Smile Direct Club vs Orthodontist for Invisalign?

An orthodontist can help straighten your teeth with Invisalign invisible braces—but Align Technology also provides trays to Smile Direct Club, allowing you to receive your new trays in the mail without heading to the orthodontist. In the Smile Direct Club vs orthodontist debate, who comes out on top? Below we’ll discuss some of the major differences between these two methods.

Differences Between Smile Direct Club and Orthodontic Treatment

Both an orthodontist using Invisalign and the Smile Direct Club use aligning trays, which work to straighten your teeth by slowly shifting them into new positions. You’ll wear your trays for about 22 of every 24 hours, removing them to eat, drink, and brush your teeth. As your teeth shift, you’ll swap out your old trays for new ones that add a bit more pressure to continue moving your teeth in the right direction.

But the main difference between Invisalign via an orthodontist and Smile Direct Club is that Smile Direct Club doesn’t actually involve an orthodontist physically examining you and fitting molds to your teeth. Instead, it has you create your own molds, send them off, and receive new trays in the mail. While requiring you to DIY the process can sometimes make Smile Direct Club trays cheaper than Invisalign. It also means you’ll lose out on the benefit of having your orthodontic treatment monitored.

Invisalign treatment generally takes between 12 and 18 months, depending on the extent of treatment needed. The Smile Direct Club can take as little as four to six months with traditional aligners or 10 months with aligners you wear only at night.

Smile Direct Club vs Orthodontist: Which is Right for You?

There are a couple of factors to consider when deciding between Smile Direct Club vs orthodontist.

Your dental health

If you have any problems with your teeth or gums or are at risk for future issues, it will usually make more sense to have your treatment under the supervision of an orthodontist.

Your corrective needs

Generally, Invisalign is better when it comes to fixing your bite, moving your molars, or rotating your teeth. Smile Direct Club aligners tend to focus on the front six to eight teeth, so if you need more correction, Invisalign may be the answer.

If you’re ready to get started on your new smile, look no further than Perfect Smiles Orthodontics. Our orthodontists can work with you to find the best treatment option for your needs, whether Smile Direct Club vs orthodontist. Visit our website to learn more about the services we offer or to set up your appointment today!