Smile Direct Club vs Invisalign: Which One Should I Choose?

• Dr. Ash Sagar
• 21/06/2021
• No Comments

There are many braces and aligners out there, so it’s hard to find the one that is right for you. This post will compare two of the most popular teeth straightening systems on the market: Invisalign and Smile Direct Club. We’ll be looking into several factors such as price, pros and cons, and cost-effectiveness. 

Smile Direct Club is a relatively new teeth-straightening company that has been rapidly growing in popularity since its launch in 2014. It’s one of the first home aligner brands in the market. On the other hand, Invisalign has been around since 1997 and continues to be one of the most popular teeth straighteners out there. 

 Read on to see which is better and suited for your dental needs. 

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is the new and improved way to get straight teeth without surgery. Unlike braces, you can wear these aligners over your teeth, so no one will notice that they are there. This orthodontic treatment works gradually, but it should correct any crooked or misaligned teeth in just a few months as long as you wear them correctly.

Invisalign is a clear, custom-made tray that straightens teeth with ease. It has proven to be highly effective for patients with mild misalignment. It can also help align your bite if either overbite or underbite are causing problems.

The Invisalign aligner is designed to be as comfortable as possible. The individualized trays are worn for 20 to 22 hours a day, depending on which step of treatment you’re at. The clear plastic tray fits snugly over all teeth to gradually change their position every week until they reach their final placement without you even noticing. It was created to be unobtrusive and not interfering with your ability to enjoy food.

Learn more about: ClearCorrect vs Invisalign: What’s Better For Me?

How Does Invisalign Work?

• If you’re interested in straightening your smile, get an expert to assess your oral health. Invisalign is great for the teeth but may not be suitable for everyone because rotated or moved teeth more than 20 degrees or move teeth vertically up and down in gum membranes can’t be treated using Invisalign. The dental professional will perform x-rays and digital scans before deciding that you are eligible for Invisalign therapy.

• The dentist will first determine whether you need Invisalign treatment to straighten your teeth. If so, they’ll take 3D scans of your mouth and input them into a specialized software system to create custom-made, BPA-free thermoplastic aligners based on these measurements. Once these are made off-site, they will be shipped back so you can start wearing them as soon as possible.

• When you receive your trays, it’s time to meet with the dentist for a final fitting and see if adjustments need to be made before heading home. It usually only takes minutes since they fit over like mouth guards that can quickly come off when eating or drinking. You must wear them for at least 20 to 22 hours per day and switch out sets every 1-2 weeks, depending on how much correction is needed for best results.

• If you want to keep your teeth healthy, visiting the dentist at least every six weeks is essential. Your dentist will monitor your dental health and treat any problem before getting out of hand. Dental work is usually accompanied by cleaning; this will help prevent tooth decay due to plaque buildup. Furthermore, make sure those trays stay in good condition; otherwise, they may change colour or get scratched from bits of food left behind between your teeth after eating.

Learn more about: What You Need to Know About Invisalign Treatment Process

What Is Smile Direct Club?

SmileDirectClub is the fastest and most affordable way to achieve a perfect smile without having to worry about pain or discomfort. They are one of the first home aligner brands in the market. The aligners are made of high-quality materials and designed for durability. These are manufactured every 6 seconds in their ISO-certified, FDA registered 3D U.S. printing facility. Every Smile Direct Club member receives a complete set of high quality custom-made, BPA-free alignment trays explicitly tailored to their needs which gradually shifts your teeth over time. The process usually takes between 4 to 6 months, with no need for any additional dental appointments. The good news is that it’s 60% cheaper than traditional braces.

How Does Smile Direct Club Works?

• A 3D image of your teeth allows their dental team to diagnose your dental problem. It helps them design a specific treatment plan for you. There are two ways to create this 3D image: You can have an in-person scan when you visit a Smile Shop or purchase the at-home kit to make the impressions you will send personally. It lets the licensed dentist or orthodontist review it before designing an individualized treatment plan just for you.

•  By looking at the preview of your smile transformation, they create your custom aligners. The sets are then sent to you. Your assigned dentist or orthodontist will conduct regular virtual check-ins to guide you throughout the treatment. You’ll also receive premium teeth whitening, which gives results in a week.

• Once you’ve completed the treatment and checked with your doctor, you could now purchase the retainers. The retainers have to be worn at night to keep your teeth in their position. You also have an option to buy touch-up whitening treatments if desired. 

Is Smile Direct Club Cheaper than Invisalign?

Yes, Smile Direct Club is cheaper than Invisalign, but as they say, “You get what you pay for.” You pay less with Smile Direct Club; however, you don’t have access to a dentist when something goes wrong.

In Australia, Smile Direct Club costs $2,825, but there is an extra fee for the impression kit, which is $79. However, you can get a free scan at a local SmileShop. Once you’re done with the process, you need to purchase the retainer that costs $165 and should be replaced every six months. 

On the other hand, Invisalign costs between $3500-$9000 for a full treatment depending on the complexity of the case. 

Learn more about: How Much Does Invisalign Cost In 2021

Pros of Invisalign

Appearance: Invisalign is the common choice for adults who want their teeth to be straightened but don’t like the idea of wearing braces. These clear aligners are barely noticeable, and it’s much more comfortable than the traditional ones.

Removable: You can remove the Invisalign from your mouth to eat or drink as well as when brushing your teeth.  

Ease of cleaning your teeth: Unlike traditional braces, it is more convenient to maintain a healthier mouth using the Invisalign. You could remove the aligner and brush or floss as you usually would. It could improve your dental health by reducing bacteria around teeth and gums.

Fewer potential problems: A set of traditional braces can cause a lot of inconvenience and discomfort for the wearer. You always have to worry if the brackets fall off or wires break. If you’re looking to get straighter teeth without all that hassle, then consider getting Invisalign instead.  

Learn more about: Is Invisalign Worth It? Breaking Down The Benefits Of Invisalign

Cons of Invisalign

Ineffective for complex issues: Invisalign is an excellent solution for minor adjustments, but if your problems are more complicated, the dentist may suggest another solution because it might not be the best option for you.

Requires compliance: Invisalign is a reliable way to improve your smile, but it requires commitment and dedication. You must wear them for at least 20 to 22 hours each day. You can remove them occasionally, but be aware that this may not provide you with desired results in the end.

Removal when eating or drinking: You should take the Invisalign out when eating or drinking as food and drinks can get into them, which can cause bacteria to build up in your mouth. It could lead to cavities if left untreated. Also, liquid seeps down inside of the tray, which could cause discolouration.

Food limitations: You may experience soreness upon removing the aligner; hence, it limits the types of food you can eat. It would be best to avoid eating hard, chewy, and sticky food.

Pros of Smile Direct Club

Does not require dental office visits: Smile Direct is perfect for people who don’t have time to go in every month. With traditional braces, you would need to visit the orthodontist every month; however, with SmileDirectClub, there are no required office visits. Those who choose the home impressions kit can do everything from their own homes. After the initial impression phase, customers are given a kit and can start wearing their aligners 

Regular remote check-ins: You can connect with your dental provider and get 24/7 access to the team of professionals that work for you.

Length of time: Smile Direct Club offers a quick and affordable way to straighten your teeth with clear aligners. You can get the perfect smile you’ve always wanted in just four to six months, unlike the traditional braces wherein it would take two years for treatment.

Bonus: To boost your smile, you can purchase their touch-up whitening treatment kit.

Cost: Smile Direct Club is cheaper than traditional braces and Invisalign. They offer a monthly payment plan to make it more affordable.  

Cons of Smile Direct Club

Treatment is monitored remotely: Smile Direct Club uses remote teledentistry, which means you will be assigned to a dentist or orthodontist who will check your progress and advise remotely. Through your customer account, they’ll get in touch with you every 90 days. It means there will be no hands-on approach throughout the entire process, which may not suit everybody’s needs.

Errors in the impressions: If you can’t visit a Smile Shop to get a 3D scan, you have to make the impression at home. If anything goes wrong during that process, there will be inaccuracies in how the aligners would straighten the teeth since the data on the trays were incorrect. Unlike when you are at the dentist office, a licensed professional make the impression accurately. 

Not secure – Smile Direct Club is a cheaper and more convenient alternative to Invisalign. Aligners are clear, so they aren’t noticeable like with traditional metal braces. However, it is not as secured as Invisalign because the lack of attachments makes them slide around, leading to improper shifting in your teeth over time.

There is a risk – Since there is no face-to-face contact when the treatment is incorrectly undertaken, it can cause permanent damage to the teeth, gums, and jaw. An x-ray and clinical examination have to be done before treating a dental problem. The experts at Smile Direct Club would not be able to diagnose or detect tooth decay or any gum problem just by looking at the impression.

Patients are responsible for treatment results – Since the orthodontist cannot oversee your treatment personally, you might not get the optimal result. You will be responsible for your dental health. If something goes wrong, there’s no dentist to visit.

What’s Better for Me, Smile Direct Club or Invisalign?

Smile Direct Club might be the right choice for those candidates on a limited budget, with minor alignment issues and are comfortable doing some of the work themselves. For others with more severe corrections or those looking for professional attention from an orthodontist or dentist, Invisalign may be a better choice. It is essential that before you make your decision, it is always best to ask questions, especially the pros and cons, so that you can figure out which approach will benefit you most.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between Smile Direct Club and Invisalign is a tough decision that only you can make for yourself. While both systems can successfully achieve straighter teeth, it comes down to personal preference when deciding between these two options. But it’s essential to know the pros and cons of each so you can feel better about your choice when making one.  

If these differences have you feeling confused about where you should start your treatment process for a straighter smile, we’re here to help. Contact us today at Burwood Dental Care (03 7034 0333) or book an appointment online with one of our dentists so we can talk through some options together. We’ll make sure that whatever decision you end up making will give you the best chance at getting those pearly whites straightened out as soon as possible.