Notice: On December 8, 2023, SmileDirectClub announced the ‘incredibly difficult decision to wind down its global operations, effective immediately’. Unfortunately, aligner treatment is no longer available for new customers — any orders that have not yet shipped have been cancelled. In addition, customer care support is no longer available for existing customers and the Lifetime Smile Guarantee no longer exists. SmileDirectClub suggests that customers looking to continue treatment outside of their platform should consult a local dentist regarding future alignment treatment. Visit smiledirectclub.com for more information.
Looking to straighten your smile? Two options you might run into on the market are Invisalign, a pioneer in invisible orthodontics founded in 1997 as Align Technology, and SmileDirectClub, a company founded in 2014 that offers a DIY version of clear aligners that you can do largely at home.
While the two companies purport to offer the same end result—straighter, more aligned teeth—there are key differences to note when deciding between Invisalign versus SmileDirectClub, including cost and the in-person involvement of trained dental professionals.
Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of each clear aligner orthodontics option, as well as who Invisalign and SmileDirectClub might be right for.
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What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign offers a teeth-straightening treatment that relies on clear, removable aligners to gradually move the teeth as needed. These aligners are made out of a flexible thermoplastic material called SmartTrack that was created just for Invisalign treatment, according to the company.
With Invisalign, the full treatment process is overseen by an Invisalign-trained doctor, who creates a unique treatment plan for you based on the movements of your teeth and whom you will check in with regularly throughout the process.
How Invisalign Works
The Invisalign treatment process begins with an in-person meeting with an Invisalign-trained doctor. At your appointment, the doctor will conduct a 3D digital scan of your teeth in order to draw up a custom treatment plan consisting of aligners created for your unique needs. From there, patients will start wearing their aligners, which they’ll switch out every one to two weeks for the duration of treatment. In some cases, patients may need attachments as part of their treatment, which are small pieces of composite resin bonded to the teeth. These assist with treatment by allowing the aligners to have a more precise and tighter fit.
Patients will have regular check-ins with their doctor to track progress and ensure aligners are fitting well. The length of treatment will vary depending on how complex your case is. However, the company notes people may start to see some results in a few weeks, with the total treatment time being as short as six months in some cases. You’ll be able to take out your aligners for eating and drinking, as well as for special occasions, but it’s recommended to wear them for 20 to 22 hours a day to achieve maximum results. (Note that patients who have attachments as part of their Invisalign treatment will not be able to remove those.) Typically, patients swap out aligners for a new set every one to two weeks.
Once the treatment is complete, doctors typically recommend that individuals wear retainers. This is to prevent teeth from moving back into their previous positions. At first, you may wear your retainer set all the time, and then gradually move to wearing them only at night.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
The cost of Invisalign treatment is comparable to the cost of braces, according to the company. Ultimately, however, the cost of Invisalign will depend on the complexity of the patient’s case, the duration of treatment, the patient’s age and insurance coverage. On the low end, treatment for those with very mild to mild cases can run $1,200, while on the upper end, people with moderate to severe cases could pay as much as $8,000, according to experts.
Invisalign notes that exact pricing is up to the doctor who treats you. So, in order to get a price estimate, you will need to find an Invisalign provider near you.
Pros and Cons of Invisalign
Here’s a look at some of the major upsides and drawbacks of Invisalign:
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What Is SmileDirectClub?
SmileDirectClub is a teledentistry company that provides products and services that enable people to straighten their teeth at home. Like Invisalign, SmileDirectClub’s treatment plan works through a series of custom-made plastic aligners that gradually shift the teeth into the position desired. These aligners are made with ComfortSense technology, which is intended to avoid irritation to the cheeks or gums.
As a teledentistry company, SmileDirectClub’s plan does not require in-person visits to a dentist’s office. Instead, a person’s plan is initially reviewed by a licensed dentist or orthodontist, and then the individual checks in virtually with their dental care team.
How SmileDirectClub Works
To get started with SmileDirectClub, you’ll either receive an impression kit via mail that you can use to create impressions of your teeth on your own at home, or visit a brick and mortar SmileShop for an in-person scan. From there, one of the company’s licensed doctors will review those 3D images alongside your medical history and photos to determine an aligner treatment plan.
Users have the choice between two different aligner systems: SmileDirectClub Aligners and SmileDirectClub Nighttime Aligners. The latter requires wear for about 22 hours a day for roughly four to six months, whereas SmileDirectClub Nighttime Aligners only call for 10 hours of nighttime wear, but for a total treatment time of about 10 months.
With SmileDirectClub, users receive all of their aligners at once, at the outset of the treatment plan. There are no in-office visits to check in, but there are regular virtual check-ins as well as 24/7 access to the company’s dental care team. Users may start seeing results in just 60 days, according to the company.
At the end of treatment, retainers are made available for purchase to help maintain the results of the alignment treatment.
How Much Does SmileDirectClub Cost?
Both treatment options offered by SmileDirectClub cost a total of $2,050. Or, patients can opt to make monthly payments of $89 a month for 26 months with a $250 deposit, resulting in a total of $2,564.
However, you’ll also incur some costs outside of that. If you order an at-home impression kit, you’ll pay a $59 fee—though this cost is refunded when the kit is returned. Additionally, it’s suggested that users purchase retainers at the end of their treatment to maintain results, which run $99 per set.
Pros and Cons of SmileDirectClub
For SmileDirectClub, here’s a rundown of the pros and cons to be aware of:
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Which Is Better: Invisalign or SmileDirectClub?
At a glance, here’s how Invisalign vs. SmileDirectClub stack up:
Invisalign | SmileDirectClub | |
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Cost | Ranges depending on treatment needs, from $1,200 to $8,000 | $2,050 (or $89 per month, with a $250 one-time deposit) |
Time commitment | As little as six months, but can be longer depending on treatment plan | About 10 months with Nighttime Aligners, or about four to six months with standard aligners |
Personal dental care | Starts with an in-person consultation with an Invisalign-trained doctor, and regular in-person appointments to track progress | Cases reviewed remotely by a licensed dentist or orthodontist, and regular virtual check-ins with a dental care team |
Ability to address more severe issues | Can bond attachments onto teeth to treat patients with more complex malocclusions or bites | Does not use attachments or buttons, which may inhibit addressing more complex issues |
SmileDirectClub generally wins out when it comes to price. Additionally, it offers an option for those who are not able to visit a dental office on a regular basis.
However, according to Teresa Yang, D.D.S., a California-based dentist, Forbes Health Advisory Board member and author of the forthcoming book, Nothing But the Tooth: An Insider’s Guide to Dental Health, the lack of direct involvement from a dental professional can lead to issues that could give rise to further expenses down the road.
“Because there is no dental professional directly monitoring the treatment, problems can arise without the patient even realizing it,” she says. “If this occurs, ultimately more harm can be created, resulting in costly fixes.”
While SmileDirectClub does offer some storefronts for people to visit for initial scans, these are not widely available. Impressions taken at home could be inaccurate if not done properly, adds Holli Careswell, D.D.S., a board-certified general and cosmetic dentist with a private practice in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and a Forbes Health Advisory Board member.
When it comes to the choice between Invisalign versus SmileDirectClub, Dr. Yang says she would recommend Invisalign over SmileDirectClub for “almost everyone.” Still, those with more severe alignment issues may be better served by an option other than an aligner product. “Severe malocclusion or cases requiring surgical intervention, such as when the upper and lower jaws are not aligned, cannot be adequately treated with Invisalign or any clear aligner product,” she adds.
That being said, Invisalign does offer more treatment strategies compared to SmileDirectClub, thanks to its use of bond attachments onto teeth, which “guide tooth movement more specifically,” according to Dr. Yang. Similarly, Dr. Careswell notes that “Invisalign is recommended for mild to moderate crowding, while SmileDirectClub is only recommended for minor tooth movement cases.”
Further, the regular involvement of a dentist in Invisalign allows for adjustments to the treatment to be made as needed and for any issues that may be developing to be addressed. “The initial cost of Invisalign may be higher than SmileDirect Club, but the benefits of being seen regularly in the dental office and supervised by a dentist in person may save time and money in the long run,” says Dr. Careswell.
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