For many people, the idea of obtaining clear aligners to fix their smile insecurities is extremely enticing. In the past, older patients tended to shy away from conventional braces as they could be painful and distracting. With the rise of invisible aligners, people have more options than ever when it comes to straightening their teeth and enhancing the natural beauty of their smile. Of course, this also puts them in the difficult position of choosing what invisible aligner brand they want to go with. 

Since they are two of the most popular invisible aligner brands, many people compare Invisalign vs. Smile Direct when attempting to choose an aligner. In our latest blog post, Dental & Aesthetics of Pittsburgh breaks down the two brands and examines why some people choose Invisalign over Smile Direct. 

Invisalign vs. Smile Direct: The Basics

Review the Basics Features of Invisalign and Smile Direct

Both Invisalign and Smile Direct are invisible brace brands dedicated to helping patients build their dream smile. At a glance, they might seem incredibly similar — even identical — to each other. 

Both brands specialize in designing custom clear aligners for their patients. After determining a patient’s eligibility for these aligners, a dental care professional can start the treatment process relatively quickly. Plus, unlike conventional braces, Invisalign and Smile Direct aligners are clear and removable. Most Invisalign and Smile Direct patients will go through multiple aligners before obtaining a retainer for post-treatment. 

However, there are several key differences between the two brands when examining a variety of factors, including:

• The process of obtaining impressions of your teeth
• The variety of treatment options offered
• Cost
• Check-ups

4 Reasons Why Invisalign Might Be the Better Choice for You

When Comparing Invisalign vs. Smile Direct, Invisalign Comes Out the Winner for Some Patients

Are you still stuck between choosing Invisalign vs. Smile Direct? Here are four reasons why some people prefer Invisalign over Smile Direct. 

1. Teeth Impressions Are Obtained by Their Dentist Rather Than Self-Made by the Patient

While mail-order aligner companies like Smile Direct require customers to obtain their teeth impressions themselves, Invisalign designers can rely on x-rays, gum examinations, and traditional impressions obtained by orthodontists for crafting a unique set of aligners. All dentists and orthodontists who want to offer Invisalign must undergo special training.  

Recently, the company behind Invisalign clear aligners released the iTero Element® scanner. Using the new, state-of-the-art scanner, dentists and orthodontists can create 3D images of a patient’s teeth within minutes. Patients no longer have to worry about undergoing the uncomfortable process of obtaining teeth impressions. Thanks to the iTero Element’s high accuracy rate and precision, patients also face a lower risk of having to redo impressions. Once the image is taken, the orthodontist can show their patient a simulated outcome of their teeth after treatment. 

2. Patients Have More Treatment Options to Choose From

Invisalign offers three main treatment options:

• Invisalign Full: As the traditional Invisalign braces, Invisalign Full typically treats mild to complex cases, including crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, crossbites, gap teeth, and open bites. Treatment can take from 18 months to one year to complete and there is no limit to the number of aligners your dentist might order. 
• Invisalign Express: Patients with mild teeth-straightening cases might be best suited for Invisalign Express. Aligners can come in sets of 10 or 5. 
• Invisalign Teen: These aligners are designed specifically for teenagers. Each aligner comes with an indicator for parents and dentists to check how often they have been worn.

3. Users Will See Their Orthodontist on a Regular Basis

From the second they step foot into the dentist’s office, patients are treated to in-person treatments and check-ups for their Invisalign trays. While some people prefer the convenience of just taking their dental impressions themselves and checking in with their dental care providers virtually, others prefer in-person treatment with a dentist or orthodontist they are already acquainted with. 

4. They Want Extra Comfort and Fast Results

Not all invisible braces are made the same. Invisalign braces are the only clear aligners made of the patented SmartTrack® material designed to help patients get the smile they want, faster. The SmartTrack material now used in Invisalign aligners is based on eight years of research and development, the testing of 260 materials, and decades of experience in biomechanics and material science. Specifically engineered for the Invisalign system, SmartTrack offers greater comfort, control, and speed for users. 

When it comes to comparing Invisalign vs. Smile Direct braces, many customers pick Invisalign for its comfort and high rates of success. Are you ready to finally achieve the smile of your dreams? Contact the team at Dental & Aesthetics of Pittsburgh today to schedule an appointment.