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Candid vs. Smile Direct Club… that is the question. You know you want straighter teeth, and you've already decided that the at-home orthodontics route is the best option for you. But now you need to choose between two popular adult braces brands.
Both Candid and Smile Direct Club have been proven to be successful in straightening teeth for cases of mild to moderate malocclusion, and many users love that the whole process can be completed from home. This is why, in this article, we'll go over the following:
- Smile Direct cost vs. Candid Co cost
- Candid and Smile Direct treatment differences
- Who has the best customer service?
- Candid vs. Smile Direct vs. Invisalign
We hope this helps you work out which option is right for you!
Table of contents
Candid vs. Smile Direct Club
Here's an overview of Candid and Smile Direct Club:
Is Smile Direct Club or Candid Better?
Neither Candid nor Smile Direct Club is better, as they both have success treating mild to moderate cases of malocclusion, although they have different processes for doing so.
To figure out which option is better for you, we'll take a look at both the similarities and differences between these two brands so that you can decide whether Candid or Smile Direct is best for you. We'll also do a quick recap of how teledentistry works when it comes to straightening your teeth.
Candid vs. Smile Direct: Similarities
- Clear aligners: Both Candid and Smile Direct offer clear, removable aligners
- Fewer office visits: With Candid, there is an office visit at the beginning, with more visits as necessary, and with Smile Direct Club, there are none. Either way, you're visiting the dentist less than you would be with normal braces.
- Treatment: Regular treatment will be monitored by a general dentist or orthodontist.
Candid vs. Smile Direct Club: Differences
Now have a look at the primary differences when it comes to Smile Direct vs. Candid.
- Nighttime aligners: SDC offers Nighttime Clear Aligners, which only need to be worn for 10 hours a day, most of which you can do while you sleep. This does, however, tend to prolong treatment time.
- Cost: SDC costs less than Candid, which has a price range from $3,000 to $5,000, although this is a rough estimate. You won't know how much it costs until you have an in-office consultation with a Candid dentist.
- AI technology: Candid now includes remote monitoring using AI technology with everyone's treatment to help make the process more efficient and effective. Patients digitally check in every 14 days, whereupon their orthodontist will let them know if they can move on to their next aligner trays. This helps keep patients accountable and makes it easier for your orthodontist to accurately follow your treatment.
- Office visits: With Smile Direct Club, you never have to see the dentist, but with Candid you do have to go in for an initial scan and assessment, and then throughout treatment as your dentist sees fit.
Candid vs. Smile Direct Club reviews
We've included a couple of examples of reviews, but you can find a larger collection of Candid aligner reviews and Smile Direct reviews in separate articles.
To give you a taste, have a look at this Candid review from a woman halfway through her braces journey.
She shows us how she does a scan with the AI tech from Candid. She mentions that she completed the entire process from home — so that does mean that she started Candid treatment before they updated their treatment model to include an in-office visit before beginning treatment.
Another woman provides a review of how Smile Direct Club aligners worked for her after using them to straighten her teeth without the hassle and cost of traditional braces.
Candid vs. Smile Direct Club vs. Invisalign
If you are investigating your options for clear aligners, chances are you are quite familiar with Invisalign. Invisalign is one of the brands that helped make clear aligners so popular. It works in pretty much the same way as Candid and SDC in that your dentist or orthodontist comes up with a plan involving a series of virtually invisible clear aligners.
So when it comes to the differences between Candid vs. Invisalign vs. Smile Direct, what stands out?
- The indications for treatment are greater with Invisalign. Orthodontists and dentists can use Invisalign to treat a range of malocclusions from mild to severe.
- Invisalign treatment must be completed at your dentist or orthodontist's office. While Candid's new treatment will likely involve some in-office visits, there will probably be fewer than with Invisalign.
- Invisalign can cost anywhere from $3,500 to $8,500 for their Full treatment, making them much more expensive than either Candid or Smile Direct Club.
- Invisalign lets the patient know whether an orthodontist or general dentist monitors their treatment. SDC treatment may or may not be supervised by an orthodontist, which is disclosed to customers considering treatment.
You can find out more about that in our Candid vs. Invisalign comparison, or in our SDC and Invisalign comparison here.
Candid and Smile Direct alternatives
SDC and Candid are not your only options if you're considering this type of treatment. We've included Byte, NewSmile, and ALIGNERCO in our list of the best invisible braces too! Have a look at these top brands to see which is the best for your needs:
Treatment for All Cases - Hybrid in-office and remote treatment
- In-person visits with your orthodontist for safe, effective treatment
- Treats even complex cases of misalignment
- Various pricing options
Discover the flexibility and effectiveness of Impress Invisible Braces, the hybrid orthodontic solution that blends in-person care with the convenience of remote appointments. Suitable for both kids and adults, Impress offers a range of treatment options designed to cater to various needs, from mild to severe cases of misalignment. With the initial consultation happening in person, you're assured of a tailored treatment plan that can address even the most complex orthodontic issues.
Impress Treatment Plans:
- Impress Super Light ($6,999): Perfect for mild cases, this plan promises results in up to 3 months, making it the quickest route to a better smile.
- Impress ($4,599): Designed for moderate cases, this option aims to perfect your smile within 4-10 months.
- Impress Plus ($5,599): Tailored for moderate cases requiring a bit more time, this plan spans 11-14 months.
- Impress Advanced ($6,999): The go-to choice for complex cases, offering comprehensive treatment over 11-24 months.
- Teens ($4,599): Specifically designed for teenagers, this plan addresses mild cases within 4-10 months, ensuring a confident smile during those crucial years.
- Impress Kids ($4,599): Offering orthodontic treatment for children, this plan covers a period between 8-18 months, setting the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
With flexible payment plans available, starting your journey to a perfect smile has never been easier or more accessible. Whether you're looking for a quick fix or need extensive treatment, Impress Invisible Braces provide a tailored solution that meets your needs and budget. Click below to get started!
Best service - Complete treatment 100% remotely
- Amazing customer service
- Nighttime-only option
- $1,495 or $55/month
NewSmile aligners are made from the clearest Essix plastic and come with a daytime or nighttime-only option to suit you. For just $1,495 you'll receive everything you need to straighten and whiten your teeth – and maintain your new smile:
- Home impression kit
- Full aligner treatment
- Free whitening
- First set of retainers
- A full refund if you're not a good fit
NewSmile goes above and beyond to provide a great experience to all their customers, beginning with a live video call to help you with your teeth impressions. Mail these back, and they'll send a 3D Treatment Preview for you to approve before going ahead.
Best value - Complete treatment 100% remotely
- 4-6 month average treatment time
- Nighttime-only option
- $949 or $77/month
If you're looking for the best value aligner package, here it is! For just $895 you'll get:
- Impression kit
- Full aligner treatment course
- Free teeth whitening kit
- Your first set of retainers
In short, everything needed to straighten your teeth remotely and keep them looking great, with a full money-back guarantee if you're not a suitable candidate.
This low price doesn't mean you're compromising on quality of care, though. ALIGNERCO just choose not to put so much into marketing, and they pass on the savings to their customers. They are also known for their responsive and helpful customer care, which is important when you're doing things from home.
Plus, if you're in New York, you can visit their SmileStudio for a free consultation and help taking your impressions.
Nighttime-only aligners are also available for anyone who doesn't want to wear aligners during the day.
Faster treatment - 3-4 month average treatment time
- Assessed and planned by orthodontists
- Includes whitening and first retainers
- $1,999 or $70/month
Byte's HyperByte technology uses High Frequency Vibration to help your teeth move faster and with minimal discomfort. Their average treatment time is just 3-4 months, compared to 6 months for most others.
Treatment includes your first set of retainers. You'll also get their BrightByte 3-in-1 foam to whiten your teeth, clean your aligners and freshen your breath. And their Byte-for-life guarantee means you'll get free adjustments if your teeth start to move again.
Begin by ordering an impression kit so their orthodontists can assess whether you're a good match.
Flexible options - Single-arch treatment option
- Nighttime aligners available
- Free refinements & 2 sets of retainers
- $699 (single-arch) or $999 (dual-arch)
Smileie's aligner treatment is not only affordable, but flexible too. You have the option of single-arch treatment for just your top or bottom teeth, as well as nighttime-only treatment. And whichever package you choose, monthly payments are available.
On top of this, Smileie offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee which includes free refinements if needed. Their aligners are made in the US and treatment takes 4-6 months on average.
Get the best discount when you purchase your aligner package up-front, including:
- Home impression kit
- Teeth whitening kit
- Two sets of retainers
- A full refund if you're not a good candidate
Packages start at $699 for single-arch treatment. Click below to check for current discounts!
Conclusion
If you need some teeth straightening but nothing too severe, chances are that you will get the results you want whether you choose Smile Direct Club or Candid.
After all, when it comes to Candid aligners vs. Smile Direct, the way they work is very similar — they both offer (mostly) remote treatment for a more affordable price than other invisible braces.
Candid costs a bit more, but you're also getting high-tech AI remote monitoring and some visits with a dentist.
Ultimately, you'll have to figure out what your priorities are and what you think will be the best for your oral health.
We have details of more Smile Direct Club alternatives and Invisalign alternatives if you're still undecided.
FAQs
Which is better, Candid or Smile Direct Club?
Both Candid and Smile Direct can be successful in giving you the straight smile you've always wanted, as long as you only want minor adjustments in the alignment of your teeth. Anything else will require treatment with Invisalign or even traditional metal braces.
What's the difference between Candid vs. Smile Direct vs. Invisalign?
The difference between Candid, Smile Direct, and Invisalign is that Smile Direct are at-home invisible braces, whereas Candid and Invisalign require in-office visits, making treatment more expensive.
BMC Oral Health: A comparison of treatment effectiveness between clear aligner and fixed appliance therapies. Consulted 11th March 2020.