Since 1997, orthodontic treatment has had several improvements. With Align technology introducing an alternative to braces, more people can now straighten their teeth. Align Technology introduced Invisalign aligners, which uses clear plastic aligners to straighten the teeth instead of brackets and wires.
With the introduction of Invisalign aligners, other brands offering clear plastic aligners for teeth straightening are now available. Align Technology now produces trays for Smile Direct Club. This improves the concept of straightening the teeth by offering patients a DIY option to correct their orthodontic issues.
The concept of alignment tray
Traditional braces use brackets directly attached to the teeth, then connected by wires. The brackets gently apply pressure to move the teeth to the right positions. This makes it possible for braces to correct gapped, crowded, and crooked teeth. They can also correct severe malocclusions like crossbite, underbite, and overbite.
Alignment trays also gently applies pressure to move the teeth, but they use custom-made flexible plastic trays fitted on the upper and lower teeth. You need to wear the trays for 20 – 22 hours every day, so you can remove the aligners out to brush your teeth, eat and drink anything besides water.
You will get a series of aligners trays, which you will wear for about two weeks before switching them out to a new set. The trays usually fit perfectly because the provider will take your teeth' impressions to make them.
Alignment trays usually work better for mild to moderate orthodontic issues like crowding or gaps. If you have a severe issue, you may not be suitable to get aligner trays. In most cases, people opt for aligners because they are removable, more comfortable, discreet, and less time-consuming to straighten the teeth.
Overview of Invisalign and Smile Direct Club
Invisalign and Smile Direct club involve using transparent aligner trays to straighten the teeth, but Invisalign requires a dentist or orthodontist to administer and manage the treatment. Smile Direct Club, on the other hand, involves remote teledentistry.
In this method, the patient receives the trays through a postal service, so there is no middle man like an orthodontist or dentist to handle the treatment procedure. However, Smile Direct Club employs licensed dentists and orthodontists.
Smile Direct Club describes the treatment process as a doctor-directed at-home treatment, so patients have no direct contact with an orthodontist or dentist. In Smile Direct Club treatment, patients are responsible for creating their teeth impressions and monitoring their progress. With Invisalign, the dentist carries out these tasks, making Invisalign treatment more expensive than Smile Direct Club.
The ups and downsides of Smile Direct Club
Smile Direct Club is becoming more popular due to the preference of buying things online instead of visiting a physical business place. Online purchases have become more acceptable as they are convenient and often the only choice of people living in remote areas.
Although people opting for Smile Direct Club to straighten their teeth have considerably increased, dental professionals are concerned about the lack of in-person interaction with dental professionals. They advise that patients should always weigh the risks against the potential benefits of any product purchased online.
Dental experts advise that patients ask the following questions before opting for Smile Direct Club or other online products.
- Diagnostics: Are my teeth and gums healthy enough for orthodontic treatment, and is this treatment right for me?
- Supervision: Will I be solely responsible for determining my treatment progress? If the trays are not working or need changes, can anything be done?
- Problems: Who can I call if I have problems with this product?
Before you begin your treatment with Smile Direct Club, consider what the DIY method covers.
Legalities
Dental experts have stated that Smile Direct Club violates the dental-practice statutes, and the treatment falls under those that should be done under a dental professional's supervision. Despite these complaints, more people opt for Smile Direct Club to straighten their teeth due to its low cost and convenience of achieving their desired smile.
Comparing cost and time for Invisalign and Smile Direct Club
If your only concern to straighten your teeth is low cost and short treatment time, Smile Direct may be the better option.
Invisalign treatment cost between £2,000 - £5,500 with an average treatment time of 12 – 18 months, depending on the severity of the orthodontic issue. Sime Direct treatment takes about six months and costs about £1300.
Considering only cost and treatment time to choose between Invisalign and Smile Direct may not be best because other factors help determine the most suitable treatment. For example, as braces are more suitable for correcting complex orthodontic issues than aligners, Invisalign is better at correcting some dental issues.
Smile Direct is suitable for correcting gap and crowding issues for the front six or eight teeth. If you want to correct bite issues or realign your molars, Invisalign may be more effective.
Although Smile Direct's low cost and shorter treatment may make it a more attractive option, you need to consider your orthodontic issue and desired result.
Invisalign process
When you visit your orthodontist or dentist for Invisalign treatment, expect the following.
Upper and lower teeth impressions
Unlike traditional braces that involve taking teeth impressions with a putty-like material, the dentist will take a 3-D plastic mould of your teeth. Some dentists use intraoral scanners to take a digital 3-D image of your teeth on a computer screen. After taking your teeth impression, the dentist will take x-rays to show your tooth root and bone structure. This will help the orthodontist in creating a suitable treatment plan.
Aligner creation
The orthodontist or dentist will send your teeth impressions to the lab, where the dental technician will create a series of aligners to move your teeth to the right positions.
Aligner fitting
When the aligner trays are available, you would have an appointment with the dental professional. The professional will fit the first set of aligners, then attach buttons if necessary, then give you the other aligners with instructions on when to switch them out.
Follow-up visits
You would have to visit your dentist or orthodontist every 4 – 6 weeks to monitor your treatment's progress and make adjustments if necessary.
Smile Direct Club treatment process
With Smile Direct Club, you will have little or no interaction with a dentist or orthodontist. The treatment process involves the following.
You have two options to take your teeth impression. You can either visit any retail location where a dental technician will take your digital teeth impressions with a 3D scanner or get the impression kit in the mail with instructions on how to take your teeth impression and the materials needed. Smile Direct Club also requests photos of the teeth from different angles. They will also assign a dental professional to you who will create your treatment plan.
When you send the aligners to the lab, the lab technician will create custom-made aligner trays, and then they will mail the aligners to you with instructions on how to use them. After every 90 days, your assigned dental professional will contact you via an online account to monitor your treatment progress.
DIY vs dentists
Some dental professionals do not like the idea of patients handling their dental care. Although this may be partly due to business reasons as Smile Direct Club has become completion to the traditional orthodontists and dentists providing teeth straightening treatments, they also have some valid arguments. These arguments include the following.
Impressions
Dental professionals agree that even with years of training to master taking teeth impressions and a controlled dental environment, they do not always get a perfect impression and need to repeat the process.
Since Smile Direct Club smile shops are not accessible to everyone, most patients take their teeth impressions at home, which increases the risk of errors in a procedure that needs precision.
Personalised dental care
Invisalign dentists visit their dental professional for follow-ups and adjustments, so they already have an existing relationship with the dental professional who knows their dental history. The dental professional will take x-rays, check the patient's bite and how it bites together, examine the gums, and check previous dental work. These checks and examinations are essential to determine if a patient is suitable for aligners.
Regular visits during Invisalign treatment allow the dentist to check the progress of the patient's treatment, identify problems that may affect the treatment outcome, and offer solutions. Your dentist can identify the cause of discomfort or pain then adjust the treatment. Patients can also call their dental professional to replace their aligners if they get lost or broken.
Although Smile Direct Club advertises 24/7 availability, all they provide is customer service, but you can reach your traditional dentist or orthodontist even for emergencies and get the right solution to their dental issue.
Conclusion
People with a limited budget and minor dental issues may find Smile Direct Club to be the perfect solution to straighten their teeth, but getting Invisalign may be the best solution for people who prefer attention from a dental professional.
Regardless of which teeth-straightening you want, ensure you ask questions and know its pros and cons before choosing one.
For Invisalign in London, visit our dental practice today. You can also call 0203 137 3179 to schedule an appointment with our orthodontist to get started with your Invisalign treatment.
