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
Aligners allow you to improve your smile privately, without all of the brackets and wires associated with standard braces. They are much more subtle than braces, and they have been embraced by people of all ages.
They're so popular that plenty of companies have popped up to straighten smiles all across the country.
Smile Direct Club and Invisalign are two major aligner companies at work in the United States. How are they different? Let's compare them side by side.
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 Smile Direct Club 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:
- Crowding
- Gapping
- Rotations
As of June 2021, the company says most people need four to six months to complete treatment with the Smile Direct Club aligner system.
Invisalign treats the same types of mild to moderate issues, but 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:
Wear Your Aligners
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 may need someone to watch over your teeth as they move. Invisalign and SmileDirectClub tackle these steps in slightly different ways.
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 is different.
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 creating and keeping so many appointments can be a little overwhelming. If you're a busy person, you may not feel 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.
| Smile Direct Club | Invisalign | |
|---|---|---|
| One-time payment | $1950 | Not available; overall cost is similar to braces, with costs generally over $5,000 |
| Monthly payment | $89 for 24 months with a $250 deposit (June 2021) | Depends on dentist policy |
| Insurance accepted? | Varies by plan benefits | Yes, with limitations |
| Financing available? | Yes | Depends on dentist policy |
| Risks | Temptation to leave the tools out, which can lead to slow treatment timelines | |
| Benefits | Quicker treatment, and lower costs | Help for significant smile issues |
Sources: Smile Direct Club and Invisalign
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, overall costs, and perks.
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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