Invisible retainers have grown in popularity over the last couple of decades. They’re ideal for adults because we want to fix our smile but without having to wear all the metal in our mouths.
The increased demand for invisible retainers gives consumers several options for the perfect treatment. Companies are competing with each other now to provide the best services and the best smiles. One company is Smile Direct Club.
What is Smile Direct Club?
Smile Direct Club is an orthodontic treatment program that straightens your teeth. The process includes sending you a set of invisible aligners that bring your teeth back into place to help you have a confident smile. Smile Direct Club begins with either an at-home or in-office option.
You can purchase a kit that will create the impression of your mouth at home, which is sent to Smile Direct Club. They will review your impressions and craft a treatment plan for you.
You can also go to one of their SmileShops for an in-person scan of your mouth. From here, doctors will create a treatment plan based on the work that needs to be done.
From either of these two options, the next step is ordering your aligners. These are invisible, custom-designed moulds that will bring any misaligned teeth back into place over a series of months. During these months of treatment, you have access to a doctor who can review the status of your mouth. The treatment typically takes four months.
There are several payment options for Smile Direct Club. You can make a one-time payment of $1950. You can alternatively pay $89 a month for 24 months with a $250 deposit for monthly instalments. These costs cover your aligners and teeth whitening formula.
Insurance can also cover Smile Direct Club payments. You can pay using HSA or FSA if these assets are available to you.
What Alternatives to Smile Direct Club are There?
Invisible aligners and retainers have been around for a couple of decades. They are a preferred alternative to braces. You have several options outside of Smile Direct Club that you can choose.
Each of them works similarly and accomplishes the task of straightening your teeth33. Some key differences may tailor one of them for your current financial and orthodontics situation.
Straight My Teeth
Straight My Teeth is one of a few Smile Direct Club alternatives. Many parts of the treatment process are the same as Smile Direct Club, but there are some differences.
First, you take a free 30-second assessment to find out if their treatment is right for you. The review will evaluate the best solution for your smile. You can purchase a Dream Smile Box, which includes a mold kit to create some initial impressions.
You send these initial impressions back to Straight My Teeth. Their experts will use your dental images to create a full treatment plan for you. After you review and commit to the program, you can order your final aligners. These are the invisible molds that you keep on your teeth to straighten them.
The treatment lasts about 14 months. Straight My Teeth has several payment options. A regular, one-time payment of $1167 but is currently being offered at $933.
You also have the option of an installment plan of $78 per month for 12 months. This payment plan includes a $344 downpayment for a total of $1272.
Straight My Teeth has a risk-free 100% money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with your treatment.
AlignerCo
AlignerCo is another one of our Smile Direct Club alternatives. This option’s treatment can be fully online, but guidance from your doctor is recommended.
The first step is to create your initial impressions. You purchase their now $40 impressions kit. You send these impressions back to AlignerCo for the creation of your custom invisible aligners. Their team will go over your impressions and design the best aligners for your mouth.
AlignerCo has one full payment option and also two options for monthly installments. You can pay a one-time payment of $1145 for your whole treatment. The other option is $95 per month for 11 months with a $275 downpayment. Their third option, called SmileFlex, is 12 monthly payments of $110.
Byte
One final option you can consider for Smile Direct Club alternatives is Byte. Byte includes new technology in its treatment to speed up the alignment process. Their treatment process is similar to the others but consists of a vibration tool that is scientifically proven to help your teeth come into alignment in a shorter amount of time.
You first purchase an impressions kit for $29.95 or $95 after the time of this writing. You send these impressions back to their orthodontists who create your treatment plan and explain this treatment to you.
The next step is receiving your custom aligners along with your high-frequency vibration machine.
Final Thoughts
There are several options outside of Smile Direct Club. You can pick the best choice for you after getting to know your own financial and oral health. Your insurance may help you cover more expensive options. You can also look into FSA or HSA options for payment. In the end, the best choice comes down to your personal needs, preferences, and financial situation.