At-home options like Smile Direct Club position themselves as an alternative to Invisalign, but is it a fair comparison?
Invisalign involves in-office dental consultations where a treatment plan is developed. With do-it-yourself orthodontics like Smile Direct Club, patients give informed consent that they have had a recent dental checkup and a remote dentist approves the treatment and sets up a plan.
Keep reading to discover the various factors that play into Invisalign in Lakewood being the superior option for clear aligners.
Beware of Additional Costs Later On
Smile Direct Club advertises a cost of $2,000, but with any complications or the need for additional trays, there is an added cost. Invisalign costs about $5,000 with the dental visit and all associated monitoring, so there are no hidden surprises as you follow your treatment plan.
While Smile Direct Club may tout the initial cost as an advantage, Invisalign offers guaranteed results and visiting a dentist in person to lay claim to better value for the money spent.
Treatment Times and Potential Complications
Treatment times depend on each individual’s case and how well they follow instructions of the treatment plan. Since Invisalign can treat more complex cases, it will generally have longer treatment times.
Smile Direct Club will point to saving time throughout treatment by cutting out in-person checkups with a dentist, but it still involves remote checkups, so you’ll need to set aside time for those.
Dentist Supervision and Identifying Issues
During treatment with Smile Direct Club, they will rely on you to send photos and updates along with the remote checkups. If there are problems along the way, you’ll need to identify them and alert your remote dentist.
Meanwhile, with Invisalign, your dentist will alert you if there are any changes or unwanted developments during treatment and they can make adjustments immediately. Dental supervision also means they can detect other potential issues like tooth decay or gum disease early on.
Dental Organizations Make Their Opinion Known
Invisalign is recommended by all major professional dental organizations. On the other hand, the American Association of Orthodontists has issued a consumer warning about all direct-to-consumer orthodontic companies. The American Dental Association strongly discourages all “do-it-yourself” orthodontics and has filed a complaint specifically against Smile Direct Club.
These organizations believe that dental care should be supervised by a trained professional, which at-home options like Smile Direct Club cannot offer.
Equipped to Handle Complex Orthodontic Cases
Unless your teeth are only slightly misaligned, Smile Direct Club will not be able to compete. In fact, they specifically tell customers that people with extensive dental needs or a history of poor oral health should not use their product. Meanwhile, Invisalign can treat both mild and moderate misalignment cases.
The bottom line is you are looking at a significant financial investment either way. With that being the case, don’t you want to spend money on the product you know can deliver significant positive changes? The disapproval of Smile Direct Club by major dental organizations should be all the proof you need that Invisalign under the supervision of your dentist is the way to go.
About the Author
Dr. Vincenzo Artino graduated from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, finishing his clinical requirements early and using the extra time to expand his knowledge of fixed prosthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. In 2017, he arrived at Lakewood Complete Dentistry. If you are interested in clear aligners in Lakewood, you can schedule a consultation. Dr. Artino will formulate your treatment plan and oversee your progress every step of the way. To make an appointment, visit his website or call (303) 238-2800.