SmileDirectClub has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Due to the company's uncertain future, we recommend you try SmileDirectClub alternative aligner brands. Read more about the situation.
Smile Direct Club is a teledentistry company that offers a cost-effective alternative to braces and clear aligners like Invisalign. SDC keep their prices low — $2,050 — because there are no in-office visits with a dentist or orthodontist.
But that doesn't mean your treatment isn't supervised. In fact, a licensed orthodontist or dentist will monitor the entire course of your orthodontics treatment with SDC and check in with you every 90 days.
In this article, we'll let you know all about Smile Direct Club, and we'll answer the following questions:
- Does Smile Direct Club work?
- How long do you have to wear Smile Direct?
- How much is Smile Direct Club?
- Is Smile Direct Club safe?
- What are the differences between Smile Direct Club and Invisalign?
- What are the Smile Direct Club before and after results?
We'll also take a quick look at some alternatives out there so you can make an informed choice about your teeth!
Table of contents
How does Smile Direct Club work?
Smile Direct Club works by providing two treatment options, namely the standard treatment option and nighttime clear aligners.
Standard treatment option
The original SDC treatment costs just $2,050 if you want to pay all at once or just $89 per month with a $250 deposit.
The typical treatment time for this option is an average of six months, compared to the 18–24 months it can take with traditional metal braces. You need to wear your aligners 22 hours per day, both day and night.
When you get your aligners in the mail, you'll also receive free teeth whitening to get whiter teeth while you straighten them.
Nighttime clear aligners
Nighttime clear aligners are a new option offered by SDC. The average treatment time is 10 months, and they only require 10 hours of daily wear, meaning most treatments can be done while you are sleeping.
This type of treatment lacks rigorous peer review in dentistry to validate its effectiveness. The pressure provided for the limited hour of 10 or less per day is not sufficient enough to provide bodily movement of teeth. Therefore this treatment is only sufficient in correcting very mild crowding or malocclusions.
There are other brands that offer nighttime aligners, including ALIGNERCO, which is quite a bit cheaper, so consider that option as well. You can read more on our page on ALIGNERCO reviews. You can also get nighttime aligners from Byte, with a fast treatment time of 5 to 6 months.
How much is Smile Direct Club?
Smile Direct Club costs $2050 if you pay altogether or $89 per month for 26 months with a $250 deposit. It falls somewhere among the average for costs of at-home clear aligners.
Traditional metal braces cost between $2,500 and $7,500, and invisible braces cost between $2,000 and $8,500. True to their word, Smile Direct Club does not cost as much as traditional braces or leading brands of clear aligners.
Smile Direct Club discount codes
You can find Smile Direct Club coupons on popular discount sites like Groupon, and if you visit their site, you can sometimes find a Smile Direct Club promo code for even more of a discount. Just visit a SmileShop and look for a banner at the top of the page. That's where the promo codes are usually hanging out!
Does Smile Direct Club work?
Smile Direct Club works, and you can verify this by visiting the SDC website, where you'll find numerous reviews and information confirming the success of this type of treatment. SDC clear aligners can be used for treating mild to moderate malocclusions.
But when teeth are severely crooked, hands-on orthodontist supervision is necessary for a truly effective teeth-straightening process. Before beginning treatment, you can visit a SmileShop for a consultation to ensure it's the right course. And if you turn out not to be eligible for any reason, SDC will refund your home impression kit.
We have a separate article featuring a selection of independent Smile Direct Club reviews so you can see for yourself what other patients thought of their experience.
Smile Direct Club before and after
Check out the following comprehensive video from a person who wanted straighter teeth and didn't have the money to pay for standard braces or in-office invisible braces. He tried SDC for six months and explains his experience and his Smile Direct Club results.
This video is great if you're wondering about Smile Direct treatment and want to know about the following:
- Is Smile Direct Club safe?
- Is it a scam?
- Smile Direct Club timeline
- SDC customer service experience
- Smile Direct Club before and after pictures
His review is pretty balanced. He concludes that it maybe wasn't the right treatment for his specific case, but that SDC is a good company and that many people receive the results they want.
Smile Direct Club vs. Invisalign
At first glance, it may seem like SDC is just like Invisalign or other clear aligner brands, but with a lower price. However, there are some key differences that we'll go over now.
Smile Direct Club is a type of at-home clear aligner, so treatment can be done remotely, with in-person assistance at a SmileShop if needed. Invisalign and other in-office brands of clear aligners differ from SDC because their treatment includes regular visits to your dentist or orthodontist.
Treatment consists of receiving a new aligner every one to two weeks, based on what your dentist thinks is best. Your dentist will check your treatment progress every four to six weeks during in-office visits. For more information, you can check out our article on invisible braces like Invisalign.
Invisalign provides frequent dentist and orthodontist contact through their in-person treatment care, and Invisalign customer service is superior to SDC.
Watch the following video that explains why Caitlin chose SDC over Invisalign, and read our article that goes into more detail about the differences between Invisalign and Smile Direct Club.
In short, when you choose SDC or another brand of at-home aligner, you have the convenience of not needing regular checkups at a dental office. You also should save a considerable amount on the treatment cost.
However, there are risks involved with this hands-off treatment, and you should choose a company that offers the best level of monitoring and customer care should you encounter any difficulties.
Other Smile Direct Club competitors
If you're looking at straightening your teeth remotely, SDC is just one of many companies now offering at-home aligners. They may have been around the longest, but there are some others we recommend you consider:
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!
If you're interested in this type of treatment but not ready to commit just yet, you can begin by just taking a free assessment to check your eligibility.
At-home aligners summary
The table below summarizes the differences among SDC competitors. You can read all about these and more alternatives to Invisalign in our separate guide.
Smile Direct Club | Byte | Smileie | ALIGNERCO | NewSmile | Candid | |
Average treatment time | 6 months | 3 months | 4-6 months | 6 months | 6 months | 6 months |
Physical locations? | Yes | No | No | 1 in New York | No | No |
Cost | $2,050 | $1,895 | $1,399 | $949 | $1,495 | $1,895 |
Nighttime option? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
One of the alternatives mentioned above is Smileie. Smileie is a relative newcomer to the market who, like the other brands topping our list, offers quality and affordable treatment. But they also offer another interesting feature — with Smileie, you can get a single aligner instead of a set.
So if just your top teeth need straightening and your bottom teeth don't, or vice versa, you don't need a full set of aligners. As you can imagine, this drastically cuts costs. Read our Smileie Aligners review to find out more.
You can read our best invisible braces guide to get more detail about these brands in one place. However, if you're interested in Candid, check out the Candid vs. Smile Direct page.
Smile Direct Club locations
There are SmileShops in 45 states and in Puerto Rico, so if you want to, you can go into a physical shop and have a ‘SmileGuide' take your impressions. It isn't mandatory to go into the store; the entire process can be completed online and at home, and there are no physical meetings with a dentist or orthodontist.
Some people like the idea of not having to go to the orthodontist, but some dentists and orthodontists are skeptical, arguing that in-person visits with your dentist or orthodontist are an important part of the teeth-straightening process.
The Smile Shops do not mean interaction with an orthodontist or even dentist at those appointments. Typically they involve a technician trained to complete the impressions.
Smile Direct Club whitening
Smile Direct also offers its own whitening kit called Bright On. This kit has LED light and whitening pens for two weeks of treatment. The active ingredient in their whitening gel is peroxide, so people with tooth or gum sensitivity may want to approach it with caution.
If you're wondering how to use Smile Direct Club Bright On, you can check out the video below, which shows how to use it and includes a quick review.
Smile Direct Club retainer
After you finish treatment with Smile Direct, you'll need to wear retainers to make sure your teeth don't go back to their original position. You should wear your retainers full-time for the first two weeks after you complete your aligner treatment and then just at night (for at least eight hours) long-term.
Smile Direct retainers cost $99 for 1 set, or you can buy two sets and get a third free.
Conclusion
Straightening your teeth is an important part of not just your appearance but also your overall oral health. Braces are expensive, noticeable, and can be time-consuming. But that's because a lot goes into straightening your teeth.
Cheap options like Smile Direct and their competitors can be a good choice if you don't think you can afford traditional braces or clear aligners; plus, they have the added benefit of being more convenient if you can't take a lot of time off work for orthodontist appointments.
Smile Direct Club does work for some users, no doubt about it, and if you're happy with what you've read, then you can visit a SmileShop or order an impression kit.
But keep in mind that we would recommend several other brands which have a better reputation and way of working. The cheapest of these is ALIGNERCO, but Candid, Byte, and NewSmile are all good brands to consider. Read Byte reviews here, and don't forget to check our NewSmile review page.
FAQs
What is Smile Direct Club?
Smile Direct Club is a teledentistry business that offers a cheaper way to straighten your teeth. After taking your own impressions at home, you receive your aligners in the mail. A dentist or orthodontist monitors your progress remotely. You can also have a digital scan done at a SmileShop location.
How does Smile Direct Club work?
There are two treatment options with Smile Direct Club. The original treatment costs $1,950 (or $89 per month with a $250 deposit). Nighttime clear aligners have an average treatment time of 10 months, requiring 10 hours of daily wear. This means most treatments can be done while you are sleeping.
What are some Smile Direct Club alternatives?
Some Smile Direct Club alternatives are clear aligner brands like Invisalign and ClearCorrect, which require periodic visits to your dentist and cost considerably more. You can read more about ClearCorrect aligners here.
ALIGNERCO, Candid, NewSmile, and Byte are other businesses with the same model as SDC and also don't require in-office visits.
What is the cost of Smile Direct Club?
Smile Direct Club costs $1,950 for a single payment and $89/month with a $250 for their SmilePay payment plan. Retainers cost $99, and impression kits cost $59. If you go to a SmileShop for a 3D scan, retainers and impressions are free.
Is Smile Direct legit?
According to customer reviews, some people do have successful treatment with Smile Direct Club. These cases are generally those that only require slight adjustments. There are other brands of at-home aligners that work with orthodontists to plan your treatment, and we prefer those options.
Does Smile Direct Club really work?
SDC works in some cases, according to reviews. To make sure you get the most out of your treatment, make sure to follow through and invest in the Smile Direct retainers after treatment.
How do you whiten teeth with Smile Direct Club?
Smile Direct's Bright On whitening system comes with bleaching gel pens and an LED light. To use, brush your teeth first, but wait to floss until after. Apply the gel to your front top and bottom teeth. Leave the gel on for five minutes. Spit the gel out and don't rinse, eat, or drink for 20 minutes.
How long does it take Smile Direct Club to straighten teeth?
It takes Smile Direct six months to straighten teeth. However, your treatment time can vary depending on the intensity of teeth straightening that you need. Alternatively, if you opt for Smile Direct's nighttime treatment, your average time extends to 10 months.
What insurance does Smile Direct Club take?
You'll have to ask your orthodontic insurance provider if they will cover Smile Direct Club, but chances are that they won't. Otherwise, Smile Direct accepts HSA, FSA, CareCredit, and payment plans.