SmileDirectClub Review

What is SmileDirectClub? 

At-home clear aligners, also called direct-to-consumer aligners, are a convenient and affordable way to straighten your teeth. 

Unlike Invisalign and metal braces, you do not have to visit a dentist or orthodontist for bi-weekly checkups. Instead, you’ll take virtual scans from home every few weeks to ensure your teeth are moving correctly. 

SmileDirectClub is a 6-year-old aligner company that offers remote teeth straightening for 60% less than braces. They are the first and most well-known brand of at-home aligners.

SDC also works with registered doctors, dentists, and orthodontists to ensure each treatment case runs smoothly. 

SmileDirect’s aligner trays are made of comfortable, smooth, BPA-free plastic. The aligners are nearly invisible and slowly straighten your teeth in small increments. They can be removed at any time for cleaning, eating, and brushing your teeth. 

SmileDirectClub can ONLY fix minor to moderate teeth alignment issues, including:

• Crowded teeth — some teeth are overlapping or crooked
• Diastema (gapped teeth) — small gaps between one or multiple teeth 
• Other minor to moderate bite problems

Overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites typically require more intensive treatment with braces.

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Pros and Cons of SmileDirectClub

Here are the benefits and downsides of SmileDirectClub:

PROS

• Treatment costs thousands less than braces ($1,950)
• Two options: order an online impression kit or visit a SmileShop for a risk-free consultation (3D images/scan) 
• Doctor-prescribed and directed
• Free whitening treatment (premium whitening available for an additional cost)
• No credit check required 
• Monthly payment plan available
• Accepts HSA/FSA and insurance (if you qualify)
• Starter kit refunds (if you aren’t a candidate)

CONS

• Quick treatment and night aligner option (NewMouth is concerned about the risks of night aligners and moving teeth too fast — learn why here)
• Treatment is monitored 100% remotely (this means there is a slightly higher risk for complications to occur than in-office orthodontic treatment)
• Customer service can be difficult to reach
• Risk of impression errors with at-home kits
• No refunds on aligners (only the impression kit) 

How Does SmileDirectClub Work?

The SmileDirectClub aligner process is straightforward and convenient. Here are the basic steps:

1. First, you’ll take a 30-second smile assessment on SmileDirect’s website. This questionnaire will ask you things like “why are you thinking of straightening your teeth?” and “have you worn braces in the past?” You’ll also have to choose between sample images that best match your teeth crowding/spacing issues. Only minor to moderate misalignment cases qualify for treatment.
2. SmileDirect will email you with instructions on how to get started. You can either order an impression kit online or visit a SmileShop for an in-person scan and consultation. 
3. After your scan and impressions are complete, SmileDirect will create a 3D image of your smile using proprietary software. Then a licensed doctor, dentist, or orthodontist will review the image/scans to determine candidacy. From there, SmileDirect will create your treatment plan and send it to you via email.  
4. After reviewing, you can ask for refinements and reach out with any questions. If you decide to move forward, SmileDirect will charge you in full for the aligners (unless you choose a payment plan). 
5. SmileDirectClub technicians will create your aligners and mail them to you all at once (so you don’t have to wait). The aligners are cut along your gum line to ensure they fit comfortably. You’ll also receive a complimentary whitening kit. 
6. Virtual check-ins will occur regularly during the treatment course. At first, you’ll change the aligners out weekly, with each aligner gently shifting your teeth into place. How long treatment lasts depends on your unique plan (up to 6 months, on average). 

How Long Does SmileDirectClub Take to Straighten Teeth?

The average treatment time for SmileDirectClub is between 4 and 6 months. However, some cases may take longer, especially if you need refinements (an additional set of aligners after your initial treatment is complete).

Does SmileDirect Offer a Night Aligner Option?

SmileDirectClub offers two types of aligners. The most popular is the original aligners, which are worn for 22 hours a day. The Nighttime Aligners™ are only worn for 10 hours a day (at night/while sleeping). 

* Disclaimer: Although night aligners may be convenient, NewMouth does not recommend them over traditional aligners. Many oral health experts are concerned about their safety and effectiveness.

In fact, there is no scientific proof that night aligners are safe. They may actually do more harm to your teeth than good.⁹ From a clinical perspective, there are also concerns about what could go wrong if aligners are only worn for a few hours each day (less than 20 to 22 hours).^{9, 10}

Every additional hour that you are not wearing the aligners increases the likelihood of your teeth shifting in an undesired direction.^{9, 10}

In addition, without a longer and more consistent wear schedule, your teeth can be left in a limbo state of inflammation. This means it would take your teeth and gums much longer to heal, if at all.⁹

NewMouth recommends SmileDirect's original aligners over the night aligners. Learn why.

How Much Does SmileDirectClub Cost? 

The remote impression kit and SmileShop scan both cost $59. If you aren’t a candidate, you’ll receive a full refund on the impression kit. 

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Does Insurance Cover SDC Aligners?

Yes, but only if your dental plan provides orthodontic benefits. The aligners will not be covered in full. 

In most cases, SmileDirect coordinates payments directly with insurance companies. This means patients will pay the balance of what they owe after the insurance coverage and discounts are applied. 

Is SmileDirectClub Safe?

Since SmileDirect is the oldest at-home aligner company, there are many online reviews for the company.

One article from NBC News (2020) states that a patient was experiencing bite problems and pain after her aligner treatment. The patient also developed jaw issues and migraines due to improperly fitting aligner trays.¹

Another patient said they were also at risk of losing a few teeth because the aligners moved them too fast.¹

Because of this, nine members of Congress (five of them being dentists) asked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate SmileDirectClub “to ensure that it is not misleading consumers or causing patient harm.” ¹

In California, a new law requires “all teledentistry patients to get an X-ray or diagnostic bone scan before undergoing online aligner treatment.” Virginia is considering implementing similar rules.¹

On the other hand, there are also many positive reviews about SmileDirectClub. These reviews are mostly written by patients who had minor teeth misalignment. 

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More on At-Home Aligner Safety & Effectiveness

In general, most dentists and orthodontists recommend in-office aligner treatment (like Invisalign or metal braces) over at-home aligners. This is because remote orthodontic treatment is not monitored as closely and it is more difficult to make mid-treatment adjustments. 

With Invisalign, your dentist can make adjustments easily at any time. This is not the case with at-home aligners because you typically receive all of the aligners at once. Your dentist can also not directly intervene if there is a problem mid-treatment. 

However, current research shows that direct-to-consumer aligners are generally considered effective and safe (87.5% satisfaction rate).² To prevent poor results, make sure you follow the impression kit instructions very carefully and stick to your treatment plan. 

Since at-home aligner treatment is still new, more research needs to be done on the benefits and risks of treatment. But many patients are happy with the results and prefer remote aligners over traditional orthodontics due to convenience and pricing.²

Keep in mind: direct-to-consumer aligners are not suitable for severe cases of teeth misalignment. These treatment cases will require braces, Invisalign, and/or other orthodontic devices (like attachments). 

SmileDirectClub is one of the only at-home aligner brands that offer in-person scans and impressions. If you do not want to order an impression kit and take them yourself, SmileDirect recommends visiting a SmileShop to ensure your aligner trays fit perfectly. 

SmileDirectClub vs. Other Aligners

There are many aligner options to choose from. If you're unsure which one is right for you, read the comparisons below:

Candid vs. SmileDirectClub 

Candid costs more than SmileDirectClub. You can visit a CandidPro location studio for an in-person scan to begin treatment. 

SmileDirectClub's treatment time is less than Candid’s (4 to 6 months vs 4 to 12 months). 

However, based on customer reviews, Candid has better remote monitoring and customer service than SmileDirect. It also has more in-depth care, with in-office visits required at the beginning and end of treatment. 

Read our full review of Candid.

Byte vs. SmileDirectClub 

Byte and SmileDirectClub both offer regular aligners and night aligners. Byte’s regular aligners cost about $100 less than SmileDirect, while SmileDirect’s night aligners cost about $300 less than Byte. 

The length of treatment for byte and SmileDirect are also about the same (between 3 and 6 months, on average). 

Read our full review of byte. 

ALIGNERCO vs. SmileDirectClub 

ALIGNERCO aligners cost hundreds less than SmileDirectClub aligners. The average treatment time for SmileDirect is between 4 and 6 months. ALIGNERCO can take up to 12 months. 

ALIGNERCO only offers in-person consultations at their New York Smile Studio. Most impressions are completely remote. 

Read our full review of ALIGNERCO. 

NewSmile vs. SmileDirectClub 

NewSmile costs about the same as ALIGNERCO but is an even newer company.

Invisalign vs. SmileDirectClub

Invisalign is best for moderate to severe cases of teeth misalignment. SmileDirectClub is much cheaper than Invisalign, but treatment is not monitored as closely.

Also, with SmileDirect, refinements cannot be made mid-treatment since you receive all of the aligners at once. 

Read our full review of NewSmile. 

SmileDirectClub Aligners

Alyssa Hill

Overall Value

Affordability

Treatment Time

Customer Service

Convenience

Comfort

Summary

SmileDirectClub is a 6-year-old aligner company that offers remote teeth straightening for 60% less than braces. They are the first and most well-known brand at-home aligners. The company also works with registered doctors, dentists, and orthodontists to ensure each treatment case runs smoothly.

4

Pros

• Treatment costs thousands less than braces ($1,950)
• Two options: order an online impression kit or visit a SmileShop for a risk-free consultation (3D images/scan) 
• Doctor-prescribed and directed
• Free whitening treatment (premium whitening available for an additional cost)
• No credit check required 
• Monthly payment plan available
• Accepts HSA/FSA and insurance (if you qualify)
• Starter kit refunds (if you aren’t a candidate)

Cons

• Quick treatment and night aligner option (we are concerned about the risks of night aligners and moving teeth too fast — learn why here)
• Treatment is monitored 100% remotely (this means there is a slightly higher risk for complications to occur than in-office orthodontic treatment)
• Customer service can be difficult to reach
• Risk of impression errors with at-home kits
• No refunds on aligners (only the impression kit) 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)