Companies like SmileDirectClub that offer DIY clear aligners allow patients to achieve straighter smiles at home for a smaller upfront cost than Invisalign. While it may seem like these companies are a great way to perfect your pearly whites on a budget, they may not be as good as they seem. Read on to learn why Invisalign is likely the better choice for your smile.
#1: Complex Orthodontic Cases
SmileDirectClub is very straightforward about the fact that customers in need of extensive treatment or who have a history of bad oral health shouldn’t use their aligners. That means that Invisalign is the better choice for more severe misalignment issues, including:
- Large gaps between teeth
- Severely crowded teeth
- Underbite
- Open bite
- Crossbite
- Overbite
#2: Dental Organization Approval
The American Dental Association, which sets the standards for dental care across the country, strongly discourages the use of SmileDirectClub and other DIY aligners. They also filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against SmileDirectClub to “investigate false and misleading claims” made by the company. In addition, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) expressed serious concerns regarding direct-to-consumer orthodontic companies and issued a warning regarding them. On the other hand, all major professional dental organizations recommend Invisalign as an alternative to traditional orthodontics.
#3: Dentist Supervision
As part of your Invisalign treatment plan, you will attend in-office visits with your dentist where they can assess your progress. These appointments allow them to identify and address any unwelcome changes quickly and easily. SmileDirectClub asks patients to send them photos and updates on their progress every 90 days. Though it may seem more convenient than having to attend in-office appointments, it will be more difficult for their team to identify any issues that have developed.
#4: Convenience and Treatment Times
Since SmileDirectClub doesn’t require in-person checkups, this may save patients time throughout treatment. Even so, they’ll still need to attend remote checkups. Invisalign treats more complex issues, so this will likely lead to longer treatment times. But, since in-office checkups are more thorough than remote ones, this can help prevent delays and may actually result in shorter overall treatment times.
#5: Overall Cost
The cost for Invisalign starts at around $3,500 and SmileDirectClub starts at around $2,000. Though SmileDirectClub may cost less upfront, their prices don’t account for potential delays or complications along the way. Additionally, SmileDirectClub often causes issues that need to be corrected by professionals, which ends up costing the patient more than if they had just gotten Invisalign in the first place.
Unless you have very minor orthodontic issues, Invisalign is likely the best option for straightening your teeth. Overall, when it comes to your long-term oral health and the appearance of your smile, it’s always best to rely on professionals!
About the Practice
Parker Dental and Orthodontics makes it easy for you to receive the dental care you deserve. Want to achieve straighter teeth? They offer Invisalign treatment to perfect your pearly whites and make you feel more confident in your smile. Ready to make an appointment or have questions about Invisalign? For their Alabama locations, call their Mobile office at (251) 634-2341 or their University office at (251) 342-2324. For their Mississippi locations, call their Hurley office at (228) 588-6027, their Vancleave office at (228) 283-5022, their Biloxi office at (228) 388-9545, their Pascagoula office at (228) 769-6426, or visit their website.