Smile Direct Club Review

Overview

Founded in 2014, SmileDirectClub is one of the original companies within the online world of invisible aligners. Created as an alternative to braces, and a more budget friendly option than Invisalign, brands like SmileDirectClub work directly with the customer to create a customized treatment plan that will help correct mild to moderate alignment issues.

The company was started by two childhood friends who wanted to create something more comfortable and affordable than braces. They teamed up with a venture group that specializes in areas that are heavily regulated, such as orthodontics, and from there SmileDirectClub was born. 

SmileDirectClub often tops the best lists of invisible aligners, and they are a big name within the industry. They offer a product that is highly sought after, extremely popular, and truly is effective at fixing misalignment, overcrowding, and gaps within the teeth. 

While the market may seem saturated with companies offering the exact same thing, SmileDirectClub carves out their own niche in the market by giving customers options that aren’t available elsewhere. Other brands simply send you your aligners and then you’re on your own, but SmileDirectClub believes that treatment should be much more inclusive. With your own assigned case managed, you will receive a personalized check-in every 90 days, ensuring that you are doing well and that the treatment plan is working as it should.

For those looking to make the move towards invisible aligners, it can be difficult to know which option is right for you. This guide will break down all of the key points, help you to make an informed and educated decision.

SmileDirectClub Product Information

SmileDirectClub specializes in creating invisible aligners that are means to treat mild to moderate alignment and spacing issues. All of their aligners are created from BPA-Free plastic, and are safe to be worn in your mouth for long periods of time. This is an alternative to braces, and is popular among adults who do not want the hassle or appearance of traditional orthodontic solutions. 

Unlike braces, which often are quite painful and last for up to two years, invisible aligners are discreet and comfortable, with a treatment time of only 6 months. The entire process can be completed right from your own home, and there is no waiting around for appointments or taking time out of your work schedule to go and have them tightened or checked. 

Like with similar companies, the process begins by taking a pre-screening test on the brand’s website which will help you determine if invisible aligners are suited for you. Selecting from pre-set images, you will choose the options that best match what your own teeth look like, and then SmileDirectClub will inform you if you are a good fit. The results of this test do not guarantee you will be accepted later on, but they do help to weed out some individuals who will not benefit from invisible aligners. 

If you pass the pre-screening, you will then be welcomed to send in impressions of your teeth. To do so, you have two options. First, you can order one of their impression kits and pay to have it shipped to you. This is a great choice for anyone that wants to do everything from home, or for individuals who live in more rural areas. For those who don’t want to pay for impressions, however, there are physical clinics you can go to where they will do the impressions for you at no extra charge. 

Regardless of which option you choose, the results will be the same. Impressions will be taken of all of your teeth, and a virtual 3D image will be generated of your mouth. These results will then be used both to verify you are a candidate for treatment, as well as help the team create your personalized aligners. 

From the impressions a treatment plan will be designed and you will be able to view it before agreeing to purchase the aligners. If you are happy with the final result, SmileDirectClub will then create your treatment set and mail you everything you need to begin. Treatment is spaced out over approximately 6 months, where you will wear a new aligner every two weeks. The aligners are designed to very slowly move your teeth, creating long-lasting effects.

Options With SmileDirectClub

While some companies offer the choice between doing your whole mouth, or simply focusing on either the top or bottom teeth, SmileDirectClub works by creating aligners for both halves of your mouth. There is no option to only focus on the bottom teeth, or just the top, as this can lead to issues later on post-treatment. 

When only one part of the smile is corrected bute issues can occur, leading to a slight under or overbite that was not there before. To ensure this doesn’t happen, you will always receive aligners for both, regardless of where the main misalignment is occuring. 

What SmileDirectClub does offer, however, is the option between daytime and nighttime aligners, something no other company has. Daytime aligners are the common option that other brands have as well, and these are aligners that are worn every day for a minimum of 22 hours. This option is best for those with moderate alignment issues, or those who want their treatment completed in a quicker time frame. 

Nighttime aligners are only work at night, and stay in for around 10 hours at a time. These can be used by individuals who have very mild problems, and also by anyone who finds the aligners far too uncomfortable to wear for longer periods. Choosing this option will lengthen the treatment time, however, and results may not be as effective or dramatic, since the majority of the day is spent without actively moving the teeth.

The night time option is much more discreet and convenient, making it a popular option for those who work in a professional setting. While invisible aligners are clear and less noticeable than options such as braces, they still can create side effects such as a slight lisp. Having this as an option can make the entire process much more convenient, and encourage more people to correct issues that they otherwise would put off out of fear or embarrassment.

SmileDirectClub Treatment Duration

Unlike braces which can last two years or more, SmileDirectClub’s aligners typically are worn for a total of 6 months. This is about the average length of time that similar companies mention requiring, and is significantly quicker than more traditional options. Even big names such as Invisalign take up to a year, so you are able to complete this in half the time for a fraction of the cost. 

Total treatment time will depend on each individual case, however, and will be impacted by how mild or severe the misalignment is. Also, those who opt for only night time treatment will typically have a much longer process ahead of them as compared to those who opt to wear their aligners all day and night. 

For the shortest and most effective treatment, aligners should be worn for a minimum of 22 hours per day and only be removed during eating, brushing, flossing, and drinking of liquids that are not cold water. All other times, aligners should remain in the mouth and then be switched out on a bi-weekly basis. 

To ensure a better and more effective fit, SmileDirectClub includes a product called Chewies, which are similar in texture to chewing gum. Chewies are meant to press the aligners into the teeth, securing the fit and ultimately making them work better. Once the aligners are on, simply pop a Chewie into your mouth and chew on it as if it were a piece of gum. This should be done 2 to 3 times a day, for at least 10 minutes at a time. 

Wearing your aligners correctly, not taking them out frequently, and using Chewies alongside them will help reduce the treatment time and provide you with better results. Failing to follow instructions, or taking out the aligners too often, will lead to a longer process and even reduce the chance of you getting the smile you are paying for. 

During treatment, you will check in with your case manager every 90 days via the company’s app. They will answer any questions you may have, as well as check your teeth to ensure everything is going as prescribed. This is something unique to SmileDirectClub, and is one of the reasons why they are so popular. 

To help you stay on track, SmileDirectClub’s website will lead you to your personal portal where you can track your treatment as well as get reminders on when to switch to the next set of aligners. If you happen to forget to switch, or happen to go a long period without wearing them at all, you can reset your progress on the website and thus start your treatment over. 

Some people choose to try invisible aligners because of an upcoming event, such as a wedding, and thus they want quick results. Unfortunately, there is no way to speed up treatment, and attempting to jump ahead in aligners will actually harm the process, not help it. It is extremely important that you follow the prescribed plan exactly as it is laid out, and jumping ahead will not only void any warranties, but it will also prevent your teeth from aligning properly and holding the results long term. 

SmileDirectClub Pricing

When comparing SmileDirectClub to traditional options such as braces, you will immediately notice a drastic difference in cost. SmileDirectClub is about 60% less expensive than braces, and even more so than big named aligners like Invisalign. Because it is all done online and does not require in-person visits, you end up saving a significant amount of money throughout the process.

In terms of how it compares to other e-commerce brands, SmileDirectClub is fairly average, and is the same as companies like Byte or Candid. There are some cheaper options available, such as SmileLove, but you don’t get the one on one care that SmileDirectClub offers. Below is a price comparison of the different services offered by SmileDirectClub, with all prices listed in USD. If you live in Canada, you are able to go to their Canadian site which will list the prices for you in CAD.

Regardless of whether you opt for the full-time daily aligners or the reduced night time aligners, the cost of treatment is exactly the same. You will still end up with approximately the same number of aligners, but you will wear them for different lengths of time. 

Those who are on a tight budget can benefit from both the free clinics as well as utilizing the monthly payment plan. The free clinic will save you that initial $49 charge for the impression kit, and instead you will get the same results at no cost to you. The only downside to this, however, is that you need to be located in one of their clinic areas, which are mainly in large cities. 

For the monthly payments, the $85 a month for 24 months ends up costing a total of $2290, with the $250 deposit. This is $395 more than if you were to pay everything up front, but if cost is the one barrier preventing you from fixing your teeth then this is a small amount more in order to receive full treatment. There is no credit check involved with this, so everyone who needs this option will qualify.

If you happen to have insurance coverage, you may be eligible for full or partial reimbursement. On average, those who do have coverage will end up paying only around $795, but this is up to your insurance provider. The best course of action is to reach out to them directly to see what you qualify for. 

How Does SmileDirectClub Compare

There are some aspects that really help separate SmileDirectClub from the rest, and allow them to stand out in a sea of e-commerce invisible aligner brands. Their pricing is fairly standard, but for that price you end up getting much better quality of care and easy access to customer support. 

Their support agents are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure that you are able to get help whenever you need it. Paired with the fact that you have a 90 day check-in, this is the closest option to more traditional settings where a certified orthodontist monitors your progress. While everything should go smoothly, each case is very individual, and so being able to make sure you are progressing as expected can help ease any worry and make you feel more confident that your money is being well spent. 

From the chart above you can see that in many areas SmileDirectClub is on par with similar brands, but they are the only one who offers those 90 day check-ins. Costwise and timewise they are about the same as others, but this also doesn’t factor in any discounts that may be available at the time of purchase. 

One area that SmileDirectClub does fall a bit short is that they do not offer free retainers with your treatment plan purchase, whereas other companies do. While this does up the cost somewhat later on, retainers are an optional item that you do not have to buy if you do not want. If you do, however, you can purchase them directly from the website for an added cost of $99 per set. This is highly recommended to ensure that your results remain for your lifetime, as they will prevent your teeth from moving back to their old positions. 

Besides the lack of retainers, SmileDirectClub does include a free teeth whitening kit and their branded Chewies which help increase the value of your purchase. All in all, they are well worth the money, and the quality offered is on par with, or even exceeds, that of competitor brands.

Bottom Line

There are many different brands offering invisible aligners in today’s market, but few have the longevity and reputation that SmileDirectClub does. With their longtime presence in this industry, they have the reputation and reviews to help back their claims, and their A+ rating with the BBB helps solidify their trustworthiness. 

They have perfect their product, and the included Chewies have been designed to ensure that each person gets a perfect fit every time. No more struggling to get the aligners on, and wondering if they are correct, simply pop in a Chewie and continue on your day. 

With the option of being able to go for a night time only plan, there is much more flexibility with SmileDirectClub than with their competitors, making them an ideal option for professionals who cannot wear aligners during the day. While it may increase the length of treatment, it can help reduce any embarrassing moments or uncomfortable periods, and is also a good option for those with very sensitive teeth and gums. 

Overall, SmileDirectClub is a great choice for anyone suffering from mild to moderate alignment issues, and their outstanding customer care and support makes them one of the more competent companies to deal with. Get answers when you need them, any day or time, and feel confident that you are on track to the new, perfect smile of your dreams.