Smile Direct Club vs Invisalign Reviews: Which is Better?

| |

MontclairDentalSpa.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

We get it; you're tired of your crooked smile, and you want to do something about it. You have a few options available to help, and we're going to look at two of them in this review of Smile Direct Club vs Invisalign.

According to Smile Direct Club reviews, this company is a leading brand in at home smile correction, with over a million Americans relying on Smile Direct Club to transform their smile. Invisalign is the most established aligner solution available, with a legacy of helping millions of people worldwide.

It's a close call, but Smile Direct Club is the winner

We recommend you go with Smile Direct Club given the at-home impression ability and extremely responsive customer service. 

Pros

  • At home impressions
  • Remote monitoring
  • 100% approval for Bytepay (amazing financing option)
  • Retainer included for free
  • 3 month treatment time
  • Includes lifetime guarantee 

Cons

  • Cannot be used for those individuals with significant misalignment
  • There is an initial impression kit [Save $65 with our special offer]


Smile Direct Club vs Invisalign Review: How Do they Work?

SmileDirectClub is an at-home smile correction service. You apply online for an impression kit and take a mold of your teeth at home. Mail-in your impressions, and dentists check your mold to see if your qualify for the treatment.

After analyses, the dental team manufactures 22 or more aligners and delivers them directly to your door. You progress through the series of retainers over three to six months, with each one pushing your teeth close to its optimal position.

With Invisalign, you get the same service. However, instead of going through an at-home qualifying system, you must visit your dentistry or orthodontic office. Your dentist gives you an assessment to see if you qualify, and Invisalign produces your retainers. Your dental professional walks you through the treatment process, with customized care at every stage.

What Is the Difference in Cost for Smile Direct Club vs Invisalign?

SmileDirectClub Costs

SmileDirectClub's at-home assessment model makes it a more affordable solution compared to the costs of Invisalign. With SmileDirectClub, you order a mail-in impression kit and take a model of your mouth at home before sending it to the lab at SmileDirectClub.

There's no need to visit a dentist, so you make a huge cost-saving on your consultation fees. There are no charges for x-rays or other sundries during a dental checkup. As a result, SmileDirectClub manages to offer one of the most affordable aligner treatments in the industry.

The average treatment cost for SmileDirectClub aligners is $1,895 for the aligners and $49 for your impression kit. You can save on the impression kit's costs by visiting a SmileShop in a mall near you. SmileShops do 3D scanning of your teeth on-site in a few minutes, and there's no charge for the service.

Invisalign Costs

Invisalign is a customized aligner solution available from your dental professional. As a result, the treatment comes with higher costs. You'll receive personalized care and checkups on your progress as you progress through your series of aligners.

Extra consultations and the fees involved with X-rays and other sundries drive up your Invisalign treatment costs. The treatment duration is up to three times longer than Smile Direct Club, and that involves more checkups.  We have also compared Smile Direct Club vs braces as well.

An Invisalign treatment's average costs can be anywhere from $3,500 to $8,000, depending on the work involved with straightening your smile.

After looking through plenty of Smile Direct reviews and Invisalign testimonials, we came up with a list of pros and cons for each treatment.

Invisalign Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Suitable for treating a wide range of orthodontic problems
  • Aligning effect is as good as traditional braces
  • Personalized attention from a dental professional
  • Invisalign trim the retainer to your gumline for a comfortable fit
  • Orthodontist or dentist monitors the treatment progress

Cons

  • Fitment at your dentistry or orthodontic office required
  • Up to three times more expensive than Smile Direct Club
  • Treatment times up to 18-months
  • No option for a nighttime retainer

Smile Direct Club Pros and Cons

Pros

  • A good system for the treatment of moderate to mild crowding and spacing issues
  • Aligners come with a straight-cut design for quick treatment times
  • You don't need to visit the dentist for a checkup
  • A more affordable solution compared to Invisalign
  • At-home impression process with a mail-in option
  • Treatment times between three to six months
  • Options for bedtime retainers

Cons

  • Not suitable for severe overcrowding or advanced dental problems
  • No in-person consultation with dentist

Smile Direct Club vs Invisalign Review: Which Is the Better Teeth Aligner?

Performance

When it comes to performance, both alignment systems offer similar outcomes, correcting your smile. However, Invisalign is more suited to advanced dental issues, while SDC is for minor problems. As a result, treatment times with Invisalign tend to be longer, requiring a higher cost.

Smile Direct Club before and after results show that thousands of people rely on this company to correct their smile, with impressive results. Invisalign also benefits from thousands of positive testimonials on the treatment. It's safe to say that both systems offer equal performance and results.

Convenience

When it comes to convenience, SDC wins hands-down. There's no need to visit the dentist's office, and you can do everything from Home. If you're going shopping at the mall, check if there's a SmileShop in the center, and get your free scan to save costs on the impression kit. Provided you don't have any serious dental issues, you'll never have to visit the dentist during your treatment.

With Invisalign, there's the initial consultation and several follow-ups with your dentist or orthodontist involved with your treatment. As a result, you must add these costs. You'll need to work around the dental professional's schedule, but you do get a customized experience with personalized attention.

The Verdict

If you have minor dental issues, go with SmileDirectClub. For serious dental alignment problems, get a checkup with your dentists and ask them about Invisalign.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have palette problems, is SmileDirectClub or Invisalign the better choice?

If you're dealing with extensive dental issues, it's better to get advice from your dentist or orthodontist before deciding on the right system for your treatment. If you have severe dental problems, the team at SmileDirectClub might not qualify you for treatment.

Do aligners hurt?

Unfortunately, you'll feel some discomfort in your teeth and gums after removing or fitting the aligner. This discomfort signifies that the teeth are under stress and shifting to a new position directed by the aligner. You can expect the discomfort to fade after 10-minutes of wearing or removing your retainer.

What other companies offer at-home dental aligners?

There are a handful of top-quality at-home dental aligner companies. Most of them offer a similar service at the same price point. However, Alignerco is the most affordable, with SDC, Byte, and Candid all charging the same price for your treatment.

Previous

Best Invisible Aligners: Byte, Smile Direct Club, and Candid Compared

Candid Aligners Reviews [Insider Verdict]

Next

Leave a Comment