Invisalign vs. SmileDirectClub: Which Clear Aligner Works Best?
Key takeaways:
At-home clear aligner systems like SmileDirectClub offer convenient treatment. But there isn't close supervision by dental professionals, which can affect your results.
Clear aligners like Invisalign offer the advantage of consultations throughout the treatment process. This helps to ensure accurate results and minimizes the risk of complications.
Orthodontists generally recommend Invisalign over SmileDirectClub for the best and safest results.
For some, orthodontic treatment using traditional braces is becoming a thing of the past with the rise in popularity of clear aligners. And Invisalign has become a go-to brand for many dentists and orthodontists.
Brands like SmileDirectClub have made it easier for people to get clear aligners by offering at-home treatment. But are using at-home aligners just as effective? Let’s do a deep-dive comparison between Invisalign and SmileDirectClub, and look at the pros and cons of each method.
How do at-home clear aligners like SmileDirectClub work?
SmileDirectClub first rose in popularity with its easy three-step system:
Receive your impression kit in the mail. You use this kit to make custom impressions of your top and bottom teeth. These impressions will be used to try and capture the current position of your teeth.
Impressions are mailed back to SmileDirectClub. There, their dental health providers will create your treatment plan and design your aligners.
Your clear aligner trays arrive in the mail. Your shipment will include instructions on how to use the aligners and complete your treatment.
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What is the difference between Invisalign and SmileDirectClub?
The main difference between Invisalign and SmileDirectClub is the management of your treatment.
With Invisalign, you have a dental professional overseeing your treatment from start to finish. Your orthodontist will do the original consultation. And they’ll create your tooth impressions to make sure you get the most out of your clear aligner therapy. You’ll also have the opportunity for follow-up appointments or additional treatment as needed.
With SmileDirectClub, you don’t need an in-person visit and you can make the impressions of your teeth at home. In some areas, you do have the option of visiting an in-person “SmileShop.” These are locations where you can receive a 3D digital impression of your teeth. Digital impression scans are not only more comfortable, but also remove the risk of error. If you make a faulty impression at home, this could cause inaccuracies in your treatment plan. With SmileDirectClub, you won’t have follow-up consultations with an orthodontist.
Having follow-up appointments with a dental health professional is important for your therapy. When a dental health provider is monitoring your treatment, they may add attachments to the aligners. Attachments with clear aligner therapy can increase the effectiveness of your treatment. They may also suggest other adjustments or procedures to improve your results.
Which clear aligner system has the shortest treatment time?
This can vary based on how much movement your teeth need. That’s why it’s helpful to have a dental health provider monitoring your progress. While it may seem nice to finish your treatment as fast as possible, it’s more important to have the proper fit for your aligners.
Not having the proper fit can lead to complications like:
Gum loss
Tooth loss
Changes in how your upper and lower jaw fit together
Is it cheaper to get aligners through an at-home company like SmileDirectClub?
Take-home aligners like SmileDirectClub tend to cost less when compared with the cost of Invisalign. But this can vary from person to person. And the end result of at-home aligners isn’t always cheaper.
When your treatment isn't directly supervised, it may not go as planned or your final result may not be what you were hoping for. In these cases, you may have to visit a dentist or orthodontist, which leads to higher costs.
Do orthodontists recommend Invisalign or SmileDirectClub?
Orthodontists typically advise against at-home aligner treatment. It's recommended that you have a dental professional involved in your care to lower the risk.
But if you do want to try at-home aligners, orthodontists recommend that you do plenty of research. You’ll want to make sure your treatment includes an in-person visit and a personalized plan.
The bottom line
Clear aligners like Invisalign are an effective alternative to traditional braces. With Invisalign, a trained professional will monitor your treatment from start to finish. At-home clear aligners like SmileDirectClub may seem like a convenient option, but there are some risks.
Talk with your dental health provider if you’re interested in clear aligners. They can help you weigh the pros and cons of each treatment option so you get the best result.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Association of Orthodontists. (n.d.). At-home orthodontics.
Nucera, R., et al. (2022). Effects of composite attachments on orthodontic clear aligners therapy: A systematic review. Materials.
Yuzbasioglu, E., et al. (2014). Comparison of digital and conventional impression techniques: Evaluation of patients’ perception, treatment comfort, effectiveness and clinical outcomes. BMC Oral Health.
