Are you having trouble deciding between Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club? At Castilla Orthodontics, we are dedicated to educating our patients about the latest advancements in the orthodontic industry, as well as offering affordable orthodontic treatment in Salem that can accommodate any budget. Here are some things you should consider in deciding between Invisalign with an orthodontist like Dr. Castilla vs. Smile Direct Club.
Where Can I Find Out About Invisalign Vs. Smile Direct Club Near Me?
Our team at Castilla Orthodontics specializes in Invisalign and Invisalign Teen in Salem, OR. As a leading Salem orthodontist, Dr. Castilla is experienced in all forms of orthodontic care and is constantly improving her skills with advanced training. Castilla Orthodontics provides supervised treatment with Invisalign by an orthodontic specialist that has received the necessary education and training to help guarantee the best possible results. We offer free consultations where we can discuss all of your options for achieving your smile goals.
How are Invisalign and Smile Direct Club Similar?
The Invisalign system uses sets of removable, clear aligners to provide the same results as traditional braces. Because the aligners are clear and there is no metal, it is difficult to see them, especially from a distance or in photography. Thus, they are considered a more esthetic or discreet option for orthodontic treatment. Because they are removable, there are no food restrictions and teeth cleaning is much easier. Each set of aligners is made of a smooth and lightweight high-tech plastic material called Smart Track that gently and gradually shift teeth into alignment. Both Invisalign and Invisalign Teen use this advanced material so you can be certain your teen is receiving the latest technology treatment. Smile Direct Club also uses a set of clear aligners to achieve straight teeth and therefore have all the same benefits of esthetics and removability as Invisalign. However, it does not use the Smart Track material used by Invisalign.
How are Invisalign and Smile Direct Club different?
Aside from the actual material used to fabricate the aligners, Invisalign and Smile Direct Club have many other differences. Below are some of the major differences:
Cost of Invisalign Vs. Smile Direct Club
While Smile Direct Club is less expensive overall than traditional Invisalign treatment, it is not fair to compare the fees since you are getting two completely different products. Furthermore, you may be surprised to learn that on a monthly basis, Invisalign can still be very affordable. At Castilla Orthodontics, we offer industry-leading financing that allows our patients to afford their treatment even if they don’t have insurance by taking advantage of our in-house, zero-interest, flexible financing. In fact, you can get started with Invisalign for as little as $500 down!
Getting Started with Invisalign or Smile Direct Club
With Smile Direct Club, you have to visit a Smile Shop to get a digital scan of your teeth and bite or if you don’t live near one, then you will receive a kit that allows you to take impressions (molds) of your teeth at home. This can lead to some frustration and even inaccuracies, especially since you’ve probably never done this yourself. With Invisalign, instead of visiting a Smile Shop, you visit a doctor’s office where you get to meet the doctor who will be doing the treatment and they will take scans of your teeth as well as x-rays to make sure you don’t have any cavities or periodontal (gum) disease that could make it dangerous to move teeth.
Convenience of Invisalign Vs. Smile Direct Club
Smile Direct Club is designed to eliminate visits to an orthodontist by allowing treatment to be completed from home. Once your aligners are ready, you will receive your aligners in the mail and then the rest is up to you. You can send pictures via email to the dental professional at Smile Direct Club so they can check your progress, but of course this is a limited way to examine your teeth and bite. With Invisalign, you go to your orthodontist’s office to get your aligners. During this visit, your orthodontist will check your aligners in person, to make sure they are fitting great and there are no issues. There is a misconception that with Invisalign, you have to have monthly visits with your doctor, but nothing could be further from the truth! At Castilla Orthodontics, our Invisalign patients come to our office every 12 to 15 weeks for progress checks. Thus, you have the convenience of not having to go to your doctor every month and the security of having your doctor available in person, should you have a question, concern, or issue with your treatment.
Level of Supervision of Invisalign Vs. Smile Direct Club
If you have any questions or concerns about your treatment, you can call Smile Direct Club where they have multiple customer care representatives that can assist you. You can even email your provider. With Invisalign, you can call or email your doctor’s office as well. However, you also have the option of seeing your doctor in person so that he or she can directly, and in person, examine you to see what is going on with your aligners, your teeth, or your treatment in general. Furthermore, your orthodontist is available to directly communicate with your primary care dentist should you get dental work during treatment that affects the fit of your aligners, or if you are planning cosmetic work after you straighten your teeth such as composite build-ups or porcelain veneers.
Capabilities of Invisalign Vs. Smile Direct Club
By its very nature, Smile Direct Club aligner treatment does not involve x-rays, elastics, or attachments. Attachments are small, tooth-colored ridges made of dental composite resin, a material very similar to what your dentist uses for tooth-colored fillings, that are bonded or glued to certain teeth during Invisalign treatment. These are used only on certain teeth which require more difficult movements and being tooth-colored, blend in with your teeth. Thus, Smile Direct Club treatment is limited to more simple cases where you are mainly improving the alignment of the front teeth and not necessarily fixing the bite. On the other hand, Invisalign can treat all types of cases, including advanced cases. This is due to their well-adapting material, the use of attachments, and the direct in-person supervision of an orthodontist.
Why Choose Invisalign With A Certified Orthodontist?
While Dr. Castilla and the team at Castilla Orthodontics do not have anything negative to say about Smile Direct Club, it is important to understand that this type of treatment is not for everyone. If you are looking for cosmetic improvement and not bite correction or ideal alignment of your teeth, then Smile Direct Club may be an acceptable option. However, it is important that you are very careful and make sure your teeth and gums are healthy enough to undergo orthodontic movement safely. Since your doctor will be monitoring you remotely and without x-rays, you will have to figure this out on your own by contacting your family dentist. If you are looking for bite correction to get a healthy bite that will help you keep your teeth for a lifetime, as well as beautifully aligned teeth (not just a cosmetic improvement), then Invisalign treatment with a certified orthodontist such as Dr. Castilla is the way to go.
Finding the Difference of Invisalign Vs. Smile Direct Club
In conclusion, Dr. Castilla and our team at Castilla Orthodontics are experts in various forms of affordable orthodontic treatment, including limited orthodontic treatment for minor to moderate corrections. We are here to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding Invisalign and Invisalign Teen in Salem, Woodburn, Keizer, Sublimity, Mt. Angel, Dallas, and the surrounding areas of Marion County.