If you have misaligned teeth and want to straighten them, there are two options available to you. The traditional option is to wear metal braces for a few months or years to move the teeth back into alignment. The modern option is to wear clear aligners, which will gently push your teeth back into a good position without compromising your appearance. At Rice Dentistry, we offer both treatments based on the patient’s requirements.
Many patients prefer clear aligners and choose alternatives like Smile Direct Club to save some money. We encourage patients to make an informed decision and this article can help you with that.
Learn More About Our Invisalign Pricing Here
1. How Does Smile Direct Club Compare to Invisalign?
SDC involves a series of customized clear aligners that slowly push your teeth into the right position. The treatment is similar to Invisalign, but the approach is very different. Patients don’t need to visit an orthodontist to get their aligners. They just need to create a mold or scan of their teeth and send it to the company. SDC then consults with their network of dentists to create custom aligners for patients and then mails the package to them. You receive the trays at your doorstep without visiting the dentist’s office a single time.
Invisalign treatments involve visiting the orthodontist, who takes a comprehensive 3D scan of your teeth to ensure the trays fit in perfectly. The dentist will send the measurements to Invisalign and receive a set of customized trays within a few days. You will get a personalized fitting at the dentist’s office. This ensures the aligners sit comfortably on the teeth and there are no chances of tooth damage.
2. Effectiveness of the Treatment
On the surface, both options are effective. Both use a series of clear aligners to slowly push the teeth back into the right alignment. While SDC is a convenient and affordable option, it isn’t the most reliable. The treatment isn’t supervised by orthodontists so it is easy for patients to make mistakes and ruin their teeth. For example, there’s a high risk of the aligners pushing the teeth too far back and causing excessive damage.
Invisalign treatments are carefully supervised. You need to visit the dentist at regular intervals so they can track the progress. They will immediately spot a problem and alter the treatment accordingly. This reduces the risk of teeth damage or related problems. You might have to pay more for the dentist’s appointments, but your teeth will remain in good condition throughout the treatment because of professional supervision.
3. Sticking With the Treatment
SDC provides patients with complete control over their treatment. They have to keep track of the trays, switch them out at regular intervals, and make sure the aligners stay on for a sufficient amount of time. There is no dentist to supervise the treatment, which means there’s no one holding the patient accountable for it. Many patients stop wearing the aligners or wear them infrequently, which can compromise the end result.
While Invisalign gives patients some control over their treatment, it is still supervised by a professional. Your dentist will hold you accountable and ensure you stay on track with the treatment. Invisalign patients are more likely to complete the treatment successfully compared to SDC patients.
4. Support From the Orthodontist
While clear aligners are designed to be reliable and durable, they aren’t infallible. Patients can damage, break, or lose their aligners easily. If you get the trays from SDC, you have to contact their customer care, go through consultation, and follow a complex replacement process.
If you lose your Invisalign tray, all you need to do is visit your dentist and request a fresh set. They will quickly determine what kind of replacement you need and get the new aligner tray for you.
If you want to know more Invisalign or Smile Direct Club, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Rice Dentistry today! Our experienced doctors will help you with the process.
