Your Edison Dentist Discusses Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club

Smile Direct Club is an emerging trend that many people are starting to take advantage of. It is an orthodontic system that allows patients to straighten their teeth at home with a plastic aligner system similar to Invisalign. What are the pros and cons of this system? Can it really deliver what it promises? Your Edison dentist weighs in.

How Does Smile Direct Club Work?

With Smile Direct Club, you have the choice of either going into one of their locations to have a scan of your smile taken or having a kit sent to your home that allows you to take your own impression of your teeth. Your impression or scan is sent to a dentist or orthodontist who plans your orthodontic treatment for you.

Then clear aligners are sent directly to your home, which you will wear at least 22 hours per day and change every two weeks. It is up to you to be compliant and follow the rules of your treatment to achieve the best results since there are no progress checkups with your dentist.

At the end of your treatment, you have the option of purchasing a retainer for a small additional fee to help maintain your alignment.

How Does Invisalign Work?

The Invisalign system works much in the same way that Smile Direct Club does except that it’s administered by your certified dentist or orthodontist. 3D imaging is used to create a scan of your teeth, and your dentist will design your treatment plan based on your scans. They are also able to show you what your final results and completed smile will look like before starting treatment.

Wearing your Invisalign aligners works the same way as you will wear them daily for at least 22 hours and change them every two weeks. You will also check in with your dentist periodically to monitor the progress of your treatment.

What are the Pros and Cons of Each System?

Both of these systems offer significant benefits for patients. For example, Smile Direct Club makes aligning your teeth affordable and convenient for busy patients.

However, the downside to this type of treatment is that you are not directly under the supervision of your dentist. You don’t get to meet the dentist who creates your treatment plan making it more difficult to communicate with them or ask questions if you should encounter any issues.

When you choose Invisalign in Edison, you will be checking in with your dentist every few weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.

Invisalign treatment also includes retainers at the end of your treatment that will be worn at night. This is highly recommended since teeth do shift after orthodontics without proper retention.

Before you start any type of treatment, it’s advisable to discuss it with your dentist first. So, if you are considering aligning your teeth, before starting any orthodontic treatment, contact your dentist today to make sure you get started on the right track.

About the Author

At Resnick & Rosenfeld DDS, our talented dentists have been caring for patients in Edison, NJ for many years. We offer dental care with convenience such as early morning, evening, and weekend appointments in a friendly and caring atmosphere where the entire family can feel comfortable.

If you would like to contact our team, we can be reached by calling 908-668-7838 or through our website.