Smile Direct Club Aligners Or Invisalign Is There a Clear Winner?

While you can certainly straighten a mild to moderate case with Smile Direct Club and some bite issues, they do not claim to correct more severe cases. Invisalign can be a great solution for both adults and teens to fix nearly all common teeth-straightening and bite issues, from simple to complex. Both Invisalign and Smile Direct Club are successful treatment methods. However, how suitable each treatment method is will depend on your individual case and your personal preferences. Only you can make the decision, but don’t go it alone. By consulting with a certified clear aligner provider, you will know exactly what you need and which treatment will be best for your long-term oral health.

Whether choosing Invisalign or Smile Direct Club, you are entrusting your oral health to a professional. The difference being, Invisalign offers in-person treatment, while Smile Direct Club offers remote treatment. Both treatments correct the cosmetics of your smile, and with Smile Direct Club, they can correct some bite issues too. With Invisalign, you can treat most bite cases as well as any severely misaligned teeth.

To find out more, come in for a free Invisalign assessment where we’ll review your oral health, take a 3D scan of your teeth and assess your suitability.

SmileDirectClub Vs. Invisalign 

WHICH IS BETTER FOR YOUR SMILE? 

THE CLEAR ALIGNER PROCESS 

Clear aligner therapy is all basically the same. A mold or digital impression is taken of your teeth. That information is analyzed by a qualified dentist and a treatment plan is created. The plan is executed through a series of aligners that slowly shift your teeth into the correct position. If everything goes according to plan (aligners are worn and switched out according to instructions) by the end of treatment, you should have a beautifully straight smile. 

SMILEDIRECTCLUB LIMITATIONS

Because SmileDirectClub is ‘DIY’ there are limitations to the product. 

The system is sent directly to the consumer

This means the patient is responsible for taking their own impressions and photos, and ensuring they’re getting routine care from their general dentist throughout treatment. 

The dentist or orthodontist is working remotely

Since there is no physical doctor/patient interaction, the dentist has to rely on patient provided photos to track progress, which is not the same as a first-hand examination. 

Composite attachments and buttons are not possible

Because of the DIY nature of SmileDirectClub, composite attachments and buttons as well as interproximal reduction are off the table.

These tools and techniques are actually quite common for many patients in order to achieve the best results. This may limit the product to minor or aesthetic adjustments, even if your treatment plan may require fixing malocclusions or bite issues. And there’s nothing like hands-on, in-person dental care from a trained professional. If you are opting for SmileDirectClub, understand the limitations. 

INVISALIGN LIMITATIONS

Invisalign has a diverse product line that treatments orthodontic issues from simple aesthetic fixes to more complex malocclusion. But it’s not the right choice for every case. Only an Invisalign certified dentist or orthodontist will be able to tell you if Invisalign is right for you. 

COSTS AND TIME COMMITMENTS 

Cost is a huge concern for many patients. Orthodontia is not cheap and less expensive options can be enticing for younger patients without dental insurance or flexible spending accounts. But let’s examine the savings vs. cost of each treatment. 

SmileDirectClub

With both regular wear and nighttime only options, SmileDirectClub offers systems under $2000 dollars, which is certainly one of the least expensive orthodontic products. It’s also marketed as a convenient system that brings diagnosis and treatment into the comfort of your own home, meaning you don’t have to take time out of your day to go see the dentist. 

Invisalign

Invisalign is typically between $3000 and $5000, which puts it between SmileDirectClub and traditional braces in terms of price. Depending on your case and treatment needs, treatment time and cost will vary. You’ll also need to come in for regular appointments with your dentist or orthodontist to ensure you’re tracking properly. 

In short, Invisalign has a higher cost and a slightly higher time commitment (making time for checkups every 6-weeks). However, you have the added benefit of working with a doctor. Your dentist can make recommendations and adjustments throughout treatment to keep you on track with your treatment and get you the best possible results. 

CHOOSE WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU

At the end of the day, it’s your smile and you should choose the clear aligner system that’s right for your budget, your lifestyle and your goals. If you’re interested in the professional opinion of a seasoned dentist like Dr. Burden, feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation today. He offers a variety of orthodontic options, including Invisalign, and will recommend the treatment option that will be most successful for you.

Technology Used In Smile Direct Club Aligners

Clear aligners were first launched in 2000 by Align Technology when the company offered an alternative to traditional braces with their Invisalign product. The aim was to straighten teeth without the need for brackets and wires, but instead by using clear plastic trays otherwise known as aligners. The company has since seen huge success with its innovative solution and millions of patients have been treated with the Invisalign product.

Due to its success, it came as no surprise that alternatives appeared on the market. The biggest amongst them being Smile Direct Club, who in 2014 launched its clear aligner product. The idea was to take teeth straightening to the next level, offering patients an at-home solution. And the company even partnered with the same, Align Technology, albeit briefly, to produce some of its aligners.

As both Invisalign and Smile Direct Club aim to do the same thing, treat misaligned teeth with transparent aligners, it would be easy to assume they are very similar. However, there is a lot of confusion and misinformation, which makes it difficult for patients to make an informed choice. In fact, while on the surface, the aligners are comparable, both companies can straighten teeth discreetly. The difference comes primarily in the way that the treatment is administered.

How do Aligners Work?

Traditional braces use brackets which are cemented onto the teeth and attached by wires to apply a gentle yet constant force on teeth. Aligners, in a similar way, use consistent pressure to move teeth. However, instead of brackets, they use a series of trays which are custom-made for each patient based on impressions. Aligners are removable in order for teeth to be cleaned and are almost invisible, offering a discreet treatment option.

Invisalign treatment steps:

1Visit dentist for a suitability assessment

2Dentist creates custom treatment plan based on digital scans

3Custom aligners are created

4Regular in-person checks with dentist to monitor progress

Smile Direct Club treatment steps:

1Visit a SmileShop for an in-person scan, or2Use at-home kit to create a mould of teeth3Remote suitability assessment by dentist & custom treatment approved4Regular remote checks with dentist to monitor progress

Aligners offer a more comfortable and discreet alternative to conventional braces. In this respect, both Invisalign and Smile Direct Club are the same, involving a series of clear plastic trays to gently force tooth movements. However, there are some distinct differences between the two brands.

What Should You Consider When Choosing a Smile Direct Club Aligners ?

While the key differences between Invisalign and Smile Direct Club are how the treatment plan is delivered and the cost, there are other factors that should be taken into account when choosing a clear aligner:

1. WILL THE ALIGNERS WORK FOR YOUR INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES?

When it comes to choosing an aligner, you will need to consider your individual circumstances and the issue that needs to be solved. If your bite is incorrect or your teeth are severely misaligned, you need to be sure that your treatment, whether with Smile Direct Club or Invisalign, can treat these issues.

Smile Direct Club focuses on addressing minor to moderate teeth misalignment and some bite correction. But they do not market themselves as treating severe misalignments. A Smile Direct Club dentist will use the telehealth platform to assess your suitability for treatment and let you know whether a remote platform can treat your issues. Invisalign, on the other hand, can treat mild, moderate, and severely misaligned teeth. It can also fix overcrowding, can counter overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite.

There is also the issue of what happens once your teeth move. Will your bite change and, if it does, could it wear down your tooth enamel and create cavities? Ultimately, aiming to straighten your teeth, without addressing your bite, both before and after, could impact your oral health moving forward. It is therefore important to consider when choosing a clear aligner, what impact it has on both your misalignment and any bite issues. This is why an initial consultation for either treatment option is needed, so that your circumstances are accurately evaluated, and ultimately, you establish whether your teeth misalignment or bite issues can be addressed.

2. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE HAVING REMOTE TREATMENT?

While orthodontic treatment is safe, there is always the possibility that your teeth won’t move the way they should. Not only will your smile not be perfect, but this could cause problems with your jaw, gums, and teeth. That’s why treatment with both Smile Direct Club and Invisalign involves regular supervision by your treating dentist.

You should consider which type of treatment supervision works best for you. You might like the convenience of having your clear aligner treatment from the comfort of your own home with Smile Direct Club, while being able to request a check-in at any time during treatment. Alternatively, you might prefer the idea of being able to see your aligner dentist face-to-face in a dental practice and comforted in knowing that you can physically visit your dentist, at any time. Whether you choose Smile Direct Club or Invisalign, you choose a team of teeth straightening experts that will work on your smile.

3. WHAT ARE THE ALIGNERS MADE FROM?

The materials used for clear aligners are vital to their success. That said, there is no evidence that indicates either Smile Direct Club or Invisalign aligner material is more beneficial than the other. Therefore, we can not make any comparison between the two aligner materials. However, both brands have recently introduced new aligner technology. Below we highlight how both brand’s new aligner innovations differ from their previous aligners.

The Smile Direct Club aligners are made of BPA-free plastic that won’t irritate your cheeks and gums like traditional metal braces often do. In January 2021, Smile Direct Club introduced Comfort Sense. Comfort Sense features laser technology that precision-cuts their aligners for a smoother fit. By gradually increasing the thickness of the aligner, patients can start their treatment with lighter movements. This means, compared to their previous plastic aligners, patients now experience a more comfortable fit and their new plastic aligner is easier to follow the ‘wear-requirements’ of the treatment plan.

Invisalign recently replaced their previous single-layered EX30 plastic aligners with an innovative SmartTrack material. This came after eight years of experience and testing 260 different materials. Invisalign’s previous plastic aligner would relax and lose energy after a few short days. This ultimately made the aligner slightly less effective as it didn’t retain the constant force required to achieve the necessary tooth movements. The new SmartTrack material is a multi-layered and highly elastic material, that was specifically engineered to produce a gentle yet constant force. Compared to their previous EX30 plastic aligner, the SmartTrack material improves control of tooth movements, whilst at the same time offering a more comfortable aligner. Compared to its previous generation aligner, Invisalign’s new SmartTrack aligner fits more snugly around the teeth and is easier to put on and take off.

4. WILL THE ALIGNERS BE PAINFUL?

The other consideration regarding material, as well as its ability to do the job, is comfort. With both Invisalign and Smile Direct Club making recent changes to their aligner technology, both aligners now claim to be more comfortable than their respective earlier generation of aligners.  Again, while we have no evidence to support either aligner being more comfortable than the other, below we explain how the comfortability of both brand’s aligners is achieved.

Invisalign’s new SmartTrack aligner is more comfortable than its previous EX30 plastic aligner. That’s because, with Invisalign’s previous aligner material, it would lose some of the energy to exert the necessary forces and could start slipping. To compensate for this, the aligners could sometimes be fitted more tightly, making it slightly more painful each time a new aligner was used. And, if they become loose, they could then rub against the cheeks and gums and cause sores or further discomfort. Compared to their previous plastic aligner, Invisalign’s new SmartTrack aligners are highly elastic, conforming more accurately to tooth morphology for increased control and comfort. Each aligner is trimmed to the gum line for optimal comfort, precisely matching the shape of the teeth to minimize gum irritation.

With Smile Direct Club, due to its Comfort Sense laser technology, aligners are cut to give a smoother fit. The aligners are not trimmed around the gum line. But instead, shaped in a straight fashion across the top of the aligner in order to deliver a greater turning force. The aligner also utilises variable thickness to help gradually ease patients into treatment. As a result, compared to the Smile Direct Club’s previous plastic aligner, their new aligners allows patients to experience a more comfortable fit.

5. HOW FAST IS THE TREATMENT?

The treatment times for both Smile Direct Club and Invisalign are faster than conventional metal braces. Clear aligner treatment times are influenced by a number of factors, including your ability to adhere to the treatment guidelines, as well as the severity of your misalignment.

The average treatment times advertised by Smile Direct Club are shorter than Invisalign (between 4-6 months). Invisalign treatments are longer but can be completed within 6 months. Ultimately, treatment times vary depending on the severity and complexity of your case and must be determined by the dentist.

In addition, it is claimed on the Invisalign website “Treatment times are up to 50% faster with technological advances to the Invisalign system, including SmartTrack material. With weekly aligner changes, compared with two-week aligner wear.” This implies that by comparing an Invisalign treatment that uses a weekly treatment versus the same Invisalign treatment, but with two-week aligner wear, the weekly treatment can be 50% faster.