Dr Smile UK: How It Works, Cost and Reviews

If you have been looking at ways to straighten your teeth, you may have come across Dr Smile. But with all the different types of dental braces on the market, it’s hard to know which ones work, and which ones to stay clear of. 

Dr Smile is a removable clear aligner that treats mild to moderate orthodontic issues. They are less noticeable than the traditional fixed braces, are less expensive, and require fewer dental appointments. But are they right for you? 

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Dr Smile aligners, including the following topics: 

• What is Dr Smile and how does it work? 
• How much does Dr Smile cost in the UK?
• Dr Smile reviews
• Where can you get them? 
• Dr Smile vs Invisalign 

But first, let’s find out a little bit more about clear aligners and how they work. 

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What are clear aligners? 

Clear aligners are clear plastic removable braces that can treat a range of orthodontic issues. If you have gaps between your teeth, or your teeth are crooked or crowded, you may be a candidate for clear aligners. So it is worth getting assessed to see if you're eligible for treatment.

Clear aligners or invisible braces are custom-made, clear plastic trays that fit snugly to your teeth and apply pressure to gradually align them. Every two weeks you change aligners so that your teeth continue to move in the right direction. There are different types of aligners, some with constant dental supervision, and some with none at all.

Invisible braces like Dr Smile and Invisalign require regular check-ins with a dental l professional. You can have Invisalign check-ins in person and remotely, whereas with Dr Smile an app monitors all treatment remotely (although there are a few physical locations available for your initial appointment).

We will compare the two more thoroughly later on in this article.  

If you would like to see how you would look after invisible braces treatment, you can use Invisalign’s free Smile View tool. Just upload a photo of yourself and get your smile preview back in minutes. 

How does Dr Smile work? 

Dr Smile is similar to other clear aligners in that you start by making an appointment with a provider to assess your eligibility. However, while there are over 200 practices in Europe that are Dr Smile providers, very few are in the UK. 

Dr Smile locations 

To find one of the Dr Smile locations in the UK, you can go to the Dr Smile website and input your postcode to find your nearest provider. Most of their practices are based in mid- to south England, in London and Birmingham.

Dr Smile process

Once you have booked your appointment the process is as follows:

1. Your initial appointment is free, and if you are eligible, you will get a 3D scan of your teeth done. 
2. 14 days after your 3D scan you will receive your orthodontic plan, which includes pricing, duration of treatment, and final results in a 3D simulation. This plan is non-binding, so you are under no obligation to follow through with treatment if you’re unhappy with it in any way.
3. 30 days after your 3D scan, your Dr Smile clear aligners will arrive in the post, so you can start wearing them right away. 
4. Throughout your treatment, you can check in on the app with dental experts to ensure your treatment is going smoothly.
5. In six months' time, you should have your perfect smile (depending on your case).

Wearing your Dr Smile Aligners 

You must wear Dr Smile aligners for 22 hours a day and change them every two weeks. The app will accompany you throughout the treatment, record your progress and remind you when to change your aligners. 

You are expected to upload weekly pictures of your teeth so that medical experts can keep track of your progress and supervise treatment. If, for whatever reason, your aligners aren’t fitting correctly or you are not progressing as expected, then immediate action can be taken.

Using the app also ensures your satisfaction guarantee, which includes: 

• An individual treatment plan so that you can get the perfect smile 
• Treatment supervision via the app
• Refinement to ensure that your final smile matches the initial simulation
• Post-treatment costs if your smile doesn’t match the initial simulation by the end of your treatment

How much does Dr Smile cost in the UK?

The price of getting teeth straightening treatment with Dr Smile differs depending on the complexity of your orthodontic case, and whether you pay monthly or as a single payment. The full cost of Dr Smile treatment ranges between £1,390 and £2,090, or between £116 and £174 per month. 

The following table summarises Dr Smile clear aligner prices:

What do Dr Smile UK reviews have to say? 

We read some of the Dr Smile reviews to see what other people think about these aligners. Many people were pleased with their clear aligners and the results and rated Dr Smile aligners with 5 stars. However, we found that some people were not as satisfied with their treatment. 

After reading reviews, it seems that the main concern is that patients feel more like customers. This may be due to their treatment being monitored remotely, rather than in practice. 

Let’s take a look at some of these reviews. 

Totally satisfied ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5/5)

“Totally satisfied! Quick and easy, I'm 2.5 months into the 6-month treatment and already starting to see results. I was super excited to get my box. It felt so weird at first but I'm 100% used to it by now.

Great customer support too.” – Samantha M

I definitely give 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5/5)

“In the beginning, I was unfamiliar with the product, but after about a week I got used to it and everything went well. I recommend everyone who has a tooth gap contact Dr Smile.” – Rizgar Ali

I have to say that I didn’t expect it… ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

“I have to say that I didn’t expect it to hurt this much when you put the aligner in for the first time. But, the pain only lasts for 1-2 days and the aligners are really comfortable after that. 

Sometimes you even forget that they are in or maybe you just get used to them.” – Dr Smile customer 

It works. Bad customer service ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ (3/5 stars)

“It works very well and the cost is fair. The customer service though is not well organized and the use of the app is unpractical and does not substitute a real medical check. Plus, the customer service is very hard to reach.” – Karo Line

Dr Smile vs Invisalign 

Dr Smile and Invisalign are very similar in that they are both clear aligners. But there are a few important differences worth noting. The main difference between them is that dentists and orthodontists monitor Invisalign treatment much more closely. This is because you can have your check-ins in person. 

Invisalign has a lot more providers in the UK, making it possible to have in-person appointments with your dentist or orthodontist to monitor your progress. 

All Dr Smile treatments are monitored closely with their app.  

This study showed that there wasn't any difference between remote dental monitoring and in-practice monitoring. However, a small amount of the patients didn't get on with the remote monitoring system.

The Invisalign system is the more expensive option and they do have more treatment options available, depending on the severity of your case. It is worth consulting your orthodontist before the price puts you off.  

Another difference is that Dr Smile can only treat mild to moderate orthodontic cases, whereas the Invisalign system can treat up to 90% of cases. This means that if your case is more severe, you may not be eligible for Dr Smile. 

For a summary of Dr Smile vs Invisalign, check out the following table:

Conclusion

If you have mild to moderate orthodontic issues, and you just want that perfect smile, then Dr Smile aligners could work for you. 

Clear aligners are a great option in general for anyone who doesn’t want to have metal train tracks in their mouth and are concerned about their appearance. They are virtually invisible, and removable which makes eating a lot easier! 

Dr Smile aligners are mostly an at-home treatment that is monitored by an app, so you don’t have to worry about going to the dentist after your initial appointment. But, if we look at the Dr Smile reviews, the main concern that patients seem to have is with the app and customer service.

Some people may prefer the personal in-practice treatment that you get with the Invisalign system. And while Invisalign treatment may be more expensive, it can treat slightly more complex cases, and in-practice monitoring is often more thorough. If you want to read some Invisalign reviews, check out our dedicated article here.

If you're looking for an alternatively home aligner option and you don’t need complex teeth straightening, have a look at SmileDirectClub. Treatment costs £1,639 and they have seven permanent SmileShop locations around the UK.

Regardless of the treatment you choose, we always recommend visiting a dentist for a general check-up before starting any at-home treatment. It’s important to deal with any untreated cavities or gum disease before wearing aligners – and you could ask your dentist to assess your overall suitability for treatment.

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