How Much Does Byte Really Cost? A Price Breakdown
Understand the complete financial picture of Byte aligner treatment. Explore all potential costs beyond the advertised price.
Byte is a direct-to-consumer company offering clear aligners for teeth straightening. This article details the potential costs associated with Byte treatment, including core treatment, financing, and additional expenses.
Byte’s Core Treatment Cost
The Byte All-Day aligner system costs around $1,999 for a one-time payment, requiring aligners to be worn for approximately 22 hours per day. For those preferring less daily wear, the Byte At-Night system is available for about $2,399 for a single payment, with aligners worn for about 10 hours per day.
Both packages include an impression kit, the full set of custom-made clear aligners, a HyperByte device, and BrightByte teeth whitener. The first set of retainers is also included.
Understanding Payment Plans
Byte offers various payment solutions to help manage the cost of treatment. One common option is their in-house financing program, BytePay, which aims for 100% approval. This plan involves a down payment, with the remaining balance paid through monthly installments. For instance, the Byte All-Day plan might require a down payment, followed by monthly payments over a period, such as 32 or 36 months, which can result in a total accumulated cost higher than the upfront payment due to interest.
Third-party financing options, such as Affirm, are also available, allowing customers to pay for their treatment over time through monthly payments. These plans can also include interest charges, which increase the overall cost compared to a single upfront payment. The annual percentage rate (APR) and specific terms, including down payment requirements and monthly payment amounts, can vary depending on the chosen financing partner and individual credit approval. Some financing arrangements, like those through CareCredit, may offer specific APRs for extended payment periods.
Common Extra Expenses
An initial impression kit is required to determine candidacy and create a treatment plan, costing around $95, although promotional discounts can reduce this price. This fee is refunded if an individual is not deemed a suitable candidate for treatment.
After completing the initial aligner treatment, retainers are necessary to maintain the straightened teeth and prevent shifting. While the first set of retainers is provided free of charge, subsequent replacement retainers cost around $129 per set. These replacements are recommended approximately every six months. An optional Byte Protection Plan is available, costing around $22 per month or a total of $749, which covers replacement retainers every six months for five years and can also include coverage for lost or stolen aligners.
Should aligners be lost or damaged during treatment, replacements may incur additional fees. The Byte Protection Plan can cover such instances, providing replacement aligners up to a certain value. Furthermore, if the initial treatment plan does not achieve the desired results, or if teeth shift, “refinement” aligners or mid-treatment adjustments might be needed. While the Byte-for-Life Guarantee aims to cover additional treatment if teeth move out of alignment, specific conditions apply, such as adherence to the treatment plan and retainer use. Expedited shipping fees, if chosen, would also add to the total cost.