Invisalign vs Smile Direct Club: Why Use an Orthodontist?

Invisalign and Smile Direct Club are two services with a lot in common, but a few major differences as well. Both Invisalign and Smile Direct Club (SDC) rely on using clear trays to straighten teeth, but how the treatment plan is created and delivered is different.

Smile Direct Club is cheaper from Invisalign in large part due to the complete virtual communication. This can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on how you look at it. Most orthodontists, including Dr. Troy Shaw, offer convenient payment plans to help pay for braces. Usually there is a set amount for a deposit, and then the remainder can be paid over 1-2 years.

In order for your teeth to adjust correctly, it is important to see an orthodontist in-person, and while it may be convenient to simply order your braces online, you won’t benefit from having an orthodontist at your disposal. There are attachments that can be placed on your teeth that control movement, and success of your treatment. This cannot happen without an orthodontist. Some teeth may also need to be reshaped, which requires an orthodontist.

This also means you won’t benefit from having a human dental professional – who knows you and your teeth well – to talk to. If something unexpected occurs (say, if you lose a tray), you’ll have to deal with stressful support calls and virtual chats instead of calling up your orthodontist and getting a replacement ASAP. Your personal orthodontist can be made aware of past dental procedures you’ve gone through, or individual concerns you might have. It’s true that Smile Direct Club won’t offer the level of personal care that your local orthodontist will be able to provide.

We can all agree that the end result is the most important aspect of the process. So, you have to decide if you want a local professional guiding you, Dr. Shaw would. After practicing for 22 years, Dr. Shaw knows the importance of having an orthodontic professional overseeing the treatment.