligner companies discourage you from taking measures to speed up your treatment (skipping to a new aligner too fast, skipping steps, etc.). High-frequency vibration therapy is an exception, though. The technology was first introduced in 1981, and since then, it’s been featured in numerous clinical studies to ensure that it’s safe and effective.
And every single study has shown HFV to be perfectly safe. Those studies have also discovered that, in the long term, patients who use HFV devices have better results than those who don’t. And Byte has ensured that their HyperByte system is up to code—so much so that they’ve received the FDA’s approval to sell it. So you get all of the pluses, and none of the minuses.
More on Byte Treatment
We’ve ranked a lot of different home aligner companies, and in all honesty, Byte is our favorite. Of course, treatment speed is a big thing to love about them; if you’re in a rush to see your newly perfected smile, then it’s tough to argue with Byte’s speedy 3-month average treatment time.
But a company doesn’t reach #1 on our list with treatment speed alone. There’s a lot more to it than that. You can read our full Byte review here, but here’s a quick look at the things we love most about Byte:
- Orthodontist-only network: All home aligner companies use state-licensed dental professionals to design their treatment plans, but some use mixed teams of dentists and orthodontists. Of the two, an orthodontist is preferable; orthodontists have much more extensive training in the art of moving teeth. Byte guarantees that an orthodontist will design your treatment plan.
- Overall value: Byte’s price points, $1,895 and $2,295 (nighttime treatment costs more), may seem like a lot, but they’re actually really fair price points. Not only does that price get you all the aligners you’ll need, but you’ll also get a free set of post-treatment retainers, a complimentary whitening kit, and the HyperByte system. The HyperByte technically retails for $699, but it’s free in your treatment bundle, saving you plenty of money.
- Daytime and Nighttime Treatment: With traditional home aligner treatment, you’ll need to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day. That’s the industry standard for home aligners. Some people find that to be a hassle since you have to remove your aligners every time you eat or drink (we see you, avid snackers). The only alternative is nighttime treatment, which requires 10 hours of continuous wear, mostly while you sleep. Byte offers both options: Byte All-Day or Byte At-Night. Byte At-Night is their premium offering, so it costs a bit more.
- Byte-for-Life Guarantee: Byte wants your new smile to last you a lifetime. That’s why they offer their Byte-for-Life Guarantee. If your smile ever shifts after treatment (and you’ve been wearing your retainers as prescribed), then you can contact Byte’s customer support. They’ll review your case and send you new aligners (for free!) to get your smile back to perfection. A few other companies have warranty policies and satisfaction guarantees, but none of them are as good as Byte’s.
- Treatment speed: Last but not least, there’s treatment speed. We’ve mentioned speed before, but both daytime and nighttime treatments are faster than the average daytime speeds for other companies. Most companies clock in at 6 months (10 months for nighttime treatment), but even Byte’s nighttime option lasts between 5-6 months. So technically speaking, you could finish your Byte treatment just as fast as another aligner company, all while wearing your aligners for half as long per day.
Ready to Get Started With Byte? Special Offer: If you decide they’re the right provider for you, be sure to take advantage of our exclusive discount below ($180 off your aligner bundle).