Smile Direct Club vs. Invisalign - How They Compare
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Table of Contents
- Ideal Customer
- Treatment Process
- Who Supervises?
- Treatment Cost
- Perks & Benefits
- Other Options
- References
| SmileDirectClub | Invisalign | |
|---|---|---|
| Conditions that can be treated | Most mild to moderate conditions, including gaps, crowding, and rotation | Most mild to moderate issues; may also be used for more complex or major problems, or used in conjunction with braces for more complicated issues |
| How it works | After an initial in-office tooth scan or mail-order impression kit, your treatment plan is designed, and a set of aligner trays is mailed to you | You meet with an Invisalign-licensed dentist for a consultation and treatment plan |
| Supervision | You’ll check in virtually throughout treatment and have access to your prescribing dentist and a dental team | You’ll meet with your dentist for check-ins and to pick up new aligners |
| Cost | One-time fee of $2,050 | Similar to braces, with costsgenerally over $5,000. Fees and prices depend on licensed dentist |
| Financing | $250 deposit and $89/month or less for 26 months | Depends on dentist’s policy |
| Insurance | Depending on plan; SmileDirectClub will work directly with insurance company to help if coverage is available | Often covered for policies with orthodontic benefits; limitations may apply |
| Benefits | Affordable and fast; straightforward pricing; process can be completed from home | More convenient than braces; may be able to treat more complex orthodontic issues; in-office care for those seeking more supervision |
| Possible disadvantages | May not be able to address more serious smile issues; requires a commitment to wearing aligners as prescribed; other at-home kits may offer more | Expensive; financing and pricing must be worked out with dentist; in-office visits required |
Are you an Ideal Customer?
Your smile is as unique as your thumbprint, and the solutions you need for your teeth should be unique too. While both SmileDirectClub and Invisalign offer a similar product, the companies provide aligners for slightly different groups of people.
SmileDirectClub's clear aligners and nighttime aligners are made for people with mild or moderate tooth issues. Examples include the following:
- Crowding
- Gapping
- Rotations
As of June 2021, the company says most people need four to six months to complete treatment with the SmileDirectClub aligner system.
Invisalign treats the same types of mild to moderate issues, but it can also help with certain severe or complex cases. In severe cases, where aligners can't do all the work independently, dentists can combine aligners with braces to move teeth into the proper position.
Invisalign has an average treatment timeline of 12 to 18 months, according to their website.
How Does Treatment Work?
Both SmileDirectClub and Invisalign offer clear aligners that slip over your teeth and off again without the help of a professional.
Work with either company, and you'll be expected to do the following:
Wear Your Aligners
These devices don't work if they sit in a box. You'll need to commit to wearing them as directed by your team.
Invisalign offers a nighttime-only set of aligners, but both companies also have products you wear almost all the time. You’ll have to wear your aligners for the minimum amount of time per day specified.
Take Out Your Aligners
Keep Things Clean
Swap Out The Trays
Wear Retainers
Who Supervises your Smile?
Aligners are made to fit your teeth, and that means you can't pull a box off the shelf and start improving your smile. You'll need a professional to create your trays, and you need someone to watch over your teeth as they move.
Invisalign and SmileDirectClub tackle these steps in slightly different ways.
SmileDirectClub’s Plan
SmileDirectClub treatment begins with a 3D model of your teeth. You can complete this step at home, or you can head into an affiliated office for a technician's help. A dentist looks over the model, creates aligners, and designs a plan.
Every 90 days, you'll log into your SmileDirectClub portal and check in with your doctor about your plan. If you have questions, you can contact the team via phone or web portal.
With SmileDirectClub, you'll never meet your dental professional in person. All the work is done remotely.
Invisalign’s Plan
Invisalign treatment begins with a trip to the doctor's office. Your doctor uses a scanner to create a 3D model of your teeth, and that data is transformed into a custom aligner plan. You'll have a few trays at home, and every six to eight weeks, you'll head back to the office to check in with your doctor and pick up new aligners.
For some people, regular visits to the dentist seem ideal. But for others, the idea of making and keeping so many appointments can be a little overwhelming. If you're a busy person, you may not feel like you have the time for this intense level of care for your smile.
How Much Does Treatment Cost?
Aligners offer a private, personal, and efficient way to improve your smile. And in many cases, choosing aligners over braces can save you money.
SmileDirectClub and Invisalign offer very different pricing models.
SmileDirectClub has a one-time fee of $2,050. There’s also a financing option — $250 deposit and $89 or less a month for 26 months.
For Invisalign, pricing and financing must be set with the Invisalign dentist. Costs are usually similar to braces, at around $5,000 or more.
What Perks and Benefits are Available?
When you're considering aligners, an improved smile is your goal, but most people won't turn down a perk or two. SmileDirectClub and Invisalign offer a few items that could entice you to choose them over the competition.
SmileDirectClub offers customers some unique accessories, including a bluetooth-enabled trackable aligner case and a specialized cleaning system to help keep your aligners fresh.
Invisalign tools come from orthodontists, and anything your doctor offers in the office could be used to improve your smile. If your doctor provides tooth whitening, custom retainers, or any other dental product, you can include those treatments in your Invisalign appointments.
What Other Options are Available?
Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, and it pays to give your teeth the attention they deserve. Before you choose one company over another, do your research and investigate all of the companies that can help you improve your smile.
When making your choice, consider treatment timelines, the overall costs of clear aligners, and perks. Many at-home aligner companies like Byte offer much cheaper pricing and faster treatment timelines.
References
Frequently Asked Questions. SmileDirectClub.
FAQ. Invisalign.
How It Works. SmileDirectClub.
Meet the Dentists and Orthodontists Behind Your New Smile. SmileDirectClub.
Top Questions to Ask Your Doctor. Invisalign.
How Does Invisalign Treatment Work? Invisalign.
Pricing. SmileDirectClub.
How Much Does Invisalign Treatment Cost? Invisalign.
Frequently Asked Questions. SmileDirectClub.
The Invisalign Difference. Invisalign.
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