SmileDirectClub vs. Candid: A Third-Party Comparison

Should you undergo aligner treatment with SmileDirectClub? Or should you choose Candid? Or is another company capable of delivering a better experience altogether?

It's often hard to get clear answers to questions like this. And digging through website after website, trying to parse all the marketing messaging, isn't fun for anyone.

We did the hard work for you. This is a clear-eyed comparison of aligner therapy from both SmileDirectClub and Candid. We don't have a financial stake in either company, and we don't profit from the analysis. But we believe that consumers have a right to know how the companies work before they buy.

We hope this information is helpful for you as you shop.

Pricing: How Much Will You Pay?

Invest in your smile, and you'll reap the rewards for years. But no savvy consumer wants to pay more than necessary. Both SmileDirectClub and Candid are cheaper than braces. But significant cost differences separate them from one another.

We've spotted differences involving:

Getting Started: Who Helps to Craft Your Plan?

Aligners are medical devices that apply gentle pressure to teeth. The work they do is both significant and lasting, and you'll need a professional to oversee the process. SmileDirectClub and Candid handle this demand in different ways.

Both companies offer an in-person option to kick off your journey to a better smile. But their offices are slightly different.

• Candid: Fewer than 20 in-person studios are available, and they're all in major cities. If you live in a small town, or you don't have reliable transportation to a major city, you're almost sure to choose an at-home impression kit to demonstrate how your teeth should move.
• SmileDirectClub: Shops are scattered all across the country, and some are even embedded in pharmacies like Walgreens or CVS. It's very easy to get in-person help with impressions if you choose this company.

Once you've submitted information about your teeth, both Candid and SmileDirectClub have professionals available to guide you through the aligner process. But staffing differences exist.

• Candid: All plans are developed and monitored by orthodontists. But you may never speak to the doctor assigned to your case. Customers talk with a care team instead, and that representative may have no dental degree.
• SmileDirectClub: Orthodontists work for this company too, but your plan might be developed or supervised by a dentist instead. Customers can't specify that they'd rather talk to an orthodontist. Day-to-day questions are handled by a customer care team rather than a dental professional.

These differences may seem subtle. But it's important to know who is guiding your new smile and how you'll work with that professional.

Treatment Specifics: How Long Does It Take?

Aligners slide over your teeth, and while they can be slightly uncomfortable, they shouldn't cause intense pain. Even so, few people want to wear them one minute longer than they must. Timeframe differences and a few process options differentiate SmileDirectClub from Candid.

Treatment with Candid involves aligners worn 22 or more hours per day. Treatment times vary, but most people need about six months to finish the process.

SmileDirectClub customers need four to six months of treatment. And they have two types of care to choose from.

1. Standard aligners: Wear them all the time, except when eating or drinking.
2. Nighttime aligners: Wear them for just 10 hours per day (typically while you're asleep).

Notice that both companies need a chunk of time to change your smile. This isn’t a process you can finish in a flash. But if you’re hoping to save time, SmileDirectClub is a better option.

The severity of your misalignment will determine your treatment timeline and also your options. Usually, only mild cases can be effectively treated with only nighttime aligners.

Insurance: Can You Get Reimbursed for Care?

Since aligners are medical devices used to correct a legitimate health issue, it's reasonable to expect that insurance companies will chip in to cover the cost. But in reality, getting payment can be tricky.

Insurance companies may have rules regarding:

Reviews: Are Customers Satisfied?

Both SmileDirectClub and Candid have been in business for years. They've served hundreds of customers, and many of those people have shared their opinions about the experience.

Candid has mixed reviews. Some customers are thrilled with the company's customer service team, and while they had bumps in the process, they were happy the company got them back on track quickly. Other customers say customer service is poor or missing altogether, and the aligner treatment plan doesn't work as expected.

SmileDirectClub shares plenty of happy customer stories on the customer website. Those reviewers look genuinely happy, and they have plenty of wonderful things to say about the company. But some customers take to Reddit to complain about price deceptions and poor customer service.

References

Home. Candid.

Pricing. Candid.

How it Works. Candid.

Candid Studio Locations. Candid.

Frequently Asked Questions: Treatment With Candid. Candid.

I Got My Teeth Straightened Through an Online Service Called Candid for Under $2,000—Here's How it Works. (April 2020). Business Insider.

Direct-to-Consumer Dental Aligners Are on the Rise. Should You Try Them? (June 2020). Prevention.

Candid Co Experience: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. (September 2019). Reddit.

Home. SmileDirectClub.

SmileShops. SmileDirectClub.

Nighttime Clear Aligners. SmileDirectClub.

How It Works. SmileDirectClub.

My SmileDirectClub Experience 2020. (May 2019). Reddit.