You can DIY everything these days whether it is taxes, furniture restoration or soap making. Just because you can DIY everything, does that mean you should? There are several options for straightening your teeth at home, without setting foot in an orthodontist’s office, that seem appealing because of the ease and convenience. The most popular systems used to re-align teeth at home are Invisalign and Smile Direct Club. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each of these systems.
How They Work
Both Invisalign and Smile Direct Club use clear aligners to shift teeth gradually over time. Others may not be able to tell that you have aligners on as they are clear. Aligners are worn all day, except when eating, and must be replaced every few weeks. There are significant differences in how the process begins for Invisalign and Smile Direct Club.
Getting Started
With Invisalign, you will visit a doctor for a consultation and they will take 3D scans of your mouth. These scans will be used to create your clear aligners which will then be mailed to you after your initial visit. Smile Direct Club offers two ways to get started, by visiting a SmileShop to get a 3D image taken of your teeth, or by taking an impression by yourself at home with an impression kit sent to you by Smile Direct Club. Your impression or image will be reviewed by a dentist or orthodontist who will help guide you on a treatment plan.
Treatment Plans
Invisalign treatment plans are created with a doctor and can take up to two years to complete. Smile Direct Club treatment plans average around six months to complete, as Smile Direct Club is a bit more limited in what they can correct.
Supervision
Invisalign users will check in with professionals every 6-8 weeks to monitor progress. Smile Direct Club is completely remote, and a dentist or orthodontist will check in every three months through their online customer account. The benefit of Smile Direct Club is that you can potentially straighten your teeth without ever stepping foot in an orthodontist’s office.
Cost
Smile Direct Club is the cheaper option, with options to pay all at once for $1850 or in installments with a final total of $2170. Invisalign typically costs a bit more, with average prices ranging from $3,000 – $6,000, however it is important to remember that with Invisalign you will be seeing a doctor in-person.
There are benefits to each system depending on the individual’s needs and financial situation. With any DIY system, there could be unforeseen complications that an orthodontist would not miss. The benefit of seeing an orthodontist in person is the comfort of knowing that the treatment will be done correctly, from the initial impressions used to create the aligners, to status updates and progress checks along the way. Orthodontists can adjust treatment plans as necessary as they have frequent contact with patients throughout the entire process. An orthodontist will also take into account your entire medical history in their treatment plan and they have more control over things like prescriptions. You run the risk of doing more damage to your teeth by incorrectly molding the impressions used to create the aligners with systems like Smile Direct Club.
If you are interested in perfecting your smile through straightening your teeth, give Miracle Smile Dentistry a call today! Dr. Aller and her team of cosmetic dentistry professionals will help you achieve all of your smile goals with two convenient locations in southern Florida. Talk to our team of professionals to see which treatment option is right for you.